Computerized assessment system and method for assessing opinions or feelings

Abstract

A computerized assessment system and method may be used to assess opinions or feelings of a subject (e.g., a child patient). The system and method may display a computer-generated face image having a variable facial expression (e.g., changing mouth and eyes) capable of changing to correspond to opinions or feelings of the subject (e.g., smiling or frowning). The system and method may receive a user input signal in accordance with the opinions or feelings of the subject and may display the changes in the variable facial expression in response to the user input signal. The system and method may also prompt the subject to express an opinion or feeling about a matter to be assessed.

1 . A computerized method for assessing opinions or feelings of a subject, said method comprising: 
 displaying at least one computer-generated face image, said computer-generated face image having a variable facial expression capable of changing dynamically to correspond to opinions or feelings of said subject;    receiving at least one user input signal for changing said variable facial expression in accordance with opinions or feelings of said subject; and    displaying changes in said variable facial expression of said at least one computer-generated face image in response to said user input signal, wherein said variable facial expression changes dynamically until a selected facial expression is displayed.    
   
   
       2 . The computerized method of  claim 1  wherein a range of rating values are associated with said variable facial expression, and further comprising storing at least one rating value associated with at least one selected facial expression.  
   
   
       3 . The computerized method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one computer-generated face image includes a mouth, and wherein a curvature of said mouth is capable of being changed to provide said variable facial expression.  
   
   
       4 . The computerized method of  claim 3  wherein said at least one computer-generated face image includes eyes, and wherein said eyes are capable of opening and closing to provide said variable facial expression.  
   
   
       5 . The computerized method of  claim 1  further comprising prompting said subject to express an opinion or feeling about a matter.  
   
   
       6 . The computerized method of  claim 5  wherein prompting said subject includes displaying a visual representation of said matter in proximity to said computer-generated face image.  
   
   
       7 . The computerized method of  claim 6  wherein said visual representation includes at least one picture.  
   
   
       8 . The computerized method of  claim 6  wherein said visual representation includes at least one video.  
   
   
       9 . The computerized method of  claim 5  wherein prompting said subject includes playing an auditory representation of said matter about which said subject has an opinion or feeling.  
   
   
       10 . The computerized method of  claim 9  wherein said auditory representation includes at least one verbal message.  
   
   
       11 . The computerized method of  claim 9  wherein said auditory representation includes at least one nonverbal auditory event.  
   
   
       12 . The computerized method of  claim 5  wherein prompting the subject includes providing an auditory query regarding said matter about which the subject has an opinion or feeling.  
   
   
       13 . The computerized method of  claim 5  wherein prompting said subject includes asking said subject to express feelings of pain felt by said subject.  
   
   
       14 . A machine-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to perform a method for assessing opinions or feelings of a subject, said method comprising: 
 displaying at least one computer-generated face image, said computer-generated face image having a variable facial expression capable of changing dynamically to correspond to opinions or feelings of said subject;    receiving at least one user input signal for changing said variable facial expression in accordance with opinions or feelings of said subject; and    displaying changes in said variable facial expression of said at least one computer-generated face image in response to said user input signal, wherein said variable facial expression changes dynamically until a selected facial expression is displayed.    
   
   
       15 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 14  wherein said method further comprises prompting said subject to express an opinion or feeling about a matter.  
   
   
       16 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 14  wherein said at least one computer-generated face image includes a mouth, and wherein a curvature of said mouth is capable of being changed to provide said variable facial expression.  
   
   
       17 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16  wherein said at least one computer-generated face image includes eyes, and wherein said eyes are capable of opening and closing to provide said variable facial expression.  
   
   
       18 . A computerized assessment system for assessing opinions or feelings of a subject, said system comprising: 
 a display configured to display at least one computer-generated face image having a variable facial expression capable of changing dynamically to correspond to opinions or feelings of a subject;    a user input device configured to generate at least one user input signal for changing said variable facial expression in accordance with opinions or feelings of said subject; and    a computer configured to change said variable facial expression of said computer-generated face image on said display in response to said user input signal.    
   
   
       19 . The computerized assessment system of  claim 18  wherein said at least one computer-generated face image includes a mouth, and wherein a curvature of said mouth is capable of being changed to provide said variable facial expression.  
   
   
       20 . The computerized assessment system of  claim 18  wherein said at least one computer-generated face image includes eyes, and wherein said eyes are capable of opening and closing to provide said variable facial expression.