Edge Display Listening Indicator for Digital Assistant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital assistants often provide obtrusive or unclear indications of their listening state, occupying valuable screen space and reducing user interaction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Providing a visual output at the edge of a display with characteristics based on the device's environment while receiving natural-language input, and ceasing the output upon input cessation, with a responsive output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional listening state indications are provided on the display, then the user can understand the assistant's state, but the indication becomes obtrusive and occupies valuable screen space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the listening state indication from the two-dimensional display surface to the one-dimensional edge boundary of the display. This dimensional transition allows the indication to be visible without occupying valuable screen real estate, resolving the contradiction between clear indication and screen space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (the edge display region) that serves as a mediator between the digital assistant system and the user. This intermediary provides the listening state indication in a location that does not interfere with the main display content, thus maintaining clarity while preserving screen space.
2Productivity
If the digital assistant provides clear indications of listening state, then user interaction efficiency is improved, but additional inputs and processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The digital assistant system automatically monitors its own listening state and autonomously controls the edge display indication without requiring additional user inputs. The system self-regulates by activating the indication when receiving speech and deactivating it when processing is complete, thereby improving interaction efficiency without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the edge display provides real-time visual feedback about the assistant's listening state. This feedback loop allows users to understand the system's status without additional inputs, improving interaction efficiency while maintaining simple operation.
3Reliability
If the visual output is provided continuously to indicate listening state, then user understanding is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by activating the visual output only during specific periods when the assistant is receiving speech input, and deactivating it during processing periods. This time-based control ensures user understanding is maintained during critical moments while minimizing power consumption during non-critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual output characteristic is made dynamic, changing from active to inactive state based on the assistant's operational phase. The system dynamically adjusts the display output to match the listening state, providing necessary information when needed and conserving energy when processing occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. An example process includes at an electronic device that includes a display and one or more input devices: while receiving a natural-language input from a user: providing a visual output at a first location at an edge of the display, wherein a visual characteristic of the visual output is based on an environment of the electronic device; after ceasing to receive the natural-language input: ceasing to provide the visual output; and providing an output responsive to the natural-language input.