US 10,540,977 B2Granted

Proximity-based engagement with digital assistants

AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC

InventorsRyen William White, Russell Allen Herring, Jr.

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Abstract

A proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device can be detected. In response to the detecting of the proximity, it can be determined that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and possibly a non-proximity state of the first device. The type of proactive engagement can be matched in the computer system with an operation that is programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant. In response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, the technique can include performing a user engagement action via the second device. The user engagement action can be of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement. The user engagement action can facilitate a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computer system comprising:

at least one processor;
and
memory comprising instructions stored thereon that when executed by at least one processor cause at least one processor to perform acts comprising:
detecting via the computer system, a proximity of a first device with a second device, with the first device and the second device each being a computerized device, and with the first device having a first user interface component and the second device having a second user interface component;
in response to the detecting of the proximity, determining, via the computer system, that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and a non-proximity state of the first device, with the type of proactive engagement being one of multiple available computer-readable options for proactive engagements in the computer system;
in response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, generating, via the computer system, a user engagement user interface output of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement;
and
in response to the generating of the output, presenting the generated output on the second device via a computerized natural language digital assistant operating in the computer system, with the presenting of the generated output initiating a session with the digital assistant in the computer system.

5 more elements

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

detecting via a computer system, a proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device, with the first device and the second device each being a computerized device in the computer system, and with the first device having a first user interface component and the second device having a second user interface component;
in response to the detecting of the proximity, determining, via the computer system, that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and a non-proximity state of the first device, with the type of proactive engagement being matched in the computer system with an operation that is programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant;
and
in response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, performing a user engagement action via the second device, with the user engagement action being of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement, and with the user engagement action facilitating a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant in the computer system.

1 more element

One or more computer-readable memory having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform acts comprising:

detecting via a computer system, a proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device, with the first device and the second device each being a computerized device in the computer system, and with the first device having a first user interface component and the second device having a second user interface component;
in response to the detecting of the proximity, determining, via the computer system, that a computer-readable qualification for a qualified type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity, with the qualified type of proactive engagement being one of multiple available computer-readable options for proactive engagements that are matched in the computer system with operations that are programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant, and with the determining that the qualification for the qualified type of proactive engagement is met comprising selecting between at least the following types of proactive engagements:
a first type of proactive engagement for a first action that is a current user engagement user interface output via the second device, with the first action initiating a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant in the computer system via the second device;
and
a second type of proactive engagement for a second action that is a preparatory action, which prepares the computer system for the session in anticipation of a subsequent user input action indicating an intent to engage in the session;
and
in response to the determining that the qualification for the qualified type of proactive engagement is met, performing a user engagement action via the second device, with the user engagement action being of a type indicated by the qualified type of proactive engagement, and with the user engagement action facilitating the session.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.