Motorized Computing Interface Positioning for User-Following Content Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often face difficulties in accessing information from computing devices when they are preoccupied with tasks in different rooms or locations, leading to inefficiencies and resource waste due to the need to navigate to the device for content perception.

Innovation Solution

A mobile computing device that navigates to the user and adjusts its display panel orientation based on user location and content type, using sensors and motors to optimize power and computational resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the computing device remains stationary in a fixed location, then device complexity is reduced, but user accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate when users are in different locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoiddevice mobility system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device transitions from a static to a dynamic system by incorporating motorized mobility components. The device can autonomously navigate to users based on location data from sensors, transforming the fixed-position architecture into an adaptive, mobile platform that responds to user needs in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs sensors (cameras, microphones, GPS) and processing systems to autonomously determine user locations and navigate independently. The system self-manages the navigation process without requiring user intervention to physically access the device, thereby improving accessibility while managing complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the computing device navigates to the user, then user accessibility improves, but power consumption and energy use increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent delivery timelinessVSAvoidmotor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors user location through sensors and compares it with the device's position. Navigation is triggered only when the user is detected at a distance where content perception becomes difficult, creating a feedback-based decision system that balances accessibility needs with energy conservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device adjusts its operational parameters dynamically by changing from stationary to moving state based on real-time conditions. Motors are activated only when necessary to maintain optimal viewing distance, and the system transitions back to stationary mode afterward to conserve energy, creating an adaptive power management strategy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the display panel orientation is adjusted to face the user, then content visibility improves, but device complexity and motor control requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent visibilityVSAvoiddisplay adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel transitions from a fixed orientation to a dynamic, adjustable position. Motors are integrated into the display assembly to enable real-time angle adjustments based on user location detection, transforming the static display into an adaptive interface that maintains optimal visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation system and display adjustment system are integrated into a unified control architecture. The same sensors that detect user location feed into both the navigation motors and the display angle control, merging multiple functions into a coordinated system that reduces overall complexity through shared components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Use of energy by moving object

If the device waits for the user to navigate to it, then power consumption is reduced, but loss of time and productivity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conservationVSAvoidcontent access time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device continuously monitors user location in the background using sensors before navigation is actually initiated. This preliminary detection allows the system to prepare for navigation and deliver content proactively, reducing the time users wait for content access while maintaining power efficiency through selective activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12505838B2Motorized computing device that autonomously adjusts device location and/or orientation of interfaces according to automated assistant requests

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 GOOGLE LLC

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.