Schedule managing character and information providing system and method using same

• US 20030115240A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sok-Hyun Cho
• Original Assignee: Sok-Hyun Cho
• Inventors: Cho, Sok-Hyun
• Application Number:
  US10/276,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20030115240A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

Disclosed is a schedule managing character and information providing system and method using the character. When at least one user terminal accesses the information providing system via a network, the system connects a character to perform the data. The information providing system generates data for operating the character during a predetermined time frame, provides the data to the character via the user terminal to manipulate the character, and receives the user'"'"'s reaction data generated according to the character'"'"'s motion via the user terminal. Therefore, the present invention enables the user to raise the character, satisfies the user by providing various kinds of information desired by the user via the character, periodically updates the contents configuration via the human-friendly character, stores the data needed by the user, and enables interactive information communication.

Claims

1. A character connected to a user terminal, a manager terminal, a connection, server and a data storage server through a network, comprising:

a connector for receiving and interfacing one or more kind of task event information from the user terminal;

a memory storing operation information of the character transmitted by the connector, and user response result data to the character;

a character controller controlling execution of the task event stored in the memory, and uploading the user response result data stored in the memory through the connector; and

a driver representing the task event data responsive to a control signal of the character controller.

2. The character of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises:

a file allocation table storing formal file allocation table in one or more blocks;

a variable region storing variables in one or more blocks;

an interrupt index storing an interrupt, a test event index and a game event table in one or more blocks;

an event table downloading and storing a unit event corresponding to a predetermined period in a first mode;

a wave stream storing a voice file corresponding to the period in the first mode;

a temporary table field downloading and storing one or more unit events in a second mode;

a temporary wave stream field downloading and storing one or more wave voice files in the second mode; and

a residual region prepared for abnormal states of each storage region of the memory.

3. The character of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

an uploader uploading the user response result data and schedule data set by the user terminal to the user terminal; and

a first connector receiving the user response result data and the schedule data from the uploader and uploading the received data to the connection server.

4. The character of claim 1, wherein the driver comprises:

a fragrance emitter emitting fragrance through a nose of the character;

one or more sensors sensing brightness, darkness, temperature and impact on the character;

a vibrator representing response results of the character through the vibration;

a speaker outputting the voice represented in the wave stream;

a light emitting diode displaying blinking signals through eyes of the character;

a microphone receiving a voice signal from user;

a voice recognizer means recognizing the voice signal from the microphone; and

a heater emitting heat to the user.

5. An information providing system connected to one or more user terminals through a network, providing data to the user terminal to operate responsive to the provided data, comprising:

a manager terminal supporting one or more data inputs for the user to receive schedule management information and additional information through the character;

a character management server providing the schedule management information and additional information to the user terminal through the network, receiving user'"'"'s action data responding to the character and processing the received data; and

an information storage server storing character'"'"'s operation and one or more event data for the character'"'"'s operation.

6. An information providing system of claim 5, wherein the character downloads one or more operation execution data to operate, stores user response result data to the character'"'"'s operation, and uploads the stored data.

7. An information providing system of claim 5, wherein the management terminal comprises:

a task event index manager producing, modifying and removing contents in a task event index field;

a voice file manager producing, modifying, and removing voice contents in the voice file;

an event table manager allowing to make data in a event table and to modify and remove the data, on the basis of the produced voice file;

a file manager selecting a task event index, an event table and a voice file used during a predetermined period to make them into one file, and setting schedule of the character and service time;

a direct field manager managing contents executed in a direct access mode;

a topic manager adding, modifying and removing contents corresponding to the topics, and allowing a user to modify the contents after a predetermined basic time is set;

a game event table manager producing, modifying, and removing game contents for the user to manage the schedule through the game and to receive other information; and

an event editor enabling the user to manage one or more kinds of additional information.

8. An information providing system of claim 5, wherein the character management server comprises:

a cyber text linker receiving one or more cyber text request signals from the manager terminal or the user terminal, and outputting cyber text corresponding to the cyber text request signal to the manager terminal or the user terminal;

an authenticator authenticating the connection request from the manager or the user, and authenticating an identification number of the character when the character is connected to the user terminal;

an event editor processor receiving and processing data setting information set by the event editor, and providing the processed result to the manager terminal; and

a data processor calling the information storage server on the basis of the processed result by the event editor processor to store set data, and reading information stored in the information storage server when an information request signal is received.

9. An information providing system of claim 5, wherein the information storage server comprises:

a user database storing identification information and detailed information of one or more managers or user'"'"'s of the character;

a character database storing character information sorted on the basis of serial numbers which are allocated to each character;

an event database storing schedule management information for operating one or more characters and other information; and

a user response result database storing user response result data responding to the operation of the character.

10. An information providing system of claim 5, wherein the user terminal comprises:

a schedule manager enabling the user to directly manage individual schedules through a user homepage, to download the managed schedule to the character, and to inform the character of the managed schedule thereby having a regular lifestyle;

an personal information manager receiving selected contents proper to the user'"'"'s tendency;

a character information manager measuring a specific quotient on the basis of user response information received from the character; and

a user program enabling the user to select the topic, and to execute topic management to change operation time of the character.

11. A computer-readable medium containing a program comprising the step of:

installing a first program enabling to set operation of a character;

executing data editing for operating the character on a data menu displayed on a main display after the first program'"'"'s installation; and

storing the edited data.

12. A computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the step of executing data editing comprises the steps of:

allowing a manager to select a voice editor menu;

allowing the manager to set a position of a sound file by appointing a position of a wave file in a sound directory setting menu; and

allowing the manager to store the sound file in the appointed position.

13. A computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the step of executing data editing comprises the steps of:

allowing a manager to select event unit editing thereby selecting an event database file;

allowing the manager to select a new region to input an identification number;

allowing the manager to select voice comments file to input contents of a voice file in the voice comments; and

allowing the manager to input data for an event thereby testing the input data.

14. A computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the step of executing data editing comprises the steps of:

allowing a manager to select a task database on the basis of the manager'"'"'s task editing selection;

allowing the manager to execute the task editing;

allowing the manager to input task contents, a task ID, a task title, a task group and a task explanation when the event database is not set;

allowing the manager to input a number and ratio of randomness, and a task class;

displaying when a corresponding task happens;

allowing the manager to execute a unit browser, to select units from a unit list made by previous unit editor, and to execute editing for the task list;

allowing the manager to input an event, a standby time, and a repetition number proper to the corresponding task; and

allowing the manager to operate a test simulator to previously perform a corresponding operation.

15. A computer-readable medium containing a program comprising the steps of:

receiving predetermined tasks and data from a character information providing system through a network;

resetting the received tasks and data for the character to respond to the user'"'"'s schedule; and

transmitting the reset data to the character information providing system.

16. A computer-readable medium of the claim 15, wherein the step of resetting comprises the steps of:

receiving data which are converted into a score by analysis of the character information providing system after user response result data stored in the character are uploaded, displaying the converted score;

allowing the user to modify a previously set portion in a bundle by menu selection;

allowing the user to diagnose an operation of the character on the basis of the set data;

allowing the user to set a schedule of a predetermined time and to previously preview data which the character will download; and

allowing the user to select a topic among one or more topics thereby downloading a topic contained in the schedule of the predetermined time.

17. An information providing method using an information providing system using a character which is connected to one or more user terminals through a network, and provides data to the character to enable the character to execute the provided data, comprising the steps of:

producing data for operating the character during a predetermined time and providing the produced data to the character through the user terminal;

allowing the character to operate using the provided data; and

receiving user response result data uploaded from the character through the user terminal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing the produced data comprises the steps of:

installing a first program which can set operation of the character;

allowing to execute data editing for operating the character in a data menu displayed on a main display after the first program'"'"'s installation; and

storing the edited data in a information storage device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of allowing to execute the data editing comprises the steps of:

allowing the manager to select a voice editor menu;

allowing the manager to set the position of a sound file by appointing the position of a wave file in a sound directory; and

allowing the manager to store the sound file in the appointed position.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of allowing to execute the data editing comprises the steps of:

allowing the manager to select event unit editing thereby selecting an event database file in a event database selection display;

allowing the manager to select a new region to input an identification number;

allowing the manager to select voice comments to input contents of a voice file in the voice comments; and

allowing the manager to input data for an event thereby testing the input data.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of allowing to execute data editing comprises the steps of:

allowing the manager to select a task database on the basis of task editing selection;

allowing the manager to execute the task editing;

allowing the manager to input contents in a task, a task ID, a task title, a task group and a task explanation when the event database is not set;

allowing the manager to input a number and a ratio of randomness, and a task class;

displaying when a corresponding task happens;

allowing the manager to execute a unit browser, and to select units from a unit list made by a previous unit editor, and to execute editing for the task list;

allowing the manager to input an event, a standby time and a repetition number proper to the corresponding task list; and

allowing the manager to operate a test simulator to previously perform a corresponding action.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing the produced data comprises the steps of:

allowing a user to execute the user program thereby enabling the character to check the download key input by the user;

checking an automatic synchronization on the data which will be downloaded and transmitted when the user download key input exists;

checking whether the present mode is a first mode or a second mode;

allowing the character to check the version of the data made by the first program if the present mode is found to be the first mode;

uploading accumulated data on the basis of the user response stored in the memory from the character and storing the same;

deleting the data stored in the memory; and

downloading daily task event data set by the manager through the user terminal.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of checking the present mode further comprises:

downloading the task event data and outputting the downloaded data through the character if the present mode is the second mode.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of allowing the character to operate comprises the steps of:

searching the initial start task event stored in a memory of the character on a predetermined time, and automatically synchronizing a task event start time to start the task event;

confirming a record location of an event table using a start time and a valid time period recorded in a task event index table when the address number of the task event exists;

executing the task started on the record position provided to the task event index table from the event table when the record position is confirmed;

calling an event number existing in the event table to store and execute data and calling an address of the wave stream;

calling voice files from a start address to end address of the wave stream in the event table to start voice comments through a speaker;

waiting for the user response to the character;

determining whether an event exists in the event table on the basis of user'"'"'s response so as to execute a subsequent unit event; and

checking whether an unexecuted and waiting other task event exists or not.

25. The method of the claim 24, wherein the step of waiting comprises the steps of:

checking a loop field to execute repeated actions on the character operation;

determining whether an input key on the basis of user'"'"'s response exists during a standby time when the loop field exists in the event table; and

determining whether an action flag exists when the key input on the basis of the user'"'"'s response exists.

26. The method of the claim 25, wherein the step of checking the loop field comprises the steps of:

checking a valid time period to check whether an automatic event exists in the event table when a loop field in the present event table does not exist;

executing a subsequent unit event when the automatic event exists in the event table;

re-checking whether an unexecuted and waiting task event exists so as to check the user'"'"'s response to the unexecuted task event during the valid time period when the subsequent event execution is completed; and

executing an unexecuted task event when the user'"'"'s response to the unexecuted task event is detected.

27. The method of the claim 17, wherein the step of proving data comprises the steps of:

receiving a predetermined task and data from a character information providing system through the network;

resetting the received predetermined task and data in order for the character to respond to the user'"'"'s schedule; and

transmitting the reset data to the character information providing system.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of resetting comprises the steps of:

receiving data which are converted into a score by analysis of the character information providing system after a user response result data stored in the character is uploaded, and displaying the converted score when the user selects a user life document region;

allowing the user to modify a previously set portion in a bundle by a menu selection when the user selects a total time adjustment region;

allowing the user to diagnose the operation of the character on the basis of the set data;

allowing the user to set a schedule of a predetermined time and to previously see data which the character will download; and

allowing the user to select a topic among one or more topics thereby downloading a topic contained in the schedule of the predetermined time.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving the user response result data comprises the steps of:

storing the user response result data uploaded from the character in an information storage device;

analyzing user'"'"'s response data on the basis of user'"'"'s response stored in the information storage device, reproducing task event data on the basis of the analysis result, and storing the same in the information storage device; and

downloading the reproduced data stored in the information storage device into the character.

30. An information providing system using a character comprising:

a mobile terminal having a communication interface including a data communication terminal and a wireless communicator;

a server transmitting various kinds of additional information and an operation program to the mobile terminal through a repeater; and

a character peripheral device connected to the communication interface of, the mobile terminal, for updating the corresponding additional information and operation program from the server into a memory according to a predetermined period and unique personality, reading a predetermined specific voice stored in the memory on the basis of sensing a contact with a specific body of the character and call connection data, and outputting the same.

31. The information providing system using the character of claim 30, wherein the character peripheral device comprises:

a plurality of sensors provided on each body part of the character and sensing contact with each body part;

a memory storing various voices and operation control programs;

a wireless interface performing wireless communication with an adjacent other character to transmit and receive information stored in the memory;

a receiver wire or wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal, and downloading text/voice messages and mail from the server through the mobile terminal;

a controller determining data input to the receiver, reading a predetermined voice stored in the memory on the basis of the determined result, and controlling operation;

a fragrance emitter emitting specific fragrance responsive to a control of the controller when the message and mail are received from the receiver;

a voice output device outputting a voice read from the memory responsive to a control of the controller; and

a voice input device performing a call connection responsive to the operation of the sensor to receive the voice of the user when a terminating call voice is output from the voice output device.

32. The information providing system using the character of claim 31, wherein the receiver is a wireless receiver for receiving wireless data from the wireless communicator of the mobile terminal.

33. The information providing system using the character of claim 31, wherein the receiver is a wire interface for receiving data from a data communication terminal or an earphone/microphone terminal of the mobile terminal.

34. The information providing system using the character of claim 31, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise toggle switches or impact switches.

35. The information providing system using the character of claim 31, wherein the wireless interface uses one communication scheme among the wireless infrared-ray communication scheme, the Bluetooth communication scheme, and the radio frequency communication scheme.

36. The information providing system using the character of claim 31, wherein the memory periodically downloads and updates operation program and various voice data from the server.

37. The information providing system using the character of claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the character peripheral device further comprises a voice recognizer for recognizing the voice of the user to automatically perform a call connection to other mobile terminal responsive to the voice data stored in the memory.