Biometrically-determined device interface and content

[0001] This application claims benefit of priority from provisional applications Nos. 60/389,403 and 60/367,098 filed by one or both inventors named.

[0003] 1. Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for capturing, digitally processing and performing a computerized function by a device as a consequence of biometric user parameters.

[0005] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0006] Current uses of biometrics as relating to computing and communicating devices relate primarily to security via identity verification means. These means compare captured digital representations of a user or sensed biometric to a database of like biometrics associated with identities of persons or animals. Mathematical parameters are established for determining the probability of a match between a sensed and digitally represented biometric with the database version linked to an identity. Further biometric uses pertain to machine vision and context or meaning engines which for example, may compare the actions of persons captured on digital images to a context engine operatively designed to determine the probability that such actions represent violence, illness or other states requiring some action on the part of authorities or similar regulatory body.

[0007] The invention discloses a method of automatically modifying a user interface, operation of an interface and content served to an interface based upon capture of one or more user biometrics which need not pertain to specific user identity. User interfaces of computing and telecommunication devices include computers, telephones, televisions, kiosks, PDAs, vehicles equipped with computing capability, digital instruments and many other devices similarly equipped. The invention teaches that the means and content of interaction between a user and such devices may optimally vary automatically based upon user biometrics. A kiosk touched by a little girl's finger may configure its means of interaction and content differently from a touch by a man's finger when determined by appropriate biometric capture and discrimination means. Machine verbal communication systems may simplify their syntax when sensing a child's voice as compared to an adult; or prioritize human interaction if stress is sensed in a human voice. A vehicle may not allow operation when controlled by a child. A digital television system may select and serve digital advertisements suitable for the physical composition of the audience sensed in front of it: for number, age, sex, body mass or body size, for example. The ads seen by a web user may be served based on certain user biometrics captured by the device used. Contents of a smart sign may be altered based on biometrics of passersby.

[0008] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein the diagrams disclose the functions and systems necessary to provide said methods and services. However, it is understood that this class of embodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not delimit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others.

[0009] FIG. 1: in one aspect, the depicted device (1) may be a fixed position, or mobile kiosk device enabled to determine one or more user biometrics such as fingerprint, body mass, facial spatial characteristics, retinal scan, or voice. Upon a user's touch or interaction with the kiosk interface (2), the fingerprint is captured and digitally rendered by a biometric capture and determination means (3) which may be integrated with the user touchscreen interface. Remotely or locally, a logic engine and related interface and content management engine (4) determines based upon fingerprint metrics and patterns and associated tables or templates, the approximate sex and age of the user. Upon determination of this data from the fingerprint, the device interface and content manager instructs a local or remote content server (5) so as to alter the configuration of the device user interface and/or its content. If the user is a female child, the interface manager (4) may alter the configuration of the device interface; which is to say the location and style of its touch-responsive areas; and may direct the display of information including text, graphics, video, audio and tactile content that an application, programmer or system manager has deemed should be served upon the sensing of touch by a female child by managing the content supplied by the content server (5). Thus the kiosk interface becomes child-friendly when touched by a child, and adult male or female customized for its content, style, and means of interaction depending upon the determined user biometrics. Based upon the use of said device over a period of timecached local or remotely stored content can be further tailored to deliver information specifically tailored for a portion of the demographic market. For example if over the course of several days or weeks the device in question is interacted with predominantly by female children within an age range of 5 to 10; the device content delivery application may deliver a general category of content aimed at that target demographic group. Moreover the application interface may be altered by an application, programmer or system manager to present a more child friendly user interface based on the device's user demographic base over a period of time.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention FIG. 1 may be a wireless communication and computing device (1). A child placing an emergency 911 call through the user interface (2) and communicating with a computerized call and voice management system is sensed to be a stressed child by a remote device interface and content management engine (4) and associated remote biometric (in this case voice analysis) engine (8). Based on the child and stress determination by the biometric engine, simplified computer voice syntax and soothing tone may be directed from the (automated voice) content server (5) by the device interface manager (4); while simultaneously prioritizing human call intervention. Human call intervention may be further supplied with GIS or GPS-location (8) of said device and the fact that the caller is a child with a highly stressed voice or third party intervention service ties to existing police or regulatory body GIS or GPS systems.

[0011] In another aspect, the device (1) may be a digital television equipped or networked with a biometric aspect determination means (3) that employs a means (such as infrared laser, thermal imaging, RADAR, digital camera or acoustic means) to ascertain the number and size of persons within viewing range of said television. A logic engine and device interface and content manager (4) determines that said user biometrics are likely to be a mixed group of children and directs a content server (5) (advertising server, in this case) to place ads programmed for this demographic at an appropriate time. If the digital television system, including WEBTV, is further equipped with a user interaction or commerce conduct means, then user interaction with the system may be captured as well as user demographics and stored in a data collection database (7). The Invention teaches a combination of a biometric-determining device such as a energy beam scanner or digital camera with an ad server database, an intelligent ad router and an ad compressor and decompression engine. The platform and system enables the serving of ads to persons deemed to be within an area of ad exposure based upon their biometric characteristics. A cable television converter unit may be coupled, for example, with an infrared scanner or digital camera capable of discerning the size, sex and approximate age of persons within a designated vicinity of the television. This information is supplied to an intelligent router which selects ads from a database on an ad server whose designated target audience, time slot, television show characteristics and other parameters match those of input from each properly equipped biometric data gathering unit. Selected ads are compared for time length to available or given time in the ad slot and a digital ad compression and decompression engine runs the ad to fit the assigned time. Any device used for conveying ads visually, through audio or other means may be so coupled with biometric data-gathering devices, said intelligent ad router and an ad database comprised of digital ads containing machine-readable instruction regarding desired audience characteristics which are then matched in part with data from the Invention and served when a logic routine deems an appropriate match has been made.

[0012] The ad delivery mechanism may also be locally augmented by user input to display specified content on a pay per view basis, or remunerate per view basis whereby user may select an option to view specified content that requires input or follow-up on completion. A post input action would either create, credit or debit a user account associated with a locally or remotely existing new or proprietary third party stored user tracking mechanism such as MS passport or SUN One.

[0013] In the cases of all of the above examples, data about user biometrics, device interaction and commerce patterns, device location and time, and other data may be aggregated in a data collection database (7). Analytic engine (6) acting upon the data in the database (7) may be employed to determine refinements in device user interface means and content. For example, if the device (1) is a mall kiosk, and the analytic engine (6) determines that 80% of users are male children, then the default content of the kiosk may be directed toward that demographic. In the case of a digital television system equipped with user biometric capture means; the effectiveness of ads served based on user biometrics may be compared to those without use of said biometrics. Further, audience demographics may be computed according to content served (e.g. shows) and time of day as well as geographic location.