Abstract: In some aspects, a method of using a virtual medical assistant to assist a medical professional, the virtual medical assistant implemented, at least in part, by at least one processor of a host device capable of connecting to at least one network is provided. The method comprises receiving free-form instruction from the medical professional, providing the free-form instruction for processing to assist in identifying from the free-form instruction at least one medical task to be performed, obtaining identification of at least one impediment to performing the at least one medical task, and inferring at least some information needed to overcome the at least one impediment.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of using a virtual medical assistant to assist a medical professional, the virtual medical assistant implemented, at least in part, by at least one processor of a host device capable of connecting to at least one network is provided. The method comprises receiving free-form instruction from the medical professional, providing the free-form instruction for processing to assist in identifying from the free-form instruction at least one medical task to be performed, obtaining identification of at least one impediment to performing the at least one medical task, and inferring at least some information needed to overcome the at least one impediment.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of using a virtual medical assistant to assist a medical professional, the virtual medical assistant implemented, at least in part, by at least one processor of a host device capable of connecting to at least one network is provided. The method comprises receiving free-form instruction from the medical professional, providing the free-form instruction for processing to assist in identifying from the free-form instruction at least one medical task to be performed, obtaining identification of at least one impediment to performing the at least one medical task, and inferring at least some information needed to overcome the at least one impediment.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of using a virtual medical assistant to assist a medical professional, the virtual medical assistant implemented, at least in part, by at least one processor of a host device capable of connecting to at least one network is provided. The method comprises receiving free-form instruction from the medical professional, providing the free-form instruction for processing to assist in identifying from the free-form instruction at least one medical task to be performed, obtaining identification of at least one impediment to performing the at least one medical task, and inferring at least some information needed to overcome the at least one impediment.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of using a virtual medical assistant to assist a medical professional, the virtual medical assistant implemented, at least in part, by at least one processor of a host device capable of connecting to at least one network is provided. The method comprises receiving free-form instruction from the medical professional; providing the free-form instruction for processing to assist in identifying from the free-form instruction at least one medical task to be performed, providing at least one first response to the medical professional regarding the free-form instruction prior to the at least one medical task being performed, and receiving first information from the medical professional responsive to the at least one first response.

Abstract: Speaker-specified hints are used to establish conditions for a speech recognition system to select a recognition result for a previously provided utterance from among various possible homophones. The hints may characterize the utterance by a linguistic property, such as an orthographic, morphological, or semantic property.

Abstract: A speech controlled computer user interface communicates between a user and at least one application program. The user interface has a speech layer, an utterance layer, and a discourse layer. The speech layer is in communication with the user and converts between speech messages and text messages. The utterance layer is in communication with the speech layer, and converts between text messages and semantic meaning messages. The discourse layer is in communication with the utterance layer and the at least one application program, and processes messages from the user and the at least one application program, and generates responsive messages to the user and the at least one application program.