Mobile Computing Display Repositioning for Assistant Content Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in accessing information from computing devices when engaged in tasks that prevent them from safely or conveniently viewing or hearing content, such as when working in confined spaces or at distances from the device.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing device that navigates to the user and adjusts its display panel's viewing angle based on the user's position, using sensors like microphones and cameras to determine the user's location and render content accordingly, thereby preserving power and reducing delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the computing device remains stationary, then power consumption is reduced, but the user cannot access information when engaged in tasks that prevent them from safely or conveniently viewing or hearing content
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to move to the computing device, the computing device autonomously navigates to the user's location. The device uses sensor data to determine user position and motor systems to physically move itself, inverting the traditional interaction model where the user approaches the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device autonomously determines when navigation is needed based on sensor inputs detecting user presence and task context. The device self-manages the decision-making process for when to move, eliminating the need for explicit user commands to navigate.
2Ease of operation
If the computing device navigates to the user continuously, then information accessibility is improved, but computational resources and power are wasted when navigation is unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device continuously monitors sensor data including user presence detection, current location, and task context to dynamically determine when navigation is appropriate. This feedback loop allows the device to adjust its behavior based on real-time conditions, navigating only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs navigation only to the extent necessary - moving to the user's location when needed, but remaining stationary when the user is already accessible or no navigation is required. This partial action approach avoids excessive navigation that would waste resources.
3Productivity
If the user must navigate to the computing device to view content, then device security is maintained, but the user experiences delays and cannot efficiently access information while working
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device proactively navigates to the user before the user would need to request information, or immediately upon detecting a need for information based on sensor inputs. This preliminary action eliminates the delay of user navigation and information request processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of user navigation with an autonomous robotic navigation system. The computing device uses motors, sensors, and control systems to physically move itself to the user, substituting the user's mechanical movement with an automated system.
4Ease of operation
If the computing device adjusts display panel angle, then content visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one, capable of adjusting its angle based on user position and viewing requirements. This dynamic adjustment is controlled by motors that can change the display orientation autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor system that enables navigation is also used to control display panel angle adjustment. This multi-functional approach allows a single actuator system to perform both navigation and display orientation tasks, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Set forth is a motorized computing device that selectively navigates to a user according content of a spoken utterance directed at the motorized computing device. The motorized computing device can modify operations of one or more motors of the motorized computing device according to whether the user provided a spoken utterance while the one or more motors are operating. The motorized computing device can render content according to interactions between the user and an automated assistant. For instance, when automated assistant is requested to provide graphical content for the user, the motorized computing device can navigate to the user in order to present the content the user. However, in some implementations, when the user requests audio content, the motorized computing device can bypass navigating to the user when the motorized computing device is within a distance from the user for audibly rendering the audio content.