Virtual Assistant Proxy for Communication Multi-tasking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices face challenges in supporting multi-tasking during communications, as they lack the necessary functionality to efficiently manage external applications and user interactions without interrupting primary communications, and existing solutions like WiVa and VCON ICG 2000 have limitations that hinder further utility.
Innovation Solution
A virtual assistant is introduced through a VXML engine, controlled by software modules from a proxy node, enabling two-way in-band signaling and providing a user interface for external applications, allowing users to access and interact with external functionalities without interrupting primary communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional communication devices are used to support multi-tasking with external applications, then functionality is extended, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary between the communication device and external applications. The gateway server hosts virtual assistants that mediate interactions, allowing the communication device to access external functionality without directly integrating complex application logic. This resolves the contradiction by extending adaptability through the intermediary while keeping the device itself simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual assistant system provides universal access to multiple external applications through a single interface. Instead of integrating each application separately into the communication device, the virtual assistant acts as a universal mediator that can handle various application types (messaging, information services, etc.), thereby extending functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external applications are integrated into communication devices to enable multi-tasking, then adaptability improves, but ease of operation worsens due to interface complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual assistant serves as an intermediary that simplifies the user interface for accessing external applications. Instead of requiring users to directly interact with complex application interfaces on the communication device, the virtual assistant provides a simplified conversational interface, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining multi-tasking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/physical interfaces (keyboards, buttons, visual displays) with voice-based interaction through the virtual assistant. This substitution simplifies the interaction model for multi-tasking, allowing users to perform operations through natural speech rather than navigating complex device interfaces, thus improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If users interact with external applications during communication, then productivity improves, but loss of information increases due to potential communication interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server acts as an intermediary that manages information flow between the communication channel and external applications. It can buffer, translate, and coordinate information exchanges, ensuring that interactions with external applications do not disrupt the primary communication. This resolves the contradiction by enabling productivity-enhancing interactions while preserving communication continuity through intelligent information management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and preparing information from external applications before presenting it to the user during communication. This allows users to interact with external application data without interrupting the communication flow, as the information is ready-formatted and can be integrated seamlessly, thereby maintaining both productivity and communication continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a virtual assistant to at least one party of a communication. The virtual assistant is injected into the communication, for example, by a VXML engine. The operation of the virtual assistant is controlled by one or more software modules that are obtained from a proxy node. The software modules allow commands received from or destined for the party to be interpreted. The virtual assistant may optionally be customized based on a selection of the one or more supported external applications. The proxy node provides at least one method for the party that allows the party to access functionality provided by at least one external application. The proxy node interprets signals from the virtual assistant; converts the signals from the virtual assistant into commands for the external application; and converts one or more of commands, messages and data from the external application into signals understood by the virtual assistant.