Dialog manager for interactive dialog with computer user
First Claim
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1. A method of providing a dialog interface between a computer system and a user, the method comprising:
- (a) rendering information to the user if a dialog does not exist between the computer system and the user to initiate a dialog with the user using the computer system by accessing a task model defining tasks in a hierarchical structure, wherein at least some of the tasks comprise sub-tasks related to actions for rendering the information to the user, and wherein the rendering of the information to the user includes sequentially rendering the sub-tasks to complete a larger task;
(b) receiving user input;
(c) ascertaining semantic information of the user input;
(d) ascertaining a current dialog state as a function of the semantic information;
(e) adjusting a user preference as a function of the dialog with the user; and
(f) repeating at least steps (b) and (c) and rendering information to the user according to both a verbal action and a non-verbal action related to the verbal action when a rule of a set of rules has been met, each rule of the set of rules comprising a verbal action and a non-verbal action to be performed as a function of the current dialog state, a filled form of slots of semantic information of the user input, and the user preference, wherein the information to be rendered in step (f) is prioritized, and wherein the user preference indicates a level of priority of information to be rendered.
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Abstract
A dialog manager module accesses a dialog model, a discourse model and a domain model to render information to a computer user through the course of a dialog exchange with the computer user. Actions are performed according to a set of rules during the dialog. Each of the rules comprise an action to perform as a function of the current dialog state and a filled form of slots of semantic information of the user input.
45 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method of providing a dialog interface between a computer system and a user, the method comprising:
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(a) rendering information to the user if a dialog does not exist between the computer system and the user to initiate a dialog with the user using the computer system by accessing a task model defining tasks in a hierarchical structure, wherein at least some of the tasks comprise sub-tasks related to actions for rendering the information to the user, and wherein the rendering of the information to the user includes sequentially rendering the sub-tasks to complete a larger task; (b) receiving user input; (c) ascertaining semantic information of the user input; (d) ascertaining a current dialog state as a function of the semantic information; (e) adjusting a user preference as a function of the dialog with the user; and (f) repeating at least steps (b) and (c) and rendering information to the user according to both a verbal action and a non-verbal action related to the verbal action when a rule of a set of rules has been met, each rule of the set of rules comprising a verbal action and a non-verbal action to be performed as a function of the current dialog state, a filled form of slots of semantic information of the user input, and the user preference, wherein the information to be rendered in step (f) is prioritized, and wherein the user preference indicates a level of priority of information to be rendered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer readable storage medium having instructions, which when executed on a computer provide a user interface between a user and the computer, the instructions comprising:
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a user input module adapted to receive input from the user and provide semantic information as a function of the input; a dialog model defining a set of rules, each rule comprising an action to be performed as function of received input when a dialog exists with the user; a discourse model defining if a dialog exists between the computer and the user as a function of received input; a domain model defining information to be rendered to the user, wherein the information to be rendered is prioritized; a task model defining some of the information to be rendered to the user as tasks, the task model being organized in a hierarchical manner wherein at least some tasks comprise a plurality of sub-tasks related to actions for rendering information and wherein the sub-tasks include low priority information that can be skipped from rendering as a function of user input; a user model defining user preferences related to rendering information; and a module receiving the user input and accessing the discourse model, the dialog model, the task model and the domain model to render information that includes audio and multi-media information related to the audio according to a rule if dialog exists with the user and according to a task by initiating dialog with the user using the computer if dialog does not exist between the computer and the user, wherein the module also accesses the user model for rendering the information as a function of the user preferences and for adjusting the user preferences as a function of the dialog with the user, and wherein the user preferences indicate a level of priority of information to be rendered. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer readable storage medium having instructions, which when executed on a computer provide a user interface between a user and the computer, the instructions comprising:
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a user input module adapted to receive input from the user and provide semantic information as a function of the input; a user model defining user preferences related to a level of priority for rendering information; a dialog model defining a set of rules, each rule comprising an action to be performed as function of received input pertaining to semantic information and a dialog state with the user; a discourse model defining a current dialog state with the user as a function of received input pertaining to semantic information; a domain model defining information to be rendered to the user as audio responses and visual information related to the audio responses, each response having a parameter indicative of high priority information and low priority information; a module receiving the semantic information and corresponding input and accessing the discourse model, the dialog model and the domain model to ascertain the current dialog state and perform an action to render selected audio responses to the user, wherein the module adjusts the user preferences as a function of the dialog with the user, and wherein the module renders high priority information and skipping low priority information from the audio responses as a function of the user preferences; and a video rendering module rendering the visual information related to the selected audio responses. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification