Patent Application
20150248620
Oftentimes, output of a computer system or sensor is difficult for a user to fully comprehend. For example, a sensor can be configured to continuously output values; however, one who is not familiar with the operation of the sensor may not be able to obtain any meaning from values output thereby actually mean. In an example, a carbon monoxide detector may be positioned in a home, and can output values that are indicative of levels of carbon monoxide in proximity to the sensor. A lay user, however, may not comprehend the meaning of such carbon monoxide values (e.g., unless an alarm is triggered). For example, without more information or education regarding carbon monoxide levels, the user may be unable to ascertain whether she should be alarmed, whether a particular action should be undertaken to attempt to remedy a potential carbon monoxide issue, etc.
In another example, a web service may periodically output data values that are respectively indicative of amounts of rainfall over some period of time. A reviewer of such data values, however, may not readily ascertain the pertinence of these rainfall values for a particular entity, such as a plant, a drainage system, or the like. For instance, a novice gardener may not understand how varying amounts of rainfall over time impact the health of a certain type of plant.
The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims.
Described herein are various technologies pertaining to the assignment of labels that are representative of respective human emotions to a computer-implemented entity based upon data values in a data stream. Also described herein are various technologies pertaining to a system that facilitates defining emotional responses of a computer-implemented entity to dynamic states of a data stream. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented entity can be representative of a physical or virtual entity. For example, with respect to physical entities, the computer-implemented entity can be representative of a person, a home, a street, a plant, a city, or the like. With respect to virtual entities, the computer-implemented entity can be representative of an idea, a group, a business, or the like.
The computer-implemented entity can be assigned an emotional state from a plurality of possible emotional states through execution of a multitude of acts. Initially, a set of “measure instructions” can be executed over an identified data stream, wherein a combination of the data stream and the measure instructions can be referred to herein as a “measure.” The measure instructions can identify an integration rate and a decay rate, wherein the integration rate is indicative of a time duration of a time window during which data values are to be smoothed, and the decay rate is indicative of a rate of decay of a data value in the data stream with respect to time. Thus, for example, the integration rate can indicate that received data values in the data stream are to be averaged over a most recent two minute time window. The decay rate can be used for event-based data streams (where data values are not continuously (e.g., periodically) generated), which facilitates assignation of a (current) emotional state to the computer-implemented entity when a data value has not recently been received. Execution of the measure instructions over the data stream results in computation of a value, referred to herein as a “measure value”.
Using the measure value, values for respective measure parameters of the measure can be computed, wherein the values are indicative of the dynamic state of the measure value relative to a predefined (e.g., desirable) measure state. For example, the values can be indicative of position of the measure value relative to the predefined measure state, direction of movement of the measure value relative to the predefined measure state, rate of the movement of the measure value, and/or the like. In an example, the aforementioned parameters can include a first parameter, a second parameter, and a third parameter. A value of the first parameter can be indicative of position of the measure value relative to the predefined measure state (e.g., “FAR ABOVE”, “ABOVE”, “SLIGHTLY ABOVE”, “ON”, “SLIGHTLY BELOW”, “BELOW”, or “FAR BELOW”), a value of the second parameter can be indicative of direction of movement of measure values relative to the predefined measure state (e.g., “AWAY”, “TOWARD”, or “STEADY”), and a value of the third parameter can be indicative of the rate of such movement (e.g., “VERY FAST”, “FAST”, “SLOW”, “VERY SLOW”, or “STEADY”). Thus, again, such measure parameter values are indicative of the dynamic state of the measure value relative to the predefined measure state.
At least one “reaction rule” can be selected from amongst a plurality of reaction rules based upon the combination of values of the respective measure parameters, wherein a reaction rule maps a parameter value combination to a particular reaction, which can then be assigned to the measure. For example, a first reaction rule can map the combination of parameter values “ABOVE”, “AWAY”, and “VERY FAST” to the reaction “REACTION 1”, while a second reaction rule can map the combination of parameter values “ON”, “STEADY”, and “STEADY” with the reaction “REACTION 2”. Alternatively, output of the reaction rule can map directly to an emotional state, such that the emotional state of the computer-implemented entity is defined by the reaction.
The computer-implemented entity can have a customized personality assigned thereto (e.g., a personality type), where the personality maps reactions to respective emotional states. Continuing with the example set forth above, the customized personality for the computer-implemented entity can map the reaction “REACTION 1” to the emotional state “CONCERNED”, and can map the reaction “REACTION 2” to the emotional state “HAPPY”. It can be ascertained that different personalities will include different mappings between reactions and emotional states. Further, exemplary emotional states that can be assigned to the computer-implemented entity can correlate to emotional states experienced by humans, such as “HAPPY”, “SAD”, “ANXIOUS”, “CONCERNED”, “BORED”, “DEPRESSED”, “AROUSED”, “TIRED”, “EXCITED”, “SCARED”, amongst others. Assignation of emotional states to a computer-implemented entity is advantageous over conventional systems that are configured to output numerical data values, as a human observer of the computer-implemented entity can intuitively understand an emotion expressed by the computer-implemented entity, and therefore may better understand when it is desirable to take action, when it is desirable to more closely monitor an entity represented by the computer-implemented entity, etc.
As indicated above, also described herein is a framework that facilitates designing a system that is configured to assign emotional states to a computer-implemented entity. For example, such framework can be configured to facilitate defining the measure instructions, defining the predefined measure state, defining mappings between measure parameter values and reactions, and defining personality types.
The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Various technologies pertaining to assignation of emotional states to a computer-implemented entity are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more aspects. Further, it is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by a single system component may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a single component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components.
Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.
Further, as used herein, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to encompass computer-readable data storage that is configured with computer-executable instructions that cause certain functionality to be performed when executed by a processor. The computer-executable instructions may include a routine, a function, or the like. It is also to be understood that a component or system may be localized on a single device or distributed across several devices. Further, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something, and is not intended to indicate a preference.
Described herein are various technologies pertaining to the dynamic assignation of emotional states to a computer-implemented entity over time, wherein such assignation is a function of values in a data stream output by a data source. A readily ascertainable advantage of such technologies is that a human can intuitively understand emotional states expressed by a computer-implemented entity (e.g., responsive to being assigned the emotional states), and therefore the human can empathize with the computer-implemented entity and/or react appropriately responsive to ascertaining that the computer-implemented entity is expressing a particular emotion.
As will be set forth in greater detail herein, emotional states can be dynamically assigned to a computer-implemented entity based upon “measure values” of a “measure”. A “measure” is a combination of: 1) a data stream output by a data source; and 2) “measure instructions”. The measure instructions define how data values in the data stream are to be processed to compute a measure value. It can therefore be ascertained that multiple “measures” can be based upon a single data stream. A predefined “measure state” is a reference state for the measure with respect to the computer-implemented entity; for example, the predefined measure state can represent an optimal (desired) measure state for the computer-implemented entity. Thus, each measure-computer-implemented entity combination has a respective predefined measure state assigned thereto.
At any instant in time, values for respective “measure parameters” of the measure can be computed, wherein the measure parameters are descriptive of the dynamic state of the measure relative to the predefined measure state. In an example, a measure can have three measure parameters at any instant in time: 1) a first measure parameter that is indicative of a position of the measure relative to the predefined measure state; 2) a second measure parameter that is indicative of direction of movement of the measure relative to the predefined measure state; and 3) a third measure parameter that is indicative of rate of the movement of the measure. As will be described in greater detail herein, emotional states can be dynamically assigned to a computer-implemented entity as a function of values of measure parameters.
With reference now to
The data store 102 additionally comprises entity data 106, wherein the entity data 106 comprises data and instructions that are employable to determine which emotional state from a plurality of possible emotional states are to be assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104 at any given instant in time. With more particularity, the entity data 106 comprises a predefined measure state 108, which is defined by a designer of the computer-implemented entity 104. As noted above, predefined measure state 108 is a reference state.
The entity data 106 further comprises measure instructions 109, which, as indicated above, define how data values in a data stream are to be processed to compute a measure value (at any given instant in time).
The entity data 106 also includes reaction rules 110, where each reaction rule maps a respective combination of measure parameter values to a respective reaction of the computer-implemented entity. Accordingly, application of a reaction rule from the reaction rules 110 results in output of a particular reaction assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104, wherein the reaction is from amongst a plurality of predefined reactions.
The entity data 106 may further comprise historical data 112, which can include historical measure values, emotional states previously assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104 (and timestamps indicating when such emotional states were assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104), historical reactions of the computer-implemented entity 104, etc.
The entity data 106 additionally optionally includes a customized personality 114 that has been assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104. The customized personality 114 includes mappings between reactions that can be output through application of the reaction rules 110 and respective emotional states that are assignable to the computer-implemented entity 104.
Operation of the emotional state assignment system 100 is now described. The emotional state assignment system 100 receives a data stream output by a data source 116, wherein the data stream comprises data values output over time by the data source 116. As will be described herein, the emotional state assignment system 106 assigns an emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104 as a function of the data values in the data stream. The data source 116 can be a continuous data source or an event-based data source. A continuous data source is one that outputs discrete, smoothly transitioning values. Examples of a continuous data source include a thermometer, a carbon monoxide sensor, or the like. An event-based data source can be perceived as an incident-reporting data source, where occurrence of an event or events results in the event-based data source producing a data value.
For data values output by an event-based data source, it can be assumed that no events of the kind monitored by the data source 116 occur between data values output by the data source 116. Further, with respect to event-based data sources, two data values having identical time-stamps can be assumed to be additive. For instance, if the event-based data source 116 is a traffic incident reporting system, and outputs: 1) a first report having a timestamp of 8:00 a.m. that indicates that two traffic incidents occurred; and 2) a second report having a timestamp of 8:00 a.m. that indicates that three traffic incidents occurred, the incidents from the two reports can be aggregated to generate a single value of five traffic incidents occurring at 8:00 a.m. In contrast, when the data source 116 is a continuous data source, data values assigned identical timestamps can be averaged, rather than aggregated. From the foregoing, it can be ascertained that the data source 116 can be any suitable data source, including but not limited to a sensor, a computing device, a web service, etc.
The emotional state assignment system 100 includes a measure value calculator component 118 that subscribes to the data stream, and therefore receives data values in the data stream over time. The measure value calculator component 118 can compute, at any given instant in time, a measure value based upon data values in the data stream and the measure instructions 109 in the entity data 106. As noted above, the measure instructions 109 define how the measure value calculator component 118 is to process data values in the data stream to compute the measure value. The measure instructions 109 can include an integration rate and (at least for a data stream output by an event-based data source) a decay rate. With more particularity, rather than analyzing an instantaneous or most recent value in the data stream to compute the measure value, the measure value calculator component 118 integrates data values over time, wherein the amount of integration is defined by the integration rate. This results in smoothing of the data values over time, and further allows for a measure value to be computed for any given instant in time (even if the instant in time does not have a data value assigned thereto).
The integration rate defines the degree that incoming data values in the data stream are averaged over time (e.g., time duration of a time window over which data values are to be averaged). The larger the integration rate (and thus the larger the time window), the greater the smoothing of the data. A designer can choose the integration rate based upon the frequency of data values in the data stream output by the data source 116. For instance, when the data source 116 outputs data values relatively infrequently (e.g., once a day), the designer may wish that the integration rate be relatively large. In contrast, when the data source 116 outputs data values relatively frequently (e.g., once a second), then the designer may select a smaller integration rate.
Further, at least with respect to an event-based data source, the measure instructions 109 can define a decay rate, wherein the measure value calculator component 118 applies the decay rate to data values in the event-based data stream. With more particularity, the decay rate defines how quickly a value in the data stream decays over time, wherein the larger the decay rate, the greater the decay of a data value in the data stream over time. A designer can additionally choose the decay rate as a function of the frequency of output of the data source 116. For instance, a relatively small decay rate can be employed when the data source 116 infrequently outputs data values, while a larger decay can be employed when the data source 116 outputs data more frequently.
The emotional state assignment system 100 further includes a parameter value calculator component 120. The parameter value calculator component 120 computes values for respective measure parameters of the measure based upon: 1) measure values output by the measure value calculator component 120; and 2) the predefined measure state 108 in the entity data 106. As referenced above, the predefined measure state 108 can be a reference state for the computer-implemented entity 104 with respect to the measure. Pursuant to an example, if the computer-implemented entity 104 represents a home and the data source 116 is a carbon monoxide sensor, the predefined measure state 108 can represent acceptable (desired) value(s) of carbon monoxide in the home. For instance, the predefined measure state 108 can define that carbon monoxide levels of 0.9 and below are desired. While the predefined measure state 108 has been defined as being a particular set value or set of values, in another example, the predefined measure state 108 can be a time-dependent function, such that for any particular point in time a reference value can be computed.
The parameters of the measure can be indicative of the dynamic state of the measure relative to the predefined measure state 108. For example, the parameter value calculator component 120 can be configured to compute respective values for three different parameters for a given point in time: 1) a first parameter that is indicative of a position of the measure (for the given point in time) relative to the predefined measure state 108 (e.g., the position of the measure value for the given point in time relative to the predefined measure state 108); 2) a second parameter that is indicative of direction of movement of the measure relative to the predefined measure state 108 (e.g., the derivative of the measure function represented by measure values in time (e.g., historical data 112); and 3) a rate of the movement of the measure (e.g., the second derivative of the measure function). In an example, possible values for the first parameter can be “FAR ABOVE”, “ABOVE”, “SLIGHTLY ABOVE”, “ON”, “SLIGHTLY BELOW”, “BELOW”, and “FAR BELOW”, where “FAR ABOVE” indicates that the measure is “far above” the predefined measure state 108 at the point in time of interest, “ON” indicates that the measure equals or is included in the predefined measure state 108 at the point in time of interest, and so on. Possible values for the second parameter can be “TOWARD”, “STEADY”, and “AWAY”, where “TOWARD” indicates that the measure is moving toward the predefined measure state 108, “STEADY” indicates that the measure is not accelerating or decelerating, and so forth. Possible values for the third parameter can be “VERY FAST”, “FAST”, “SLOW”, “VERY SLOW”, and “NONE”, where “VERY FAST” indicates that the measure is quickly accelerating or decelerating relative to the predefined measure state 108, “VERY SLOW” indicates that the measure is very slowly accelerating or decelerating relative to the predefined measure state 108, and so forth. In summary, then, the parameter value calculator component 120 computes a dynamic state of the measure relative to the predefined measure state 108.
The emotional state assignment system 100 further comprises a reaction computer component 122 that assigns a reaction to the computer-implemented entity 104 based upon the set of measure parameter values output by the parameter value calculator component 120. With more particularity, the reaction computer component 122 receives the set of measure parameter values output by the parameter value calculator component 120 and selects at least one reaction rule from the reaction rules 110 based upon the set of measure parameter values. As noted above, each reaction rule in the reaction rules 110 can map a respective combination of measure parameter values with a respective reaction (from amongst a plurality of potential reactions) of the computer-implemented entity 104. In an example, the designer may define five reactions: “REACTION 1”, “REACTION 2”, “REACTION 3”, “REACTION 4”, and “REACTION 5”. The designer may then generate the reaction rules 110, which define mappings between combinations of measure parameter values and reactions. Continuing with the examples set forth above, a first reaction rule can map the combination of measure parameter values “ABOVE”, “AWAY”, “SLOW” to the reaction “REACTION 1”, a second reaction rule can map the combination of measure parameter values “BELOW”, “TOWARD”, “VERY FAST” to the reaction “REACTION 2”, etc. Further, a reaction rule can include inclusion or exclusion relationships for a parameter or between parameters. For instance, the designer can create a reaction rule that maps measure parameter values (“ABOVE” OR “ON”), “STEADY”, (NOT “SLOW”) to the reaction “REACTION 3”. In still another example, the designer can create a reaction rule that maps measure parameter values (NOT “BELOW” AND “TOWARD”), “FAST” to the reaction “REACTION 4”.
Furthermore, a reaction rule can be designed to map a combination of the measure parameter values and one or more previous reactions assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104 to a particular reaction. In still yet another example, a reaction rule can be designed to map a combination of the measure parameter values and one or more previous emotional states assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104 to a reaction. Still further, a reaction rule can map a combination of previous emotional state(s), reaction(s), and measure parameter values to a reaction.
The reaction computer component 122 can, based upon the measure parameter values output by the parameter value calculator component 120, search the reaction rules 110 and identify at least one reaction rule in the reaction rules 110 that correspond to the measure parameter values. In some cases, more than one reaction rule may apply, where the different reaction rules map the same set of measure parameter values to different reactions. In such a case, reaction rules in the reaction rules 110 can be assigned respective priority values, where the applicable reaction rule with the higher priority value assigned thereto is selected by the reaction computer component 122. The reaction computer component 122 can assign the reaction designated by the selected reaction rule the computer-implemented entity 104. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the reaction can be an emotional state to be assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104; thus the reaction assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104 can be the emotional state. It is therefore to be understood that the use of the customized personality (described below) can be optional.
The emotional state assignment system 100 further includes an emotion assignor component 124 that is in communication with the reaction computer component 122, wherein the emotion assignor component 124 assigns an emotional state (from amongst a plurality of possible emotional states) to the computer-implemented entity 104 responsive to receipt of the reaction output by the reaction computer component 122. With more particularity, the emotion assignor component 124 can assign the emotional state based upon the reaction output by the reaction computer component 122 and the customized personality 114 for the computer-implemented entity 104. As indicated previously, the customized personality 114 maps reactions identified in the reaction rules 110 to respective emotional states. For example, the customized personality 114 can map the reaction “REACTION 1” to the emotional state “HAPPY”, can map the reaction “REACTION 2” to the emotional state “UPSET”, can map the reaction “REACTION 3” to the emotional state “ANXIOUS”, etc.
As can be ascertained, different computer-implemented entities can have different customized personalities assigned thereto, such that a first computer-implemented entity can be assigned a first emotional state when the reaction computer component 122 outputs the reaction “REACTION 1”, while a second computer-implemented entity can be assigned a second emotional state for the same reaction. This is analogous to humans, as different humans, having different personality types, have different respective emotional reactions to the same set of circumstances.
Further, in an example, the emotion assignor component 124 can assign the emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104 based upon the reaction output by the reaction computer component in combination with previous emotional states assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104 and/or emotional states assigned to other computer-implemented entities. This is analogous to human behavior, where an emotional state of a human being is often a function of emotional states of their friends or family and/or their most recent emotional state(s). Accordingly, for instance, the customized personality 114 for the computer-implemented entity 104 can indicate: 1) that a combination of “REACTION 1” with an emotional state “HAPPY” assigned to a second computer-implemented entity maps to the emotional state “HAPPY”, and 2) a combination of “REACTION 1” (the same reaction) with an emotional state “WORRIED” assigned to the second computer-implemented entity maps to the emotional state “ANXIOUS”.
Responsive to the emotion assignor component 124 assigning the emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104, for instance, the computer-implemented entity 104 can express particular behavior that is based upon the assigned emotional state. This expression may be in the form of an animation, voice tone, verbal expression (e.g., choice of words and language), or the like. To that end, an output generator component 126 can generate an output based upon the emotional state assigned to the computer-implemented entity 104 by the emotion assignor component 124. In an example, based upon the computer-implemented entity 104 being assigned a particular emotional state, the output generator component 126 can expose the emotional state to a second computer-executable application by way of an application programming interface (API). For instance, the computer-implemented entity 104 can represent a home, and the data source 116 can be a carbon monoxide sensor. When the emotion assignor component 124 assigns the computer-implemented entity 104 the emotional state of “WORRIED”, such emotional state can be exposed by way of the API to an alarm application, which in turn can generate an alarm in the form of an e-mail, a voice message, a text message, and/or the like, and transmit the alarm to an end user (human). The human intuitively will understand that the emotion “WORRIED”, and can take corrective action accordingly.
It is to be understood that while the emotional state assignment system 100 has been described as assigning the emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104 based upon a single data stream output by a single data source, the emotional state assignment system 100 can be configured to assign an emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104 based upon a plurality of different data streams output by respective multiple data sources. For instance, each data source may have a respective predefined measure state included in the data store 102, and the measure value calculator component 118 can compute measure values independently for each of the data sources. Likewise, a single data source may have multiple sets of measure instructions associated therewith, such that multiple measure values can be computed based upon data values from a single data stream (and an emotion can be assigned as a function of the multiple measure values). Thus, the emotional state assignment system 100 can assign an emotional state to the computer-implemented entity based upon numerous measures.
The parameter value calculator component 120 can compute a respective set of measure parameter values for each measure of the numerous measures, and the reaction computer component 122 can compute a single reaction based upon the multiple sets of measure parameter values (e.g., a reaction rule can map combinations of sets of parameter values to a reaction). In another example, the reaction computer component 122 can compute an independent reaction for each measure, such that multiple different reactions can be computed for the computer-implemented entity 104. In such an exemplary embodiment, the customized personality 114 for the computer-implemented entity 104 can map combinations of reactions to respective emotional states. For instance, the combination of reactions “REACTION 1” and “REACTION 3” can map to the emotional state “CONCERNED”. Again, this is analogous to human expression of emotion, where human emotion is typically a function of a large number of factors. Still further, measures can be weighted to indicate their influence on the assignation of emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104. For example, a reaction computed with respect to a first measure may be assigned a larger weight than a reaction computed with respect to a second measure, wherein the customized personality 114 and/or the emotional state assignor component 124 can take into consideration the weights assigned to the measures when assigning the emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104.
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The emotional state designed system 300 can further include a state creator component 304 that can receive input as to a reference state (the predefined measure state 108) for the computer-implemented entity 104 and the measure. In an example, when the computer-implemented entity 104 is representative of a particular geographic region and the data values in the data stream represent crime incidents for the region, the predefined measure state 108 may be on or below two crime incidents (e.g., over a 24-hour window). Accordingly, the output of the state creator component 304 is the predefined measure state 108, which is retained in the data store 102 of the emotional state assignment system 100, and which is utilized by the parameter value calculator component 120 to compute measure parameter values for respective measures.
The emotional state designed system 300 further comprises a reaction rule creator component 306 that facilitates creation of reaction rules (e.g., based upon input received from a designer). The reaction rule creator component 306 can receive combinations of measure parameter values from the designer, and can further receive a defined reaction that is mapped to such combination of measure parameter values. Further, the reaction rule creator component 306 may receive priority information with respect to reaction rules that may potentially conflict. For example, the designer may create a first reaction rule that covers a plurality of different combinations of measure parameter values, and may create a second (more specific) reaction rule that covers a single combination of measure parameter values. In such a situation, the designer may indicate, by way of the reaction rule creator component 306, that the second reaction rule has a higher priority than the first reaction rule, such that when both reaction rules are triggered, the second reaction rule is to be selected by the reaction computer component 122. The output of the reaction rule creator component 306 is the reaction rules 110, which are stored in the data store 102 of the emotional state assignment system 100.
The emotional state design system 300 also includes a personality constructor component 308 that is configured to output the customized personality 114 for the computer-implemented entity 104. As indicated above, the reaction rule creator component 306 maps combinations of measure parameter values to respective reactions. The personality constructor component 308 can map such reactions to respective emotional states. For instance, the designer can input to the personality constructor component 308 that, for the personality type being designed, “REACTION 1” is to map to the emotion “WAVERING”, “REACTION 2” is to map to the emotion “JEALOUS”, “REACTION 3” is to map to the emotion “CONTEMPTUOUS”, and so forth. The emotions can be selected from a predefined list of emotions or can be manually generated by the designer who is using the customized personality type. The output of the personality constructor component 308 is the customized personality 114, which is retained in the data store 102 of the emotional state assignment system 100 and accessed by the emotion assignor component 124 when assigning the emotional state to the computer-implemented entity 104.
Referring now to
The graphical user interface 400 may also include a pull-down menu 408 that is configured to receive an indication as to whether the data stream identified in the first field 402 is a continuous data stream or an event-based data stream. A fourth field 410 is configured to receive data that identifies the integration rate to apply to data values in the data stream identified in the first field 402. A fifth field 412 is configured to receive data that identifies the decay rate referenced above. The graphical user interface 400 also includes a button 414 that, when selected, causes the measure instruction creator component 302 to create a set of measure instructions that correspond to the data input into the fields 402, 404, 406, 410, and 412, and input by way of the pull-down menu 408. Optionally, the graphical user interface 400 can illustrate a plurality of previously defined sets of measure instructions (e.g., for the data stream identified in the first field 402 or other data streams). For example, the graphical user interface 400 illustrates five other sets of measure instructions 416-424 previously defined by way of the graphical user interface 400 and the measure instruction creator component 302. Buttons 426-434 allow the designer to delete any one of the measure instructions 416-424.
With reference now to
The graphical user interface 500 further comprises a second pull-down menu that, when selected by the designer, presents a plurality of values for the “TREND” parameter. Exemplary values for the “TREND” parameter displayed in the pull-down menu 504 can include “ANY”, “AWAY”, “STEADY”, and “TOWARD”. Again, these values define the direction that measure is moving relative to the predefined measure state 108.
The graphical user interface 500 also includes a third pull-down menu 506 that, when selected by the designer, illustrates a plurality of potential values for the “PACE” parameter. Exemplary values that can be presented when the pull-down menu 506 is selected can include, for example, “FAST”, “SLOW”, “MEDIUM”, and “ANY”.
The graphical user interface 500 also includes a field 508 that can be populated by the designer to define a reaction to the combination of parameter values selected by way of the pull-down menus 502-506. For instance, the designer can set forth any suitable name to identify the reaction or can select a reaction from amongst a plurality of predefined reactions. The graphical user interface 500 includes a button 510 that, when selected by the designer, finalizes creation of the reaction rule, and the created reaction rule can be placed in the reaction rules 110. As illustrated, the graphical user interface 500 may also, optionally, illustrate a plurality of previously created reaction rules 512-518 and a plurality of buttons that respectively correspond thereto, wherein the reaction rules 512-518 may be deleted upon the designer selecting the respective buttons 520-526.
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Moreover, the acts described herein may be computer-executable instructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and/or stored on a computer-readable medium or media. The computer-executable instructions can include a routine, a sub-routine, programs, a thread of execution, and/or the like. Still further, results of acts of the methodologies can be stored in a computer-readable medium, displayed on a display device, and/or the like.
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At 1006, a sequence of data values from the data stream is received over a window of time. The time duration of the window of time can be defined by a designer when creating a measure, wherein the measure can be defined by the data source, the type of data stream, integration rate, and the decay rate.
At 1008, a determination is made that the computer-implemented entity has a first emotional state from amongst a plurality of possible emotional states. Such determination can be based upon the sequence of data values, the time duration of the window of time and the customized personality type of the computer-implemented entity. With more particularity, as described above, a measure value can be computed based upon the data values, the integration rate, and the decay rate. Measure parameter values corresponding for the measure may then be computed based upon the measure value and the predefined measure state. Such measure parameter values can be mapped in a reaction rule to a reaction, which is assigned to the computer-implemented entity. In a customized personality for the computer-implemented entity, the reaction is mapped to the first emotional state.
At 1010, the first emotional state is assigned to the computer-implemented entity responsive to determining that the computer-implemented entity has the first emotional state. At 1012, an output is generated based upon the computer-implemented entity being assigned the first emotional state, and the methodology 1000 completes at 1014.
Now referring to
At 1106, a sequence of data values is received from the data stream. As indicated above, the sequence of data values occurs in a time window that has a time duration. At 1108, a measure value is computed for the data stream based upon the sequence of data values. For example, the measure value can be based upon an average of the data values in the sequence of data values in the time window.
At 1110, responsive to computing the measure value, values are assigned to measure parameters of the measure, wherein the values are based upon the dynamic state of the measure relative to a predefined (desired) measure state, the dynamic state of the measure being indicative of position of the measure relative to the predefined measure state, direction of movement of the measure relative to the predefined measure state, and rate of the movement. At 1112, a reaction rule from amongst the plurality of reaction rules is selected based upon the values of the respective measure parameters assigned at 1110. At 1114, a reaction identified in the reaction rule as mapping to the combination of values of the respective measure parameters is determined, and at 1116, an emotion of the computer-implemented entity is identified based upon the reaction determined at 1114. For example, a mapping of the emotion to the reaction can be defined in the customized personality for the computer-implemented entity.
At 1118, an output is generated responsive to identifying the emotion of the computer-implemented entity. Such output can be a visualization, an e-mail, an alarm or the like. The methodology 1100 completes at 1120.
With reference to
At 1206, for the selected data stream and the computer-implemented entity, a desired measure state is received. For example, the desired measure state can be received by way of the graphical user interface 700 shown in
At 1208, for the data stream and the computer-implemented entity, instructions for generating measure values based upon the data values in the data stream are received. For example, the instructions can be received by way of the graphical user interface 400 illustrated in
At 1210, for the data stream and the computer-implemented entity, instructions are received for assigning values to measure parameters of the measure. For example, such instructions can be based upon the desired measure state received at 1206 and a plurality of predefined potential values for the measure parameters.
At 1212, reaction rules are defined, wherein, for example, the reaction rules can be defined by way of the graphical user interface 500 shown in
At 1214, a customized personality type is defined for the computer-implemented entity, wherein the personality maps reactions set forth in the reaction rules with emotions. In an exemplary embodiment, the definition of the customized personality can be received by way of the graphical user interface 600 shown in
Referring now to
The computing device 1300 additionally includes a data store 1308 that is accessible by the processor 1302 by way of the system bus 1306. The data store 1308 may include executable instructions, reaction rules, measure values, data stream values, etc. The computing device 1300 also includes an input interface 1310 that allows external devices to communicate with the computing device 1300. For instance, the input interface 1310 may be used to receive instructions from an external computer device, from a user, etc. The computing device 1300 also includes an output interface 1312 that interfaces the computing device 1300 with one or more external devices. For example, the computing device 1300 may display text, images, etc. by way of the output interface 1312.
It is contemplated that the external devices that communicate with the computing device 1300 via the input interface 1310 and the output interface 1312 can be included in an environment that provides substantially any type of user interface with which a user can interact. Examples of user interface types include graphical user interfaces, natural user interfaces, and so forth. For instance, a graphical user interface may accept input from a user employing input device(s) such as a keyboard, mouse, remote control, or the like and provide output on an output device such as a display. Further, a natural user interface may enable a user to interact with the computing device 1300 in a manner free from constraints imposed by input device such as keyboards, mice, remote controls, and the like. Rather, a natural user interface can rely on speech recognition, touch and stylus recognition, gesture recognition both on screen and adjacent to the screen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, voice and speech, vision, touch, gestures, machine intelligence, and so forth.
Additionally, while illustrated as a single system, it is to be understood that the computing device 1300 may be a distributed system. Thus, for instance, several devices may be in communication by way of a network connection and may collectively perform tasks described as being performed by the computing device 1300.
Various functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer-readable storage media. A computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc (BD), where disks usually reproduce data magnetically and discs usually reproduce data optically with lasers. Further, a propagated signal is not included within the scope of computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media also includes communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A connection, for instance, can be a communication medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of communication medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Alternatively, or in addition, the functionally described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.
What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable modification and alteration of the above devices or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the details description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
