USING AFFECT WITHIN A GAMING CONTEXT

• US 20120135804A1
• Filed: 02/06/2012
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Affectiva, Inc. (Smart Eye AB)
• Original Assignee: Affectiva, Inc. (Smart Eye AB)
• Inventors: el Kaliouby, Rana, Picard, Rosalind Wright, Sadowsky, Richard Scott, Turcot, Panu James, Wilder-Smith, Oliver Orion, Bender, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,247,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Mental state data is collected as a person interacts with a game machine. Analysis is performed on this data and mental state information and affect are shared across a social network. The affect of a person can be represented to the social network or gaming community in the form of an avatar. Recommendations can be based on the affect of the person. Mental states can be analyzed by web services which may, in turn, modify the game.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for gaming comprising:

collecting mental state data of an individual while the individual is involved in a game;

analyzing, using a web services server, the mental state data to produce mental state information; and

modifying the game based on the mental state information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the collecting mental state data further comprises collecting one or more of facial data, physiological data, and actigraphy data.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein a webcam is used to capture one or more of the facial data and the physiological data.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising inferring mental states with regard to the game based on the mental state data which was collected wherein the mental states include one or more of frustration, confusion, disappointment, hesitation, cognitive overload, focusing, engagement, attention, boredom, exploration, confidence, trust, delight, disgust, skepticism, doubt, satisfaction, excitement, laughter, calmness, stress, and curiosity.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the game is within an electronic gaming environment.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying the game includes modifying an avatar that represents the individual.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the avatar is animated based on the mental state information.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying the game includes changing tasks with which the individual is presented.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the changing tasks includes making the game harder.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the mental state information includes an indication of boredom.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the changing tasks includes making the game easier.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the mental state information includes an indication of frustration.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the game is a multiplayer game.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the modifying the game includes modifying an avatar that represents a group of people who are playing the multiplayer game.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the avatar represents a collective mental state for the group of people.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the multiplayer game includes requiring players to imitate a face.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the multiplayer game includes an objective of achieving a collective mental state.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the multiplayer game includes an objective of avoiding a collective mental state.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the game includes an objective of achieving a mental state by the individual.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the game includes an objective of avoiding a mental state by the individual.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising developing a mental state for a computer generated player.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the computer generated player is competing against the individual.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the computer generated player is on a team with the individual.

24-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium for gaming, the computer program product comprising:

code for collecting mental state data of an individual while the individual is involved in a game;

code for analyzing, using a web services server, the mental state data to produce mental state information; and

code for modifying the game based on the mental state information.

27. A computer system for gaming comprising:

a memory for storing instructions;

one or more processors attached to the memory wherein the one or more processors are configured to;

collect mental state data of an individual while the individual is involved in a game;

analyze, using a web services server, the mental state data to produce mental state information; and

modify the game based on the mental state information.