Method and apparatus for discourse management
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsNicolas Chapados, Peter R. Stubley, Claudia Pateras, Réal R. Tremblay
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Abstract
The invention relates to a system for providing a dialogue enabled speech application system, more particularly to a system apparatus and method for providing a mixed-initiative dialog with a user. The invention provides a discourse manager unit utilizing a dynamic finite-state machine that allows the creation of temporary transitions to accommodate a given context of the conversation without leading to an explosion in the number of finite-state machine states. The invention is particularly useful for use in natural-dialogue speech applications in particular for allowing users to perform actions by simply providing information to the system through spoken request.
Claims28
A discourse management apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- an input for receiving successively signals representative of information data elements relating to a certain task a user is desirous of achieving;
- a processing unit coupled to said input for processing said signals, said processing unit being operative to implement a finite state machine capable to acquire a plurality of functional states linked by transitions, said transitions forming a set;
- said processing unit being responsive to an information data element in a first signal applied to said input for enabling a sub-set of said set of transitions;
- said processing unit processing an information data element in a second signal applied to said input subsequently to said first signal to cause said finite state machine to evolve by following at least one of said transitions in said sub-set of transitions;
- said processing unit having an output, said processing unit being operative to generate a signal having a practical utility in achieving the certain task when the finite state machine evolves to a given state.
A method for performing discourse management, said method comprising:
- receiving successively signals representative of information data elements relating to a certain task a user is desirous of achieving;
- implementing a finite state machine capable to acquire a plurality of functional states linked by transitions, said transitions forming a set;
- processing an information data element in a first signal applied to said input to enable a sub-set of said set of transitions;
- processing an information data element in a second signal applied to said input subsequently to said first signal to cause said finite state machine to evolve by following at least one of said transitions in said sub-set of transitions;
- generating an output signal having a practical utility in achieving the certain task when the finite state machine evolves to a given state.
A discourse management apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving successively signals representative of information data elements relating to a certain task a user is desirous of achieving;
- processing means coupled to said input for processing said signals, said processing means being operative to implement a finite state machine capable to acquire a plurality of functional states linked by transitions, said transitions forming a set;
- said processing means being responsive to an information data element in a first signal for enabling a sub-set of said set of transitions;
- said processing means processing an information data element in a second signal received subsequently to said first signal to cause said finite state machine to evolve by following at least one of said transitions in said sub-set of transitions;
- said processing means being operative to generate a signal having a practical utility in achieving the certain task when the finite state machine evolves to a given state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.