Abstract: A system for interactive dialog management between a user and a computer system is provided. The system includes an input interface, a preprocessing module, a pattern knowledge database, a pattern recognition module, first, second and third control modules. and an output interface. The input interface receives an input phrase from a user and the preprocessing module converts the received input phrase into at least one pattern. The pattern knowledge database stores a plurality of patterns, each pattern comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of words, phrases, and combinations of words and phrases. The pattern recognition module identifies elements in the converted input phrase, and locates at least one matching pattern in the pattern knowledge database. In response to each matching pattern in the input phrase, the first control module creates a plurality of potential outputs based upon the matching pattern and at least one rule.