Context-Aware Voice Assistant Notification Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current voice assistant systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust output methods and volumes based on context, leading to unwanted audible responses during quiet hours or emergency situations, and fail to provide context-aware notifications.
Innovation Solution
An Information Handling System (IHS) that includes a processor and memory to transmit audio instructions to a voice services engine, receive responses, and output notifications using context-aware settings, such as muting schedules or proxy devices, which can include visual or tactile feedback, to adapt responses based on ambient noise, time, or emergency contexts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voice assistant outputs audible notifications for all responses, then the user receives timely information, but the user experiences noise disturbance during quiet hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the output method and volume level of notifications based on contextual factors such as time of day, ambient noise levels, and user activity state. During quiet hours (e.g., nighttime), the system automatically reduces audio output or switches to alternative notification methods like visual displays or haptic feedback, while maintaining full audio notification capability during daytime hours when ambient noise is higher.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of notification output based on contextual conditions. It monitors ambient noise levels using microphones and adjusts the volume parameter accordingly - reducing volume when ambient noise is low and increasing volume when ambient noise is high. The system also changes the notification modality parameter, switching between audio, visual, and haptic notifications based on the situation.
2Measurement precision
If the voice assistant uses maximum volume for all notifications, then important emergency alerts are heard clearly, but normal notifications cause unnecessary noise during quiet periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different notification qualities to different types of responses based on their importance. Emergency alerts and critical notifications are delivered with maximum volume and prominent audio output to ensure clarity and immediate attention. Normal informational responses use reduced volume or alternative notification methods during quiet hours, providing appropriate quality for each notification type rather than a uniform approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the appropriate notification volume and method based on the urgency and importance of the response content. It analyzes the semantic meaning of the voice assistant's response to classify it as emergency, important, or normal, and adjusts the notification delivery parameters accordingly. This dynamic classification allows the system to use maximum volume only when necessary for emergency alerts.
3Loss of information
If the voice assistant always provides audio feedback, then the user receives complete information, but the user is disturbed during meetings or quiet hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces alternative intermediary notification methods to convey information without using audio output. When audio notification is determined to be inappropriate (during quiet hours, meetings, or low ambient noise conditions), the system uses visual displays on screens, haptic feedback through vibrations, or text-based notifications to deliver the same information, thus maintaining complete information delivery while avoiding noise disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the notification output parameter from audio to alternative modalities based on contextual conditions. It monitors environmental factors and user state to determine when to switch from audio feedback to visual or haptic feedback, ensuring that the information delivery parameter is adjusted appropriately for the situation while maintaining the completeness of information conveyed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for handling responses from voice services. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include: a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the IHS to: transmit an audio instruction to a voice services engine, receive a response to the audio instruction, and output a notification associated with the response using an output setting selected based upon a context of the IHS.