Google llc (20240135914). CONVERSATION-AWARE PROACTIVE NOTIFICATIONS FOR A VOICE INTERFACE DEVICE simplified abstract

CONVERSATION-AWARE PROACTIVE NOTIFICATIONS FOR A VOICE INTERFACE DEVICE

Organization Name

google llc

Inventor(s)

Kenneth Mixter of Los Altos Hills CA (US)

Daniel Colish of Portland OR (US)

Tuan Nguyen of San Jose CA (US)

CONVERSATION-AWARE PROACTIVE NOTIFICATIONS FOR A VOICE INTERFACE DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240135914 titled 'CONVERSATION-AWARE PROACTIVE NOTIFICATIONS FOR A VOICE INTERFACE DEVICE

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a method for proactive notifications in a voice interface device, where the device can notify the user of the performance of an action requested by the user at a future time. The method involves receiving user voice requests, assigning them to a voice assistant service, initiating a conversation with the user, and triggering audible announcements to indicate the performance of the requested action.

• Receiving a user voice request for an action with a future performance time
• Assigning the user voice request to a voice assistant service
• Initiating a conversation with the user in response to a subsequent voice request
• Receiving a notification from the voice assistant service of action performance
• Triggering audible announcements to indicate transition, action performance, and conversation rejoining

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in smart home devices, virtual assistants, customer service chatbots, and other voice-controlled systems where proactive notifications are beneficial.

Problems Solved

This technology solves the problem of keeping users informed about the status of their requested actions without requiring them to constantly check back or follow up.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include improved user experience, increased efficiency in task completion, and better communication between users and voice interface devices.

Potential Commercial Applications

Potential commercial applications of this technology include smart speakers, home automation systems, virtual assistant devices, and customer service platforms.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be existing voice assistant systems that provide notifications to users, although the specific method of proactive notifications as described in the patent application may be novel.

How does this technology handle user privacy and data security concerns?

The article does not address how the system ensures the privacy and security of user data and interactions. This is an important aspect to consider, especially with the increasing focus on data protection regulations.

What are the potential limitations or challenges of implementing this technology in real-world scenarios?

The article does not discuss any potential obstacles or difficulties that may arise when implementing this technology in practical applications. Understanding these challenges is crucial for successful deployment and adoption of the innovation.

Original Abstract Submitted

a method for proactive notifications in a voice interface device includes: receiving a first user voice request for an action with an future performance time; assigning the first user voice request to a voice assistant service for performance; subsequent to the receiving, receiving a second user voice request and in response to the second user voice request initiating a conversation with the user; and during the conversation: receiving a notification from the voice assistant service of performance of the action; triggering a first audible announcement to the user to indicate a transition from the conversation and interrupting the conversation; triggering a second audible announcement to the user to indicate performance of the action; and triggering a third audible announcement to the user to indicate a transition back to the conversation and rejoining the conversation.