Personal virtual assistant
First Claim
1. A computer-based virtual assistant comprising:
- a virtual assistant application running on a computer capable of receiving human voice communications from a remote user interface and transmitting a vocalization to the remote user interface, the virtual assistant application having a variable assertiveness level;
the virtual assistant application selecting a responsive action to a verbal query or instruction received from the remote user interface;
the virtual assistant application judging a setting of its variable assertiveness level;
if the assertiveness level is set at a first level, the virtual assistant application transmitting a first vocalization to the remote user interface asking for permission to perform the selected responsive action; and
if the assertiveness level is set at a different, second level, the virtual assistant application transmitting a second vocalization characterizing that the selected responsive action will be taken, the virtual assistant application waiting a predetermined period of time, and if no canceling indication is received from the remote user interface, proceeding to perform the selected responsive action; and
if a canceling indication is received from the remote user interface halting the selected responsive action and transmitting a new vocalization to the remote user interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-based virtual assistant the behavior of which can be changed by the user, comprising a voice user interface for inputting information into and receiving information from the virtual assistant by speech, a communications network, a virtual assistant application running on a remote computer, the remote computer being electronically coupled to the user interface via the communications network, wherein the behavior of the virtual assistant changes responsive to user input. A computer-based virtual assistant that also automatically adapts its behavior is disclosed, comprising a voice user interface for inputting information into and receiving information from the virtual assistant by speech, a communications network, a virtual assistant application running on a remote computer, the remote computer being electronically coupled to the user interface via the communications network, wherein the remote computer is programmed to automatically change the behavior of the virtual assistant responsive to input received by the virtual assistant. As detailed below, the virtual assistant adapts to the user in many different ways based on the input the virtual assistant receives. Such input could be user information, such as information about the user'"'"'s experience, the time between user sessions, the amount of time a user pauses when recording a message, the user'"'"'s emotional state, whether the user uses words associated with polite discourse, and the amount of time since a user provided input to the virtual assistant during a session.
453 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A computer-based virtual assistant comprising:
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a virtual assistant application running on a computer capable of receiving human voice communications from a remote user interface and transmitting a vocalization to the remote user interface, the virtual assistant application having a variable assertiveness level; the virtual assistant application selecting a responsive action to a verbal query or instruction received from the remote user interface; the virtual assistant application judging a setting of its variable assertiveness level; if the assertiveness level is set at a first level, the virtual assistant application transmitting a first vocalization to the remote user interface asking for permission to perform the selected responsive action; and if the assertiveness level is set at a different, second level, the virtual assistant application transmitting a second vocalization characterizing that the selected responsive action will be taken, the virtual assistant application waiting a predetermined period of time, and if no canceling indication is received from the remote user interface, proceeding to perform the selected responsive action; and
if a canceling indication is received from the remote user interface halting the selected responsive action and transmitting a new vocalization to the remote user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a computer-based virtual assistant comprising:
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receiving human voice communications from a remote user interface; selecting a responsive action to a verbal query or instruction received from the remote user interface; transmitting a vocalization characterizing the selected responsive action to the remote user interface; waiting a predetermined period of time; and if no canceling indication is received from the remote user interface, proceeding to perform the selected responsive action; and
if a canceling indication is received from the remote user interface, halting the selected responsive action and transmitting a new vocalization to the remote user interface;the method further comprising the steps of; judging as setting of a virtual assistant application'"'"'s variable assertiveness level; if the assertiveness level is set at a first level, transmitting a first vocalization from the virtual assistant application to the remote user interface asking for permission to perform the selected responsive action; and if the assertiveness level is set at a different, second level, transmitting, from the virtual assistant application, a second vocalization characterizing that the selected responsive action will be taken.
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Specification