US6721706B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Environment-responsive user interface/entertainment device that simulates personal interaction
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
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Filing: 2000-10-30
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Granted: 2004-04-13
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Expires: 2020-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An interaction simulator, such as a chatterbot, is enabled to simulate an awareness of the user to generate an interaction that is more natural and appropriate than prior art chatterbots. For example, the device may employ machine vision to detect the number of persons present or the activity of the user and respond accordingly by interrupting its output or by inviting a conversation or other interaction when a user approaches. The device may modify its responses according to the user's activity, for example, by playing music when the user falls asleep or requesting an introduction when another user speaks. The device may also respond to unrecognized changes in the situation by inquiring about what is going on to stimulate interaction or generate new responses.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugo J. Strubbe
- 👤 Larry J. Eshelman
- 👤 Srinivas Gutta
- 👤 John Milanski
- 👤 Daniel Pelletier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G10; G10L; G10L15/00; G10L15/22; G10L15/08; G10L15/18; G10L2015/226; G10L2015/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A conversation simulator for simulating conversational interaction with a user, comprising: a controller programmed to receive first, second, and third user inputs, each chronologically separated by at least one reply from said controller; said first, second, and third user inputs each including a natural language declaration as distinguished from a query or a command; an output device connected to said controller to output said corresponding replies; a first input device connected to apply said first, second, and third user inputs to said controller; at least one second input device to receive environmental data indicating an environment of said user; said controller being programmed to classify said environment of said user responsively to said environmental data to produce class data, wherein said class data includes an indicator of a physical location of said user; and said controller being programmed to generate said at least one reply responsively to a corresponding one of said first, second and third user inputs and said class data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A conversation simulator for simulating conversational interaction with a user, comprising: a controller programmed to receive first, second, and third user inputs, each chronologically separated by at least one reply from said controller; said first, second, and third user inputs each including a natural language declaration as distinguished from a query or a command; an output device connected to said controller to output said corresponding replies; a first input device connected to apply said first, second, and third user inputs to said controller; at least one second input device to receive environmental data indicating an environment of said user; said controller being programmed to classify said environment of said user responsively to said environmental data to produce class data, wherein said class data includes an indicator of a physical location of said user; and said controller being programmed to generate said at least one reply responsively to a corresponding one of said first, second and third user inputs and said class data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein said environmental data includes at least one of image and audio data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein said class data includes an indicator of a body position of said user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein said class data includes data indicating a presence of a person other than said user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein said class data includes data indicating an activity of said user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein said second input device includes at least one of a video camera and an audio detector.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of generating a dialogue response in a conversation simulator, comprising the steps of: receiving a natural language declaration from a user; determining a condition of an environment of said user including an indication of a physical location of said user; generating a response to said declaration responsively to a result of said step of determining and to a content of said declaration.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of generating a dialogue response in a conversation simulator, comprising the steps of: receiving a natural language declaration from a user; determining a condition of an environment of said user including an indication of a physical location of said user; generating a response to said declaration responsively to a result of said step of determining and to a content of said declaration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 7 , wherein said step of receiving includes inputting speech through an audio transducer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim wherein 7 , said step of determining includes classifying image data from a camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 7 , wherein said step of determining includes classifying image data from a camera, classifying audio data from an audio transducer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 7 , wherein said step of determining includes: classifying image data from a camera; classifying audio data from an audio transducer; combining results of said first and second steps of classifying to determine said condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said step of receiving includes inputting speech through an audio transducer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
22 words
A method as in claims 11 , wherein said step of determining includes classifying at least one of image and audio data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said step of determining includes classifying input data and determining a physical location of said user responsively to said input data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 11 , wherein said step of determining includes classifying input data and determining an activity of said user responsively to said input data.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of generating a dialogue response in a conversation simulator, comprising the steps of: receiving input from a user; determining a condition of an environment of said user including data indicating a presence of a person other than said user; generating a conditional response responsively to a result of said step of determining and to a content of said input, a condition of said conditional response being said result of said step of determining.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of generating a dialogue response in a conversation simulator, comprising the steps of: receiving input from a user; determining a condition of an environment of said user including data indicating a presence of a person other than said user; generating a conditional response responsively to a result of said step of determining and to a content of said input, a condition of said conditional response being said result of said step of determining.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 16 , wherein said step of determining includes classifying at least one of image and audio data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as in claim 16 , wherein said step of determining includes classifying input data and determining a physical location of said user responsively to said input data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as in claim 16 , wherein said step of determining includes classifying input data and determining an activity of said user responsively to said input data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-13 | 2007-10-13 | 2008-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-13 | 2011-10-13 | 2012-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-13 | 2015-10-13 | 2016-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |