The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 22, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 26, 2000
Walter Tackett, San Francisco, CA (US);
John B. Hodges, Moss Beach, CA (US);
Scott Benson, Daly City, CA (US);
D. Patrick Blair, San Pablo, CA (US);
Kate Boynton, San Francisco, CA (US);
Ray Dillinger, Richmond, CA (US);
Martin Eggenberger, Piedmont, CA (US);
Tom Schofield, San Francisco, CA (US);
Verity, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus are disclosed for the development and implementation of virtual robot's (bot's) directed natural language interaction with computer users. Bots employing the present invention base natural language interaction on a predefined universe of discourse that is decomposed hierarchically into domains. A data structure provides a storage area for each domain. The data structure may reflect the hierarchical decomposition. Domain topics containing program code directing the bot's interaction are placed in domain storage areas. Pattern lists associate words expected to be “heard” by the bot with particular domain topics. Domain topics are provided, as appropriate, to direct a user's attention toward the instant domain's parent, siblings, or children, with lower topics in the hierarchy getting higher preference. Domain censoring and domain tiebreakers improve usability. Universes of discourse developed in accordance with the present invention may advantageously be stored on portable data storage media.