Method and apparatus for embodied conversational characters with multimodal input/output in an interface device
US6570555B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/038
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Deliberative and reactive processing are combined to process multi-modal inputs and direct movements and speech of a synthetic character that operates as an interface between a user and a piece of equipment. The synthetic character is constructed as an ally, working with and helping the user learn and operate the equipment. The synthetic character interacts with both a virtual space where the character is displayed, and a physical space (domain) that includes the user. Real-time reactive processing provides lifelike and engaging responses to user queries and conversations. Deliberative processing provides responses to inputs that require more processing time (deep linguistic processing, for example). Knowledge bases are maintained for both dynamic (discourse model, for example) and static (e.g., knowledge about the domain or discourse plans) information types. A rule based system is utilized against the knowledge bases and selected inputs from said user to determine input meanings, and follow a predetermined discourse plan.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.