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Title: |
US6826540:
Virtual human interface for conducting surveys
[ Derwent Title ]

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Country: |
US United States of America

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Inventor: |
Plantec, Peter M.; Beverly Hills, CA
Mauldin, Michael L.; Irwin, PA
Romero, Jeremy Shay; Covina, CA
McBride, Aaron J.; Sacramento, CA

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Assignee: |
Virtual Personalities, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
other patents from VIRTUAL PERSONALITIES, INC. (845816) (approx. 1)
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Published / Filed: |
2004-11-30
/ 1999-12-29

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Application Number: |
US1999000474518

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IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G06Q 30/00;
G09B 7/00;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
G06F 17/60;

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ECLA Code: |
G06Q30/00A; G09B7/00;

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U.S. Class: |
Current:
705/010;
715/706;
Original:
705/010;
345/706;

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Field of Search: |
705/010
345/706

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Priority Number: |
| 1999-12-29 |
US1999000474518 |

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Abstract: |
A virtual human interface application for conducting surveys comprises a system and method which include a script file which may include survey question data, response pattern data, advertising data, entertainment data, lobbying data and/or processing instructions. The system and method include an image generator providing a representation of a character communicating data from the script file, and also include script and response processing modules to seek and/or clarify responses from a user as well as to advertise to the user, persuade the user, encourage or reward the user, possibly based on patterns detected in the user's responses. The system and method automate the distribution of survey questions, the collection of survey data and processing and formatting of survey results.

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Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP ;

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Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Hapiz, Tario R.; Colon, Catherine M.

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INPADOC Legal Status: |
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Family Legal Status Report

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Family: |
Show 4 known family members

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First Claim:
Show all 15 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A survey system comprising:
- a computer comprising:
- a computer readable medium;
- a script comprising question data representing a question, said script stored in said computer readable medium, said script further comprising:
- response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to said question; and
- lobbying data representing lobbying information to persuade a user to respond to said question by providing a response that does not include said portion of a possible user response to said question;
- character image data representing a character communicating information, said character image data stored in said computer readable medium, said character representing a visual object that personifies communicative behavior of a human being; and
- a user interface running on said processor, said user interface configured to access said script, said user interface configured to process said question data to communicate said question to a user, an image generator of said user interface configured to process said character image data to create a representation of said character on said display during said communication of said question, said user interface configured to modify the visual representation of at least a mouth of said character synchronously with the presentation of words of said question to visually simulate the speaking of said question during communication of said question, said user interface configured to receive and process response data representing a response provided by said user, said user interface configured to store in said computer readable medium answer data representing said response provided by said user, said user interface configured to compare said response data to said response pattern data to determine whether said response provided by said user includes said portion of a possible user response and, if so, to process said lobbying data to communicate said lobbying information to said user without storing said answer data.

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Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary

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Drawing Descriptions: |
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Description: |
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Forward References: |
Show 25 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one

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U.S. References: |
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| Forward references (25)
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Backward references (39)
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Citation Link

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Other References: |
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(3 pages)
[ISI abstract]
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(10 pages)
Cited by 20 patents
[ISI abstract]

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Continuity Data: |
| Application Number | Filed | Notes |
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US2004000922729 | | is a
continuation of |
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>US1999000474518<
| 1999-12-29 |
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US6826540 issued 2004-11-30 Virtual human interface for conducting surveys
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