Virtual Assistant Mediating Non-Human Entity Sensor Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual assistant technologies do not effectively enable transactional conversations with non-human entities, limiting their ability to perform tasks or communicate complex information between users and non-human entities, such as animals or objects equipped with sensors, in a seamless and interactive manner.

Innovation Solution

The integration of virtual assistants with non-human entities, allowing for sensor data processing and communication through a network, enabling users to associate virtual assistants with non-human entities, record sensor readings, detect events of interest, and communicate messages or perform tasks on behalf of these entities, facilitating interactions and task management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual assistants are integrated with non-human entities equipped with sensors, then interaction capabilities and task performance are enhanced, but device complexity and system architecture become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction capabilitiesVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual assistant as an intermediary layer between the user and the non-human entity. The virtual assistant receives sensor data from the entity, processes it, and communicates with the user, thereby enhancing interaction capabilities while managing system complexity through a dedicated mediation layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual assistant is designed to perform multiple functions including receiving sensor data, detecting events of interest, communicating with users, and executing tasks. This multi-functionality allows a single system component to handle diverse interaction requirements, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If virtual assistants process sensor data and enable transactional conversations, then productivity and task performance improve, but use of energy and computational resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask performanceVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual assistant performs preliminary processing of sensor data by detecting events of interest before full communication or action is required. This allows the system to pre-process and filter data, improving task performance while reducing the computational energy needed for complete data processing in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system processes only the necessary portion of sensor data relevant to detected events of interest rather than analyzing all sensor inputs continuously. This partial processing approach maintains productivity for critical tasks while reducing overall computational resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11463546B1Virtual assistants for and conversations with non-human entities

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example virtual assistants that allow communications with non-human entities. A virtual assistant associated with a non-human entity may communicate directly with a human user or may communicate with a second virtual assistant associated with the user. Example non-human entities include animals, toys, and connected devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.