Smart Speaker Operation Completion via Second Device Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart speakers and their voice assistants have limited functionality when interacting with third-party mobile applications, particularly in performing operations that require authentication or permission, leading to incomplete task execution.
Innovation Solution
A computer server system and method that determines if a smart speaker device cannot perform an operation due to lack of permission or authentication capabilities, prompting a second device for authentication and offering a selectable option to complete the operation, allowing the system to perform the task upon successful authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smart speakers use voice assistants to interact with third-party mobile applications, then the capability of smart speakers is expanded, but the functionality when performing operations requiring authentication remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second device as an intermediary that performs authentication on behalf of the smart speaker. When the voice assistant cannot complete an operation due to authentication requirements, the system redirects the authentication process to a second device (such as a mobile device), which then communicates the authentication result back to complete the operation. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining versatility while ensuring reliable authentication through a capable device.
2Productivity
If smart speakers attempt to perform operations requiring authentication, then task completion is attempted, but the operation fails due to lack of authentication capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the task completion process into two distinct parts: (1) the smart speaker handles voice input and initial processing, and (2) a second device handles authentication. This segmentation allows each component to perform its strength - the voice assistant for natural language processing and the second device for secure authentication - thereby achieving both high productivity in task initiation and high reliability in authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The second device serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the smart speaker's voice-based interface and the authentication requirements of third-party applications. The mediator receives authentication requests from the voice assistant, processes them through appropriate channels, and returns results to enable operation completion, thus ensuring both productivity and reliability.
3Reliability
If the system redirects authentication to a second device, then authentication can be completed, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication mechanism that works across multiple devices and applications. The second device is designed to handle various authentication types (biometric, password, token-based) and communicate with different third-party applications through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by providing a single, versatile authentication solution rather than requiring device-specific implementations for each authentication scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer server system comprises a communications module; a processor coupled with the communications module; and a memory coupled to the processor and storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive, via the communications module and from a server associated with a first device, a request to perform an operation; determine that the first device cannot perform the operation; send, via the communications module and to the server associated with the first device, a signal causing the first device to output a message indicating that the first device cannot perform the operation and requesting authentication from a second device; receive, via the communications module and from the second device, a signal including authentication information; and send, via the communications module and to the second device, a signal including a selectable option to perform the operation.