Virtual Assistant Plan Template Matching for Natural Language Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for interacting with virtual assistants are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring complex user interfaces that consume time and device energy, especially in situations where users have limited dexterity or are operating battery-powered devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows for unstructured natural-language user requests to be matched with plan templates, enabling faster and more efficient responses by selecting appropriate templates based on the content of the requests, thereby reducing the need for multiple interactions and conserving power in battery-operated devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing techniques use a complex user interface with multiple key presses or keystrokes, then the user can interact with the virtual assistant, but the interaction becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keyboard input with voice-based natural language processing. The virtual assistant system captures spoken requests through a microphone, processes the audio signal, and executes commands without requiring physical key presses. This substitution of mechanical interaction with acoustic field-based interaction resolves the contradiction by enabling hands-free, rapid communication that is both easy to operate and time-efficient.
2Productivity
If existing techniques require multiple separate interactions to fulfill a user request, then the user can complete tasks, but user time and device energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining the virtual assistant in a continuous listening state through voice activation. Instead of requiring users to navigate through multiple menu interactions, the system pre-positions itself to receive and process natural language requests immediately. The voice command system is continuously monitored for activation keywords, and upon detection, the system rapidly transitions to command execution mode, completing tasks in a single interaction flow rather than requiring multiple separate steps, thereby reducing both time and energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing techniques use a complex user interface, then the user can access virtual assistant services, but the cognitive burden on the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interface navigation with natural acoustic communication. Instead of requiring users to understand and navigate through structured menu systems and multiple keystroke sequences, the system accepts spontaneous spoken language that mirrors natural human communication patterns. This substitution reduces interface complexity while maintaining service accessibility, as users can express diverse requests using their own vocabulary and sentence structures rather than being constrained by predefined interface options.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method of using a virtual assistant may include receiving an unstructured natural-language user request for a service from a virtual assistant; determining whether the user request corresponds to at least one of a plurality of plan templates accessible to the virtual assistant, based on the content of the user request and the content of the plan templates; in accordance with a determination that the user request corresponds to at least one of the plurality of plan templates, selecting one of the plurality of plan templates; and in accordance with a determination the user request fails to correspond to at least one of the plurality of plan templates, foregoing selection of a plan template; and in response to selection of one of the plan templates, beginning to respond to the user request according to the selected plan template.