Electronic systems and methods for assessing emotional states

Abstract

This invention relates to an electronic system for assessing emotional states. The system allows individual employees to use a set of emojis to describe their emotions. The system provides a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying a list of different emotions and associated emojis that the user can select. The system allows the user to write entries about their thoughts and emotions in conjunction with the selected emojis and send the emoji-containing message to individuals they choose to share it with. The system provides a company-wide list of employees from which the user can select. The system receives messages and implements data structures to process the received messages and generate individual and company-wide emotional state information.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 841,180, filed April 30, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of human resources technology, including emotional state assessment systems. Background Technology

[0004] Employee engagement is an attribute of the relationship between an organization and its employees. Employee engagement plays a crucial role in an organization's overall development by significantly boosting organizational and individual performance. Techniques are available in the art for determining employee engagement. One technique determines employee engagement by detecting a user's emotional state. Some existing systems for detecting emotional states involve audio or video devices, sensors capable of sensing biometric data, and sophisticated hardware specifically designed to interact with and analyze the data obtained from those sensors. However, these devices and sensors are typically mounted on employees' desks and are inconvenient for employees to carry. Therefore, it is impossible to capture an employee's emotions outside their office or cubicle because these systems require the person to be physically present at their desk. For example, it is impossible to detect an employee's emotions during or after a meeting in a conference room or other location. Employees can return to their offices to communicate and record their emotions, but delays can lead to them recalling events and inaccurately conveying their thoughts. Devices, sensors, and analytics hardware also occupy office space and are expensive to purchase and maintain. Therefore, companies with limited real estate space and budgets may not be able to afford such solutions.

[0005] Other existing systems for detecting emotional states involve receiving feedback on business processes. The system receives indications of the emotional state of users interacting with the business process and identifies problems within the process based on these indications. The system may include mobile applications or messaging apps designed to receive such communications. However, such messaging apps cannot adequately and accurately express a user's emotions, moods, or feelings. The business process the message refers to allows individuals to comment on the process itself, rather than their emotions. For example, a user might type, "Partner A and employees B and C are discussing issue E with client F. While Partner A is talking to client F, employee B seems tense, and employee C seems sad. Employee B should be more relaxed, and employee C should be happier." This comment provides advice to the employees, not the user's emotions. In systems using semantic technologies, it can be difficult to determine who is tense, who is sad, whether words like "relax" and "happier" refer to emotions occurring during the meeting or emotions suggested by the user, and whether the conveyed emotion refers to the user's emotion or someone else's.

[0006] Messaging apps can also allow users to select emoji icons and incorporate them into the message itself (e.g., icons can be inserted after a sentence or between two sentences). However, this functionality is optional, and users can type messages without using any icons. Therefore, an individual's emotions may be unpredictable. Inserting icons into a message can also increase ambiguity, as the icons may not necessarily be associated with the user's emotions. For example, continuing the example above, a user could insert an icon representing employee B's nervousness after the word "nervous," and an icon representing employee C's sadness after the word "sad." Using icons in this case still doesn't solve the problems discussed earlier, because they don't reflect the user's emotions. In short, current messaging apps do not offer an easy and direct way to capture user emotions without ambiguity.

[0007] Furthermore, little attention is paid to improving the systems or remote systems used with messaging applications. Typical messaging applications emphasize the user interface appearing on mobile devices. Individuals can select emoji icons from the user interface and type messages within it. There is no known technology to link the selection of "emojis" (emotion icons) on a messaging application to emojis stored on the system behind the application for data aggregation purposes, and no known technology to determine who has access to the message and the selected emoji. There is also no known technology to implement specific data structures for those purposes.

[0008] Therefore, there is still a need for HR technologies related to emotional state assessment systems that are improved upon existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the principles of the present invention, a system for assessing emotional states is envisioned. The system includes a mobile device with an emotion logging application installed. The emotion logging application configures the mobile device to communicate with and obtain an employee name list storing a list of employee names within an enterprise. The emotion logging application also configures the mobile device to provide a user interface configured to allow the creation of electronic messages. The user interface is configured to allow selection of message recipients from the employee name list; provide a list of emotional graphic representations; and provide options for creating emotional graphic representations and adding the created representations to the list of emotional graphic representations. The created representations on the list can be selected on the mobile device with the emotion logging application as well as on other mobile devices with the emotion logging application.

[0010] The user interface is also configured to allow selection of one or more, or an odd number of, more than three, emotion graphic representations from a list; provide a text area allowing the user of the mobile device to input entries in their own words; enable the electronic message to be transmitted to the electronic messaging system or the selected recipient when at least one message recipient has been selected, three emotion graphic representations have been selected, and a text entry has been entered; and provide the electronic message to the selected recipient. The selected recipient can access the electronic message through an emotion logging application on their mobile device. The user interface is further configured to present personal, team-wide, and company-wide emotion state information over a period of time based on messages created through the user interface (or three selections of emotion graphic representations in a message) and messages created through the user interface of other mobile devices with emotion logging applications (or three selections of emotion graphic representations in a message).

[0011] The system also includes an electronic messaging system configured to receive messages created via a user interface and messages created via the user interface of other mobile devices with an emotion logging application. The electronic messaging system includes a post data structure configured to convey information from the created messages and an emotion icon data structure configured to convey emotion icon-related information (e.g., emotion name and emotion graphic representation). The electronic messaging system also includes a post and emotion mapping data structure configured to convey information based on emotion state information in the post data structure and information from the emotion icon data structure. Emotion state information is transmitted to the mobile device and used by the emotion logging application to present individual, team-wide, and company-wide emotion state information over a period of time. The electronic messaging system also includes a post access data structure configured to deliver electronic messages to selected recipients based on information in the post data structure. The recipient's emotion logging application uses the post access data structure to deliver electronic messages to the selected recipients.

[0012] According to the principles of the present invention, another system for assessing emotional states is envisioned. The system includes a mobile device with an emotion logging application installed. The emotion logging application configures the mobile device to provide a user interface configured to allow the creation of electronic messages. The user interface is configured to allow selection of message recipients from a list of employee names within a company; provide a list of emotion graphic representations; allow selection of one or more emotion graphic representations; provide a text area allowing the user of the mobile device to input entries in their own words; enable the electronic message to be transmitted to an electronic message processing system or the selected recipient when at least one message recipient has been selected, three emotion graphic representations have been selected, and a text entry has been entered; provide the electronic message to the selected recipient, who can access the electronic message through the emotion logging application on their mobile device; and present personal, team-wide, and company-wide emotional state information over a period of time, including the three selections of emotion graphic representations in the message.

[0013] The system also includes an electronic messaging system configured to receive messages created via a user interface. The electronic messaging system includes a post and emotion mapping data structure configured to convey emotion state information based on information in a database storing electronic messages created via the user interface and information in a database storing emotion icons. The emotion state information is transmitted to mobile devices and used by emotion logging applications to present individual, team-wide, and company-wide emotion state information over a period of time. The electronic messaging system also includes a post access data structure configured to deliver electronic messages to selected recipients based on information in a database storing electronic messages created via the user interface. The recipient's emotion logging application uses the post access data structure to deliver the electronic message to the selected recipient.

[0014] The emotional graphic representation includes a group of positive emotional graphic representations and a group of negative emotional graphic representations, wherein each representation in the positive group is associated with a positive value and each representation in the negative group is associated with an equivalent negative value.

[0015] Corresponding methods and non-transitory computer-readable medium embodiments will be understood from the above and the overall disclosure. The computer-readable medium can be a permanent or semi-permanent memory known to those skilled in the art, such as a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc. The computer-readable medium stores computer instructions executable by a microprocessor, and execution of the instructions causes the microprocessor to perform the steps or functions described in this disclosure. Furthermore, wider, narrower, or different combinations of the described features are contemplated, such that features can be removed or added, for example, in a wider or narrower manner. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The various features of the examples based on the principles described herein can be more readily understood by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals designate the same structural elements, and in the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 An illustrative system for assessing emotional states according to some embodiments of the present invention is described;

[0018] Figures 2A to 2C An illustrative login screen depicting an emotion logging software application according to some embodiments of the present invention is provided.

[0019] Figures 3A to 3D An illustrative message creation screen and an illustrative screen of associated lists and options are depicted for an emotion logging software application according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Figures 4A to 4C An illustrative message viewing screen is depicted for an emotion log recording software according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] Figures 5A to 5B An illustrative message created on an emotion logging application and an illustrative email version of the message are described according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6A An illustrative historical emotional state information screen is depicted for an emotion log recording software according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6B An illustrative screen depicting an emotion logging application according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown, illustrating other information that can be stored and tracked by an electronic messaging system;

[0024] Figure 7 Other illustrative information, which can be tracked and transmitted by electronic messaging systems and emotion logging applications according to some embodiments of the present invention, is described; and

[0025] Figure 8 An illustrative implementation of an electronic message processing system according to some embodiments of the present invention is described. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Embodiments of this invention relate to an electronic system for assessing the emotional state of company employees. The company implements the system and provides an application from which individual employees can describe their emotions using a set of graphical representations (e.g., emojis). The application provides a graphical user interface that displays a list of different emotions and associated emojis that the user can select. Employees are required to select multiple emojis, and for example, they can select the same emoji three times. The application may require users to select an odd number of emojis to prevent users from giving neutral reports (e.g., one happy and one sad emotion, resulting in neutrality). Users combine the selected emojis to write entries about their thoughts and emotions and send the message with the emojis to one or more individuals they choose to share it with. Individuals may be their mentors or colleagues. The application provides a company-wide list of employees from which users can select. The application also generates an email version of the message and sends it to the recipient, and conversations can be conducted based on email communication.

[0027] Emotions are also stored and provided to the individual's department head or organizational leader (e.g., CEO). The information written is not shared with that person and remains confidential. Emotions are provided to that person as a aggregated collection of people within that department or organization, without indicating the identities of those providing the emotional input. Historical information can be stored and presented graphically to help understand how emotional states have felt over time at the individual, team, or company level.

[0028] Users can also view their input history on the app, but the app can be configured to grant such access based on a certain number of messages a user created and sent within a specific time period (e.g., 30 days). This feature, along with others, provides a gamified experience that can motivate employees to engage and participate in the app.

[0029] The application is configured to indirectly cultivate and train individuals to become better decision-makers. It uses the concept that an individual's decisions are aligned with their emotions. Maintaining self-awareness and practicing connecting with one's emotions (such as at least twice a week) will make an individual a better decision-maker. Teams perform better when individuals are aware of their own emotions as well as the emotions of their closest team members.

[0030] Figure 1An illustrative system 100 for assessing emotional states is described. System 100 includes an electronic device 1 having an emotion logging software application (“emotion logging application” or simply “application”) configured to generate electronic messages, an electronic messaging system 110, an employee database 115 configured to store employee identity information of an enterprise, a user authentication system 120, and an email management system (“EMS”) 122. The device, system, and databases 105, 110, 115, 120, and 122 can transmit and receive data via a communication network 125 such as the Internet, and they include the necessary hardware and software to support communication over the network.

[0031] Figures 2A to 6B This shows a portion of the user interface of an emotion log recording application. Figures 2A to 6B The discussion may also involve Figure 1 The application is installed on electronic device 1. Figures 2A to 2C The application's login screen 210 is depicted. Employees can enter their company login credentials from the login screen 210 via electronic device 205, and the entered information is transmitted by electronic device 205 through network 125. Figure 1 Transmitted to user authentication system 120 ( Figure 1 Login credentials include information identifying a user as a company employee, such as an email address based on the company's email domain, an employee identification number, or other employee identifiers. Upon receiving credentials, the authentication system checks if they (e.g., email address and password) match credentials stored in the authentication system (e.g., email address and password pre-stored in the authentication system). For example, credentials stored in the authentication system may be created and stored in the authentication system when a person joins the company and the company's human resources department creates an email address and password for that person through the company's computer system. When a user changes their credentials (e.g., password), the credentials stored in the authentication system can be updated. The authentication system is configured to store the login credentials of employees employed by the company.

[0032] If the entered credentials match the stored credentials, the user is granted access to the mood logging application. Additionally, the authentication system generates an electronic authorization or security token and sends it to the electronic device via the network. The mood logging application incorporates the token into all its communications with the electronic messaging system and the employee database. The token needs to communicate with those systems and databases and is checked and verified by those systems and databases before the mood logging application can access the functionality and data provided by them. The mood logging application and the authentication system perform a user authentication process to allow the user access to the application, the electronic messaging system, and the employee database.

[0033] This authentication implementation is configured to use authorization tokens to enable access to services offered on the company's corporate network or by the enterprise employing the user, granting access to these services (e.g., access to all other services or joining the corporate network and accessing corporate applications such as mood logging applications and email messaging software applications). This process offers efficiency because users or the systems implementing each corporate application do not need to log in separately to each corporate software application on the user's mobile device to access the corresponding service. Simultaneously, the process establishes highly secure inter-system relationships and connections based on identity authentication and security tokens (such as trusted connections using communication and security protocols) to ensure that unauthorized individuals or individuals outside the enterprise cannot access corporate applications. This security implementation provides a simplified authentication process or a single authentication process that can simultaneously verify that a user is a company employee and allow the user access to all corporate applications on the corporate network. In contrast, conventional systems require separate authorization processes for each program, such as an authentication process to verify whether an individual is an employee, a separate authentication process to grant access to one of the corporate applications after verifying that the individual is an employee, another separate authentication process to grant access to another corporate application after verifying that the individual is an employee, and so on.

[0034] The authentication system restricts users of the emotion logging application, as well as access to electronic messaging applications and other services on the corporate network, to company employees or authorized members only.

[0035] For example, the authentication processes and systems described above (as well as the anonymization processes and systems discussed below) may be those described in application No. 62 / 807,693, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other processes, systems, and features described in that application may also be used in electronic systems and methods for assessing emotional states, either in conjunction with or in combination with those electronic systems and methods.

[0036] Figure 3A An illustrative message creation screen 300 of the application is depicted. The message creation screen 300 provides an interface presenting options 305 for selecting one or more message recipients, options 310 for selecting multiple emotions or emotion graphic representations from a list containing different emotion names 310a and associated emotion representations 310b, a text area 315 for entering written text using text input, and options 320 for sending the message, or essentially composed of the above options. The interface may have only or essentially only a text input area (e.g., freestyle text input) and two options for selecting the message recipient and the emotion / emotion representation.

[0037] Option 305, used to select one or more message recipients, is configured to select one or more employees of an enterprise. (Electronic Messaging System) Figure 1 ,110) is configured to interact with the employee database ( Figure 1 The emotion logging application communicates with the processing system to obtain employee identification information from the employee database. Employee identification information may include the employee's name and an identifier for each employee, used by the processing system to deliver messages to the appropriate person. For example, when “Michael” is selected from option 305, the processing system determines that “Michael” is associated with the identifier “0020” and presents the message to the identifier “0020” so that Michael can view the message. The identifier may be an internal identifier used by the processing system and the employee database to identify employees. This identifier may be referred to as the receiver identifier. The emotion logging application communicates with the processing system to obtain employee identification information and makes the employees listed in the employee identification information available for selection via option 305. Updates to the employee database also update the employee list in option 305 accordingly. In some implementations, the emotion logging application may be configured to communicate with the employee database to directly obtain employee identification information or an employee list. Option 305 can only be configured to select employees of the enterprise and cannot be integrated with personal contacts on the user's mobile device. The emotion logging application has separate, distinct contacts provided by the processing system (or the employee database). Figure 3B An illustrative list of selectable employees is provided. Employees on the list are also individuals with access to the mood logging application. If an employee has not installed the application on their electronic device using their login credentials, messages sent to them are stored in the electronic messaging system and can be viewed by the employee after installing the application. In an implementation, the list may not display individuals who have not yet installed the application (only those who have installed it).

[0038] The list includes different human emotional states or emotion names (e.g., happy, sad, focused, stressed, etc.) and each is associated with an emotion graphic or graphic representation. An emotion graphic representation can be an emoji, an emotion symbol, or other form of facial expression. An emoji is an actual picture showing a facial expression (e.g., a small digital image or icon used to express an emotion), not a typographic image. An emotion symbol or typographic image is a graphic representation of a person's feeling or mood using typographic characters (such as punctuation, numbers, and letters) to express that feeling or mood (e.g., :-), :-(, :-D, etc.). Figure 3C An illustrative list 327 describes the emotions that can be selected. Figure 3C Option 328 is also described for creating additional emotional expressions that are not on list 327.

[0039] In such Figure 3DIn the creation process shown, the emotion logging application can provide options for entering an emotion name, for selecting the emotion type (e.g., positive or negative), and for selecting one of the pre-created emotion representations or emojis. The created emotion representation is transmitted to an electronic messaging system, which updates list 327 by adding the newly created emotion representation. The electronic messaging system then transmits the updated list to the emotion logging application and other emotion logging applications. Updates are transmitted to the emotion logging application and other emotion logging applications as soon as a user creates an emotion representation, or updates are transmitted in real time. The new graphic representation then appears in the list and is available for selection by the user and other users during message creation. In some implementations, the new graphic representation is organized or displayed as one of the top or core emotions (e.g., sadness, anger, happiness, etc.) rather than lower-level or secondary emotions (e.g., an emotion under sadness, an emotion under anger, or an emotion under happiness, etc.). The user interface can be configured to require the user to categorize the new emotion under one of a set of core emotions. In some implementations, emotions can be displayed and selected using only the emotion name or text, such as displaying the word "happy" and making the word "happy" selectable.

[0040] Option 310 is a dedicated option or field (separate from text area 315) where the user can select or enter their emotion. The selected or entered emotion graphic representation appears only in this dedicated field and is not displayed in text area 315. Option 310 is a field that only allows the selection of an emotion graphic representation; that is, there is no option to receive text input (except in the new emotion creation step, where the user can enter an emotion name).

[0041] The emotion logging application is also configured such that multiple emotion graphic representations must be selected before a message can be sent to the recipient. Preferably, three emotion graphic representations or an odd number of emotion graphic representations should be selected. The emotion logging application is also configured such that the same emotion name or emotion graphic representation can be selected multiple times. The order in which the emotion graphic representations are selected is also logged. In some embodiments, the odd number can also be one, but this is not preferred. Each emotion or emotion graphic representation is further associated with a numerical value, specifically with a positive value (e.g., +1) or an equivalent negative value (e.g., -1). The emotion graphic representations include a group 330 of positive emotion graphic representations and a group 335 of negative emotion graphic representations. Each representation in the positive group 330 is associated with a positive value, while each representation in the negative group 335 is associated with an equivalent negative value. Each representation in the positive group 330 may have a first color (e.g., green), while each representation in the negative group 335 may have a second color (e.g., red) different from the first color. The emotion logging application can be configured to display only positive emotions in one color (or color theme) (such as green) and all negative emotions in one color (or color theme) (such as red). Numerical associations combined with odd-number selections return a strictly positive or negative total value. The total value is calculated by summing all associated values ​​of the selected emotion graphical representation (e.g., adding +1, -1, and +1 equals +1, adding +1, +1, and +1 equals +3, etc.). The calculation can be performed by an electronic messaging system after a message is transmitted to the system. For user-created emotion representations, the selection of the emotion type assigns a corresponding positive or negative value that can be used for calculation.

[0042] Text area 315 is a field where users can compose messages in their own words. Specifically, text area 315 is a field where users write to describe their emotions, feelings, moods, thoughts, and / or interpretations of selected emotional graphic representations. Text area 315 is an area where users can write by typing on the QWERTY keyboard of an electronic device. Users can also write in other ways, such as by speaking to the electronic device or using gestures to convey their words. Text area 315 is a field configured to receive and display only text; that is, there is no option to display emotional graphic representations.

[0043] Send option 320 is configured to transmit the message (including the specified emotion) only after the user has made a selection after completing all three fields 305, 310, and 315 (e.g., selecting at least one message recipient, at least three emojis, and entering a message to write). If the user has only completed one or two of the three fields, send option 320 is disabled and the user will not be able to send the message (and the specified emotion). The term "message" can refer to an electronic message that has selected at least one message recipient, selected only an odd number of emojis, and has a message to write in the text area. After the user creates a message (e.g., selects at least one message recipient, selects only an odd number of emojis, and writes in the text area), the user can choose send option 320 to send the message to the recipient, which includes the selected emotion expression and the message to write. The time of message creation (i.e., when the user selects send option 320) is also recorded by the emotion logging application.

[0044] A message, including at least one selected message recipient, a selected odd number of emojis, and a written message in the text area, is transmitted to the electronic messaging system. The electronic messaging system processes the message and provides the selected emoticons and the written message to the recipient for viewing. Only the selected recipient can view the message in its entirety; other users or employees using the emoticon logging application cannot access the message (e.g., the message is only available on the recipient's emoticon logging application). The recipient can only view the message (selected emoticons and the written message) from the emoticon logging application installed on their mobile device. If they are not already logged in or have logged out, they need to log in to the emoticon logging application (see the login and authentication process above) to use the application. Time information may also be transmitted to the electronic messaging system so that the electronic messaging system or the recipient's emoticon logging application can use this information to arrange the message in chronological order or another time-based order.

[0045] Once logged into the emotion logging application, users can create and send messages for whatever reason they wish. The ability to create and send messages is not restricted by the emotion logging application after the user is authenticated through the authentication system. The gamification aspects of the application do not limit users' ability to compose messages, as message creation is a fundamental function required to unlock access to other services and information within the application. The ability to create and send messages is unrelated to events or conditions, such as requiring an event to occur first and then conveying opinions or emotions about that event (or conveying opinions or emotions when an event occurs). The application involves communication between employees, and discussions can be whatever they wish to discuss. Users are free to create and send messages.

[0046] Figures 4A to 4B The description screens 405 and 410 of the emotion logging application depict illustrative message viewing screens. The first or main message viewing screen 405 displays a list of messages received by the user or recipient. The emotion logging application provides an option 415 to view the list 405. Each message 412 displayed on the list 405 may also display its corresponding emotion representation 420, emotion description 425, sender 430, message sending / creation date 435, and other message recipients 440 (the user can select multiple message recipients, and those other than the user are displayed here). The section specified by 435 may also be called the message title. For example, the title 435 could be formatted as "Message - [Date of Message Creation]". Screens 410 and messages 412 display the illustrative actual messages seen by the user. The emotion representations 420 are displayed in the order they were selected. When a user logs into an emotion logging application, they can use the login credentials they enter (e.g., a company email address or employer ID number used in the username field), or the entered login credentials can be associated with an identifier in the employee database used by the electronic messaging system to identify the user, so that when the user sends a message, the electronic messaging system knows who the sender is. This identifier can be called a user identifier or a sender identifier.

[0047] The mood log application also offers the option to view each message in detail. Figure 4B A second or more detailed message viewing screen 410 is depicted after selecting this option. The emotion logging application also provides an option 445 to view messages sent by the user. Selecting option 445 displays a screen similar to screens 405 and 410, except that the information on those screens is customized for the messages the user has sent. The emotion logging application also provides an option to bring up... Figure 4C or Figure 3A The message created is option 445.

[0048] Figures 2A to 2C The electronic device or device 1 is preferably a handheld mobile phone. The emotion log application is preferably a mobile application or mobile app configured to be installed on a mobile phone. Therefore, composing and sending messages via a mobile phone or mobile app is a preferred method of sending messages. This method makes it more difficult to revisit and edit messages compared to other platforms such as email, and promotes heartfelt reflection rather than analytical thinking.

[0049] In response to a user sending a message, system 100 for emotional state assessment also generates an email containing the selected emotion and its description and sends it to each selected recipient. The email is sent to the recipient's company email address. EMS 122 facilitates the generation and transmission of the email. EMS 122 is a conventional EMS known in the art. Recipient identifiers are used to determine the corresponding email addresses (which may be linked by system 100). The recipient can then view the email version of the email or message through their company email account. The email may display the selected actual emoji or emotion name. Figures 5A to 5B The image shows a message 505 (all three fields are complete) created on an emotion logging application and an email version 510 generated in response to the user selecting "Send" 515. Email 510 displays the selected emotion (or its emotion name) in text 520 instead of the actual emoji 525. In addition to using the emotion logging application, the sender and receiver can also communicate about this message via email.

[0050] The emotion log application offers the option 450 to view historical information graphically, which helps provide a sense of emotional state over time for an individual, team, or company. Figure 6A A screen 600 depicts illustrative historical emotional state information, which shows an emotional state diagram 605 and other information 610, 615 (615a and 615b) and 620. Figure 6A It also describes the historical information about the user's input into the emotion logging application.

[0051] User-selected emotions (including emotion names, graphical representations, and numerical values) are stored and tracked by the electronic messaging system. These storage and tracking processes can occur when the electronic messaging system receives a message from an emotion logging application. The electronic messaging system can also store and track messages written by selected recipients and users. In some implementations, the electronic messaging system may only store and track the numerical value of the selected emotion. The electronic messaging system may omit the emotion name and graphical representation. The electronic messaging system is configured to track numerical values, such as the sum of those values ​​over a day and a period of time, and the emotion logging application is configured to present the tracked numerical values ​​(e.g., graphically) to help provide a sense of emotional state over time for an individual, team, or company. The time the message was sent is used to construct the graphical representation. Emotional state graph 605 is such a graph. The tracked numerical values ​​help to understand whether a user's emotional state is positive or negative, or the trend of their emotional state. Larger positive sums can indicate a more positive emotional state (e.g., optimistic, hopeful, confident, happy, etc.), while larger negative sums can indicate a more negative emotional state (e.g., pessimistic, hopeless, fearful, unhappy, etc.).

[0052] The electronic messaging system can also be configured to track the ratio between the number of positive emotions and the number of negative emotions entered by the user. The emotion logging application is also configured to present this information graphically. For example, 610 shows that 65% of the emotions selected by the user are negative, and 35% are positive. The electronic messaging system and the emotion logging application can also track and display similarity ratios based on emotion selections aggregated from employees in the same department as the user, and similarity ratios based on emotion selections aggregated from everyone in the company.

[0053] The electronic messaging system can also be configured to track the number of messages a user has been given within time period 615a, store default numbers indicating the number of different messages a user should be given within time period 615b (e.g., with different content and / or mood selections), and track the number of misses if the user fails to send at least the specified number of messages 615b. All of this information can be communicated to the user through a mood logging application. For example, screen 600 shows that the user has written 5 messages in the past 30 days. Screen 600 also shows that the default number is 2 messages per week. If the user submits fewer than 2 messages per week, this incompleteness may be counted as a miss. Adhering to a schedule that requires users to send a threshold number of messages (e.g., 2 messages) within a time period (e.g., a week) can help users develop a habit of regularly expressing their moods. The mood logging application or processing system is configured to establish this habit through interactive methods with the user, such as those illustratively described herein. Information 615b shows that the user has 3 misses, which may mean that the user has failed to submit at least 2 messages per week for three consecutive or non-consecutive weeks.

[0054] The emotion log application provides option 620 to present emotion trends 605, emotion ratios 610, and emotion statistics 615 over different time periods (such as 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days), and the information or charts in emotion trend 605, emotion ratio 610, and emotion statistics 615 will be updated accordingly based on the selection. Screen 600 displays all information based on the past 30 days.

[0055] Users can view their input history on the emotion logging application, but the application can be configured to condition such access based on a certain number of messages the user has created and sent within a set time period. For example, before a user first views screen 600 with information on emotion trends 605, emotion ratios 610, and emotion statistics 615, the application can require the user to create and send at least three messages. Afterward, access to the information on screen 600 can be granted to the user for a 30-day period. Over time, access to the same information within a 60-day period may require the user to create and send three additional messages after the 30-day period. This system for unlocking screen 600 and subsequent information is provided as a gamification feature, which helps encourage employees to participate in and engage with the emotion logging application, or to encourage employees to communicate their emotions and engage in such behavior in a consistent manner. The system can also be used to unlock access to other information within the application.

[0056] Figure 6BAn illustrative screen depicting an emotion logging application is provided, displaying additional information that can be stored and tracked by the electronic messaging system. For example, the electronic messaging system and the emotion logging application can track who on the team has not yet sent a specified number of messages required within a given time period, and this information can be communicated to users or team leaders (625). Supervisory or administrator versions of the emotion logging application can be provided and configured to offer such functionality.

[0057] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the electronic messaging system can track company-wide employee engagement 605 (referring to employee engagement using the emotion logging application), company-wide emotion trends 710, and department-wide or company-wide aggregated emotion selections 715, all of which can be presented by the emotion logging application on screens such as 600. Figure 7 It also describes historical / summary information about all employees' input on the mood log application.

[0058] All of this information can be made available to the supervisory version of the emotion logging application, allowing only team leaders or other higher-level company management to view it. In addition to user information, the supervisory version of the emotion logging application may also include access to company-wide and / or department-wide information. In some implementations, this version of the application can also view each emotion input and its sender information, even if the user or leader of this version was not selected as the recipient by the sender. From charts such as 705 and 719, supervisors can see when the team's emotions or feelings change, such as rising, falling, or remaining unchanged.

[0059] The employee or non-supervisor version of the mood logging application can be a version that only has access to user information (except for mood ratio information 605, which cannot access company-wide information).

[0060] Historical or summary information, whether personal, team, or company-wide, is based on sentiment selection or sentiment selection made solely through the sentiment logging application. The content written (the message written in the text area), recipient information (or recipient identity), and sender information (or sender identifier) ​​are stored on the electronic messaging system but are not used to generate this information. The content written, recipient information, and sender information are included and used when a user sends a message to a recipient and when emails are generated and sent. Historical or summary information is also generated in real-time within the sentiment logging application when employee input is received. Summarization can be performed at the individual, team, or company-wide level.

[0061] Emotion logging applications are also configured to send reminders or notifications, either within the emotion logging application or via email. In some implementations, notifications are generated based on a default number of messages a user should create and send within a set time period, and the number of messages the user has already created and sent before the time period expires. A reminder is sent when the number of messages the user has created and sent before the time period expires is less than the default number (e.g., 2 messages). Notifications are used to inform users that they have not created and sent enough messages to their peers within that time period. Notifications can be provided by the emotion logging application, such as via push notifications, pop-ups, sounds, or vibrations, or by emails sent with reminders by the system or EMS.

[0062] In one implementation, the processing system is configured to send alerts and determine whether a user is following specific procedures and rules, such as entering at least two messages per week. When the processing system determines that a user is non-compliant, it can block or restrict the user's permissions or access to the mood logging application or other resources such as applications or systems supported by the enterprise network. For example, if the requirement of two messages per week is not met, the user will be prevented from viewing their mood logging application (e.g., Figures 6A to 6B This could be content from other applications or systems. During this process, the emotion logging application may send messages or commands to another system within the enterprise and / or specific individuals (such as the user's supervisor or coach) to warn or notify them of non-compliance.

[0063] Figure 8 An illustrative implementation of an electronic messaging system 800 according to some embodiments of the present invention is described. The processing system 800 is configured to store and operate based on several spreadsheets or data structures. In one embodiment, the processing system 800 includes: a post data structure 805 configured to transmit information from a message created via an emotion logging application; an emotion icon data structure 810 configured to transmit emotion icon-related information; a post and emotion icon mapping data structure 815; and a post access data structure 820.

[0064] The post data structure 805 includes a post identifier (UUID) that identifies the data structure or table 805, a sender identifier (FK_Account_UUID) that identifies the message sender, title information (title), post information (post) that may include recipient selection information, sentiment selection information, and text area content information (referring to the content written in the text area), as well as date information (creation date, update date, deletion date). The title information refers to... Figure 4AThe title shown in section 435 can be configured in the format "Message - [Message Creation Date]". Emotion selection information may include instructions or identifiers that identify the emotional graphic representation (after the user makes a selection).

[0065] Before further operation, the processing system 800 can convert messages received from the emotion logging application into a post data structure 805. In some embodiments, the emotion logging application can convert messages into post data structure 805 and then transmit that data structure to the processing system 800. In either case, element 805 can also represent a database or storage device storing all messages or their data structures. Although Figure 8 Only one post data structure 805 is shown, but it should be understood that the processing system 800 includes many post data structures 805 or a database 805 storing many such post data structures, as a company may have many employees and each employee may send a large number of messages to several recipients. A post identifier is a unique identifier that identifies a specific message or the data structure containing that message. The post identifier may be generated by the processing system 800 or a mood logging application. In some implementations, post data structure 805, or a transformation to post data structure 805, may be necessary before the processing system 800 can perform other functions (e.g., before data structures 815 and 820 can retrieve relevant data from messages). The post data structure 805, or the message before transformation, includes the aforementioned security token in the application, allowing the processing system 800 to verify that the data structure or message is legitimate and should be processed, or that it can be accessed by data structures 815 and 820. If no security token is present, the processing system 800 rejects the data structure or message.

[0066] The emotion icon data structure 810 includes an emotion icon identifier (UUID) that identifies the data structure or table 810, a type identifier (type) that identifies whether the emotion icon is positive or negative, the name of the emotion icon (name), information that identifies who created the emotion icon (if applicable) (creator), emotion icon location information (image_url), and date information (creation date, update date, deletion date). The emotion icon location information may include information indicating where the emotion icon is stored, such as a location within the processing system 800 or a location outside the processing system 800 (if the processing system accesses a database storing emotion icons outside the processing system 800). In some embodiments, if the emotion icon is obtained from a component outside the processing system 800, the emotion icon data structure 810, or the conversion to the emotion icon data structure 810, may be necessary before the processing system 800 can perform other functions (e.g., before data structures 815 and 820 can retrieve relevant data from messages). Although Figure 8 Only one emotion icon data structure 810 is shown, but it should be understood that the processing system 800 includes many emotion data structures 810 or a database 810 storing many such emotion icon data structures, because the emotion logging application provides many different graphical representations of emotions to choose from. In some embodiments, the type identifier may also include positive or negative values. The database 810 may also store list 327 ( Figure 3C All emotion names and emotion graphic representations on ).

[0067] Emotional graphic representations are stored in a database (such as table 810) of the processing system, and emotion graphic representation identifiers (post information from data structure 805) allow the processing system to access or recall specific emotion graphic representations in table 810 for display to the recipient. Data structure 815 can be accessed via the post identifier (fk_post_uuid) and via the emotion icon identifier (fk_emotion_uuid) of data structure 810. Through this access, mapping data structure 815 can map the data in data structure 805 to the data in data structure 810. In this way, only one set of emotion graphic representations needs to be stored on the processing system 800, and the processing system 800 can provide the selected emotion graphic representation to the recipient by using the identifier to point the selected emotion graphic representation to the recipient (e.g., without actually transmitting the emoji image to the recipient).

[0068] The post and emotion icon mapping data structure 815 includes a mapping identifier (uuid) that identifies the data structure or table 815, a post identifier (fk_post_uuid) that identifies a specific data structure or message in database 805, an emotion icon identifier (fk_emotion_uuid) that identifies a specific emotion graphic representation in database 810, priority information that identifies the order in which the emotion graphic representation is selected (which can be obtained from the post information posts in data structure 805), and date information. Data structure 815 can access data structure 805 through the post identifier (fk_post_uuid) and data structure 810 through the emotion icon identifier (fk_emotion_uuid).

[0069] Upon receiving a message from the emotion logging application or the corresponding data structure 805, the processing system 800 maps the message or data structure 805 to the database 810 (or vice versa) and determines the selected emotion graphic representation and its emotion name in the message. The processing system 800 performs this operation for each received message. The processing system 800 then categorizes all emotion graphic representations based on the emotion name, summarizes all emotion graphic representations with the same emotion name, and determines the percentage of each emotion name based on the ratio between the number of graphic representations in that emotion name and the total number of graphic representations in all emotion names. Figure 7 The pie chart in the image shows the result of this operation. Figure 7 The other two time-based graphs can be generated using date information (creation date) from data structure 805. Figure 7 In any of the illustrations, post information in data structure 805 is removed or otherwise rendered unavailable, resulting in only sentiment information being displayed. Furthermore, in Figure 7 In all the illustrations, sender information is unavailable. Figure 7 (Not shown in the image). The processing system 800 can have similar summary information from the messages and generate... Figure 7 and Figure 6A Other data results (610 and 605) are shown in other illustrations.

[0070] The post access data structure 820 includes a message access identifier (UUID) that identifies the data structure or table 820, a post identifier (fk_post_uuid) that identifies a specific data structure or message in the database 805, a receiver identifier (fk_account_uuid) that identifies the message receiver obtained from the data structure 805, and date information. Although the same "fk_account_uuid" is used in both data structures 805 and 820, the "fk_account_uuid" in each data structure actually refers to a different individual.

[0071] Upon receiving a message from the emotion logging application or the corresponding data structure 805, the processing system 800 uses data structure 820 to provide the message to a selected recipient. The selected recipient is identified by the "fk_account_uuid" in data structure 820. The message provided to the selected recipient is identified by the "fk_post_uuid" in data structure 820. Through the "fk_post_uuid" in data structure 820, the selected recipient can see who sent the message, the message title, post information (including an emotion graph representation mapped or determined through data structure 815), and the message sending / creation date. The processing system 800 is configured to allow only the selected recipient to access data structure 820 or messages provided via data structure 820. Other individuals within the company do not have access to data structure 820 or messages provided via it.

[0072] It can protect the security of text input data, making it accessible only in emergency situations by one or more senior executives (such as supervisors, managers, CEOs, etc.) using secure codes.

[0073] The date information in each data structure 805, 810, 815, and 820 may include creation date information, update date information, and deletion date information. Creation date information includes information indicating when the message or data structure was created. Update date information includes information indicating when the message or data structure was updated or modified. The sentiment logging application and processing system can be configured to allow message senders to go back and edit messages they have already sent (e.g., change a previously selected sentiment graphic representation, edit previously written content), and administrators or technicians operating the processing system 800 can change certain information in data structures 815 and 820. Deletion date information includes information indicating when a message or data structure is "deleted" because the user has left the company (e.g., an employee resigns, retires, or is laid off). In this context, deletion means that the message or data structure is unavailable to the selected recipients, the message or data structure is still available to the selected recipients but their sentiment selections are not considered in team-wide or company-wide aggregated data, or the message or data structure is unavailable to the selected recipients and their sentiment selections are not considered in team-wide or company-wide aggregated data. Processing system 800 can achieve "deletion" by moving messages or data structures of former employees to a separate location inaccessible to data structures 815 and 820. The deletion date can indicate the time when those messages or data structures were placed in that location.

[0074] The processing system 800 is understood to include a post and emotion icon mapping subsystem (815, or a combination of 805, 815 and 810) and a post access subsystem (e.g., 820, or a combination of 805 and 820).

[0075] The processing system is configured to separate emotional information from text content, and in response to said emotional information, the system aggregates the emotional information of an employee or team of employees (e.g., under a supervisor) and sends the aggregated report to the supervisor. In this way, users can understand the "pulse" of their team from the aggregated report and anonymize the data. Personal thoughts written by users are protected by the electronic messaging application (stored in the application's database) so that they are only visible to the sender and their chosen recipients.

[0076] The system used for mood state assessment is configured to allow users to send each message to at least one other person as a condition for using the mood logging application or accessing other applications, systems, databases, or resources.

[0077] The mood logging application is configured to allow users to select different message recipients each time. For example, a user can select individuals A, B, and C as the recipients for the current message. The next time the user composes another message, they can select individuals D, E, and F, or B, C, and D as the recipients for that message.

[0078] In the display screen, an area of ​​the screen (in a mobile app or emotion logging app) is configured for emotion selection (e.g., dedicated to emotion selection), and, for example, it is located in a specific area different from the text input area. For example, as... Figure 3A As shown, it is located directly above the text input area.

[0079] A trusted anonymity function is implemented. The system is configured to operate on an individual's personal smartphone and allow them to log in to the emotion logging application from their smartphone based on system verification and authentication that they are enterprise employees. This then provides authorized users with a secure token to use the emotion logging application on their smartphones. Communication for login and subsequent application use is configured to utilize existing smartphone and available network capabilities, such as communication over public networks (e.g., as opposed to restricting communication within a private enterprise network). The ability to create a trusted environment for users is one of the features provided by embodiments of the invention. Through this function, users know that their communications are secure and that the individuals on the system or authorized to access the system are not random individuals from the public. Examples of authorization processes and systems for establishing a trusted environment are illustratively described in the appended application.

[0080] Emotional logging applications use local resources of electronic devices such as smartphones to generate interactive graphical user interfaces (e.g., screen 300) with illustrations such as those described here.

[0081] When the system automatically generates email messages for mood state assessment, including messages created by the mood logging application or essentially all such content, the messages are automatically sent to the email address of the selected recipient. The recipient can reply to the sender via email, with the address designated by the system as the sender for the mood state assessment. Parties can conduct email conversations outside of the mood logging application and support systems.

[0082] Separate data structures allow the system to apply different security settings to different data, such as by separating named emotions from text input.

[0083] Systems for assessing emotional state are distinct from employee evaluation systems, feedback systems, and other HR systems within an organization. Preferably, a system for assessing emotional state is a standalone system that provides the functionality described in this application. Preferably, a system for assessing emotional state is an add-on system accessible to users via its own dedicated icon or link, and does not incorporate or include employee performance features or feedback features.

[0084] An individual may have a trusted team or partner who acts as their work coach or confidant, and the system used for mood state assessment is configured to allow the individual to send their thoughts to that person via a mood log application, but the processing system further uses and aggregates the name, mood, and related information (but not the text content) and provides or sends it to other people (such as authorized managers or supervisors) to view current and over-the-time mood states at the team, company, and / or department levels.

[0085] Emotional journaling software applications can also be coaching software applications. Coaching software applications provide employees with a platform for "mental exercise." Employees can achieve mental health by practicing, defining, describing, and exploring their emotions (both good and bad). Coaching software applications allow users to share their thoughts and emotions with people they trust, such as coaches, peers, and colleagues. Through sharing, coaches can understand an individual's true situation and feelings and provide appropriate advice and suggestions. Coaching software applications provide an environment that users perceive as safe and trustworthy, both objectively and subjectively, and the system, when implemented, also provides immediacy (both objectively and subjectively), such as the sender's message being immediately available and visible (and the recipient being immediately notified via application notifications).

[0086] Cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) can be used as part of a system for assessing mood states. Some operations of user authentication systems, electronic messaging systems, and / or mood logging applications can be implemented on such platforms. For example, a mood logging application can transmit messages to an electronic messaging system implemented on AWS, and this AWS system can provide the message and summary information to the recipient and the mood logging application. In some implementations, the electronic messaging system is a server-implemented system (e.g., a cloud-based system) used to provide features and services in conjunction with the mood logging application. Variations are also envisioned.

[0087] The user authentication system and the electronic message processing system each include a user authentication software application or service and an electronic message processing software application or service, which configure the corresponding system to operate in the manner described above.

[0088] The electronic device can be a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, cellular device, mobile device, smartphone, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), or other computer system having a microprocessor and memory. The electronic device is preferably a handheld mobile smartphone capable of downloading and installing mobile applications that can communicate with the server via a mobile phone through a mobile network or other wireless network. In some embodiments, the electronic messaging system and user authentication system are server-implemented systems (e.g., cloud-based systems) used to provide features and services in conjunction with the electronic device or emotion recording application. Each of the electronic device, system, and server is a computer system that includes a microprocessor and volatile and non-volatile memory to configure the computer system (using software applications such as one or more described herein). The computer system also includes a network connectivity interface that allows the computer system to communicate with another computer system over a network. The computer system also includes a non-transitory storage device configured to store data, such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, flash memory, permanent memory (such as ROM, magnetic, optical, semiconductor, or any other suitable type of storage component) or any combination thereof.

[0089] Servers can have larger memory and storage capacity than electronic devices, and are capable of maintaining concurrent data communication with multiple end-user or client devices. Electronic devices can be client devices. Figure 1In this system, electronic device 105 can be a client device, and electronic messaging system 110 and user authentication system 115 can be implemented on a server (on the same server or on different servers). Employee database 120 can be implemented on electronic non-transitory storage devices such as those described above. Employee database 120 can also be an existing enterprise database or a database on the enterprise intranet.

[0090] Communication networks can include the Internet, cellular networks, telephone networks, computer networks, packet-switched networks, circuit-switched networks, global area networks (WANs), local area networks ("LANs"), wide area networks ("WANs"), any number of private networks currently referred to as intranets, and / or any other network or combination of networks capable of accommodating data communication. Such networks can be implemented using any number of hardware and software components, transmission media, and network protocols. Although Figure 1 The network is represented as a single network, but the network may include multiple interconnected networks listed above.

[0091] In some implementations, the electronic device on which the emotion recording application is implemented connects to the electronic messaging system, user authentication system, and database via WiFi, cellular networks, and / or the Internet to provide functionality and work with its supporting servers and storage devices. For example, the electronic device does not use the company's local corporate network (e.g., intranet) to communicate with the electronic messaging system, user authentication system, and database or their supporting servers.

[0092] A data structure is a computer data structure that allows computer systems, servers, and electronic devices to access related data and perform operations based on the accessed data. A data structure also refers to a computer data structure configured to store data in a specific way or to store certain types of data.

[0093] As should be understood from the above description, the functions and features of the systems, apparatus or methods of the present invention include generating and sending signals to perform actions.

[0094] It should be understood that changes, clarifications, or modifications are envisioned. The application of the described technology to other fields is also envisioned.

[0095] Exemplary systems, apparatus, and methods have been described for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, since many modifications and variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact constructions shown in this disclosure. Therefore, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of this invention.

[0096] Therefore, for example, any sequence and / or chronological order of steps in the various processes or methods (or sequences of apparatus connections or operations) described herein is illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. Thus, it should be understood that while steps in various processes, methods, connections, or sequences of operations may be shown and described in sequence or chronological order, they are not necessarily limited to being performed in any particular sequence or order. For example, steps in such processes or methods can often be performed in a variety of different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, in some discussions, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that subsequent actions, processes, or features are in response to earlier actions, processes, or features.

[0097] Unless the description explicitly describes user intervention or manual operation, the computer-implemented functionality of the application or system described illustratively in this document to automatically perform one or more process steps is also implicit and should be understood.

[0098] It should be understood that embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated, including less restrictive, broader claims (such as claims that do not require specific features or process steps in the appended claims or specification), clarification of claim elements, different combinations, alternative implementations based on the specification, and claims for different uses.

[0099] It should be understood that a combination of the described features or steps is envisioned, even if they are not directly described together or are not in the same context.

[0100] The terms and phrases used herein are intended for those skilled in the art, and their meanings will be understood from the terminology used in the art or can be reasonably interpreted based on the simple Chinese meaning of the words combined with knowledge of the art. This includes, for example, the understanding of implicit features that may involve multiple possibilities, but which are reasonably or primarily understood or meant to those skilled in the art.

[0101] Software applications can be implemented as different modules, or they can be integrated together into a monolithic application, such as an application that includes a user interface and handles other features to provide functionality to the user on the user's device.

[0102] The description and examples are intended to be illustrative only, and their true scope is indicated by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for assessing emotional states, comprising: A mobile device having an emotion log recording application installed, the emotion log recording application configuring the mobile device to: Communicate with the employee database that stores the list of employee names of the enterprise and obtain the list of employee names; Provide a user interface configured to allow the creation of electronic messages, wherein the user interface is configured as follows: Allows selection of message recipients from the list of employee names; Provide a list of graphic representations of emotions; Options are provided for creating emotional graphic representations and adding the created representations to the list of emotional graphic representations, wherein the created representations on the list can be selected on the mobile device having the emotional logging application and on other mobile devices having the emotional logging application; One or more emotion graphic representations, or an odd number of emotion graphic representations (more than three), can be selected from the list of emotion graphic representations. Provides a text area that allows the user of the mobile device to input entries in their own words; When at least one message recipient has been selected, three emotion graphics have been selected, and a text entry has been entered, the electronic message can be transmitted to the electronic message processing system or the selected recipient. The electronic message is delivered to a selected recipient, who can access the message via an emotion logging application on their mobile device; and Based on messages created through the user interface and messages created through the user interface of the other mobile device having the emotion logging application, information on personal, team-wide, and company-wide emotional states over a period of time is presented. An electronic messaging system configured to receive messages created via the user interface and messages created via the user interface of the other mobile device having the emotion logging application, the electronic messaging system comprising: A post data structure configured to convey information in a created message; An emotion icon data structure, configured to convey emotion icon-related information; A post and sentiment mapping data structure, configured to convey information based on sentiment state information in the post data structure and information in the sentiment icon data structure, wherein the sentiment state information is transmitted to the mobile device and used by the sentiment logging application to present individual, team-wide, and company-wide sentiment state information over a period of time; and A post access data structure, configured to provide the electronic message to a selected recipient based on information in the post access data structure, wherein the post access data structure is used by the recipient's mood logging application to provide the electronic message to the selected recipient. The emotional graphic representations include a group of positive emotional graphic representations and a group of negative emotional graphic representations, wherein each representation in the group of positive emotional graphic representations is associated with a positive value, and each representation in the group of negative emotional graphic representations is associated with an equivalent negative value.

2. A system for assessing emotional states, comprising: A mobile device having an emotion log recording application installed, the emotion log recording application configuring the mobile device to: Provide a user interface configured to allow the creation of electronic messages, wherein the user interface is configured as follows: Allows selection of message recipients from a list of employees' names within the company; Provide a list of graphic representations of emotions; Allows selection of one or more emotion graphics; Provides a text area that allows the user of the mobile device to input entries in their own words; When at least one message recipient has been selected, three emotion graphics have been selected, and a text entry has been entered, the electronic message can be transmitted to the electronic message processing system or the selected recipient. Electronic messages are delivered to selected recipients, who can access the electronic messages via an emotion logging application on their mobile devices. as well as It presents emotional state information at the individual, team, and company levels over a period of time. This emotional state information includes three options for the emotional graphic representation in the message. The system further includes an electronic messaging system configured to receive messages created through the user interface, the electronic messaging system comprising: A post and emotion mapping data structure is configured to convey emotion state information based on information in a database storing electronic messages created through the user interface and information in a database storing emotion icons, wherein the emotion state information is transmitted to the mobile device and used by the emotion logging application to present individual, team-wide, and company-wide emotion state information over a period of time. as well as A post access data structure configured to provide an electronic message to a selected recipient based on information stored in a database of electronic messages created through the user interface, wherein the post access data structure is used by the recipient's mood logging application to provide the electronic message to the selected recipient.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the emotion graphic representation includes a group of positive emotion graphic representations and a group of negative emotion graphic representations, wherein each representation in the group of positive emotion graphic representations is associated with a positive value, and each representation in the group of negative emotion graphic representations is associated with an equivalent negative value.

4. A computer-implemented method, comprising: Communicate with the employee database that stores the list of employee names of the enterprise and obtain the list of employee names; Provide a user interface configured to allow the creation of electronic messages, wherein the user interface is configured as follows: Allows selection of message recipients from the list of employee names; Provide a list of graphic representations of emotions; Options are provided for creating emotional graphic representations and adding the created representations to the list of emotional graphic representations, wherein the created representations on the list can be selected on mobile devices with the emotional logging application and on other mobile devices with the emotional logging application; One or more emotion graphic representations, or an odd number of emotion graphic representations (more than three), can be selected from the list of emotion graphic representations. Provides a text area that allows the user of the mobile device to input entries in their own words; When at least one message recipient has been selected, three emotion graphics have been selected, and a text entry has been entered, the electronic message can be transmitted to the electronic message processing system or the selected recipient. Electronic messages are delivered to selected recipients, who can access the electronic messages via an emotion logging application on their mobile devices. as well as Based on messages created through the user interface and messages created through the user interface of the other mobile device having the emotion logging application, information on individual, team-wide, and company-wide emotional states over a period of time is presented. The method further includes communicating with or establishing a system, the system comprising: A post data structure configured to convey information in a created message; An emotion icon data structure, configured to convey emotion icon-related information; A post and sentiment mapping data structure, configured to convey information based on sentiment state information in the post data structure and information in the sentiment icon data structure, wherein the sentiment state information is transmitted to the mobile device and used by the sentiment logging application to present individual, team-wide, and company-wide sentiment state information over a period of time; and A post access data structure configured to provide the electronic message to a selected recipient based on information in the post access data structure, wherein the post access data structure is used by the recipient's mood logging application to provide the electronic message to the selected recipient.

Images