Automated dialogue interface

• US 20070074114A1
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Conopco, Inc. (Unilever PLC)
• Original Assignee: Conopco, Inc. (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Adjali, Iqbal, Hurling, Robert, De Boni, Marco, Dias, Malcolm, Bataveljic, Ogi
• Application Number:
  US11/238,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20070074114A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/706
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/011 Emotion or mood input determined on the basis of sensed human body parameters such as pulse, heart rate or beat, temperature of skin, facial expressions, iris, voice pitch, brain activity patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A human-computer interface for automatic persuasive dialogue between the interface and a user and a method of operating such an interface. The method comprising presenting a user with an avatar or animated image for conveying information to the user and receiving real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user, so as to modify the visual appearance and/or audio output of the avatar or animated image as a function of the received data relating to a personal attribute of the user. In this way, a more engaging, context sensitive and generally more persuasive automatic dialogue can be generated between the interface and the user.

Claims

1. A method of operating a human-computer interface, comprising:

presenting a user with an avatar or animated image for conveying information to the user;

receiving real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user; and

modifying the visual appearance and/or audio output of the avatar or animated image as a function of the received data relating to a personal attribute of the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user is based on one or more interactions between the interface and the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user is derived from one or more of the following sensor types:

video, audio, pressure, temperature and chemical.

4. The method of claim 1, in which the real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user is an image of at least part of the user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising interpreting the real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user so as to classify the user according to a predetermined class of user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein interpreting involves processing an image of at least part of the user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the part of the user is the face and the processing includes recognising facial features and identifying facial expressions of the user.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein interpreting involves processing a speech pattern of at least part of a verbal instruction provided by the user.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein interpreting includes comparing historical data relating to personal attributes of the user.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user on a non-volatile storage means.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual appearance and/or audio output of the avatar or animated image are dependent on a predetermined class of user to which the user belongs.

12. The method of claim 1, in which modifying the visual appearance of the avatar or animated image involves changing one or more of the following characteristics:

colour, size, shape, outline, texture, transparency and permanency.

13. The method of claim 1, in which modifying the audio output of the avatar or animated image involves changing one or more of the following characteristics:

volume, language, punctuation, grammar, speech prosody, speech tone, accent and gender.

14. The method of claim 1, in which the avatar or animated image is substantially anthropomorphic in appearance.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising rendering the avatar or animated image using an image processing algorithm in the interface.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the personal attribute of the user is a physical attribute of that user.

17. A human-computer interface for automated dialogue with a user, comprising:

means for presenting the user with an avatar or animated image for conveying information to the user;

means for receiving real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user; and

means for modifying the visual appearance and/or audio output of the avatar or animated image as a function of the received data relating to a personal attribute of the user.

18. The interface of claim 17, wherein the means for receiving real time data relating to a personal attribute of the user include one or more of the following sensor types:

video, audio, pressure, temperature and chemical.

19. The interface of claim 17, wherein the means for presenting the user with an avatar or animated image include an audio/video controller and a display device.

20. The interface of claim 17, further comprising an interpretation means including at least one classification algorithm for classifying the personal attributes of the user according to a predetermined class of user.

21. The interface of claim 17, wherein the means for modifying the visual appearance and/or audio output of the avatar or animated image include an image processing algorithm having a mode of operation dependent on a class of user to which the user belongs.

22. The interface of claim 17, wherein the personal attribute of the user is a physical attribute of that user.