Proximity-Based Assistant Controls for Multi-Device Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple controls for connected devices from a single user device becomes disorganized and cumbersome, and distinguishing between devices with overlapping capabilities is difficult due to shared actions and similar device names.
Innovation Solution
A user device determines proximity scores for assistant-enabled devices based on wireless communication signals and directionality, ranking them to prioritize controls in a graphical user interface, allowing efficient control of the most likely intended device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connected devices are controlled from a single user device using various applications, then device control functionality is achieved, but the system becomes disorganized and cumbersome to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control functionality for multiple assistant-enabled devices into a single assistant application interface. Instead of requiring separate applications for each device type (smart lights, smart TVs, smart speakers, etc.), the system provides unified control through one application that automatically detects and presents all controllable devices in a ranked list based on proximity scores.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic device detection, proximity calculation, and control interface generation without requiring user intervention. When the assistant application is launched, it automatically obtains proximity information from sensors, calculates proximity scores for each device, generates a ranked list of candidate devices, and displays the appropriate control interface - all self-service operations that eliminate manual navigation through multiple applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are provided to control different connected devices, then comprehensive device control is achieved, but the number of steps to control a device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting available assistant-enabled devices and pre-generating control interfaces before the user needs to control any device. Upon launching the assistant application, the system proactively obtains proximity information, calculates proximity scores, and prepares the ranked list of candidate devices with their control interfaces ready for immediate selection, eliminating the need for users to manually search through multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The assistant application serves as a universal control interface that can control multiple types of assistant-enabled devices (smart lights, smart TVs, smart speakers, smart thermostats, security systems, appliances) through a single application. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized applications into one unified control system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all connected devices are displayed in the control interface, then complete device selection is achieved, but the interface becomes difficult to navigate and device identification becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by differentiating the display of devices based on their proximity scores. The ranked list presents devices in order of proximity, with the highest-scoring (closest) device prominently displayed at the top. This creates a quality gradient where devices are visually prioritized according to their relevance to the user's current location, making it easy to identify the intended device without navigating through all devices equally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the most relevant devices for control by filtering the complete list of assistant-enabled devices down to a ranked list of candidate devices based on proximity scores. Instead of presenting all devices equally, the system extracts and prioritizes the top candidates that are most likely to be the user's intended target, reducing the effective number of devices the user needs to consider.
4Measurement precision
If proximity-based device ranking is implemented, then device identification accuracy is improved, but additional sensor processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces proximity information as an intermediary metric that mediates between raw sensor data and device identification. Sensors (cameras, microphones, other detection devices) capture environmental data, which is then converted into proximity scores that serve as an intermediate representation. This intermediary layer translates complex sensor inputs into a simple, actionable ranking system that accurately identifies the user's intended device without requiring direct complex processing of raw sensor data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes obtaining proximity information for each of a plurality of assistant-enabled devices within an environment of a user device. Each assistant-enabled device is controllable by an assistant application to perform a respective set of available actions associated with the assistant-enabled device. For each assistant-enabled device, the method also includes determining a proximity score based on the proximity information indicating a proximity estimation of the corresponding assistant-enabled device relative to the user device. The method further includes generating, using the proximity scores determined for the assistant-enabled devices, a ranked list of candidate assistant-enabled devices, and for each corresponding assistant-enabled device in the ranked list, displaying, in a graphical user interface (GUI), a respective set of controls for performing the respective set of actions associated with the corresponding assistant-enabled device.