Graphical Agent Invocation for Faster Assistant Conversations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often lack awareness of automated assistant functionalities and invocation phrases, leading to inefficient interactions and resource usage, especially for those with dexterity issues.

Innovation Solution

A selectable graphical element is introduced in non-automated assistant interfaces to invoke an agent module via an automated assistant, allowing single-tap or single-click interaction, reducing the number of inputs required and promoting discovery of automated assistant functionalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users explicitly invoke the automated assistant through particular verbal phrases or hardware inputs, then the automated assistant can be activated to perform functions, but the interaction process becomes complex and requires multiple inputs that consume computational resources and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of invocationVSAvoidtime for dialog turns
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by placing selectable graphical elements directly within the application interface that pre-configure the automated assistant invocation. When users select these elements, the invocation phrase and target function are already determined, eliminating the need for users to manually compose verbal phrases or navigate through multiple dialog turns to discover available functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The selectable graphical elements act as intermediaries between the application and the automated assistant. These elements embed invocation capabilities within the application interface, serving as a mediator that translates user selections into automated assistant commands without requiring users to directly interact with the automated assistant's invocation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If users engage in extensive dialog turns to discover automated assistant functionalities, then they can learn available functions, but computational resources are consumed and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery of functionalitiesVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The selectable graphical elements are pre-configured with specific function identifiers and invocation phrases. This preliminary configuration allows users to directly access automated assistant functionalities without engaging in exploratory dialog turns, thereby preventing computational resource consumption while ensuring users can discover and access available functions through the presented interface elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the automated assistant's functionality into discrete selectable graphical elements within the application interface. Each element corresponds to a specific function or action, allowing users to directly select desired functionalities without needing to explore through multiple dialog turns. This segmentation makes functionality discovery efficient and resource-efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If the automated assistant interface is used for all interactions, then resource efficiency is improved, but users with dexterity issues face difficulty with multiple inputs required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidease of use for users with dexterity issues
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interaction process into a single selection action followed by automated assistant processing. By embedding selectable graphical elements directly in the application interface, users with dexterity issues can complete their intent with a single tap or click rather than multiple sequential inputs, maintaining resource efficiency while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The selectable graphical elements serve as intermediaries that accommodate users with dexterity issues by requiring only a single selection action. These elements mediate between the user's limited input capability and the automated assistant's processing requirements, enabling resource-efficient interactions without demanding multiple precise inputs from users with dexterity challenges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12506698B2Initializing a conversation with an automated agent via selectable graphical element
Publication Date: 2025.12.23 GOOGLE LLC
  • US12506698B2 patent drawing
  • US12506698B2 patent drawing
  • US12506698B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for invoking an agent module in an automated assistant application in response to user selection of a selectable element presented at a graphical user interface rendered by a non-automated assistant application. The invoked agent module can be associated with other content rendered in the non-automated assistant graphical user interface, and can optionally be invoked with values that are based on user interactions via the non-automated assistant application. Responsive content can be received from the agent module in response to the invocation, and corresponding content provided by the automated assistant application via an automated assistant interface. In these and other manners, selection of the selectable element causes transition from a non-conversational interface, to a conversational automated assistant interface—where an agent (relevant to content in the non-conversational interface) is invoked in the automated assistant interface.