BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to electronic information gathering, and more particularly to the use of a virtual human interface to conduct surveys and collect and present survey results data.

2. Description of the Related Art

Marketing and planning of all sorts is often critically dependent on customer and/or public feedback. In the context of product planning, such information can avoid the devastating effect of introducing a product the public simply does not want, is not ready for, or even a product the public finds offensive. In another context, media producers, such as those producing television series, are constantly wary of the effect on the consuming public that might be created by particular plots, changes in plots or treatment of certain issues, roles or characters. In addition, producers need to be aware of viewer preferences for use in attracting advertising. In these and other areas, accurate and timely consumer feedback is critical.

Existing techniques for obtaining satisfactory feedback and formatting it for useful and meaningful review are extremely costly. That is because they typically require employing small armies of telemarketers, data entry clerks, interviewers, statisticians and/or other data collection teams, and still others to convert, format and make sense of the information collected.

Another problem with information gathering is the attention, concentration and understanding of the participants. For example, feedback received from survey participants may be unreliable, inaccurate or unhelpful if survey participants lose interest or become distracted while taking the survey. Survey participants soon become bored with survey questions, particularly when presented in large quantities, in printed form, or unclear or tedious language, and provide abrupt, confusing, careless and/or ill-considered feedback when required to respond.

Some methods of keeping participants interested involve extrinsic motivation, such as payment. Providing extrinsic motivation is often unsatisfactory, however, because the participant is still not genuinely interested in the survey. For that, intrinsic motivation is needed. It is known that human interviewers presenting live questions can sometimes create intrinsic motivation and can maintain a participant's focus and concentration for a longer period of time. The interaction itself provides the intrinsic motivational component needed. However, not only is it extremely expensive to pay and train live interviewers, but also live human interviewers themselves can become bored when asking the same questions over and over again and repetitively logging participants' answers. When this happens, live interviewers lose their effectiveness in holding the attention of participants.

Moreover, survey sponsors can rarely rely on the relevant consumers—even by enticing them with free gifts or cash payments—to travel to the survey sponsor or any other location to take a survey. Therefore, the work is typically done in focus groups, through door-to-door canvassing, through the use of paid diaries delivered by mail or through telephone surveys. Consumers simply require utmost convenience to themselves in providing survey information. Thus, survey sponsors must also overcome the problem of survey delivery—that is, ensuring that the questions are made available at a location sufficiently convenient to participants. Extensive and expensive planning involving demographics and geographical regions is typically conducted, leading afterward to the dispatching of teams to varied locations, often nationwide.

Still another problem with traditional survey techniques relates to the long delay between the gathering of information and the conversion of the information into a form useful to the survey sponsors. Traditional data collection, data entry and tabulating processes commonly require labor intensive and error fraught keyboarding of data from survey forms. Entities conducting surveys often have to wait for results to be returned by mail before they can even begin to be processed.

What is needed is a system for gathering information from consumers which will hold the consumers' interest and avoid distraction, which will minimize the time and expense of gathering the information and making it useful and which will maximize convenience to consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is a survey system, which comprises (1) a computer comprising (a) a computer readable medium; (b) a processor; and (c) a display; (2) a script comprising question data representing a question, the script stored in the computer readable medium; (3) character image data representing a character communicating information, the character image data stored in the computer readable medium; and (4) a user interface running on the processor, the user interface configured to access the script, the user interface configured to process the question data to communicate the question to a user, an image generator of the user interface configured to process the character image data to create a representation of the character on the display during the communication of the question, the user interface configured to receive and process response data representing a response provided by the user, the user interface configured to store in the computer readable medium answer data representing the response provided by the user. One aspect of the system further comprises (1) response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question; and (2) lobbying data representing lobbying information to persuade the user to respond to the question by providing a response that does not include the at least one portion of the response to the question, the user interface configured to compare the response data to the response pattern data to determine whether the response provided by the user includes the predetermined portion of a possible response and, if so, to process the lobbying data to communicate the lobbying information to the user without storing the answer data. That aspect may preferably further comprise expression data representing an expression of the character, the user interface configured to process the expression data to cause the image generator to process the character image data to change an expression of the representation of the character on the display during the communication of the lobbying information. In another aspect, the system further comprises (1) response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question; and (2) advertising data representing advertising information to inform the user about goods or services, the user interface configured to compare the response data to the response pattern data to determine whether the response provided by the user includes the predetermined portion of a possible response and, if so, to process the advertising data to communicate the advertising information to the user. In still another aspect, the system further comprises (1) response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question; and (2) entertainment data representing an offer of an incentive or reward to the user for answering the question, the user interface configured to compare the response data to the response pattern data to determine whether the response provided by the user includes the predetermined portion of a possible response and, if so, to process the entertainment data to communicate or present the offer to the user. In yet another aspect, the system further comprises (1) first response pattern data representing a portion of a first possible user response to the question; (2) second response pattern data representing a portion of a second possible user response to the question; and (3) predetermined answer data, the user interface configured to compare the response data to the first response pattern data and to compare the response data to the second response pattern data, and, if either comparison results in a match, to store the predetermined answer data in the computer readable medium without storing the answer data. That aspect may preferably further comprise (1) third response pattern data representing a portion of a third possible user response to the question; and (2) second predetermined answer data, the user interface configured to compare the response data to the third response pattern data and, if that comparison results in a match, to store the second predetermined answer data in the computer readable medium without storing the answer data. In a different aspect, the system further comprises expression data representing an expression of the character, the user interface configured to process the expression data to cause the image generator to process the character image data to change an expression of the representation of the character on the display during the communication of the question. That aspect may preferably further comprise remote character image data residing on a computer readable storage medium operably connected to a second computer, the second computer in network contact with the first computer, the user interface configured to request and receive the remote character image data to cause the image generator to process the remote character image data to change an expression of the representation of the character on the display during the communication of the question. In a different aspect, the system further comprises a voice output module creating audio output to communicate the question to the user. That aspect may preferably be one wherein the user interface is configured to communicate the question by displaying text characters during a time when the voice output module communicates the question by creating audio output. Still a different aspect of the system further comprises (1) response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question; (2) remote lobbying data representing lobbying information to persuade the user to respond to the question by providing a response that does not include the at least one portion of the response to the question, the remote lobbying data residing on a computer readable storage medium operably connected to a second computer, the second computer in network contact with the first computer; and (3) a voice output module, the user interface configured to compare the response data to the response pattern data to determine whether the response provided by the user includes the predetermined portion of a possible response and, if so, to request and receive the remote lobbying data and to route data to the voice output module to create audio output representing the lobbying information. Another aspect of the system further comprises a voice recognition module creating the response data from a spoken response provided by the user. An additional aspect of the system further comprises (1) an answer format value representing a predetermined format for answer data provided in response to the question; and (2) survey result instructions formatting the answer data in accordance with the answer format value to create a survey result report. That aspect may preferably further comprise survey collection instructions, the survey collection instructions associating the stored answer data with second answer data provided by a second user in response to the question, the survey result instructions formatting the second answer data to create the survey result report. That aspect may preferably be one wherein the survey result instructions and the survey collection instructions are executed by a processor of a second computer. That aspect may preferably further comprise a third computer connected by a network to the second computer, the second computer transmitting the survey result report to the third computer in response to a request for the survey result report. That aspect may preferably be one wherein the network is the internet, the survey result report is a web page, and an internet browsing application running on the third computer issues the request for the survey result report.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a survey system, which system comprises (1) question data representing a question; (2) response pattern data representing at least one portion of a response to the question; (3) lobbying data representing lobbying information to persuade a user to respond to the question by providing a response that does not include the at least one portion of the response to the question; and (4) a user interface configured to process the question data to communicate the question to a user, the user interface configured to receive and process response data representing a response provided by the user, the user interface configured to compare the response data to the response pattern data to determine whether the response provided by the user includes the at least one portion of the response to the question and, if so, to process the lobbying data to communicate the lobbying information to the user. One aspect of the system is one wherein the user interface is further configured to generate and store answer data representing the response provided by the user if the user interface determines that the response provided by the user does not include the at least one portion of the response to the question. That aspect may preferably be one wherein the user interface is configured to transmit character image data to a display during the communication of the question and the lobbying information, the character image data rendered to represent a character communicating the question and the lobbying information.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a system for questioning a survey participant. The system comprises (1) a computer readable storage; (2) a display; (3) a survey script stored on the computer readable storage, the survey script comprising question data, expression data, and response processing instructions; and (4) a virtual human interface comprising an image generator, a script parser and a response parser, the script parser parsing the question data to present a question to a user, the image generator displaying on the display a representation of an animated character communicating information during the presenting of the question, the script parser parsing the expression data to cause the image generator to change the representation of the character, the script parser parsing the response processing instructions to identify at least one portion of one possible response by the user to the question and to associate predetermined responsive steps with the response, the response parser parsing input provided by the user to detect the portion of the one possible response and to perform the predetermined responsive steps, the predetermined responsive steps including storing in an answer file answer data representing the input provided by the user and storing in the answer file in association with the answer data a question identifier identifying the question. One aspect of the system is one wherein the image generator comprises software instructions stored on the computer readable storage, the script parser comprises software instructions stored on the computer readable storage, and the response parser comprises software instructions stored on the computer readable storage. That aspect may preferably further comprise (1) an answer format value representing a predetermined format for answer data provided in response to the question, the answer format value having a predetermined association with the question identifier; and (2) a survey report generator configured to parse the answer file for the question identifier and to retrieve the answer format value and to use the answer format value to format the answer data in a survey result report.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method of conducting a survey. The method comprises the steps of (1) providing in a computer readable medium question data representing a question; (2) providing in the computer readable medium character image data representing a character communicating information; (3) communicating the question to a user by processing the question data; (4) displaying a representation of the character on a display during the communication of the question by processing the character image data; and (5) responding to a response to the question provided by a user by storing in the computer readable medium answer data representing the response. In one aspect, the method comprises the further steps of (1) providing in the computer readable medium response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question; (2) providing in the computer readable medium lobbying data representing lobbying information to persuade the user to respond to the question by providing a response that does not include the at least one portion of the response to the question; (3) comparing response data representing the response provided by the user to the response pattern data; and (4) communicating the lobbying information to the user by processing the lobbying data without storing the answer data if the response data includes the response pattern data. That aspect may preferably comprise the further steps of (1) providing in the computer readable medium expression data representing an expression of the character; and (2) processing the expression data to change an expression of the displayed character during the communication of the lobbying information. Another aspect may comprise the further steps of (1) providing in the computer readable medium response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question; (2) providing in the computer readable medium advertising data representing advertising information to inform the user about goods or services; (3) comparing response data representing the response provided by the user to the response pattern data; and (4) communicating the advertising information to the user by processing the advertising data if the response data includes the response pattern data. Still another aspect may preferably comprise the further steps of (1) providing in the computer readable medium response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question; (2) providing in the computer readable medium entertainment data representing an offer of an incentive or reward to the user for answering the question; (3) comparing response data representing the response provided by the user to the response pattern data; and (4) communicating or presenting the entertainment information to the user by processing the entertainment data if the response data includes the response pattern data. Yet another aspect may preferably comprise the further steps of (1) providing in the computer readable medium first response pattern data representing a portion of a first possible user response to the question; (2) providing in the computer readable medium second response pattern data representing a portion of a second possible user response to the question; (3) providing in the computer readable medium predetermined answer data; (4) comparing response data representing the response provided by the user to the first response pattern data; (5) comparing the response data representing the response provided by the user to the second response pattern data; and (6) storing in the computer readable medium the predetermined answer data without storing the answer data if either comparison results in a match. An additional aspect may preferably comprise the further steps of (1) providing in the computer readable medium expression data representing an expression of the character; (2) providing in the computer readable medium response pattern data representing a portion of a possible user response to the question, the response pattern data having a predetermined relationship with the expression data; (3) comparing response data representing the response provided by the user to the response pattern data; and (4) changing an expression of the displayed character by processing the expression data if the comparison results in a match. That aspect may preferably be one wherein the expression data resides on a remote computer readable medium and wherein the processing of the expression data includes requesting the expression data from the remote computer readable medium and transmitting the expression data from the remote computer readable medium. An aspect described above comprising advertising data may preferably be one wherein the advertising data resides on a remote computer readable medium and wherein the processing of the advertising data includes requesting the advertising data from the remote computer readable medium and transmitting the advertising data from the remote computer readable medium. An aspect described above comprising advertising data may preferably be one wherein the advertising data includes voice data and references to expression data, the method comprising the further steps of, and the aspect may preferably further comprise the steps of (1) providing in the computer readable medium expression data representing an expression of the character; (2) communicating the advertising data as voice output by processing the voice data; and (3) changing an expression of the displayed character by processing expression data referenced by the advertising data if the comparison results in a match.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for processing survey data. The method comprises the steps of (1) providing in a computer readable medium question data representing a question; (2) providing in the computer readable medium an answer format value representing a predetermined format for answer data provided in response to the question; (3) associating a question identifier with the question data; (4) associating the answer format value with the question identifier; (5) receiving an answer file in the computer readable medium, the answer file including answer data representing a response provided by a user to the question, and the answer file including the question identifier; (6) parsing the answer file for the question identifier; (7) identifying the answer format value using the association with the question identifier; and (8) formatting the answer data in accordance with the predetermined format for answer data. One aspect of the method is one wherein the steps described therein are represented by software instructions stored in a computer readable medium.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a survey system, which comprises (1) means for representing a question in a computer readable medium; (2) means for representing in the computer readable medium a portion of a first possible user response to the question; (3) means for communicating the question to a user; (4) means for generating a representation of a character communicating the question during the communication of the question; (5) means for receiving from the user a representation of a response provided by the user to the question; (6) means for performing a first comparison, the first comparison comprising comparing the representation of the response to the representation of the portion of the first possible user response; and (7) means for storing an answer representing the response if the first comparison results in a match. In one aspect, the system further comprises (1) means for representing in the computer readable medium a portion of a second possible user response to the question; (2) means for representing in the computer readable medium lobbying information to persuade a user to respond to the question by providing a response that does not include the portion of the second possible user response to the question; (3) means for performing a second comparison, the second comparison comprising comparing the representation of the response to the representation of the portion of the second possible user response; and (4) means for communicating the lobbying information to the user without storing the answer data if the second comparison results in a match. In another aspect, the system further comprises means for changing an expression of the representation of the character during the communication of the question. In still another aspect, the system further comprises (1) means for representing advertising information in a computer readable medium, the advertising information informing a user about goods or services; and (2) means for communicating the advertising information to the user if the first comparison results in a match. In yet another aspect, the system further comprises (I) means for representing entertainment information in a computer readable medium, the entertainment information rewarding or offering to reward the user for providing a response to the question; and (2) means for communicating or presenting the entertainment information to the user if the first comparison results in a match.

An additional embodiment of the present invention is a survey system, which comprises (1) a network; (2) a server coupled to the network, the server comprising a server processor and a server computer readable storage; (3) a first client coupled to the network, the first client comprising a first processor, a first computer readable storage, and a first display; (4) a script file stored on the server computer readable storage, the script file containing survey question data, the server computer configured to respond to a request for the script file from the first client by transmitting the script file to the first client; and (5) a virtual human interface stored on the first computer readable storage, the virtual human interface configured to display a representation of a human face on the first display, the virtual human interface configured to parse the script file and present the survey question data to a user, the virtual human interface configured to change the representation of the human face during the presentation of the survey question data, and the virtual human interface configured to record a response of the user in an answer file, the virtual human interface configured to transmit the answer file to the server computer, the server computer configured to process the answer file and at least one additional answer file to generate a report including formatted answer data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a block diagram of one embodiment of a survey system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2

illustrates one embodiment of a survey input client in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3

illustrates one embodiment of a survey server in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4

illustrates one embodiment of a survey results report generated by a survey results server.

FIG. 5

illustrates a representation of aspects of a virtual human interface application in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5D

illustrate representations of images of a character communicating information with expression and emotion in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5E

illustrates steps performed in one embodiment of the present invention to load an embodiment of a Verbot.

FIG. 5F

illustrates steps performed in one embodiment of the present invention to generate character images in one embodiment of a Verbot.

FIG. 6

is a flow chart illustrating a representation of the overall operation of a survey system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A through 7E

are a series of flow charts showing the operation of one embodiment of a survey system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8

is a flow chart showing the operation of one embodiment of a survey results collector in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9

is a flow chart showing the operation of one embodiment of a survey results server in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1

is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a survey system

100

in accordance with the present invention. In that embodiment, the survey system

100

includes a network

102

in communication with a survey script server

104

, a survey input client

106

having a virtual human interface application

116

, a survey results collector

108

, a survey results server

10

, and a survey review client

112

. The network

102

may be any type of computer network, public or private, LAN and/or WAN, wire-based and/or wireless, and may use one or a combination of network protocols such as Ethernet or token ring. In the preferred embodiment, however, the network

102

is the Internet.

The survey script server

104

maintains a plurality of script files

114

. The script files

114

provide scripting for the virtual human interface application

116

of the survey input client

106

. More particularly, the script files

114

include question data, which form the basis of questions ultimately posed to survey participants

118

. Preferably, the script files

114

stored in the survey script server

104

are updated periodically.

Overview of System Operation

Generally, a virtual human interface is a bridge between humans and technology built from artificial intelligence and natural language components. Because it recognizes and understands human communication on one side and technology communication on the other, the virtual human interface can translate meaning between the two. In the survey context, the virtual human interface can ask questions in human terms, receive responses provided in human terms, translate the responses into machine terms, perform machine-based processing on the machine terms, and then translate the machine-processed information back into human terms for communication to a human.

In operation, the virtual human interface application

116

of the survey input client

106

interacts with a survey participant

118

through a virtual human user interface including a Verbot™. Upon initial activation, the Verbot™ requests permission from the survey participant

118

to periodically download script files

114

from the survey script server

104

. If the survey participant

118

grants permission, then the virtual human interface application

116

directs the survey input client

106

to periodically request script files

114

from the survey script server

104

automatically and engage the survey participant

118

in a conversation including embedded survey question content. If the survey participant

118

does not grant permission, then the Verbot™ periodically seeks permission to download a script file

114

, and the survey input client

106

is directed to request a script file

114

from the survey script server

104

only when the survey participant

118

authorizes the request.

In either of the situations described above, the virtual human interface application

116

occasionally directs the survey input client

106

to send a request for a script file

114

to the survey script server

104

over the network

102

. When the survey script server

104

receives such a request, it sends a script file

114

to the survey input client

106

over the network

102

.

In some embodiments, the survey script server

104

can optionally maintain demographic, geographic or other information regarding users, including the ability to identify users who do not participate in surveys regularly. Nevertheless, individual survey participants

118

will preferably remain anonymous, being only identified by their sample selection criteria status.

After downloading the requested script file

114

, the Verbot™ engages the survey participant

118

in a conversation including embedded survey questions as scripted in the most recently acquired script file

114

. During the survey, the survey participant

118

responds to the scripted survey questions asked by the Verbot™. The Verbot™ stores the responses of the survey participant

118

in an answer file

120

on the survey input client

106

.

Simultaneously, the Verbot™ can respond to the survey participant

118

verbally with encouragement, motivating comments, and the like. In some embodiments, the Verbot™ can offer to play a game with the survey participant

118

or give the survey participant

118

some other reward, such as coveted information.

Upon completion of the survey, the virtual human interface application

116

directs the survey input client

106

to send the answer file

120

generated during the survey to the survey results collector

108

over the network

102

. The survey results collector

108

receives the answer file

120

from the survey input client

106

and extracts survey result data from the answer file

120

. The survey results collector

108

then adds the survey result data to a survey database

122

. The survey database

122

includes survey result data obtained from many different survey participants

118

, which may number in the hundreds, thousands or millions. Because the survey results collector

108

may be receiving answer files

120

frequently, it may frequently update the survey database

122

.

The survey review client

112

allows a survey reviewer

124

to review the results of any survey for which the survey reviewer

124

is authorized. In some embodiments, a particular survey results server

110

may be compiling results for several unrelated survey sponsors at the same time. Because survey results data can be very time-sensitive and valuable, each category of results data is preferably protected from unauthorized viewing.

When an authorized survey reviewer

124

wishes to review the results of a survey, the survey reviewer

124

uses the survey review client

112

to access the network

102

. In a preferred embodiment, the survey review client

112

accesses a website hosted by the survey results server

110

. Preferably, the survey reviewer

124

uses a standard web browser to access the survey results server

110

. Thus, the survey reviewer

124

can access the survey results data from anywhere in the world, even using an Internet-enabled wireless palm-top computer or cellular telephone.

In one embodiment, the survey results server

110

generates and transmits to the survey reviewer

124

a web page having a hyperlink associated with each sponsor in the survey database

122

. The survey reviewer

124

selects a sponsor by clicking on a sponsor hyperlink, and the survey results server

110

generates another web page having USER and PASSWORD fields and an ENTER button. The-survey reviewer

124

fills in the fields and clicks the ENTER button. The survey results server

110

authenticates the survey reviewer

124

by querying the PASSWORD_TABLE. In an alternative embodiment, the authentication can be performed through the use of browser cookies. After authenticating the survey reviewer

124

, the survey results server

110

generates and transmits a web page, which presents a list of survey hyperlinks (each labeled by survey name), one for each survey in the survey database

122

for the selected sponsor. When the survey reviewer

124

selects a survey hyperlink, the survey results server

110

generates and transmits a survey result report

126

web page, which presents the results of the selected survey.

Because the survey results server

110

generates web pages dynamically from the survey database

122

, the survey results report

126

advantageously reflects up-to-the-minute survey results data. Moreover, the survey reviewer

124

may advantageously receive virtually instant updates by selecting the “Refresh Page” option on the browser of the survey review client

112

.

Survey Database

In one embodiment, the survey database

122

organizes data in a hierarchical fashion. While many different organizations may be implemented to store and access survey-related data, one embodiment uses the following database tables:

NAME OF TABLE

DESCRIPTION

SPONSOR_TABLE

The SPONSOR_TABLE includes entries

(or records) which hold information about

each of potentially many survey sponsors.

Each record includes a unique

SPONSOR_ID field assigned to a particular

sponsor. Each record also includes additional

information (additional database fields)

relating to the survey sponsor such as, for

example, name, contact name, address,

phone number, fax number, e-mail, web site,

billing information, number of surveys

conducted, number of surveys pending, etc.

Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that

each field is of the appropriate type

(e.g., string, integer, etc.) and is an

appropriate length (e.g., 512 characters,

4 bytes, etc.).

PASSWORD_TABLE

The PASSWORD_TABLE holds user and

password data which facilitate secure access

to survey information. Each record in the

PASSWORD_TABLE includes a

SPONSOR_ID field, which provides a

cross-reference to a sponsor in the

SPONSOR_TABLE. Each record also

includes a USER field and a PASSWORD

field. Thus, for any given SPONSOR_ID,

the PASSWORD_TABLE may be queried

to determine all valid user/password

combinations, which can, in turn, be used to

validate an entered user name and password

combination. The PASSWORD_TABLE

allows a single survey sponsor to have

multiple user/password combinations with

which to access, for example, survey

result data, or other information in the survey

database.

SURVEY_TABLE

The SURVEY_TABLE includes entries

(or records) which keep track of information

about each survey. Each record includes a

unique SURVEY_ID field assigned to

a particular survey. Each record (and thus

each survey) is cross-referenced to one or

more survey sponsors by a SPONSOR_ID

which matches the same-named field in the

SPONSOR_TABLE. Thus, by querying the

SURVEY_TABLE using a SPONSOR_ID

value, all surveys for any sponsor may be

easily located. Each record in the

SURVEY_TABLE also includes additional

information (additional fields) about each

survey such as, for example, name/title of

survey, description of subject matter, number

of questions, date created, geographic

concentration, path to retrieve corresponding

script file(s), full text of script file, URL

for related survey results web page, number

of responding participants, number of

refusing participants, etc.

QUESTION_TABLE

The QUESTION_TABLE includes

entries (records) for each question in any

survey. Each record thus includes a unique

QUESTION_ID field which uniquely

references a particular question. Each record

is cross-referenced to one or more surveys

by including a SURVEY_ID field

which matches the SURVEY_ID field

in the SURVEY_TABLE. Thus, by

querying the QUESTION_TABLE using a

SURVEY_ID value, all questions in the

survey may be easily located. Each record

in the QUESTION_TABLE also includes an

ANSWER_FORMAT field which holds a

value indicating how answers for the

question should be processed for presentation

to a survey reviewer (e.g., “top5and%”

indicates that the five responses most

frequently given should be listed along with

the percentage of users providing the

respective response; “listall” indicates

that all answers provided be listed

sequentially). Each record in the

QUESTION_TABLE includes additional

information (fields) about each question

such as, for example, sequential question

number, text of question, etc.

ANSWER_TABLE

The ANSWER_TABLE includes entries

(records) for each answer recorded for any

question in a survey. Each record in

the ANSWER_TABLE includes a

SURVEY_ID field identifying the particular

survey for which the answer was provided.

Each record also includes a QUESTION_ID

field which matches the QUESTION_ID

field in the QUESTION_TABLE.

Thus, by using a QUESTION_ID value, the

ANSWER_TABLE may be easily queried to

locate each separate answer provided for a

particular question. Also, each record in the

ANSWER_TABLE includes a

PARTICIPANT_ID field which matches the

PARTICIPANT_ID field in the

PARTICIPANT_TABLE. Using the

PARTICIPANT_ID value to query the

ANSWER_TABLE, all answers provided

by a particular survey participant may be

easily located. Each record of the

ANSWER_TABLE includes addition

information (fields) about each answer,

including the answer data, whether text,

numeric or otherwise, provided by the

participant, the date the answer was

recorded, etc.

ANSWER

—

The ANSWER_FORMAT_TABLE

FORMAT_TABLE

includes records which correspond to a type

of format to apply to a group of answers to

present the results. An

ANSWER_FORMAT field provides the

name of an available answer format, and an

ANSWER_FORMAT_DESCRIPTION

field provides a description of the formatting

associated with an answer format. For

example, one record may have “top5and%”

assigned to the ANSWER_FORMAT field,

and, in the ANSWER_FORMAT

—

DESCRIPTION field, the record may have

the text “choose the five responses most

frequently given and show the percentage of

users providing the respective response.”

This table may be used, for example, in a

survey design module to retrieve

descriptions of all available answer formats,

display them to a survey designer, allow a

survey designer to choose one, and then

provide the corresponding answer format

name.

PARTICIPANT_TABLE

The PARTICIPANT_TABLE includes

entries for each survey participant who has

provided answer data for any survey. Each

record of the PARTICIPANT_TABLE

includes a PARTICIPANT_ID field

uniquely identifying a particular participant.

Each record of the PARTICIPANT_TABLE

includes additional information for each

participant such as, for example, geographic

location, computer configuration, time to

complete survey, average time to complete

survey, number of surveys completed, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, a survey administrator populates the survey database

122

with information about each survey sponsor that is conducting surveys. A survey database management application permits the survey administrator to interact with the survey database

122

to, for example, browse the existing records in any of the tables, enter new data and create new records in any of the tables, modify data in any existing record in any table, and also delete any record data in any of the tables. Such database management applications are common and supported by existing database applications such as, for example, Microsoft Access, Oracle, Sybase and FoxBase. Those and other database applications provide extensive database management application design tools, simplifying the design of database management applications, and those of ordinary skill understand well how to use the design tools to construct and operate such database management applications. Thus, the present invention is not limited by a particular survey database management application.

As is well known in the field of database management applications, the survey database management application permits a survey administrator to select a database table (i.e., SPONSOR_TABLE, PASSWORD_TABLE, SURVEY_TABLE, etc.) for operations and to select the type of operation (e.g., browse records, create new record, modify records, delete records). While the browse, modify and delete functions may retrieve all records in the selected table and allow the administrator to scroll through all of them, possibly to choose one for modification or deletion, the survey database management application also supports query operations. By providing data for one or more fields and issuing a query command, the survey administrator can retrieve a subset of records (or recordset) in the selected table for browsing, modification or deletion.

Thus, to enter information for a new survey sponsor using the survey database management application, the survey administrator selects the SPONSOR_TABLE for operations and chooses a create record option. The survey database management application is designed to then query the SPONSOR_TABLE for all records, determine the highest existing value for SPONSOR_ID in any of the fields, increment that value by one and automatically assign it to the SPONSOR_ID field for the new record to be created. Such technique for selecting unique identification values is well known in the art. Next, the survey database management application prompts the survey administrator to fill in text fields on a computer screen, which fields correspond to fields comprising a SPONSOR_TABLE record. The survey administrator enters information about a sponsor such as, for example, the name of the sponsor (e.g., “XYZ Productions, Inc.”), contact name, address, phone number, fax number, etc. When the fields are filled in, the survey administrator invokes a CREATE RECORD command, causing a new record to be created for the SPONSOR_TABLE.

Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that, using the same process, the survey administrator can create new records for any of the tables in the survey database. Accordingly, the survey administrator may select the PASSWORD_TABLE and the create record option to enter password data for a sponsor. The survey database management application is further designed to provide pull-down menus for fields in a record which are cross-reference fields, that is, fields that are designed to represent a relationship with one or more data records in another table. Such functionality, is, again, well known in the art, and the present invention is not limited by any design for pull-down menus reflecting cross-reference field values. Thus, because the SPONSOR_ID field of each PASSWORD_TABLE record is to be cross-referenced with a SPONSOR_ID value in one of the SPONSOR_TABLE records, the survey database management application presents a pull-down menu next to a field corresponding to the SPONSOR_ID field for the password record. When the administrator activates the pull-down menu, it presents a list of the names of each of the sponsors, those names having been extracted from the SPONSOR_TABLE records. When the administrator selects one of the names, the survey database management application enters the corresponding SPONSOR_ID in the SPONSOR_ID field of the new password record. The administrator then enters a user name and a password in fields corresponding to the USER and PASSWORD fields and invokes a CREATE RECORD command to cause the new record to be added to the PASSWORD_TABLE.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, with sponsor information and password information entered into the survey database, a limited survey database management application can be provided to sponsors to allow limited access to the survey database. It will be understood that the limited survey database management application can use the PASSWORD_TABLE to authenticate any sponsor before providing limited access to the survey database. With limited access, a sponsor may advantageously directly provide information about particular surveys and questions, and, also advantageously, may even change password data or add new user and password data for additional persons. As will further be appreciated, the limited survey database management application can restrict access to only the data that corresponds to the sponsor's SPONSOR_ID (which, in one embodiment, the sponsor cannot change) or data cross-referenced thereto. Thus, many sponsors can access the survey database with no capability to view or alter data except that associated with the respective sponsor.

Server and Client Configuration

FIG. 2

illustrates one embodiment of a survey input client

106

in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the survey input client

106

comprises a personal computer

200

, a monitor

202

, and a microphone

204

in addition to a mouse, keyboard and standard I/O ports (not shown). The personal computer

200

also includes a 400 megahertz (MHz) processor, 128 megabytes (MB) of random access memory, a 2 gigabyte (GB) hard drive, a 56 kilobits-per-second (kbps) modem or NIC (network interface card), a duplex sound card, and a video card. The invention, however, does not require all of these components. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the personal computer

200

of the survey input client

106

can be any of a number of general purpose computers—whether desktop, laptop or palm-top—using one or more microprocessors, such as a Pentium, Pentium II, or Pentium III processor, or a K6 or Athlon processor, a MIPS processor, a Power PC processor or an ALPHA processor. The personal computer

200

of the survey input client

106

can also be a cellular device for internet access. As will be appreciated, the present invention is not limited by any type of processor—and may be used with a processor running at less than 400 MHz—and is also not limited by any particular hard disk drive, memory, sound card or video card.

The personal computer

200

of the illustrated embodiment also includes operating system and application software, such as Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, voice recognition software, voice synthesis software, a Verbot™ application, such as, for example, Sylvie™ version 3.04 available from Virtual Personalities, Inc., and a virtual human interface application

116

. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention could use other operating system software, such as UNIX, LINUX, OS/2, BE, System 7, Solaris, Mac OS or others. Likewise, the present invention is not limited by particular Internet communication software and, thus, common alternatives, such as Netscape Communicator, Mosaic, Opera, or any of a number of small screen cellular browsers, may be used.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a framework of interfaced software modules, which may retrieve, process, create, format and transmit certain data. In a preferred embodiment, aspects of the invention are controlled and facilitated by the virtual human interface application module that directs certain processes to be carried out by other modules, including a Verbot™ application module (such as, for example, Sylvie™ version 3.04) and voice recognition and voice output modules. These modules, in turn, interact with other software modules, such as services provided by the operating system or such as Internet connection, communication and transmission functions provided by an Internet browser module. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the modules are generally comprised of software instructions executable by a microprocessor.

As used herein, the word “module” refers not only to logic coded as a collection of software instructions, but also refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware. In the software context, a module may have entry and exit points and may be coded in a high level language such as C, C++, Java, or Pascal, or may be coded in machine or assembler language. Software modules may be compiled and linked into an executable program or installed in a Dynamic Link Library (DLL). Software modules may also be coded in an interpretive language, such as BASIC. Software modules may be callable from other modules, may be nested within other modules, and/or may be invoked in response to a detected event or interrupt. Instructions of software modules may be coded into firmware, such as an EPROM. In the hardware context, modules may be comprised of connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and/or may be comprised of programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays.

A computer configured similarly to the personal computer

200

can be used to carry out the processes of the survey review client

112

. Generally and advantageously, any general-purpose computer configured to browse the Internet may be used as the survey review client

112

.

FIG. 3

illustrates one embodiment of a survey server

300

in accordance with the present invention. The survey server

300

preferably comprises a personal computer

302

including a 400 MHz processor, a 128 MB random access memory, a 2 GB hard drive, and a high speed network connection. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the personal computer

302

can run multiple application software programs simultaneously. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the personal computer

302

hosts the processes for the survey script server

104

, the survey results collector

108

, and the survey results server

110

. Alternatively, separate computers could host the processes of the survey script server

104

, the survey results collector

108

, and the survey results server

110

.

The personal computer

302

runs operating system software, for example, Microsoft Windows NT, which, as those of ordinary skill in the art understand, is multi-tasking, multi-threading, and preemptive. The personal computer

302

is not, however, limited by any of the services of Microsoft Windows NT, and can use any of the other operating systems mentioned above.

The personal computer

302

also runs application program software. In particular, database functions are provided by Microsoft Access database software, and Internet server functions are provided by Microsoft Internet Information Server. Other database software, such as, for example, Oracle, Sybase or FoxBase, capable of storing data based on relationships between data items and capable of performing queries to identify and retrieve the data may be used. Likewise, other internet server software, such as, for example, Apache, could be used to facilitate network-based communication with potentially large numbers of users, to serve HTML-compliant pages upon request, to process scripts, such as, for example, PERL scripts referenced in HTML page files using server side includes (SSI's), and to transfer data and files using other Internet protocols, such as FTP. Thus, the present invention is not limited by any database or Internet server application software.

In an on-line embodiment, the personal computer

302

includes a virtual human interface application

116

, and a Verbot™ application, such as the on-line Sapphire™ class Verbot™ available from Virtual Personalities, Inc. In this embodiment, the Verbot™ can be embedded into the survey sponsor's server environment, such as an Internet server, and accessed by the survey participant

118

using any suitable network access application, such as a web browser. As described in more detail below, Java applets processing user input and script files and also controlling the transmission of voice and animation media may be used to implement the on-line Sapphire™ class Verbot™.

The operation of the virtual human interface application

116

in the on-line embodiment is similar to the operation of the virtual human interface application

116

in the embodiment described above, except that some of the human interface processing is handled by the survey server

300

rather than locally on the survey input client

106

. This embodiment advantageously eliminates the need for a Verbot™ application and a virtual human interface application

116

on the survey input client

106

. In this embodiment, browser cookies maybe used to track information regarding survey participants

118

. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that cookies are routinely used to allow web servers to recognize information about clients who repeatedly browse the server. Also, survey participants

118

can more easily participate in surveys from mobile and remote environments.

FIG. 4

illustrates a representation of one embodiment of a survey results report

126

generated by a survey results server

110

. The survey results report

126

displays current survey result data in a form that is easy to analyze. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the survey results report

126

displays statistical information regarding how the survey participants

118

rated the subjects of the survey on a given scale. It will be appreciated that countless other formats for survey result data may be used with the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by any particular format for result data.

FIG. 5

illustrates a representation of aspects of a virtual human interface application

116

in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the virtual human interface application

116

includes a Verbot™

500

. In one preferred embodiment, the Verbot™

500

is Sylvie version 3.04 available from Virtual Personalities, Inc., which Verbot can be run locally on the survey client

200

The local embodiment of the Verbot

500

advantageously facilitates geographic control over surveys through simple distribution of the Verbot

500

. In another preferred embodiment, the Verbot™

500

is an on-line Sapphire class Verbot™ available from Virtual Personalities, Inc. The on-line embodiment of the Verbot

500

advantageously simplifies distribution of the Verbot

500

as it is available, in one embodiment, by simply accessing a web page.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the Verbot™

500

includes particular modules, namely a script file parser

502

, an image generator

504

, and a response parser

506

. It will also be appreciated that the Verbot™

500

may carry out or facilitate certain user interface functions such as, for example, synthesizing speech

510

from text data, such as survey question data embedded in a script file

114

(also referred to as a net file), presenting photo-realistic images

512

comprising an animated human face in accordance with facial expression codes embedded in the script file

114

, and recognizing all or portions of user input

516

to match one or more anticipated responses coded in a script file

114

.

The on-line embodiment of the Verbot™

500

performs similar functions. The response parser

506

is implemented as a JAVA applet, and image generation

504

is performed with the use of available web browser plug-ins, now in common use, which deliver animated content to Internet users. In a preferred embodiment, the on-line Verbot

500

uses Flash 4 from Macromedia, but could use Microsoft Agent or Pulse3D. It will be appreciated that the present invention may make use of those technologies as well as other rapidly developing media technologies (including image generation technology handling not only geometry, but also textures) that will permit the presentation of ever more realistic characters in connection with the virtual human interface.

The JAVA applet, in one embodiment of the present invention, operates in a web browser environment, receives and parses user responses, and, as necessary, sends requests from the user's web browser to the survey server

300

requesting, for example, specific voice and/or animation data. The survey server

300

responsively transmits a data stream comprising, for example, voice data and graphic frames representing a character communicating information, such as, for example, the movement of lips (lip-synch frames) to simulate a talking human. In one embodiment, the frames may be cached locally on the user's web browser to facilitate a faster response, and, in a further embodiment, the transmitted data stream may include voice data and references to cached frames. In another embodiment where transmission bandwidth is adequate, frames may be transmitted from the server on demand. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill, in one embodiment, the JAVA applet runs under JAVA version 1.1, and communicates with Flash 4 via the LiveConnect plug-in extension available from Netscape. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the on-line version of the Verbot™

500

resides partially on the survey server

300

and partially on the survey client

200

and interacts with a survey participant

118

through a web page.

In a preferred embodiment, the Verbot™

500

is interfaced with voice recognition and voice output modules, such as, for example, those available from Lernout & Hauspie. However, the invention could use other voice recognition and voice output modules and is not limited by any particular voice recognition or voice output module. In this embodiment, the Verbot™

500

can verbally present questions to a survey participant

118

and can accept and respond to the spoken responses of the survey participant

118

. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the script file parser

502

extracts question text from the script file

114

and presents the question text data as input to the voice output module, which generates sound through a sound card and/or speaker to verbalize the question text. It will be further appreciated that the voice output module can output a recorded human voice or a computer-synthesized voice that can be modified, such as in pitch and speed (e.g., to sound more like a man or a woman). Preferably, the voice output module of the on-line version of the Verbot™

500

outputs a realistic human voice when interacting with the survey participant

118

.

Like voice output modules, voice recognition modules are now widely available, and thus it will be understood that an application program can be provided with textual input that has been generated by a voice recognition module. Generally, a voice recognition module accepts analog voice input through a microphone, converts the analog signals to digital signals, samples and encodes the signals (such as, for example, by using pulse code modulation) and to convert the voice input to a data stream representing text characters. Often, existing voice recognition modules generate text characters corresponding to the spoken words with an accuracy of better than 90%. The present invention is not, however, limited by voice input or output.

In another embodiment, the Verbot™

500

interacts with a survey participant

118

, particularly the hearing impaired, by generating text in a user interface window

520

such as those commonly supported by the Microsoft Windows operating system. In this embodiment, the Verbot™

500

generates text characters in a question text box

522

. The question text characters are based on the question data parsed from a script file

114

or on response text scripted in the script file

114

to be presented to a survey participant

118

based on his or her input to the Verbot

500

. The survey participant

118

reads the question text and responds by entering text via a keyboard into an answer text box

524

. Upon striking the ‘enter’ key, the response parser

506

begins processing the entered text characters.

Both the local and the on-line embodiments of the Verbot™

500

function in the same manner with respect to the text and voice inputs and outputs described above. For example, in both embodiments, the user has the option to engage both the text and voice outputs of the Verbot™

500

at the same time. In one embodiment, preferably for use at bandwidths below 28.8 kbps, the user can advantageously select a text-only version of the on-line embodiment of the Verbot™

500

.

FIG. 5E

illustrates steps performed in one embodiment of the present invention to load the on-line embodiment of the Verbot

500

. In a first step

540

, the user, using a web browser, accesses a survey web site hosted by the survey server

300

. The survey server

300

transmits a web page, including Verbot

500

setup instructions. In a next step

542

, the setup instructions examine the survey client

200

to determine whether it includes an appropriate media plug in, such as, for example, the Flash 4 media player by Macromedia. If, in a step

544

, the instructions determine that an appropriate media plug in is available, then, in another step

546

, the survey server

300

transmits the JAVA applet, an initial script file

114

and possibly a media stream (including for example initial animation information and/or initial voice information) to the survey client

200

. If, in the step

544

, the setup instructions determine that a media plug in is not available, the setup instructions, in a step

548

, query the user for permission to access and install such a plug in, for example the Flash 4 media player. The Flash 4 media player is widely available, and it will appreciated by those of ordinary skill that it is common for web pages to include instructions to access and install the Flash 4 media player as well as to ask permission for the same. It will be further appreciated that the Verbot

500

of the present invention may interface with other media players and thus the present invention is not limited by a particular media player.

If, in the step

548

, the user does not grant permission, then, in a step

550

, the setup instructions generate a message informing the user that the survey cannot be conducted and the process terminates. If, in the step

548

, the user does grant permission, then, in a next step

552

, the survey client

200

accesses an appropriate media plug in via the Internet, and downloads and installs the media plug in. Processing proceeds to the step

546

wherein the survey server

300

transmits the JAVA applet, an initial script file

114

and possibly a media stream to the survey participant's computer.

It will be further appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the Verbot™

500

can perform predetermined data processing instructions

518

associated with matching all or a portion of user input with an anticipated response coded in a script file

114

. The data processing instructions can include basic programming language commands and more sophisticated commands, such as, for example, those permitting file operations (i.e., opening, reading from, writing to, and closing files) and launching other applications and providing command parameters to launched applications. Thus, for example., the Verbot™

500

can perform data processing instructions to create an answer file

120

and to record in the answer file

120

certain responses provided by the survey participant

118

and recognized by the response parser

506

.

Generally, data processing instructions are combined with question data, expression codes and anticipated response patterns in a single script file

114

. The script file

114

thus guides the actions of the Verbot™

500

in conducting a survey. The script file parser

502

of the Verbot™

500

processes a script file

114

to configure the Verbot

500

to recognize and act on the various instructions and commands that can be included therein.

As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill, a script file

114

includes a series of rules. Each rule can have a variety of components. The following is a sample rule:

<start-0>

a:0.3

p.35 How*doing*today*

p.35 *are*feeling*today*

r:I'm doing well today, thank you

Each rule has a title, which is specified between “<” and “>” symbols. Titles can be used to indicate which rules are especially active at any point.

The activation level “a:0.3” resolves conflicts with other rules that may be satisfied by an input string. Thus, if a second rule is also satisfied, but has a lower activation level, say “a:0.2”, then it would not be fired, or activated.

Pattern values are indicated by a command prefix, such as “p:35”. The pattern value (“35”) attaches a relative importance to a specified pattern. A pattern, such as “How doing today”, identifies certain text which could be part of an input string (response) supplied by a survey participant

118

. Asterisks, “*”, are wildcards that can match any or no text. Note, pattern lines are optional and leaving out a pattern will cause the Verbot™

500

to fire the rule when no matching pattern is found. This can be used to properly respond to input that is not recognized with a statement such as, “I didn't understand what you just said. Can you please re-phrase it for me?”

In order to facilitate easy scripting, pattern value macros for affirmative and negative answers have been formulated. Pattern value macros are commands that automatically recognize a wide variety of possible user responses, such as affirmative (AFF) or negative (NEG) input. As will be appreciated, many other additional macros could be created to make scripting more efficient.

Response strings are identified by “r:”. When a rule fires, that is, when a pattern in the rule matches user input and/or when the activation level of the rule is not superseded by another rule, the response string is presented to the survey participant

118

. In a preferred embodiment, the response string is sent to and processed by the voice output module to generate voice output to be heard by the survey participant

118

. The rule can then be disabled for a predetermined time period.

The following example demonstrates how multiple rules can interact in a script file

114

to advantageously conduct a survey in a conversational and natural way.

<survey-0>

a: 0.7

r: Would you like to take a survey?

+: <survey-0-0><survey-0-1>

<survey-0-0>

a: 0.2

p: 50 AFF

r: That's wonderful. I know you're busy, and I really appreciate your time.

−: <survey-0-1>

+: <newsurvey-0>

<survey-0-1>

a: 0.2

p: 50 NEG

r: Oh, that's too bad, maybe we can talk about it again soon. Talk to you

next time.

−: <survey-0-0><newsurvey-0>

+: <nosurvey-0>

<newsurvey-0>

a: 0.2

r: Lets talk about the TV show, The Z Papers. Did you watch it last

Tuesday?

+: <newsurvey-1>

<nosurvey-0>

a: 0.2

r: It's always good to see you.

In the above excerpt from a script file

114

, the “+:” code is used to specify which rules will be particularly active if the present rule fires. Thus, for example, the line “+:<survey-0-0><survey-0-1>” indicates that upon inquiring, “Would you like to take a survey?”, the Verbot™

500

will be examining the survey participant's

118

response to look for a match in the patterns specified in the rules titled “<survey-0-0>” and “<survey-0-1>”. In this way, the Verbot™

500

determines if the response was affirmative or negative and gives the appropriate verbal response.

On the other hand, the “−:” code specifies which rules will not be active after the present rule fires. Thus, the Verbot™

500

can advantageously be scripted to change its sensitivities depending on the survey participant's

118

responses. The on-line version of the Verbot™

500

uses a scripting language similar to that of the local version of the Verbot™

500

, as described above. In some embodiments of the on-line version of the Verbot™

500

, however, a number of alternative “r:” patterns can be included in a single rule. The following is an example of a rule including several alternative “r:” patterns:

p:35 *how*you*doing*

r: I'm feeling fine.

r: Wow, I feel great.

r: Things are going well.

Moreover, and further advantageously, the Verbot™

500

can be scripted to control the facial features of a photo-realistic human face to provide the appearance to the survey participant

118

that he or she is conversing with a lively, even entertaining, intelligent entity, which makes the entire survey process more natural, pleasant and enjoyable. The image generator

504

of the Verbot™

500

can render a photo-realistic human face on a display to show any of a number of possible facial expressions

514

A,

514

B,

514

C,

514

D. (

FIGS. 5

,

5

A,

5

B,

5

C,

5

D). In one embodiment of the present invention, the face of the Verbot™

500

appears in a face window

526

of the user interface window

520

. During presentation of any response string, the image generator

504

moves the lips of the photo-realistic human face to even further simulate conversation. Still further, the image generator

504

causes the eyes of the photo-realistic human face to blink at random times, even when no response is being presented to further advantageously provide the survey participant

118

with the feeling that he or she is conversing with a living entity.

An example of a scripted facial expression follows. In some embodiments, expression tags can be used to control the facial expressions of the Verbot™

500

. The following are some examples of expression tags:

*<mouth # duration>

*<eyes # duration>

In the above examples, each # represents a different eyes or mouth frame. The duration field controls the time (in milliseconds, for example) that the expression displayed.

The following table provides a list of some examples of different possible expressions that the Verbot™

500

can display, together with examples of corresponding mouth and eyes numbers.

Expression

Eyes