US Patent 11132173 Network scheduling of stimulus-based actions

A speech-based service platform includes a local device in a user premises and a network-based control service that directs the local device to perform actions for a user. The user may at times request that the service schedule a notification or other action at a specified future time or in response to other stimuli that may occur in the future. Upon receiving a request from the user, the control service immediately instructs the local device to schedule the notification or other action. If the control service is unable to contact the local device, however, the request is canceled and the user is notified that the action has not been scheduled. Non-priority actions requested by the user may be accepted and implemented at the local device when communications become available.