GRAPHICAL INTERFACE FOR INTERACTIVE DIALOG

Abstract

A system and method for creating conversation in a computer program such as a videogame. A plurality of classes of dialog is provided and a conversation segment is assigned to each class. A graphical interface is displayed during operation of the program that provides a choice indicator, wherein the choice indicator has a plurality of selectable slots, each associated with a dialog class. The graphical interface is consistent as to the position of dialog classes throughout at least a segment of the program.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings

FIG. 1 shows a graphical interface for display on-screen during operation of a program, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative geometry of a graphical interface suitable for use with a videogame, or the like, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the graphical interface shown in FIG. 2 displayed on a scene during a videogame according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical interface as shown in FIG. 2, in which an example is displayed of a set of options for responses during a step in a simulated conversation in the videogame.

FIG. 5 is a scene from a prior art videogame titled “The Pandora Directive” showing text of a conversation and options for attitude.

FIG. 6 is a scene from another prior art videogame titled “Jade Empire” showing text for selection of contributions to a conversation.

FIG. 7 is a scene from yet another prior art videogame titled “The Indigo Prophecy” showing options for selecting among types of conversational dialog.

FIG. 8 is an interactive computer game system according to an illustrative embodiment of the system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of an interactive computer system according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method of creating conversation in a computer program according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A graphical interface displayed during operation of a program, enabling a program user to participate in a simulated conversation with the program, the graphical interface comprising: a choice indicator;the choice indicator having a plurality of selectable slots, each of the slots providing a class of dialog choice when selected;wherein the graphical interface is consistent as to the position of dialog classes throughout at least a segment of the program.

2. The graphical interface of claim 1 comprising a radial choice indicator.

3. The graphical interface of claim 1 comprising a rectangular choice indicator.

4. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein the selectable slots are arranged in a band.

5. The graphical interface of claim 1 having six selectable slots.

6. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein the selectable slots are visually identified before selection by highlighting.

7. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein the selectable slots are visually identified before selection by a movable indicator.

8. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein the program is a videogame.

9. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein each slot provides an option for input into a simulated conversation with characters within the videogame; and the input into the simulated conversation is selected from a group of remarks.

10. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein each slot provides an option for input into a simulated conversation with characters within the videogame; and the input into the simulated conversation is selected from a combination of a group of actions and remarks.

11. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein the consistency of the graphical interface as to the position of dialog classes correlates to a specific character.

12. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein selection of a selectable slot activates a voice-over vocalization of the selected remark into the simulated conversation.

13. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein paraphrases are assigned to one or more of the selectable slot.

14. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein colours are assigned to one or more of the selectable slot.

15. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein visually identifying a selectable slot before it is selected initiates animated movements of a character.

16. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein selection of a selectable slot for a first character while a second character is speaking causes the first character's remarks to be cut off.

17. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein full text appears when a slot is identified.

18. The graphical interface of claim 1 further comprising one or more additional selectable slots, each of the additional slots providing a class of action choice when selected.

19. The graphical interface of claim 18 wherein the action choices are differentiated from the dialog choices in appearance.

20. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein one or more selectable slots provide a character choice.

21. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein the configuration of the graphical interface correlates with the configuration of a control device used for the selection of slots.

22. A method of creating conversation in a computer program comprising: providing a plurality of classes of dialog;assigning a conversation segment to each class;providing a graphical interface displayed during operation of a program;providing a choice indicator on the graphical interface, wherein the choice indicator has a plurality of selectable slots, each associated with a dialog class, each of the slots providing a dialog choice when selected, wherein the graphical interface is consistent as to the position of dialog classes throughout at least a segment of the program.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the choice indicator is radial.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the choice indicator is rectangular.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the selectable slots are arranged in a band.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein there are six selectable slots.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the selectable slots are visually identified before selection by highlighting.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein the selectable slots are visually identified before selection by a movable indicator.

29. The method of claim 22 wherein the program is a videogame.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein each slot provides an option for input into a simulated conversation with characters within the videogame; and the input into the simulated conversation is selected from a group of remarks.

31. The method of claim 22 wherein each slot provides an option for input into a simulated conversation with characters within the videogame; and the input into the simulated conversation is selected from a combination of a group of actions and remarks.

32. The method of claim 22 comprising consistently correlating the position of dialog classes to a specific character.

33. The method of claim 22 wherein selection of a selectable slot activates a voice-over vocalization of the selected remark into the simulated conversation.

34. The method of claim 22 wherein paraphrases are assigned to one or more of the selectable slot.

35. The method of claim 22 wherein colours are assigned to one or more of the selectable slot.

36. The method of claim 22 wherein visually identifying a selectable slot before it is selected initiates animated movements of a character.

37. The method of claim 22 wherein selection of a selectable slot for a first character while a second character is speaking causes the first character's remarks to be cut off.

38. The method of claim 22 further comprising: providing full text when a slot is identified.

39. The method of claim 22 further comprising; providing one or more classes of actions; assigning an action description to each class;wherein selectable slots are associated with the action classes and the graphical interface is consistent as to the position of the action classes throughout at least a segment of the program.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising differentiating the action choices from the dialog choices by their appearance.

41. The method of claim 22 further comprising providing one or more selectable slots having a character choice.

42. The graphical interface of claim 1 wherein the configuration of the graphical interface correlates with the configuration of a control device used for the selection of slots.

43. A computer readable medium programmed to carry out the method of claim 22.

44. A computer system configured to carry out the method of claim 22.

45. A computer system comprising: a central processing unit to carry out operations of a software program, the software program capable of carrying out the method of claim 22;one or more memory devices to allow storage and retrieval of the software data;a control interface functionally connected to the CPU to provide user inputs to the software;an audio interface in communication with the software to provide audio output;a video interface in communication with the software to provide visual output;a display device to display the visual images from the software program and the graphical interface; andaudio projection device to project audio from the software program.