Avatar device and method for representing an individual and processing personal data relating to the individual - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

The present invention relates to an avatar device that represents an individual and is adapted to process personal data of the individual, the AI ​​processor device being adapted for machine learning of the individual's individual mental response features by data training, the AI ​​processor device being configured to generate a semantic answer in response to a question in a manner dependent on the mental response features, a first storage device connected to the AI ​​processor device and adapted to store the mental response features of the individual, an input device connected to the AI ​​processor device and adapted to interact with the individual and / or receive questions relating to the individual, and an output device configured to output a signal representative of the answer generated by the AI ​​processor device. An avatar system having a plurality of avatar devices, uses of the avatar devices, and an avatar method of operating the avatar device are also described.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an avatar device ("ethical avatar") adapted to represent an individual and process personal-related data of the individual, an avatar system having a plurality of avatar devices, uses of the avatar device, and an avatar method for operating an avatar device. The present invention particularly relates to a method for developing a virtual representative of an individual, also referred to herein as an ethical avatar or avatar device, and a device for establishing such a representative, which avatar device can, for example, learn and independently simulate the individual's individual moral intentions, ethical principles, values, and / or further opinions and interests. The present invention may be used, for example, in operating databases with personal data of individuals and / or in processing personal data, especially by machine learning and / or artificial intelligence (AI). [Background technology]

[0002] Both during (bio)medical research and during the medical examination and treatment of individuals (patients and / or subjects), large amounts of personal data are accumulated about patients or subjects through the donation of biological material (tissue samples, samples from somatic cells or stem cells) or in the course of treating diseases (taking biopsies, removing tumors, etc.). The personal data relates, for example, to the patient / subject's genetic information, medical history and / or environmental influences to which they have been exposed.

[0003] The management and protection of such data requires significant expenditure on information technology, with adherence to ethical standards being paramount when handling this data (see provisions on data protection and "informed consent").

[0004] Consent declarations have traditionally been obtained in writing from individuals, and anonymization or pseudo-anonymization of the patient / subject's identity has been used to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access by third parties. This necessary approach makes it very difficult or even impossible to survey the participants after a certain time. When circumstances change, new research areas open up, or there is uncertainty about the opinions or interests of individuals, the issues that arise from this can no longer be resolved by the participants, or can only be resolved with great difficulty.

[0005] In opinion polls, sociological or demographic analyses, in the process of big data research (data science), and in the industrial / commercial sector, large amounts of personal data have to be processed as quickly as possible while safeguarding the privacy of those involved, which has until now been very time-consuming and costly.

[0006] In the field of personalized medicine, attempts are already being made to digitize human body functions and parts (see, for example, the "Blue Brain Project" and virtual heart simulations). The development of digital versions of human body parts is becoming more common, making it possible to virtually represent cells, organs, or even entire individuals. This concept is called a "digital twin," and it creates a digital double that is a biological replica of a person.

[0007] Previous approaches have been limited to simulating human physiological processes, whereas mental response characteristics such as an individual's moral intentions, opinions, individual values, and ethical principles have not been considered.

[0008] Methods for establishing AI devices are described in WO 2020 / 233850 ("Recursive coupling of artificial learning units") and WO 2020 / 233851 ("Coupling multiple artificially learning units with a projection level"), which introduce not only the establishment of a learning system consisting of several AI units, but also the memorization and independent use of ethical principles / rules by the AI ​​system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 233850 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2020 / 233851 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102019135380 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved data-based digital representative of an individual and / or a method for using the same, while avoiding the drawbacks of the prior art. The digital representative of an individual is intended to allow additional and / or expanded categories of information to be provided, such as non-physiological information about the individual, and / or to provide broader applications. The digital representative of an individual is further intended to provide, among other things, faster and / or easier access to the individual's comments and / or to provide protection for the individual's privacy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The above object is achieved by an avatar device, an avatar system having a plurality of avatar devices, a use of an avatar device, and an avatar method for operating an avatar device, with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and uses of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0012] According to a first general aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by an avatar device adapted to represent an individual and to process personal data of the individual. The avatar device comprises: an AI processor device adapted for machine learning of individual mental response features of the individual by data training, the AI ​​processor device configured to generate a semantic answer (particularly at least one sentence or individual words such as "yes" or "no") in response to a question in a manner dependent on the mental response features; a first storage device (personal storage) connected to the AI ​​processor device and adapted to store the individual's mental response features; an input device connected to the AI ​​processor device and adapted to interact with and / or receive questions related to the individual; and an output device configured to output a signal representative of the answer generated by the AI ​​processor device.

[0013] According to a second general aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by uses of an avatar device according to the first general aspect of the present invention or embodiments thereof, said uses comprising at least one of: forming a multi-directional platform for connecting medical laboratories and / or biobanks with business companies and / or scientific research organizations; forming a platform for social surveys, opinion polls and / or big data analysis; forming a platform for providing patient declarations, in particular declarations of consent for the use of personal data; forming a data protection platform; generating patient prescriptions for the individual; providing input information for synthetic biology procedures; and controlling technical systems.

[0014] According to a third general aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by an avatar method of operating an avatar device for an individual according to the first general aspect of the present invention or an embodiment thereof, comprising the steps of receiving at least one question about the individual, processing the question using an AI processor device, and outputting a semantic answer to the at least one question.

[0015] According to a fourth general aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by an avatar system according to the first general aspect of the present invention or an embodiment thereof, comprising a plurality of avatar devices, each avatar device adapted for a different use.

[0016] When using the avatar device, the mental response characteristics of the individual are preferably digitized and / or simulated by an AI processor device. The AI ​​processor device comprises a computing device adapted to use a program based on machine learning, such as at least one artificial neural network. The expression "AI processor device" will hereinafter also be used to refer to artificial intelligence provided by a computing device.

[0017] The avatar device preferably provides a digital twin of the individual with whom it is associated, representing, for example, the individual opinions, interests, and / or moral intentions of the real person. The avatar device preferably allows for simplifying and / or speeding up the management of personal data. At the same time, the avatar device protects the privacy of the parties involved and ensures that their interests are taken into account to the fullest extent possible.

[0018] The avatar device according to the present invention preferably constitutes an intelligent, digital, and predictively enabled assistant that acts as a proxy for a real person. The avatar device can be used, for example, as a consultative link between an individual on the one hand and an inquiring entity, such as a research organization or institution or a company on the other hand, preserving the anonymity of the parties involved (removing the need for direct contact with the individual) while simultaneously representing the interests of that individual in dealings with others. These advantages are explained below, with particular reference to the drawings.

[0019] The avatar device is preferably a tool that can predict the comments, especially the opinions, of real people and can be used in any form of database / analysis that previously required surveying thousands of individuals in a time-consuming and costly manner.

[0020] An ethical avatar constitutes an artificial intelligence (AI) that can be trained by an individual specifically regarding the individual's moral inclinations and, based on this training, can effectively predict answers to newly posed questions. During this training, the avatar's AI learns the individual's moral inclinations, values, interests, and beliefs. Using a learning, associative AI, the avatar can use these beliefs / values / inclinations when answering new (ethical) questions. The avatar device is thus not only able to express what it has learned, but also to intelligently and creatively apply it to new contexts. Based on its knowledge of the individual, it can intelligently predict what opinions and judgments the individual will have in response to questions in a particular new context.

[0021] The AI ​​processor device is preferably adapted for machine learning of individual mental response characteristics, including the individual's moral intentions, opinions, values, interests, and / or ethical principles. Response characteristics include individual subjective characteristics that characterize how an individual responds to questions, facts, experiences, situations, other people, social groups, and / or social concepts, where responses may include, for example, articulating comments, emotions, and / or forms of behavior.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first storage device is configured to store the mental reaction characteristics in the form of a list of rules, microcontracts, and / or a blockchain, although the implementation of the present invention is not limited to these variants and other digitizable formats are also possible.

[0023] Preferably, the first storage device is adapted to store additional individual data on which the psychological response characteristics depend, including in particular the individual's religious affiliation, group affiliation, association membership and / or political party membership.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the AI ​​processor device is adapted to understand and use expressions relating to ethics.

[0025] Preferably, a second storage device (public storage, shared storage) is provided, adapted to store generic additional data representing knowledge about mental response characteristics, and the second storage device is particularly preferably connected to an update device, by means of which the generic additional data can be updated.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the avatar device, and in particular the input device, has a communication channel adapted for communication between the avatar device and an individual, which preferably allows the individual to access the avatar device, for example, to check functionality, train the AI ​​processor device, or modify stored data.

[0027] Thus, not only is the avatar device trained by the person concerned, but the actual human being whose moral intentions it simulates also preferably has the ability to monitor the comments and especially the decision-making made by the ethical avatar at any time, correct as necessary, further train the ethical avatar, or change the stored values / interests / moral principles. However, individuals also have the option of transferring all decision-making authority to the avatar, and having themselves represented entirely by their avatar.

[0028] The avatar is always under the control of the individual and acts merely as a supporting proxy, performing an advisory function based on the individual's individual opinions, interests, and other mental response characteristics, so the autonomy of the actual human is preferably not limited.

[0029] According to another preferred variant of the invention, the input device comprises an authorization device configured to limit the receipt of questions relating to the individual to predetermined authorized entities, such as pharmaceutical companies and / or research organizations, and / or to predetermined permissible content, the authorization device preferably comprising in particular a communication authentication store and standard communication protocol functionality.

[0030] In this embodiment, protection of an individual's personal data is particularly important, as the avatar does not allow outsiders to access the data and, when answering questions posed, provides personal data only to a limited extent and to authorized entities.

[0031] The avatar device preferably further comprises a cryptographic store adapted to store the access key, thus preferably enabling access to the avatar device to be restricted in a trusted manner.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the avatar device comprises a log storage area adapted to store a history of changes to the contents of the first storage device and / or the second storage device.

[0033] Additionally, a timer device may preferably be provided which is adapted to provide a time scale for the functioning of the avatar device.

[0034] The avatar device in particular preferably comprises a communication device adapted to contact and / or communicate with the individual, which preferably allows for example to verify the semantic answer given by the AI ​​processor device.

[0035] The features disclosed in connection with the avatar device and its embodiments also constitute preferred features of the method according to the present invention, and vice versa. The above-mentioned aspects and preferred features according to the present invention relate particularly to the establishment of the avatar device and the function and configuration of the individual components described in connection with the avatar device, and therefore also apply to the method. The preferred embodiments, variants, and features of the present invention described above can be combined with each other.

[0036] Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an avatar device having features according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of communication between an avatar device and its surroundings (outside world), and monitoring of communication. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the use of a first storage device and a second storage device. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an avatar method having features according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Features of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the configuration and functionality of an avatar device. Details of the AI ​​processor device will not be described to the extent known in the prior art. The AI ​​processor device may be configured, in particular, as described in WO 2020 / 233850 (“Recursive coupling of artificial learning units”) and WO 2020 / 233851 (“Coupling multiple artificially learning units with a projection level”). WO 2020 / 233850 and WO 2020 / 233851 are incorporated by reference into the present disclosure, in particular with respect to the configuration of the AI ​​processor device and its peripherals, such as input / output devices and memory.

[0039] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an avatar device and its functionality, where sections (steps and / or components) a-g shown in Figure 1 have the following meaning: section a includes the steps of storing learned material and / or accessing learned material, section b includes the step of recording the time of the training unit, section c includes the step of accessing a second storage device to be able to perform more intelligent interrogation and compare it with a timer device (clock system), section d includes the interaction between key management and authentication storage, section e includes the step of defining who is authorized to ask questions and / or receive information, section f includes the step of influencing communication with the surroundings, in particular enabling or preventing communication protocols, and section g relates to channels for the AI ​​to be trained by the individual, the AI ​​to be interrogated, and / or the AI ​​to provide information.

[0040] Communication (see Figure 4) and monitoring of communication between the avatar device and its surroundings (the outside world, particularly the querying subject or a real person training the avatar) includes the following steps as shown in Figure 2: Step a: Communication with a real person. In step b: The AI ​​processor device uses its cryptographic storage to verify whether the individual is authorized to make changes to and / or communicate with the personal storage. In step c: A yes / no decision is made as to whether to allow training and / or whether to provide information. Step d: A query is received from an entity, such as a research organization, regarding a specific item. In step e: The avatar's AI processor device uses the directory of all authorized entities in its communication authentication storage, and in particular the protocol of communication in the communication authentication storage, to check whether the AI ​​processor device is authorized to provide information to the entity and about which items the AI ​​processor device is authorized to provide information to the entity. In step f: The result of the check is provided.

[0041] Figure 3 illustrates the storage and retrieval of data in a first storage device (personal storage) combined with the use of a second storage device (shared public storage) for the purpose of chronologically ordering training content. The ethical avatar's AI processor device can not only store and access (for authorized queries, see Figure 2) the actual person's current mental response characteristics, e.g., moral intentions / opinions / interests, in the personal storage device, but also store the mental response characteristics of previous versions of the actual person in a history log and order them in absolute chronological order using a clock system. This chronological ordering also allows for alignment with the second storage device. For example, the AI ​​processor device can access the second storage device to inquire about the individual's denomination and understand the response "Christian," which can further be used by the AI ​​processor device to more intelligently train the actual person, because what "being a Christian" means in terms of moral intentions at a particular time is recorded in the second storage device.

[0042] The avatar device has the following features as shown in FIG. The avatar device (1) includes a learning component that can learn moral intentions through individual training by real humans; ● (2) The results of this training are stored in a first storage device, and the avatar's AI has access to this information (the first storage device is private, i.e., access from the avatar device's surroundings is blocked). Mental reaction characteristics such as the individual's moral beliefs may be stored in the avatar's first storage device in the form of a list of rules, micro-contracts, and / or a blockchain. Information about the individual's religious or group / association / party affiliation may also be stored in the first storage device, from which the ethical avatar can draw conclusions about the individual's opinions (by accessing another storage location (second storage device, see (4))). ●Furthermore, (3) the avatar device is adapted to independently generate new answers (outputs) to new questions (inputs) based on its stored knowledge of the mental response characteristics, such as the intentions, of the individual in question. Such avatars are preferably able to understand and use expressions related to ethics, which is enabled by corresponding ontologies (in particular, systematic and formalized representations of subjects, such as physical and abstract objects, features, facts, events, methods, etc.). In addition to the first storage device for the individual's moral intentions, the avatar (4) preferably has access to a separate second storage device that stores more basic knowledge about response characteristics, e.g., knowledge about morality (from previous specialized training). This may be, for example, knowledge about various ethical theories and their implementation, knowledge about religions or other groups (such as political parties or associations) and their rules and regulations, or knowledge about ethical expressions known and discussed in moral philosophy, and other knowledge about ethical dilemma situations. The second storage device (a public storage area, e.g., shared with other avatar systems) can be used by the avatar device during training by the individual to raise the individual's awareness of specific questions and classify the individual's answers in order to more intelligently interrogate the individual. The avatar uses this general knowledge only during training, but not when answering ethical questions on the individual's behalf after a certain time has passed. In this case, the avatar makes decisions based solely on what it knows about the individual's mental response characteristics, particularly the individual's personal values, interests, and beliefs. The second store may be updated periodically, and for this purpose a clock system within the avatar (see (9)) is used. ● (5) A communication channel is provided between the ethical avatar and its real-life counterpart, the individual, so that the individual can train the avatar and preferably monitor the behavior of their digital representative at any time and / or resume training if so desired. Communication with querying entities is also possible, but preferably restricted. Preferably, only queries from authorized entities on authorized subject areas are allowed. Authorization is performed by: ● (6) A communications authentication store, which also functions as a standard communications protocol. This is a directory of these entities with which the avatar can communicate, along with conditions on what context this may be relevant for answering questions from inquiring entities. Authorization can be specified either by the actual person themselves or by a central authority. Only authorized entities may receive information within a clearly limited scope; for example, authorized medical organizations may survey the avatar, but only medical-related questions are permitted (Figure 2 shows the avatar's communication with the outside world). (7) Using a cryptographic storage with controlled access keys, the avatar can preferably check which entities have what rights to receive information and to what extent. The use of this key further ensures that only real people are authorized to make changes to the avatar's personal storage. Since the ethical avatar can be trained by a real person not just once, but the individual can preferably change the contents of the personal storage at any time, the avatar (8) preferably includes a storage area (log storage area) in which the history of changes is stored (e.g., using a blockchain, etc.), where the avatar: (9) A clock system is provided to allow absolute evaluation of the execution of various training sequences over time and to align this with a second memory device for general moral-related knowledge. In this way, the time t x can be assigned to the general state of knowledge at this very time, as stored in a public shared memory (see (4)). This can have significant implications for understanding the content of each training unit, e.g., if a real person x Did you indicate that you felt bound by the norms of a particular community at time t, or did that community change its norms at time t? x+n It may make a difference whether you have indicated this in both standards (older versions) x and revised version x+n) are stored in the second storage device in a manner linked to their respective times, similar to the way the training units were stored in the personal storage area (4), and in a manner linked to the training times by the clock system (2). The personal intentions of the individual are therefore arranged in absolute chronological order (as shown in Figure 3). The ethical avatar may also have (10) a basic availability unit for the actual person, which provides a link to contact means or makes a comment about the ease of contacting the individual.

[0043] In carrying out the invention, there are, inter alia, the following possibilities: a) A real person has only one corresponding avatar device (ethical avatar), preferably containing a corresponding identification tag, which can be queried by various entities, and all information about said person is handled by one avatar device. b) A real person may be assigned multiple avatar devices (avatar systems), generated for different areas of the application. Different avatars can be synchronized with a single individual either by an avatar identification number (provided by the avatar information subject), a universally unique identifier (such as a patient ID or biosample ID), or a (hashed) personal identifier (such as an image [e.g., the concept of "gravatars" has been developed, where a gravatar is an image that acts as an identifier and accompanies the user from website to website (see https: / / de.gravatar.com)]), or by a genetic "fingerprint" such as a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) or STR (short tandem repeat). If a person has multiple avatars, these avatars are preferably synchronized with each other so that all relevant avatars are kept up to date with the mental response characteristics of the common real person, such as intentions and opinions. Consistency between the various avatars of a real person must be guaranteed.

[0044] DETAILS OF CERTAIN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND APPLICATIONS 1. Exemplary Embodiments of Big Data Analytics / Data Science Avatars as part of a multi-way platform serving as an integrated link between medical laboratories / biobanks and pharmaceutical and / or scientific organizations allow medically relevant (commercial) laboratories to access large amounts of data on patient clinical information, diagnostic results, and genetic information. They are interested in using this data in the research and industrial sectors. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical industry and scientific organizations rely on obtaining data from highly specialized patient groups in their research. Using conventional technology, mediation between these sectors is highly complex, but it can be made easier using a platform that includes at least one integrated avatar device. The platform brings together information from both sides, analyzes which patients are being tested in the laboratory, and, through patient profile queries from the research sector, gains insights into which of these data / samples from the laboratory are important to the research sector. Thus, the platform can assist both parties, advising the laboratory on which samples / data merit expensive full genome sequencing (because the platform knows which samples / data are important to the research / industry sector) and thereby assisting the research sector in collecting appropriate cohorts. A patient's ethical avatar can assist in this pre-selection, especially since it knows the moral intentions of its real counterpart. For any use of patient data / samples, the consent of the patient concerned is required. An ethical avatar may be used to facilitate the acquisition of such a declaration (see below). Sociological research: Avatars can essentially help pre-select who might be interested in which research topics and surveys, and who might immediately object. →Advantages: Rapid and appropriate pre-selection of sociological cohorts / study groups. Opinion polling / big data analysis: To enable easy and fast collation and analysis of the opinions of very large numbers of individuals, ethical avatars could be advantageous not only by assisting in answering specific questions from opinion polling agencies, but also by helping to assess the suitability of corresponding survey respondents at an early stage (by assisting with pre-selection).

[0045] 2. Potential uses in clinical settings and biomedical research Advising on informed consent questions: The avatar can learn the individual's answers to various consent questions and essentially anticipate the individual's preferences for new questions and answer them on their behalf. The avatar acts as an advisory surrogate for the individual and learns to answer on their behalf. →Advantages: Eliminates the need to contact the individual directly to ask questions about the consent declaration(s), safeguards the individual's privacy and takes into account the individual's interests and instructions. Standardization of the informed consent process: The process of obtaining consent declarations can be standardized by using an ethical avatar. Using such an internationally applicable, standardized instrument as an ethical avatar can eliminate the complexity and existence of multiple different informed consent documents. →Advantages: International circulation and understanding of such documents is simplified, and international cooperation is greatly facilitated, as it allows for an international vocabulary and an international approach. Dynamic patient advance directives: Avatars can perform support functions when an individual is unable to express their wishes. In situations where an individual is in a coma or similar situation where they are unable to speak for themselves, it can be of great help to next of kin or legal guardians if an ethical avatar trained to correspond with the individual can poll the avatar on their behalf regarding the individual's wishes, interests, and moral intentions. →Advantage: Stakeholders can rely on the fact that their trained ethical avatars can anticipate decisions that are in their interest, even if they themselves are incompetent. Unanticipated future research / application areas: As avatars are trained more broadly, they could learn more about the more general moral intentions / values / beliefs of the individual they are responding to, apart from the specific questions of "informed consent," and even anticipate responses to questions beyond those of "informed consent." →Advantages: Maximize use of existing cell supplies and enable rapid entry into new research areas. Cohort stratification for biomedical research: The avatars provided herein can act on behalf of patients / subjects without disclosing sensitive data. Here, the technology described in German Patent Application No. 102019135380.7 ("Verfahren und Datenverarbeitungsvorrichtung zur Bearbeitung von genetic Daten," unpublished on the priority date of this disclosure) may be used, where research can be conducted on restricted data (such as personal genetic information) in an encrypted (by hashing) manner without disclosing all information in the data. German Patent Application No. 102019135380.7 is incorporated by reference into this disclosure, particularly with regard to the processing of genetic data. In this case, the avatar can access the corresponding hash and answer questions with a yes / no without knowing the encryption information. This service is particularly advantageous for collecting patient / subject cohorts with certain common characteristics. For example, research purposes often require cell lines in which the donor has a particular, e.g., genetic, commonality, in which case a corresponding avatar can respond to a query and approve or disapprove of the suitability of the cell line from the donor it represents, without revealing the genetic information of the actual donor. The search for suitable patients / subjects is preferably done very quickly (by answering questions about the individual's specific genetic characteristics), and avatars can further assist in performing pre-selection without disclosing the underlying sensitive data of the corresponding individual. Benefits: Corresponding questions are answered simultaneously, while safeguards are in place to protect confidential data, allowing for rapid stratification of cohorts for studies, which was previously only possible with great effort and time. Synthetic biology: In the future, it may be possible to develop synthetic biological units, cells, or organoids from genetic information alone, and again, an ethical avatar is envisioned as a representative entity between the actual human (with associated genetic information) and the research organization. The avatar can express consent or prohibition on behalf of the individual regarding what is and is not acceptable for generating synthetics. Benefits: In new research and application areas, individuals can be represented and questions answered quickly and reliably by advisory avatars on their behalf, with safeguards in place to protect their identities.

[0046] 3. Use Where Applicable Law Assistance in assessing individual responsibility: The question of whether an individual is legally responsible depends, among other things, on how consistent their opinions are and whether they have changed frequently and inconsistently recently. All of this can be done by an avatar that knows not only an individual's current opinions but also their "history" and can examine the logical and possibly contradictory relationships between different opinions. The avatar can be an aid to the judicial system and psychological professionals in assessing an individual's mental state. This could also be relevant for psychological assessment in a medical context, where inconsistent opinions may indicate that the individual is becoming increasingly confused / demented. →Advantage: The expert is not only provided with the individual's current state for assessment, but can also take into account the history of opinions over time, or the dynamics of opinions over time.

[0047] 4. Implementation of the control of technical equipment Use in technological devices: Avatars can assist technological devices by implementing the user's wishes and interests, for example by controlling the filter systems of various internet search engines so that only desirable content is shown to the individual and other content is filtered out, and avatars can also perform management functions for minors, ensuring that content that is inappropriate for them is not shown to them. → Promoting the targeted use of technological equipment in a way that is in line with users' wishes / interests and moral aspirations Implementing morality in autonomous vehicles: While the search for an appropriate moral system for autonomous vehicles has traditionally sought consensus solutions (implementing average moral intentions), it may also be possible to implement the driver's own moral intentions in their autonomous vehicle, particularly with the assistance of an ethical avatar. The avatar would thus function as the vehicle's individual conscience, similar to a human driver in a non-autonomous car. → Advantage: The driver does not have to follow the views of the average moral public in road traffic situations, but can (within obvious but legal limits) implement his or her own personal ethical values ​​(as when driving manually).

[0048] [5. Other embodiments] Management / security of the access key to pseudo-anonymized personal data: In order to protect the rights and privacy of individuals, personal data is protected by encryption in many areas of application. Here, the management of this key is very important. This access key can be lost due to the individual's forgetfulness or carelessness. Here, an ethical avatar can help the corresponding individual to secure this key and protect said key against access by outsiders. →Advantages: Ethical avatar support promotes personal responsibility, keys are professionally managed and secured, and are less likely to be lost. Data protection monitoring: The avatar constitutes a link in the communication between the individual and (medical) organizations and / or research institutions. →Advantages: No direct contact with the individual is required, the individual's identity remains protected, while maximizing the opportunity to participate in questions relevant to that individual and their interests. Furthermore, avatars can answer questions without revealing sensitive data (see above). Providing additional moral and philosophical capabilities: The ethical avatar not only has access to the values / moral intentions / beliefs of the natural person it has learned, but also has extensive general moral and philosophical knowledge (in a separate memory shared with other avatars). During training conversations with an individual, the ethical avatar can use this knowledge to raise the individual's awareness of broader moral questions and more intelligently interrogate the individual. In this way, the avatar becomes more than a mere receiver of the individual's intentions. Furthermore, while it uses its own moral abilities to become an understander, it only uses these abilities during the training process with the individual. After training, when answering questions about the real person's moral intentions, the avatar follows the comments made by the individual without accessing its own general moral and philosophical knowledge. Benefits: Many individuals are initially unaware of the importance of their moral intentions, and the moral competencies of the ethical avatar allow individuals to be intelligently probed during training conversations without compromising their decision-making autonomy. Furthermore, stakeholders are thus motivated (through conversations with their avatar) to consider response traits, such as moral response traits, and can train their own moral judgments.

[0049] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims may, both individually and in any combination or sub-combination, be material for realizing the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. An avatar device representing an individual and adapted to process personal data of said individual, comprising: an AI processor device adapted for machine learning of the individual's individual mental response features through data training, the AI ​​processor device being configured to respond to questions in a manner dependent on the mental response features and generate semantic answers; a first storage device connected to the AI ​​processor device and adapted to store additional individual data on which the psychological response characteristics of the individual depend, the additional individual data including religious affiliation, group affiliation, association membership and / or political party membership of the individual; a second storage device shared with other avatar devices adapted to store general-purpose additional data representing knowledge of the mental response characteristics, the second storage device being connected to the AI ​​processor device only during training of the avatar devices, thereby updating machine learning in the AI ​​processor device; and an input device connected to the AI ​​processor device and adapted to interact with and / or receive queries relating to the individual; an output device configured to output a signal representative of the answer generated by the AI ​​processor device; An avatar device comprising:

2. The AI ​​processor device is adapted for the machine learning of the individual's mental response characteristics, including moral intentions, opinions, values, interests, and / or ethical principles. The avatar device according to claim 1 .

3. The first storage device is configured to store the mental reaction characteristics in the form of a list of rules, microcontracts, and / or a blockchain. The avatar device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the AI ​​processor device generates a signal representing the answer based on knowledge of an ethical theory and an implementation of the ethical theory; The avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the input device includes a communication channel adapted for communication between the avatar device and the individual; The avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the input device comprises an authorization device configured to limit the receipt of questions about the individual to predetermined authorized entities and / or predetermined permissible content; The avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The authorization device includes a communication authentication storage area and a standard communication protocol function. The avatar device according to claim 6 .

8. further comprising a cryptographic storage area adapted to store the access key; The avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a log storage area adapted to store a history of changes to the contents of the first storage device and / or the second storage device; The avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. a timer device adapted to provide a time scale for the function of updating said generic additional data; The avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. a communication device adapted to contact and / or communicate with said individual; The avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An avatar system comprising a plurality of avatar devices according to any one of claims 1 to 11, each avatar device adapted for a different use.

13. A method of using the avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: Creating a multi-directional platform to connect medical research institutes and / or biobanks with industrial companies and / or scientific research organizations; Creating a platform for social research, opinion polls, and / or big data analysis; creating a platform for providing patient declarations, in particular declarations of consent to the use of said personal data; Forming a data protection platform; generating advance directives for patients; Providing input information for synthetic biology procedures; and Controlling technical systems; A method of using an avatar device, comprising at least one of the following steps.

14. An avatar method for operating the avatar device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: receiving at least one question regarding the individual; processing the query using the AI ​​processor device; outputting a semantic answer to the at least one question; Avatar methods, including:

15. said step of processing said question using said AI processor device is performed in a manner dependent on said individual's moral intentions, opinions, values, interests, and / or ethical principles; 15. The avatar method of claim 14.

16. The mental response characteristics are stored in the form of a rule book, a micro-contract, and / or a blockchain.

16. The avatar method of claim 14 or 15.

17. additional individual data on which said psychological response characteristics depend, including in particular said individual's religious affiliation, group affiliation, association membership and / or political party membership; The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

18. the AI ​​processor device generates a signal representing the answer based on knowledge of an ethical theory and an implementation of the ethical theory; The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. storing generalized additional data representing knowledge of said psychological response characteristics; 16. The avatar method of claim 14 or 15.

20. The general-purpose additional data is updated at predetermined times.

20. The avatar method of claim 19.

21. and further comprising communication between the avatar device and the individual. The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. the receipt of the queries about the individual is limited by an authorization device to predetermined authorized entities and / or predetermined permissible content; The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 21.

23. further comprising the step of storing the access key in a cryptographic storage area; 23. The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 22.

24. further comprising a step of storing a history of changes to the contents of the first storage device and / or the second storage device; The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 23.

25. providing a time scale for updating the generic additional data; The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 24.

26. further comprising the step of establishing contact and / or communication with said individual; The avatar method according to any one of claims 14 to 25.

Images