US6359622B1
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US
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System and method for directed improvisation by computer controlled characters
Assignee: Extempo Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-12-17
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Granted: 2002-03-19
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Expires: 2019-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for directing the improvisational behavior of a computer-controlled character which enables the character to reflect personality, mood, and other life-like qualities. The method includes the step of storing in the system a set of possible behaviors for the character and state data representative of a current state of the character. The possible behaviors include both physical and verbal behaviors. The current state includes the character's current mood, directing state, activity state, and location in a virtual world. The method also includes the step of identifying from the set of possible behaviors a subset of feasible behaviors for the character in the current state. Each of the feasible behaviors is evaluated to determine a respective desirability rating of the feasible behavior in the current state. The method further includes the step of selecting a behavior to be executed by the character from the subset of feasible behaviors. The behavior to be executed is selected in dependence upon its desirability rating.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara Hayes-Roth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T13/00; G06T13/20; G06T13/40; A; A63; A63F; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/65; G06T2213/00; G06T2213/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for selecting a behavior to be executed by an improvisational character, the system comprising: a) a memory means for storing a set of possible behaviors for the character and for storing state data representative of a current state of the character; and b) a processor means in communication with the memory means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the set of possible behaviors, the processor means including an identification means for identifying from the set of possible behaviors a subset of feasible behaviors for the character in the current state, an evaluation means for determining for each of the feasible behaviors a respective desirability rating of the feasible behavior in the current state, and a selection means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the subset of feasible behaviors, wherein the behavior to be executed is selected in dependence upon its desirability rating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for selecting a behavior to be executed by an improvisational character, the system comprising: a) a memory means for storing a set of possible behaviors for the character and for storing state data representative of a current state of the character; and b) a processor means in communication with the memory means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the set of possible behaviors, the processor means including an identification means for identifying from the set of possible behaviors a subset of feasible behaviors for the character in the current state, an evaluation means for determining for each of the feasible behaviors a respective desirability rating of the feasible behavior in the current state, and a selection means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the subset of feasible behaviors, wherein the behavior to be executed is selected in dependence upon its desirability rating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state comprises a current mood of the character and the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current mood.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state comprises a current mood of the character and the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current mood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state comprises a directing state, the state data includes a current behavioral direction for the character, and the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in dependence upon the behavioral direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the memory means further stores for each of the feasible behaviors a respective attribute value of the feasible behavior, the behavioral direction constrains the attribute value of the behavior to be executed by the character, and the evaluation means includes means for comparing the attribute value of each of the feasible behaviors to the behavioral direction to determine the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the memory means further stores instructions for updating the behavioral direction in response to a specified event, and wherein the processor means further includes means for updating the behavioral direction when the event occurs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4 , further comprising an interface connected to the processor means for receiving the behavioral direction from an external source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the interface comprises a system interface and the external source comprises another computer system connected to the system interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the interface comprises a user interface and the external source comprises a user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the processor means includes means for presenting directing alternatives to the external source through the interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor means further includes means for determining which of the directing alternatives are feasible in the current state and means for selecting each of the directing alternatives for presentation in dependence upon its feasibility.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state comprises an activity state of the character, and wherein the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the activity state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state includes a current physical position of the character, and wherein the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current physical position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state includes a current location of the character in a virtual world, wherein the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state comprises an activity state of the character, and wherein the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in dependence upon the activity state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state includes a current physical position of the character, and wherein the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current physical position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the current state includes a current location of the character in a virtual world, wherein the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current location.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the selection means includes means for selecting the behavior to be executed with a selection probability that is an increasing function of the desirability rating of the behavior.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the selection means includes means for selecting the behavior to be executed as the feasible behavior having the highest desirability rating.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for selecting a behavior to be executed by an improvisational character, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: a) storing in a computer system a set of possible behaviors for the character and state data representative of a current state of the character; b) identifying from the set of possible behaviors a subset of feasible behaviors for the character in the current state; c) determining for each of the feasible behaviors a respective desirability rating of the feasible behavior in the current state; and d) selecting the behavior to be executed from the subset of feasible behaviors, wherein the behavior to be executed is selected in dependence upon its desirability rating.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for selecting a behavior to be executed by an improvisational character, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: a) storing in a computer system a set of possible behaviors for the character and state data representative of a current state of the character; b) identifying from the set of possible behaviors a subset of feasible behaviors for the character in the current state; c) determining for each of the feasible behaviors a respective desirability rating of the feasible behavior in the current state; and d) selecting the behavior to be executed from the subset of feasible behaviors, wherein the behavior to be executed is selected in dependence upon its desirability rating.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the current state comprises a current mood of the character and wherein the subset of feasible behaviors is identified in dependence upon the current mood.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state comprises a current mood of the character, and wherein the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors is determined in dependence upon the current mood.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state includes a directing state, the state data includes a current behavioral direction for the character, and the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors is determined in dependence upon the behavioral direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the method further includes the step of storing for each of the feasible behaviors a respective attribute value of the feasible behavior, the behavioral direction constrains the attribute value of the behavior to be executed, and the step of determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors includes the step of comparing the attribute value of each of the feasible behaviors to the behavioral direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising the steps of storing in the computer system instructions to update the behavioral direction in response to a specified event and updating the behavioral direction when the event occurs.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the computer system includes an interface and the method further comprising the step of receiving the behavioral direction from an external source through the interface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the interface comprises a user interface and the external source comprises a user.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the interface comprises a system interface and the external source comprises another computer system in communication with the system interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising the step of presenting directing alternatives to the external source through the interface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of determining which of the directing alternatives are feasible in the current state and selecting the directing alternatives for presentation in dependence upon their feasibility.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state comprises an activity state of the character, and wherein the subset of feasible behaviors is identified in dependence upon the activity state.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state includes a current physical position of the character, and wherein the subset of feasible behaviors is identified in dependence upon the current physical position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state includes a current location of the character in a virtual world, wherein the subset of feasible behaviors is identified in dependence upon the current location.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state comprises an activity state of the character, and wherein the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors is determined in dependence upon the activity state.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state includes a current physical position of the character, and wherein the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors is determined in dependence upon the current physical position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the current state includes a current location of the character in a virtual world, wherein the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors is determined in dependence upon the current location.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the behavior to be executed is selected with a selection probability that is an increasing function of the desirability rating of the behavior.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the behavior to be executed is selected as the feasible behavior having the highest desirability rating.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
207 words
A system for directing the improvisational behavior of a computer-controlled character, the system comprising: a) a memory means for storing state data representative of a current state of the character, a set of possible behaviors for the character, and for each of the possible behaviors, a respective attribute value of the possible behavior; b) a direction means for setting a behavioral direction for the character, the behavioral direction constraining the attribute value of a behavior to be executed by the character; and c) a processor means connected to the memory means and the direction means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the set of possible behaviors, the processor means comprising: i) an identification means for identifying from the set of possible behaviors a subset of feasible behaviors for the character in the current state; ii) an evaluation means for comparing the attribute value of each of the feasible behaviors to the behavioral direction to determine for each of the feasible behaviors a respective desirability rating of the feasible behavior in the current state; and iii) a selection means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the subset of feasible behaviors, wherein the behavior to be executed is selected in dependence upon its desirability rating.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
207 words
A system for directing the improvisational behavior of a computer-controlled character, the system comprising: a) a memory means for storing state data representative of a current state of the character, a set of possible behaviors for the character, and for each of the possible behaviors, a respective attribute value of the possible behavior; b) a direction means for setting a behavioral direction for the character, the behavioral direction constraining the attribute value of a behavior to be executed by the character; and c) a processor means connected to the memory means and the direction means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the set of possible behaviors, the processor means comprising: i) an identification means for identifying from the set of possible behaviors a subset of feasible behaviors for the character in the current state; ii) an evaluation means for comparing the attribute value of each of the feasible behaviors to the behavioral direction to determine for each of the feasible behaviors a respective desirability rating of the feasible behavior in the current state; and iii) a selection means for selecting the behavior to be executed from the subset of feasible behaviors, wherein the behavior to be executed is selected in dependence upon its desirability rating.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the memory means further stores instructions for updating the behavioral direction in response to a specified event, and wherein the direction means includes means for updating the behavioral direction when the event occurs.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the direction means includes a system interface for receiving the behavioral direction from another computer system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the direction means includes a user interface for receiving the behavioral direction from a user.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the direction means includes an interface, and wherein the processor means includes means for presenting directing alternatives to an external source through the interface.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 43 , wherein the processor means further includes means for determining which of the directing alternatives are feasible in the current state and means for selecting each of the directing alternatives for presentation in dependence upon its feasibility.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state comprises a current mood of the character and the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current mood.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state comprises a current mood of the character and the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in further dependence upon the current mood.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state includes an activity state of the character, and wherein the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the activity state.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state includes a current physical position of the character, and wherein the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current physical position.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state includes a current location of the character in a virtual world, wherein the identification means includes means for identifying the subset of feasible behaviors in dependence upon the current location.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state comprises an activity state of the character, and wherein the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in further dependence upon the activity state.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state includes a current physical position of the character, and wherein the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in further dependence upon the current physical position.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the current state includes a current location of the character in a virtual world, wherein the evaluation means includes means for determining the desirability rating of each of the feasible behaviors in further dependence upon the current location.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the selection means includes means for selecting the behavior to be executed with a selection probability that is an increasing function of the desirability rating of the behavior.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the selection means includes means for selecting the behavior to be executed as the feasible behavior having the highest desirability rating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-18 | 2005-09-17 | 2006-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-18 | 2009-09-17 | 2010-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-18 | 2013-09-17 | 2014-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |