Microsoft Corporation
Macrotask execution for digital assistant devices

Abstract:

Techniques for providing digital assistant devices with the capability to plan and execute complex macrotasks. In an aspect, a digital assistant device queries an online macrotask repository for task templates associated with a macrotask. The task templates may be designed and configured by Internet crowd-sourcing, with oversight from human editors. Based on a retrieved task template, a digital assistant device may automatically execute autonomous microtasks specified by the task template, and further elicit user input for executing certain microtasks requiring user oversight and/or confirmation. The online macrotask repository enables digital assistant devices to execute a broad range of complex macrotasks that would otherwise be difficult to execute in a satisfactory manner.