Apparatus and Method for Assisting in Achieving Desired Behavior Patterns

• US 20100023163A1
• Filed: 06/26/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuitive Automata Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intuitive Automata Inc.
• Inventors: Kidd, Cory D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,565,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/00 Systems controlled by a computer G05B13/00, G05B19/00 take precedence; automatic controllers with particular characteristics G05B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour

Abstract

A method and system for assisting an individual in achieving a desired pattern of behavior. A robot is provided that includes a moving head and eyes and is programmed to make eye contact with the individual, such robot also having an interface for communicating with the individual. The robot includes a relationship management module that measures state of a relationship with the individual to determine a current state of the relationship. The robot also includes an interaction module that implements a behavior model for the robot'"'"'s interaction with the individual. The behavior model causes a change in interaction of the robot with the individual based on what the relationship management module determines to be the current state of the relationship, so that the behavior model assists the individual in effecting the pattern of behavior.

Claims

1. A method of assisting an individual in achieving a desired pattern of behavior, the method comprising:

providing to the individual a robot, the robot including moving head and eyes and programmed to make eye contact with the individual, such robot also having an interface for communicating with the individual, such interface including at least one of a display, a speech interface, and physical movement of the robot;

wherein the robot includes;

a relationship management module that measures state of a relationship with the individual to determine a current state of the relationship, and

an interaction module that implements a behavior model for the robot'"'"'s interaction with the individual, such behavior model causing a change in interaction of the robot with the individual based on what the relationship management module determines to be the current state of the relationship, so that the behavior model assists the individual in effecting the pattern of behavior.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern of behavior relates to health of the individual.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the pattern of behavior relates to desired weight loss of the individual.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the desired pattern of behavior is long-term behavior.

5. A system for assisting an individual in achieving a desired pattern of behavior, the system comprising:

a robot, the robot including moving head and eyes and programmed to make eye contact with the individual, such robot also having an interface for communicating with the individual, such interface including at least one of a display, a speech interface, and physical movement of the robot;

wherein the robot includes;

a relationship management module that measures state of a relationship with the individual to determine a current state of the relationship, and

an interaction module that implements a behavior model for the robot'"'"'s interaction with the individual, such behavior model causing a change in interaction of the robot with the individual based on what the relationship management module determines to be the current state of the relationship, so that the behavior model assists the individual in effecting the pattern of behavior.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the pattern of behavior relates to health of the individual.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the pattern of behavior relates to desired weight loss of the individual.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein the desired pattern of behavior is long-term behavior.