Software Object Conversion for Cross-App Assistant Tasks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intelligent automated assistants face challenges in efficiently performing tasks with software objects across different applications due to compatibility issues, leading to increased processing time and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The conversion of software objects into transferrable types that are compatible with the intent objects of applications, allowing seamless task performance and reducing the need for additional inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software objects are used directly without conversion, then task performance is blocked due to compatibility issues, but converting software objects increases processing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a software object converter as an intermediary component between the digital assistant and applications. This converter automatically transforms software objects from one application into types compatible with the intent object of another application, enabling cross-application task performance without requiring manual intervention or complex compatibility checking logic in the assistant itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the type parameters of software objects dynamically based on the requirements of the target application's intent object. By detecting the required parameter types and automatically converting software objects to match these types, the system achieves adaptability across different applications while maintaining a simplified interface for the digital assistant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If software object conversion is performed, then task performance efficiency is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask performance efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs type detection and conversion preparation in advance by establishing a registry of software object types and their corresponding transferrable types before actual task execution. This preliminary setup allows the converter to quickly match and transform objects during task performance without time-consuming analysis, thus minimizing the time overhead of conversion while maintaining high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If software objects are converted to transferrable types, then cross-application functionality is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-application functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal software object converter that handles multiple application types and intent objects through a single unified mechanism. The converter uses a standardized interface and type registry that works across different applications, enabling cross-application functionality without requiring application-specific conversion logic for each scenario, thus managing system complexity through generalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250378831A1Task performance with software objects
Publication Date: 2025.12.11 APPLE INC
  • US20250378831A1 patent drawing
  • US20250378831A1 patent drawing
  • US20250378831A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. Example methods include receiving a request from a user to perform an action using a particular software object, and in response to the request, determining an actionable intent corresponding to the action, determining whether and how to transfer the particular software object for use in executing the actionable intent, and executing the actionable intent using the particular software object.