Voice Navigation for TV Settings Intent Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for performing device tasks on electronic devices, such as TVs, are cumbersome and frustrating due to complex navigation menus that require manual clicking, leading to slow and unsatisfactory user experiences.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a voice-based application that recognizes device task intents from user utterances, navigating the user to the relevant settings page instead of directly executing the task, allowing users to perform tasks more easily and efficiently using voice commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual clicking navigation is used to access settings, then the device can be controlled precisely, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of settings accessVSAvoidtime to navigate menus

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical clicking navigation system with a voice-based control system. The voice assistant processes natural language commands to directly navigate to settings pages, eliminating the need for manual remote control navigation through complex menu hierarchies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The voice assistant serves as an intermediary between the user and the device settings. It interprets user intent from voice commands, determines the appropriate settings page, and executes the navigation automatically, acting as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between user and complex menu system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex navigation menus are provided to access all device functions, then complete control is available, but user frustration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to device functionsVSAvoiduser experience quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex settings navigation into intent-based categories. The voice assistant analyzes user commands to identify specific settings intents (e.g., picture settings, sound settings, network settings) and directly routes users to the relevant segments of the settings menu, avoiding the need to traverse the entire complex menu structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If voice control directly executes tasks, then efficiency is improved, but user intent accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask execution speedVSAvoidintent recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The voice assistant implements feedback mechanisms to confirm intent recognition. It can present ambiguous interpretations to the user for confirmation or clarification, ensuring that the executed task matches the user's actual intent while maintaining efficient voice-based operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260082098A1Voice control for settings on TV or other electronic devices

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 ROKU INC

AI summary

On a television or media device, it is painfully slow for users to click through a settings tree to perform device tasks. To address this issue, a voice-based application can be implemented to help users perform and access device tasks by voice. A user can make an utterance to reach a specific page in the setting tree where the user can then complete the device task. It is not trivial to implement the application. It can be a challenge to determine the precise device task intent from the utterance when there are hundreds of device tasks. The type of device task intent and the context of the user device may impact the way the user interface is to be updated. Some device tasks may be unsupported by the user device. Voice hints to help users learn to use their voice can follow a unique logic for suppressing voice hints.