Dialog design tool and method

A method of developing state oriented dialogs implemented on a computer, comprising:

• receiving at least one prompt;
• generating at least one corresponding response according to the prompt;
• forming at least one dialog path by linking one state to at least another one state by a linking unit;
• detecting and identifying one or more loops in the dialog path by a loop detecting unit;
• storing developed dialog in a format of dialog database file;
• and
• outputting at least one dialog path graphically at an outputting and display unit,
• wherein the step of forming at least one dialog path by linking one state to at least another one state comprises linking a first state to a next related state based on the response in the first state,
• wherein the step of forming at least one dialog path by linking one state to at least another one state further comprises allowing the dialog designer to edit the dialogs in each state in the dialog path, and
• wherein the step of outputting at least one dialog path comprises a step of displaying a loop indicator in front of the dialog if the loop detecting unit detects that the dialog path has a loop.

A state oriented dialog design system on at least one computer comprising:

• a dialog manager configured to manage messages inputted by a dialog designer;
• a dialog synthesizer configured to structurally link one state to at least one another state to form a dialog path,
• a storage unit configured to store designed dialogs in a format of dialog data file, and
• an outputting module configured to output graphically at least one dialog path and to display the at least one dialog path expanding partially or entirely to display dialogs in the dialog path,
• wherein the dialog synthesizer comprises a loop detecting unit configured to detect and identify one or more loops in the dialog structure,
• wherein the dialog synthesizer allows the dialog designer to edit the dialogs in each state in the dialog path, and
• wherein the outputting module is further configured to display a loop indicator in front of the dialog, if the loop detector unit detects that the dialog path has a loop.