Voice Assistant Proximity Detection and Adaptive Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-room voice assistant setups, inaccurate detection of user proximity can hinder proper device control and user experience, as existing systems struggle to seamlessly transition audio playback and manage operations across multiple devices without fading sound levels or requiring users to manually adjust settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize proximity sensors to determine the physical distance between electronic devices and users, allowing adaptive operations such as volume adjustment, screen content changes, and seamless audio transitions between devices, with network-connected voice assistants identifying and responding to the closest device to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electronic devices are deployed in different rooms to improve voice assistant availability, then user accessibility is improved, but accurate detection of user proximity becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the proximity detection function by assigning different sensor types to different devices based on their operational context. Each device uses its appropriate sensor (acoustic for smart speakers, optical for tablets/phones) to detect user proximity independently, allowing accurate local measurements across multiple distributed devices without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a network communication intermediary that collects proximity parameters from multiple devices and coordinates their operations. The intermediary enables devices to share their detected proximity data and cooperate to determine which device is closest to the user, resolving the contradiction between multi-device deployment and accurate proximity detection.
2Ease of operation
If audio playback transitions between multiple devices are made seamless to improve user experience, then audio continuity is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous operation of multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts device operation states based on real-time proximity detection. When a user approaches a device, that device transitions to an active state ready for audio playback. When the user moves away, previously active devices transition to low-power or sleep states. This dynamic state adjustment enables seamless audio transitions while minimizing overall power consumption of the multi-device system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning audio playback on the device that is currently closest to the user. By proactively managing which device is active based on predicted user movement patterns and current proximity data, the system avoids the need for all devices to remain continuously active, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining audio availability.
Data Source
AI summary
Present teachings relate to a method for controlling a service running at least partially on an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: —Determining, using a proximity sensor in the electronic device, a first parameter indicative of the physical distance between the electronic device and a user; and—Adapting at least one operation of the electronic device dependent upon the first parameter.