Virtual teller systems and methods

Abstract

A virtual assistant ecosystem is presented. One can instantiate or construct a customized virtual assistant when needed by capturing a digital representation of one or more objects. A virtual assistant engine analyzes the digital representation to determine the nature or type of the objects present. The engine further obtains attributes for a desirable assistant based on the type of objects. Once the attributes are compiled the engine can then create the specific type of assistant required by the circumstances.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method of instantiating a virtual assistant on a mobile device, the method comprising:
 obtaining, via a least one processor, a digital representation of an environment related to the mobile device of a user and including location data of the mobile device;   generating, via the at least one processor, at least one digital feature, including a location, from the digital representation;   identifying, via the at least one processor, at least one object type associated with an object related to the environment from the at least one digital feature;   receiving a set of assistant attributes satisfying at least one query criterion submitted to an assistant database, wherein the at least one query criterion depends on at least the location and the at least one object type;   instantiating, in a non-transitory, computer readable memory of the mobile device, a virtual assistant according to the set of assistant attributes; and   rendering the virtual assistant on the mobile device for use by the user.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the mobile device comprises a cell phone. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the mobile device comprises a gaming device. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the digital representation includes an image of a scene. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the digital representation comprises audio data. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the audio data comprises audio instructions to the virtual assistant. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one digital feature further includes a time. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one digital feature further includes at least one of the following: a descriptor, a position, an orientation, an amplitude, a frequency, an envelope, a juxtaposition, and a recognized text. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one query criterion further includes at least one of the following types of information: time information, weather information, and user preference information. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein instantiating the virtual assistant includes instantiating a virtual machine on the mobile device. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the virtual machine is under control of a remote entity other than the user. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the virtual assistant comprises a mechanical turk interface. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising refining the set of assistant attributes based on input from the user. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the virtual assistant is associated with a transaction. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the transaction comprises a transfer to at least one account. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the transaction relates to at least two accounts. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the virtual assistant comprises a virtual teller. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the virtual assistant comprises a common virtual assistant bound to a group of people associated with the user. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the virtual assistant comprises a virtual companion. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the virtual assistant comprises a virtual pet. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the virtual assistant comprises an avatar. 
     
     
         67 . A virtual assistant system comprising:
 one or more processors; and   at least one non-transitory memory device storing software instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
 obtain a digital representation of an environment related to the mobile device of a user and including location data of the mobile device; 
 generate at least one digital feature, including a location, from the digital representation; 
 identify at least one object type associated with an object related to the environment from the at least one digital feature; 
 receive a set of assistant attributes satisfying at least one query criterion submitted to an assistant database, wherein the at least one query criterion depends on at least the location and the at least one object type; 
 instantiate, in a non-transitory, computer readable memory of the mobile device, a virtual assistant according to the set of assistant attributes; and 
 render the virtual assistant on the mobile device for use by the user. 
   
     
     
         68 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer instructions stored thereon for instantiating a virtual assistant on a mobile device, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform one or more steps comprising:
 obtaining a digital representation of an environment related to the mobile device of a user and including location data of the mobile device;   generating at least one digital feature, including a location, from the digital representation;   identifying at least one object type associated with an object related to the environment from the at least one digital feature;   receiving a set of assistant attributes satisfying at least one query criterion submitted to an assistant database, wherein the at least one query criterion depends on at least the location and the at least one object type;   instantiating, in a non-transitory, computer readable memory of the mobile device, a virtual assistant according to the set of assistant attributes; and   rendering the virtual assistant on the mobile device for use by the user.