Virtual Personal Assistant Network for Cross-Device Conversation Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual personal assistant (VPA) systems struggle to maintain seamless conversations when users delve deeper into specific topics or switch between different VPA applications, leading to fragmented user experiences and the need for users to restart conversations across devices or platforms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network of interconnected VPAs that can communicate and cooperate to interpret natural language dialogues, share information, and manage dialog sessions across multiple domains and devices, allowing for continuous and integrated user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single VPA application handles all conversational tasks, then the system structure remains simple, but the VPA cannot maintain seamless conversations when users switch between different VPA applications or devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the VPA system into multiple independent VPA applications, each capable of handling specific conversational tasks. These segmented VPAs can operate on different devices and platforms, allowing users to switch between them while maintaining conversation continuity through coordinated handoff mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal VPA framework where multiple specialized VPA applications can interoperate through common protocols and interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse conversational tasks across different devices while maintaining a unified user experience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple VPA applications operate independently on different devices, then each VPA can be optimized for specific tasks, but users must restart conversations when switching between VPAs or devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where VPA applications exchange dialogue context and conversation state information through standardized interfaces. This feedback loop ensures that when users switch between VPAs or devices, the receiving VPA can retrieve and continue the conversation context, preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as dialog managers and context servers that mediate between multiple VPA applications. These intermediaries store and manage dialogue context, enabling seamless handoff of conversational state between different VPAs and devices without losing information.
3Reliability
If VPAs are integrated across multiple devices and platforms, then conversation continuity is maintained, but the complexity of coordinating between VPAs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs homogeneous communication protocols and standardized interfaces across all VPA applications and devices. This homogeneity in interaction patterns simplifies the coordination mechanism, making it easier to manage cross-device conversations despite the increased system integration.
4Ease of operation
If a single VPA handles all user interactions, then the user interface remains simple, but the VPA cannot provide specialized assistance across multiple domains effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to selectively invoke specific VPA applications based on their immediate needs or preferences. This self-service approach allows users to access domain-specific expertise when required while maintaining a simple overall interface structure, as users only interact with the VPA relevant to their current task.
Data Source
AI summary
The activities of multiple virtual personal assistant (VPA) applications are coordinated. For example, different portions of a conversational natural language dialog involving a user and a computing device may be handled by different VPAs.