Interactive stories

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018336794-A1
Application number	US-201715597122-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 16, 2017
Priority date	May 16, 2017
Publication date	Nov 22, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of providing an interactive story is provided. The method may include displaying, via a user interface, a segment of a story including a first virtual character. The method may also include activating a characterbot associated with the first virtual character in response to selection of the first virtual character by a user. Moreover, the method may include receiving, via the user interface, a message from the user directed toward the first virtual character. The method may further include generating, via the characterbot, a response to the received message, and conveying the response via the user interface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:
displaying, via a user interface, a segment of a story including a first virtual character; activating a characterbot associated with the first virtual character in response to a selection of the first virtual character by a user; receiving, via the user interface, a message from the user directed to the first virtual character; generating, via the characterbot, a response to the received message; and conveying the response via the user interface.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating a chat interface in response to selection by the user of the first virtual character.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating a response comprises:
determining that the message references a second virtual character; and determining whether the second virtual character has a relationship with the first virtual character via a social graph; wherein the response comprises:
an unknown character response in response to the second virtual character not having a relationship with the first virtual character; and
one of a time-specific response and a default response in response to the second virtual character having a relationship with the first virtual character.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating a response comprises generating a time-specific response if one or more response templates for the first virtual character matches the message, else generating a default response.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the message to a chat server including the characterbot.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating a social graph for the first virtual character and at least a second virtual character; and updating the social graph in response to advancement of the story.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a score for the user based on at least one of: a number of conversations between the user and at least the first virtual character; a number of conversational turns in one or more conversations between the user and at least the first virtual character; and an answer submitted by the user in response to a provided test question.

8 . A system, comprising:
one or more processors configured to:
display, via a user interface, a segment of a story including a first virtual character;
activate a characterbot associated with the first virtual character in response to selection of the first virtual character by a user;
receive a message directed toward the first virtual character;
generate, via the characterbot, a response to the received message; and
convey the response via the user interface.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to activate a chat interface in response to selection by the user of the first virtual character.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
determine that the message references a second virtual character; and determine whether the second virtual character has a relationship with the first virtual character via a social graph; wherein the response comprises:
an unknown character response in response to the second virtual character not having a relationship with the first virtual character; and
one of a time-specific response and a default response in response to the second virtual character having a relationship with the first virtual character.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to generate a time-specific response if one or more response templates for the first virtual character matches the message, else generate a default response.

12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit the message to a chat server including the characterbot to generate the response.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
generate a social graph for the first virtual character and at least a second virtual character; and update the social graph in response to advancement of the story.

14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processor are further configured to generate a score for the user based on at least one of: a number of conversations between the user and at least the first virtual character; a number of conversational turns in one or more conversations between the user and at least the first virtual character; and an answer submitted by the user in response to a provided test question.

15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer instructions stored thereon that are executable by a processing device to perform or control performance of operations comprising:
displaying via a user interface a segment of a story including a first virtual character; activating a characterbot associated with the first virtual character in response to selection of the first virtual character by a user; receiving, via the user interface, a message from the user directed toward the first virtual character; generating, via the characterbot, a response to the received message; and conveying the response via the user interface.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , the operations further comprising:
determining that the message references a second virtual character; and determining whether the second virtual character has a relationship with the first virtual character via a social graph; wherein the response comprises:
an unknown character response in response to the second virtual character not having a relationship with the first virtual character; and
one of a time-specific response and a default response in response to the second virtual character having a relationship with the first virtual character.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein generating a response comprises generating a time-specific response if one or more response templates for the first virtual character matches the message, else generating a default response.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , the operations further comprising:
generating a social graph for the first virtual character and at least a second virtual character; and updating the social graph in response to advancement of the story.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , the operations further comprising generating a score for the user based on at least one of: a number of conversations between the user and at least the first virtual character; a number of conversational turns in one or more conversations between the user and at least the first virtual character; and an answer submitted by the user in response to a provided test question.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , further comprising transmitting the message to a chat server including the characterbot.

Assignees

• Fujitsu Ltd

Inventors

• Chen Cong
• Chander Ajay
• Uchino Kanji

Classifications

• G09B7/02

  of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student · CPC title

• G09B17/006 Primary

  with audible presentation of the material to be studied (audio and audio-visual teaching apparatus in general G09B5/04, G09B5/06) · CPC title

• H04L51/02

  using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages · CPC title

• G06F3/0481

  based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance · CPC title

• H04L51/046

  Interoperability with other network applications or services · CPC title