Abstract: An information retrieval system, including a natural language parser (3) for parsing documents of a document space (1) to identify key terms of each document based on linguistic structure, and for parsing a search query to determine the search term, a feature extractor (4) for determining an importance score for terms of the document space (1) based on distribution of the terms in the document space (1), an index term generator (5) for generating index terms using the key terms identified by the parser (3) and the extractor (4) and having an importance score above a threshold level, and a query clarifier (16) for selecting from the index terms, on the basis of the search term, index terms for selecting at least one document from the document space (1). A speech recognition engine (12) is used to generate the query, and a bi-gram language module (6) generates grammar rules for the speech recognition engine (12) using the index terms.

Abstract: An information retrieval system, including a natural language parser (3) for parsing documents of a document space (1) to identify key terms of each document based on linguistic structure, and for parsing a search query to determine the search term, a feature extractor (4) for determining an importance score for terms of the document space (1) based on distribution of the terms in the document space (1), an index term generator (5) for generating index terms using the key terms identified by the parser (3) and the extractor (4) and having an importance score above a threshold level, and a query clarifier (16) for selecting from the index terms, on the basis of the search term, index terms for selecting at least one document from the document space (1). A speech recognition engine (12) is used to generate the query, and a bi-gram language module (6) generates grammar rules for the speech recognition engine (12) using the index terms.

Abstract: An information retrieval system including a natural language parser (3) for parsing documents of a document space (1) to identify key terms of each document based on linguistic structure, and for parsing a search query to determine the search term, a feature extractor (4) for determining an importance score for terms of the document space based on distribution of the terms in the document space, an index term generator (5) for generating index terms using the key terms identified by the parser and the extractor and having an importance score above a threshold level, and a query clarifier (16) for selecting from the index terms, on the basis of the search term, index terms for selecting a document from the document space. A speech recognition engine (12) generates the query, and a bi-gram language module (6) generates grammar rules for the speech recognition engine using the index terms.

Abstract: A grammatical inference system for inferring a grammar from a plurality of example sentences. The system selects sentences having a common suffix or prefix component; identifies the other of said suffix or prefix component of each selected sentence; generating rules for generating the example sentences and the other components; reduces the right hand side of each rule on the basis of the right hand sides of the other rules; and generates a grammar on the basis of the reduced rules.

Abstract: A development system, including a scenario generator for generating a plurality of sample interactions representative of interactions between a dialog system and a user of the dialog system on the basis of definition data for the dialog system. The definition data includes state machine code, prompt data, and recognition data. A simulator generates prompts of sample interactions on the basis of the prompt data, and the scenario generator generates responses to the prompts on the basis of the recognition data. A scenario editor allows a user to modify the sample interactions. A grammar learner then updates the prompt data and the recognition data on the basis of the modified sample interactions. An application builder generates the definition data from specification data provided by a developer, an application template, and/or an existing dialog application.

Abstract: A system for use in developing a voice application, including a dialog element selector for defining execution paths of the application by selecting dialog elements and adding the dialog elements to a tree structure, each path through the tree structure representing one of the execution paths, a dialog element generator for generating the dialog elements on the basis of predetermined templates and properties of the dialog elements, the properties received from a user of the system, each of said dialog elements corresponding to at least one voice language template, and a code generator for generating at least one voice language module for the application on the basis of said at least one voice language template and said properties. The voice language templates include VoiceXML elements, and the dialog elements can be regenerated from the voice language module. The voice language module can be used to provide the voice application for an IVR.

Abstract: A method of developing an interactive system, including inputting application data representative of an application for the system, the application data including operations and parameters for the application, generating prompts on the basis of the application data, and generating grammar on the basis of the application data. The prompts and grammar are generated on the basis of a predetermined pattern or structure for the prompts and grammar. The grammar also includes predefined grammar. Grammatical inference is also executed to enhance the grammar. The grammatical inference method for developing the grammar may include processing rules of the grammar, creating additional rules representative of repeated phrases, and merging equivalent symbols of the grammar, wherein the rules define slots to represent data on which an interactive system executes operations and include symbols representing at least a phrase or term.

Abstract: A grammatical inference system for inferring a grammar from a plurality of example sentences. The system selects sentences having a common suffix or prefix component; identifies the other of said suffix or prefix component of each selected sentence; generating rules for generating the example sentences and the other components; reduces the right hand side of each rule on the basis of the right hand sides of the other rules; and generates a grammar on the basis of the reduced rules.

Abstract: An information retrieval system including a natural language parser (3) for parsing documents of a document space (1) to identify key terms of each document based on linguistic structure, and for parsing a search query to determine the search term, a feature extractor (4) for determining an importance score for terms of the document space (1) based on distribution of the terms in the document space (1), an index term generator (5) for generating index terms using the key terms identified by the parser (3) and the extractor (4) and having an importance score above a threshold level, and a query clarifier (16) for selecting from the index terms, on the basis of the search term, index terms for selecting at least one document from the document space (1). A speech recognition engine (12) is used to generate the query, and a bi-gram language module (6) generates grammar rules for the speech recognition engine (12) using the index terms.