Determination of extent of congruity between observation of authoring user and observation of receiving user

• US 7,904,507 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Lord, Robert W., Levien, Royce A., Jung, Edward K. Y., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D. Jr., Leuthardt, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Khanh Q
• Application Number:
  US12/154,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20090292770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/228, 709/220, 709/225, 702/45, 707/100
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user; acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user; comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user; and presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A computationally-implemented method, comprising

acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user;

acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user;

comparing, by a receiving network device, the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user;

presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing;

wherein said comparing, by a network device, the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user; and

wherein said comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user comprises determining an extent of a difference between the inferred mental state of the authoring user and the inferred mental state of the receiving user.

2. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user comprises:

receiving the result of the observation of the authoring user through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network.

3. The computationally-implemented method of claim 2, wherein said receiving the result of the observation of the authoring user through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network comprises:

receiving the result of the observation of the authoring user via an email message or via an instant message (IM).

4. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user.

5. The computationally-implemented method of claim 4, wherein said receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user.

6. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information inferred from at least one of galvanic skin response, heart rate, blood pressure, or respiration associated with the authoring user.

7. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information inferred from at least one of facial expression, skin characteristic, voice characteristic, or iris dilation associated with the authoring user.

8. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information inferred from at least one of blood oxygen or blood volume changes of a brain associated with the authoring user.

9. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information associated with functional magnetic resonance imaging data.

10. The computationally-implemented method of claim 5, wherein said receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information associated with functional near infrared data.

11. The computationally-implemented method of claim 4, wherein said receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information indicating that the authoring user is in at least one of a state of anger, a state of distress, or a state of pain.

12. The computationally-implemented method of claim 4, wherein said receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user comprises:

receiving mental state information indicating that the authoring user is in at least one of a state of frustration, a state of approval or disapproval, a state of trust, a state of fear, or a state of happiness.

13. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user comprises:

receiving a result of an observation of the authoring user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a composition of an email message or an instant message (IM) by the authoring user, the email message or the IM directed to the receiving user.

14. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information associated with the receiving user.

15. The computationally-implemented method of claim 14, wherein said determining mental state information associated with the receiving user comprises:

determining the mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user.

16. The computationally-implemented method of claim 15, wherein said determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information based on at least one of galvanic skin response, heart rate, blood pressure, or respiration associated with the receiving user.

17. The computationally-implemented method of claim 15, wherein said determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information based on at least one of facial expression, skin characteristic, voice characteristic, or iris dilation associated with the receiving user.

18. The computationally-implemented method of claim 15, wherein said determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information based on at least one of blood oxygen or blood volume changes of a brain associated with the receiving user.

19. The computationally-implemented method of claim 15, wherein said determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information by performing a functional magnetic resonance image procedure.

20. The computationally-implemented method of claim 15, wherein said determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information by performing a functional near infrared procedure.

21. The computationally-implemented method of claim 14, wherein said determining mental state information associated with the receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information indicating that the receiving user is in at least one of a state of anger, a state of distress, or a state of pain.

22. The computationally-implemented method of claim 14, wherein said determining mental state information associated with the receiving user comprises:

determining mental state information indicating that the receiving user is in at least one of a state of frustration, a state of approval or disapproval, a state of trust, a state of fear, or a state of happiness.

23. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user comprises:

determining a result of the observation of the receiving user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a presentation of an email message or an instant message (IM) of the authoring user, the email message or the IM directed to the receiving user.

24. The computationally-implemented method of claim 23, wherein said determining a result of the observation of the receiving user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a presentation of an email message or an instant message (IM) of the authoring user, the email message or the IM directed to the receiving user comprises:

determining a result of an observation of the receiving user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a composition of an email message or an instant message (IM) of the receiving user responsive to the email message or the IM of the authoring user.

25. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing comprises:

presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the receiving user through at least one application.

26. The computationally-implemented method of claim 25, wherein said presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the receiving user through at least one application comprises:

presenting data indicative of the extent of the congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the receiving user via an email application or via an instant message (IM) application.

27. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing comprises:

presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to a third party participant through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network.

28. The computationally-implemented method of claim 27, wherein said presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to a third party participant through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network comprises:

presenting data indicative of the extent of the congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the third party participant via an email message or via an instant message (IM).

29. The computationally-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing comprises:

displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user.

30. The computationally-implemented method of claim 29, wherein said displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises:

displaying a first icon indicative of an inferred mental state of the authoring user in proximity with a second icon indicative of an inferred mental state of the receiving user.

31. The computationally-implemented method of claim 29, wherein said displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises:

displaying a first number indicative of an inferred mental state of the authoring user in proximity with a second number indicative of an inferred mental state of the receiving user.

32. The computationally-implemented method of claim 29, wherein said displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises:

displaying at least one number indicative of a matching between an inferred mental state of the authoring user and an inferred mental state of the receiving user.

33. A computationally-implemented system, comprising:

means for acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user;

means for acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user;

means for comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user;

means for presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing;

wherein said means for comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises means for comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user; and

wherein said means for comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user comprises means for determining an extent of a difference between the inferred mental state of the authoring user and the inferred mental state of the receiving user.

34. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user comprises:

means for receiving the result of the observation of the authoring user through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network.

35. The computationally-implemented system of claim 34, wherein said means for receiving the result of the observation of the authoring user through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network comprises:

means for receiving the result of the observation of the authoring user via an email message or via an instant message (IM).

36. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user.

37. The computationally-implemented system of claim 36, wherein said means for receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user.

38. The computationally-implemented system of claim 36, wherein said means for receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information indicating that the authoring user is in at least one of a state of anger, a state of distress, or a state of pain.

39. The computationally-implemented system of claim 36, wherein said means for receiving mental state information associated with the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information indicating that the authoring user is in at least one of a state of frustration, a state of approval or disapproval, a state of trust, a state of fear, or a state of happiness.

40. The computationally-implemented system of claim 37, wherein said means for receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information inferred from at least one of galvanic skin response, heart rate, blood pressure, or respiration associated with the authoring user.

41. The computationally-implemented system of claim 37, wherein said means for receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information inferred from at least one of facial expression, skin characteristic, voice characteristic, or iris dilation associated with the authoring user.

42. The computationally-implemented system of claim 39, wherein said means for receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information inferred from at least one of blood oxygen or blood volume changes of a brain associated with the authoring user.

43. The computationally-implemented system of claim 37, wherein said means for receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information associated with functional magnetic resonance imaging data.

44. The computationally-implemented system of claim 37, wherein said means for receiving mental state information inferred from one or more sensed physical characteristics of the authoring user comprises:

means for receiving mental state information associated with functional near infrared data.

45. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user comprises:

means for receiving a result of an observation of the authoring user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a composition of an email message or an instant message (IM) by the authoring user, the email message or the IM directed to the receiving user.

46. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user comprises:

means for determining mental state information associated with the receiving user.

47. The computationally-implemented system of claim 46, wherein said means for determining mental state information associated with the receiving user comprises:

means for determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user.

48. The computationally-implemented system of claim 46, wherein said means for determining mental state information associated with the receiving user comprises:

means for determining mental state information indicating that the receiving user is in at least one of a state of anger, a state of distress, or a state of pain.

49. The computationally-implemented system of claim 46, wherein said determining mental state information associated with the receiving user comprises:

means for determining mental state information indicating that the receiving user is in at least one of a state of frustration, a state of approval or disapproval, a state of trust, a state of fear, or a state of happiness.

50. The computationally-implemented system of claim 47, wherein said means for determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user includes:

means for determining mental state information based on at least one of galvanic skin response, heart rate, blood pressure, or respiration associated with the receiving user.

51. The computationally-implemented system of claim 47, wherein said means for determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user includes:

means for determining mental state information based on at least one of facial expression, skin characteristic, voice characteristic, or iris dilation associated with the receiving user.

52. The computationally-implemented system of claim 47, wherein said means for determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user includes:

means for determining mental state information based on at least one of blood oxygen or blood volume changes of a brain associated with the receiving user.

53. The computationally-implemented system of claim 47, wherein said means for determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user includes:

means for determining mental state information by performing a functional magnetic resonance image procedure.

54. The computationally-implemented system of claim 47, wherein said means for determining mental state information based, at least in part, on one or more sensed physical characteristics of the receiving user includes:

means for determining mental state information by performing a functional near infrared procedure.

55. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user comprises:

means for determining a result of the observation of the receiving user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a presentation of an email message or an instant message (IM) of the authoring user, the email message or the IM directed to the receiving user.

56. The computationally-implemented system of claim 55, wherein said means for determining a result of the observation of the receiving user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a presentation of an email message or an instant message (IM) of the authoring user, the email message or the IM directed to the receiving user comprises:

means for determining a result of an observation of the receiving user that was made, at least in part, during or proximate to a composition of an email message or an instant message (IM) of the receiving user responsive to the email message or the IM of the authoring user.

57. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing comprises:

means for presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the receiving user through at least one application.

58. The computationally-implemented system of claim 57, wherein said means for presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the receiving user through at least one application comprises:

means for presenting data indicative of the extent of the congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the receiving user via an email application or via an instant message (IM) application.

59. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing comprises:

means for presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to a third party participant through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network.

60. The computationally-implemented system of claim 59, wherein said means for presenting data indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to a third party participant through at least one of a wireless network or a wired network comprises:

means for presenting data indicative of the extent of the congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user to the third party participant via an email message or via an instant message (IM).

61. The computationally-implemented system of claim 33, wherein said means for presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing comprises:

means for displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user.

62. The computationally-implemented system of claim 61, wherein said means for displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises:

means for displaying a first icon indicative of an inferred mental state of the authoring user in proximity with a second icon indicative of an inferred mental state of the receiving user.

63. The computationally-implemented system of claim 61, wherein said means for displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises:

means for displaying a first number indicative of an inferred mental state of the authoring user in proximity with a second number indicative of an inferred mental state of the receiving user.

64. The computationally-implemented system of claim 61, wherein said means for displaying at least one symbolic representation indicative of the extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises:

means for displaying at least one number indicative of a matching between an inferred mental state of the authoring user and an inferred mental state of the receiving user.

65. A computationally-implemented system, comprising:

circuitry for acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user;

circuitry for acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user;

circuitry for comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user;

circuitry for presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing;

wherein said circuitry for comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises circuitry for comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user; and

wherein said circuitry for comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user comprises circuitry for determining an extent of a difference between the inferred mental state of the authoring user and the inferred mental state of the receiving user.

66. A computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer storage medium bearing

one or more instructions for acquiring a result of an observation of an authoring user;

one or more instructions for acquiring a result of an observation of a receiving user;

one or more instructions for comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user;

one or more instructions for presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the result of the observation of the authoring user and the result of the observation of the receiving user based at least in part on said comparing;

wherein said one or more instructions for comparing the result of the observation of the authoring user with the result of the observation of the receiving user comprises one or more instructions for comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user; and

wherein said one or more instructions for comparing an inferred mental state of the authoring user with an inferred mental state of the receiving user comprises one or more instructions for determining an extent of a difference between the inferred mental state of the authoring user and the inferred mental state of the receiving user.