Voice-Controlled Device Coordinating Visual Output on Proximate Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice interaction systems often rely solely on audio output, failing to effectively transition content to devices with display capabilities when users request visual information, limiting the user experience in multi-device environments.
Innovation Solution
A voice-controlled device identifies proximate devices with display capabilities and instructs them to output visual content associated with voice commands, allowing seamless transition of information from audio to visual formats, even across different devices within the same environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voice interaction systems rely solely on audio output, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the information completeness and user experience are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the system from a single audio output dimension to multiple dimensions by enabling content to be output both audibly from the voice-controlled device and visually from proximate display devices. This dimensional expansion allows the system to maintain ease of voice-based operation while simultaneously providing visual information to enhance completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the voice-controlled device universal by enabling it to coordinate multiple types of output devices (audio speakers and visual displays) through a single voice interface. The device can identify proximate devices with display capabilities and instruct them to output visual content, allowing one device to serve multiple functions across different output modalities.
2Loss of information
If the system transitions content to devices with display capabilities, then the information completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voice-controlled device automatically identifies proximate devices with display capabilities and determines which content should be displayed without requiring manual user configuration. The system self-manages the complexity of device discovery, content selection, and coordination, reducing the burden on the user while enabling comprehensive information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The voice-controlled device acts as an intermediary that mediates between the user's voice commands and multiple output devices. It receives voice input, processes the request, identifies appropriate display devices, and coordinates the output across different devices, thereby managing system complexity centrally rather than requiring complex interactions between all components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are coordinated for content output, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adapts to the available environment by self-identifying proximate devices with display capabilities and determining the appropriate content distribution without requiring users to manually configure device connections or select output preferences. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while achieving high adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for receiving a voice command from a user and, in response, providing audible content to the user using a first device and providing visual content for the user using a second device. In some instances, the first device includes a microphone for generating audio signals that include user speech, as well as a speaker for outputting audible content in response to identified voice commands from the speech. However, the first device might not include a display for displaying graphical content. As such, the first device may be configured to identify devices that include displays and that are proximate to the first device. The first device may then instruct one or more of these other devices to output visual content associated with a user's voice command.