Voice AI Response Timing Control for Broadcast Content Viewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The voice AI assistance service used in conjunction with broadcast content often overlaps with the content's audio, causing interference with the viewer's experience.

Innovation Solution

The voice response is controlled by the voice response is controlled by the timing of the user interface device and the timing of the user interface device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If voice AI assistance service is used in cooperation with broadcast content, then the convenience of voice assistance is improved, but the response voice overlaps with content voice causing interference with viewing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of voice AI assistance serviceVSAvoidinterference with viewing experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing of voice response output based on the playback state of broadcast content. The response timing is not fixed but adapts in real-time to the content playback progress, allowing the voice response to be output at appropriate moments that avoid overlapping with important content segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the broadcast content to identify suitable timing for voice response output. By pre-analyzing the content structure and identifying appropriate response windows before actually outputting the voice response, the system ensures that responses are delivered at optimal moments without interfering with the viewing experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If voice response is output immediately to respond to viewer's utterance, then the responsiveness of voice AI is improved, but the response voice interferes with the content being watched

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness of voice AIVSAvoidinterference with content viewing
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines the timing of voice response output based on real-time monitoring of content playback state. Instead of using a fixed delay or immediate response, the system adapts the response timing to match the dynamic state of the broadcast content, ensuring responsiveness while avoiding interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the playback state of broadcast content and uses this feedback information to adjust the timing of voice response output. By implementing a feedback loop that tracks content progress and responds accordingly, the system maintains responsiveness while avoiding moments when the viewer's attention is critically engaged with the content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If voice response timing is controlled based on content playback state, then interference with viewing is reduced, but the complexity of timing control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with viewing experienceVSAvoidcomplexity of timing control
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The timing control unit is designed to handle multiple functions: it monitors content playback state, determines appropriate response timing, and controls voice output timing. By creating a multi-functional component that consolidates these tasks, the system reduces overall complexity while achieving sophisticated timing control that minimizes viewing interference.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3780640B1Information processing device, information processing method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3780640B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3780640B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3780640B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus, information processing method, transmission apparatus, and transmission method, capable of improving the convenience of a voice AI assistance service used in cooperation with content. The convenience of the voice AI assistance service used in cooperation with the content can be improved by providing an information processing apparatus including a control unit configured to control a timing of a voice response upon using a voice AI assistance service in cooperation with content on the basis of voice response time information indicating time suitable for the voice response to an utterance of a viewer watching the content. The present technology can be applied to a system in cooperation with a voice AI assistance service, for example.