INTERACTIVE MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE FOR SIMULATING HUMAN EMOTIONS

An interactive man-machine interface system displays an animated face that exhibits human-like emotions. The system stores data representing each of eight basic emotions and continually changes the level of each basic emotion depending on environmental stimuli, internal reactions between the emotions, and the passage of time. The environmental stimuli include, for example, specific comments made by the user that are recognized by the system, the successful completion of a task, and failure to complete a task. The degree of internal reactions between emotions is programmed before operation. For example, an increase in anger causes a predetermined decrease in joy. Finally, all eight basic emotions are made to reduce in intensity over time. Based on a database of facial expressions, the system displays a composite expression corresponding to the intensity levels of all eight basic emotions.