Leveraging user signals for improved interactions with digital personal assistant

A system, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a memory that stores computer program logic for execution by the at least one processor, the computer program logic including one or more components configured to perform operations when executed by the at least one processor, the one or more components including:
• a digital personal assistant comprising a software agent configured to obtain one or more signals related to an availability of a user, to obtain one or more second signals related to a mental or emotional state of the user, to determine whether a particular time is an appropriate time to attempt to initiate a conversation between the software agent and the user based at least on the first signal(s) and the second signal(s), and in response to a determination that the particular time is an appropriate time to attempt to initiate the conversation between the software agent and the user:
• query the user to determine if he or she is available to converse;
• and
• in response to receiving a positive response to the query, select a conversation topic, and initiate a conversation with the user about the selected conversation topic.

A computer program product comprising a computer-readable memory device having computer program logic recorded thereon that when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform a method of operating a digital personal assistant comprising a software agent, the method comprising:

• obtaining from a mobile device operated by a user one or more first signals related to an availability of the user;
• obtaining from the mobile device one or more second signals related to a mental or emotional state of the user;
• determining whether a particular time is an appropriate time to attempt to initiate a conversation between the software agent and the user based at least on the first signal(s) and the second signal(s);
• and
• in response to a determination that the particular time is an appropriate time to attempt to initiate the conversation between the software agent and the user:
• querying the user to determine if he or she is available to converse;
• and
• in response to receiving a positive response to the query, selecting a conversation topic, and initiating a conversation between the software agent and the user about the selected conversation topic.