Virtual Assistant Avatar Interface for Vehicle Function Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual assistants for motor vehicles struggle to provide an overview of numerous accessible elements, making it difficult for users to select the appropriate functions or information due to their complexity, especially in scenarios with extensive vehicle functionalities and features.
Innovation Solution
A virtual assistant utilizing question-answering logic based on machine learning, allowing users to interact through natural language or gestures to identify and select suitable elements, which adapts to user preferences and improves over time through reinforcement learning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large amount of different information data and selectable functionalities is provided by a vehicle, then the vehicle functionality and features are enhanced, but it becomes difficult to provide an overview over these accessible elements to a user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the user and the complex vehicle functions. This intermediary processes user statements, maintains context through dialogue history, and translates natural language inputs into appropriate vehicle control commands, thereby simplifying the interaction interface while preserving access to extensive vehicle capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual assistant is designed as a universal interface that can handle multiple types of vehicle functions (climate control, navigation, entertainment, etc.) through a single natural language processing system. This multi-functional approach allows one system to replace multiple specialized interfaces, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility
2Loss of information
If all accessible elements are listed by a dialogue system or menu, then complete information is provided to the user, but the listing becomes too complex for a user to grasp
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the relevant accessible elements from the complete set of vehicle functions based on the current dialogue context and user intent. Rather than presenting all possible functions, the virtual assistant selectively retrieves and presents only those elements that are pertinent to the user's current needs, thereby maintaining information completeness while improving comprehensibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large set of accessible elements into context-relevant subsets based on the dialogue state and user preferences. By dividing the comprehensive function list into manageable, context-specific segments, the system prevents information overload while ensuring that all necessary information remains accessible through iterative dialogue
3Ease of operation
If a predefined set of accessible elements is provided for selection, then the interface is simple, but the system cannot adapt to the personal needs of the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the set of accessible elements based on the user's dialogue history, preferences, and current context. The virtual assistant learns from user interactions and adjusts which functions are presented and how they are described, transforming a static predefined interface into a dynamic, personalized interface that evolves with user needs while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors user interactions with the accessible elements and uses this information to refine future presentations. By analyzing user preferences, selection patterns, and dialogue responses, the system provides feedback-driven personalization that tailors the interface to individual users while keeping the base interface simple and intuitive
Data Source
AI summary
An avatar interface of a virtual assistant is presented to a user in a motor vehicle and a predefined set of accessible elements is provided to be selected by the user. The accessible elements may be operating functions and/or information data. When at least one user statement of the user is received over the avatar interface; a question-answering logic is operated in the virtual assistant for determining at least one of the accessible elements that the user requests by the at least one user statement; and the at least one identified accessible element is made available to the user.