Patent Publication Number: US-2003234812-A1

Title: Visual decision maker

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The present invention relates generally to collaborative decision-making and more particularly to a system and method facilitating collaborative decision-making.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Group decision(s) can be difficult to reach. Each member of the group has his/her own likes and dislikes which, even in a limited group, can prove unmanageable in reaching a group decision. Further, topic(s) of common interest or disinterest can spark interesting conversation even among strangers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.  
       [0004] The present invention provides a system and method for collaborative decision-making. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a collaborative decision-making system having a user model component and a user feedback component is provided. Optionally, the system can include a media information store.  
       [0005] The system facilitates collaborative decision-making based, at least in part, upon user preferences for media content (e.g. movies, restaurants, art selections, interior design selections, travel destinations, music selections and/or items to purchase). The system employs a knowledge acquisition system for modeling multiple users&#39; preferences in order to facilitate conversation and/or decision-making activities. In one implementation a stream of images, continuously adjusted based on multiple users&#39; responses is presented to several users and a model of preferences for the users is built based on their like/dislike responses. Given this model, a list of recommendations is dynamically generated.  
       [0006] For example, the system can display images from movies and employ collaborative filtering to make recommendations to the users. Thus, user preferences for multimedia content such as movies can be inferred from a series of preferences for various types of content with variations in selected parameters such as genre or actor.  
       [0007] The user feedback component presents information associated with media content to users and receives feedback related to the information from the users. The feedback can include, for example, an affirmative response, a skip response and/or a negative response.  
       [0008] The user model component models the feedback received from the users and modifies the information associated with media content based, at least in part, upon the model. For example, the user model component can present a stream of media content (e.g., images), adjusted based on multiple users&#39; responses. Using these responses, the user model component constructs a model of preferences for the users. Thus, the user model component can update the model based, at least in part, upon users&#39; responses and then present media content based on the updated model. The system can adapt to the combination of users&#39; unique tastes and interests.  
       [0009] Given this model, the user model component can generate a list of recommendations. By doing this simultaneously with multiple users, in a dynamic fashion, the system can, for example, instigate conversation among the users. For example, the user model can intersperse media content the user model predicts one user will like and another user will dislike to foster conversation. Further, media content (e.g., images) can also be interspersed based, at least in part, on Value of Information Theory (e.g., to fill in gaps in the user model component). Additionally and/or alternatively, the system can facilitate a collaborative decision of the users.  
       [0010] The user model component can, for example, utilize metadata associated with media content (e.g., actor(s), actress(es), producer(s), director(s) and/or genre(s)) in order to model user behavior and/generate recommendations. The user model component can employ artificial intelligence technique(s) (e.g., Bayesian reasoning, Bayesian classifiers and other statistical classifiers, including decision tree learning methods, support vector machines, linear and non-linear regression and/or neural networks) to model user behavior and/or generate recommendations.  
       [0011] The optional media information store can store at least some of the information associated with media content. For example, the media information store can store images associated with media content (e.g., covers of movie videocassettes and/or movie DVD&#39;s) and/or metadata associated with the media content.  
       [0012] One aspect of the present invention provides for a stand-alone collaborative decision-making system. Another aspect of the present invention provides for a distributed decision-making system. The distributed decision-making system includes a user model component and user feedback components. The user feedback components include an output device, for example, a computer monitor, a television screen, a touch screen, a personal digital assistant and/or a mobile telephone display. The user feedback component further includes an input device, for example, a joystick, a keyboard, a remote control, a pointing device and/or a mouse. The user feedback components are coupled to the user model component via, for example, a parallel electrical connection, a serial electrical connection, a cable television connection, a computer network connection (e.g., the Internet), a Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”), a telephone line, a cable modem, a wireless data communications link and/or an integrated services digital network (“ISDN”).  
       [0013] In one implementation, users “converse” with one another via instant messaging and/or telephony. The system can present a stream of images associated with art to which users each provide an affirmative, skip or negative response. The system can model the users&#39; responses and provide further images associated with art to stimulate conversation (e.g., via instant messaging and/or telephony), between the users (e.g., art which the system predicts both users will agree upon and/or art which the system predicts the users will not agree up). Thus, the system can facilitate conversation amongst physically remote users.  
       [0014] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention may become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a collaborative decision-making system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a stand-alone collaborative decision-making system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a distributed collaborative decision-making system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an input device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is an exemplary user interface in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
     [0020]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for collaborative decision-making in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.  
     [0021]FIG. 7 illustrates an example operating environment in which the present invention may function. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0022] The present invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.  
     [0023] As used in this application, the term “computer component” is intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a computer component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a computer component. One or more computer components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.  
     [0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a collaborative decision making system  100  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The system  100  includes a user model component  110  and a user feedback component  120 . Optionally, the system  100  can include a media information store  130 . The system  100  facilitates collaborative decision-making based, at least in part, upon user preferences for media content (e.g., movies, restaurants, art selections, interior design selections, travel destinations, music selections and/or items to purchase). The system  100  employs a knowledge acquisition system for modeling multiple users&#39; preferences in order to facilitate conversation and/or decision-making activities. In one implementation a stream of images, continuously adjusted based on multiple users&#39; responses is presented to several users and a model of preferences for the users is built based on their like/dislike responses. Given this model, a list of recommendations is dynamically generated.  
     [0025] For example, the system  100  can display images from movies and employ collaborative filtering to make recommendations to the users. Thus, user preferences for multimedia content such as movies can be inferred from a series of preferences for various types of content with variations in selected parameters such as genre or actor.  
     [0026] The user feedback component  120  presents information associated with media content to at users. For example, the information can be presented via a computer monitor, television screen, touch screen, personal digital assistant and/or mobile telephone display. The user feedback component  120  further receives feedback related to the information from the users. The feedback can include, for example, an affirmative response (e.g., yes, up arrow and/or thumbs up), a skip response and/or a negative response (e.g., no, down arrow and/or thumbs down). For example, the feedback can be received via a joystick, a keyboard, a remote control, a pointing device and/or a mouse. Additionally and/or alternatively, the feedback can represent a scaled response (e.g., 0-100), for example, based on a numeric input and/or sliding scale input device.  
     [0027] The user model component  110  models the feedback received from the users and modifies the information associated with media content based, at least in part, upon the model. For example, the user model component  110  can present a stream of media content (e.g., images), adjusted based on multiple users&#39; responses. Using these responses, the user model component  110  constructs a model of preferences for the users. Thus, the user model component  100  can update the model based, at least in part, upon users&#39; responses and then present media content based on the updated model. The system  100  can adapt to the combination of users&#39; unique tastes and interests.  
     [0028] Given this model, the user model component  110  can generate a list of recommendations. By doing this simultaneously with multiple users, in a dynamic fashion, the system  100  can, for example, instigate conversation among the users. For example, the user model can intersperse media content the user model  110  predicts one user will like and another user will dislike to foster conversation. Further, media content (e.g., images) can also be interspersed based, at least in part, on Value of Information Theory (e.g., to fill in gaps in the user model component  110 ). Additionally and/or alternatively, the system  100  can facilitate a collaborative decision of the users.  
     [0029] The user model component  110  can, for example, utilize metadata associated with media content (e.g., actor(s), actress(es), producer(s), director(s) and/or genre(s)) in order to model user behavior and/generate recommendations. The user model component  110  can employ artificial intelligence technique(s) (e.g., Bayesian reasoning, Bayesian classifiers and other statistical classifiers, including decision tree learning methods, support vector machines, linear and non-linear regression and/or neural networks) to model user behavior and/or generate recommendations.  
     [0030] For example, a system  100  can be employed in a stand-alone environment such as a coffee house. The user feedback component  120  can include a computer monitor to present information and two computer mice to receive user feedback. The system  100  can present a stream of images associated with movies to which the users each provide an affirmative, skip or negative response. The system  100  can model the users&#39; responses and provide further images associated with movies to stimulate conversation between the users (e.g., movies which the system  100  predicts both users will agree upon and/or movies which the system  100  predicts the users will not agree up).  
     [0031] The optional media information store  130  can store at least some of the information associated with media content. For example, the media information store  130  can store images associated with media content (e.g., covers of movie videocassettes and/or movie DVD&#39;s) and/or metadata associated with the media content.  
     [0032] While FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating components for the system  100 , it is to be appreciated that the collaborative decision making system  100 , the user model component and/or the user feedback component  120  can be implemented as one or more computer components, as that term is defined herein. Thus, it is to be appreciated that computer executable components operable to implement the collaborative decision making system  100 , the user model component  110  and/or the user feedback component  120  can be stored on computer readable media including, but not limited to, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), CD (compact disc), DVD (digital video disk), ROM (read only memory), floppy disk, hard disk, EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) and memory stick in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0033] Turning to FIG. 2, a stand-alone collaborative decision-making system  200  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The system  200  includes a user model component  210  and a user feedback component  220 . Optionally, the system  200  can include a media information store  230 . The user model component  210  models feedback received from users and modifies the information associated with media content based, at least in part, upon the model, as discussed supra. The user feedback component  220  includes an output device  240  which can be, for example, a computer monitor, a television screen, a touch screen, a personal digital assistant and/or a mobile telephone display. The user feedback component  220  further includes a first input device  250   1  through an Nth input device  250   N , N being an integer greater than or equal to two. The first input device  250   1  through the Nth input device  250   N  can be referred to collectively as the input devices  250 . For example, the input devices  250  can be, for example, a joystick, a keyboard, a remote control, a pointing device, a PDA and/or a mouse. Typically, the output device  240  and the input devices  250  are located in proximity to one another (e.g., in the same room).  
     [0034] The system  200  can be employed, for example, in movie rental environment in order to facilitate selection of a movie rental by two users. The stand-alone system  200  can present a stream of images associated with movies to which the users each provide an affirmative, skip or negative response. The system  200  can model the users&#39; responses and provide further images associated with movies to facilitate selection of a movie rental by the users. The system  200  can take into account, for example, movies available for rental along with user responses.  
     [0035] It is to be appreciated that the user model component  210  and/or the user feedback component  220  can be computer component(s) as that term is defined herein.  
     [0036] Next, referring to FIG. 3, a distributed collaborative decision-making system  300  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The system  300  includes a user model component  310  and a first user feedback component  320   1  through an Mth user feedback component  320   M , M being an integer greater than or equal to two. The first user feedback component  320   1  through the Mth user feedback component  320   M  can be referred to collectively as the user feedback components  320 . Optionally, the system  300  can include a media information store  330 .  
     [0037] The user model component  310  models feedback received from users and modifies the information associated with media content based, at least in part, upon the model, as discussed supra. The user feedback components  320  include an output device  340  which can be, for example, a computer monitor, a television screen, a touch screen, a personal digital assistant and/or a mobile telephone display. The user feedback component  320  further includes an input device  350 , for example, a joystick, a keyboard, a remote control, a pointing device and/or a mouse. The user feedback components  320  are coupled to the user model component  310  via, for example, a parallel electrical connection, a serial electrical connection, a cable television connection, a computer network connection (e.g., the Internet), a Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”), a telephone line, a cable modem, a wireless data communications link and/or an integrated services digital network (“ISDN”).  
     [0038] In one implementation, users “converse” with one another via instant messaging and/or telephony. The system  300  can present a stream of images associated with art to which users each provide an affirmative, skip or negative response. The system  300  can model the users&#39; responses and provide further images associated with art to stimulate conversation (e.g., via instant messaging and/or telephony), between the users (e.g., art which the system  300  predicts both users will agree upon and/or art which the system  300  predicts the users will not agree up). Thus, the system  300  can facilitate conversation amongst physically remote users.  
     [0039] Referring to FIG. 4, an input device  400  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The input device  400  includes a yes key  410 , a no key  420  and a skip key  430 . For example, the yes key  410  can be used for an affirmative response, the no key  420  can be used for a negative response and the skip key  430  can be used to indicate a skip response.  
     [0040] The input device  400  is presented for purposed of illustration of an aspect of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an input device employing a single key having multiple functions can be employed. Accordingly, any suitable means for providing user responses can be utilized in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0041] Turning to FIG. 5, an exemplary user interface  500  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The user interface  500  includes a current media content  510 , a first user response display  520 , a second user response display  530 , an overall agreement display  540  and a media agreed on display  550 .  
     [0042] The current media content  510  displays the current media content (e.g., image) to which the users are to respond. The first user response display  520  displays the first user&#39;s overall response(s) (e.g., “Y” indicating affirmative response(s) and “N” indicating negative response(s)). The second user response display  520  likewise displays the second user&#39;s overall response(s). The overall agreement display  540  graphically displays an aggregate of the users&#39; responses. The media agreed on display  550  displays media content (e.g., image(s)) upon which the users agreed (e.g., to foster conversation and/or collaborative decision-making).  
     [0043] For example, movie(s) which are approved by substantially all users can move to media agreed on display  550  while those disliked by substantially all users can drop down to the bottom of the display. Further, movie(s) that elicit disagreement can remain longer on the display (e.g., to allow for discussion).  
     [0044] While FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary user interface for two users, it is to be appreciated the present invention is not limited to two users. Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, any suitable number of users can be utilize the system and/or method of the present invention.  
     [0045] In view of the exemplary systems shown and described above, a methodology that may be implemented in accordance with the present invention will be better appreciated with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodology is shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that the present invention is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may, in accordance with the present invention, occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methodology in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0046] The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more components. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.  
     [0047] Turning to FIG. 6, a method  600  for collaborative decision-making in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is illustrated. At  610 , information associated with media content is presented (e.g., via a computer screen). At  620 , a determination is made as to whether substantially all users have provided feedback (e.g., “yes”, “no” or skip). If the determination at  620  is NO, processing continues at  620 . If the determination at  620  is YES, at  630 , a user model is updated based, at least in part, upon the user feedback. At  640 , information associated with media content is modified based, at least in part, upon the updated model. At  650  the modified information is presented. At  660 , a determination is made as to whether the users are done. If the determination at  660  is NO, processing continues at  620 . If the determination at  660  is YES, no further processing occurs.  
     [0048] In order to provide additional context for various aspects of the present invention, FIG. 7 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable operating environment  710  in which various aspects of the present invention may be implemented. While the invention is described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can also be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. Generally, however, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular data types. The operating environment  710  is only one example of a suitable operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Other well known computer systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include but are not limited to, personal computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include the above systems or devices, and the like.  
     [0049] With reference to FIG. 7, an exemplary environment  710  for implementing various aspects of the invention includes a computer  712 . The computer  712  includes a processing unit  714 , a system memory  716 , and a system bus  718 . The system bus  718  couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory  716  to the processing unit  714 . The processing unit  714  can be any of various available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures also can be employed as the processing unit  714 .  
     [0050] The system bus  718  can be any of several types of bus structure(s) including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available bus architectures including, but not limited to, 7-bit bus, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), and Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI).  
     [0051] The system memory  716  includes volatile memory  720  and nonvolatile memory  722 . The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information between elements within the computer  712 , such as during start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory  722 . By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory  722  can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory  720  includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).  
     [0052] Computer  712  also includes removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. FIG. 7 illustrates, for example a disk storage  724 . Disk storage  724  includes, but is not limited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-100 drive, flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage  724  can include storage media separately or in combination with other storage media including, but not limited to, an optical disk drive such as a compact disk ROM device (CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CD rewritable drive (CD-RW Drive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitate connection of the disk storage devices  724  to the system bus  718 , a removable or non-removable interface is typically used such as interface  726 .  
     [0053] It is to be appreciated that FIG. 7 describes software that acts as an intermediary between users and the basic computer resources described in suitable operating environment  710 . Such software includes an operating system  728 . Operating system  728 , which can be stored on disk storage  724 , acts to control and allocate resources of the computer system  712 . System applications  730  take advantage of the management of resources by operating system  728  through program modules  732  and program data  734  stored either in system memory  716  or on disk storage  724 . It is to be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented with various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.  
     [0054] A user enters commands or information into the computer  712  through input device(s)  736 . Input devices  736  include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and the like. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit  714  through the system bus  718  via interface port(s)  738 . Interface port(s)  738  include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s)  740  use some of the same type of ports as input device(s)  736 . Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide input to computer  712 , and to output information from computer  712  to an output device  740 . Output adapter  742  is provided to illustrate that there are some output devices  740  like monitors, speakers, and printers among other output devices  740  that require special adapters. The output adapters  742  include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide a means of connection between the output device  740  and the system bus  718 . It should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such as remote computer(s)  744 .  
     [0055] Computer  712  can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)  744 . The remote computer(s)  744  can be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance, a peer device or other common network node and the like, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to computer  712 . For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device  746  is illustrated with remote computer(s)  744 . Remote computer(s)  744  is logically connected to computer  712  through a network interface  748  and then physically connected via communication connection  750 . Network interface  748  encompasses communication networks such as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 702.3, Token Ring/IEEE 702.5 and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).  
     [0056] Communication connection(s)  750  refers to the hardware/software employed to connect the network interface  748  to the bus  718 . While communication connection  750  is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer  712 , it can also be external to computer  712 . The hardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface  748  includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and external technologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems, cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.  
     [0057] What has been described above includes examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.