Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus biasing a speech recognizer based on prompt context. The present invention is capable of analyzing the words used in the prompt given to the user. Then, a set of words the user is likely to say in response to the prompt is determined. The word set may be determined using a technology used by the speech recognition system, such as n-grams, grammars, or both. The speech recognition system boosts the probabilities of the analyzed words in the word set by a preconfigured amount. The preconfigured amount is selected based on collected data.

Abstract: A system and method for speech recognition includes generating a set of likely hypotheses in recognizing speech, rescoring the likely hypotheses by using semantic content by employing semantic structured language models, and scoring parse trees to identify a best sentence according to the sentence's parse tree by employing the semantic structured language models to clarify the recognized speech.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing natural language requests with a plurality of remote host systems. The system utilizes a computer program that comprises: (1) an input system for inputting an NL command; (2) a translation system that extracts a request from the NL command and stores the request in a host-independent format; and (3) a routing system for servicing the request, wherein the routing system comprises a mechanism for selecting a host, for converting the request into a host dependent directive, and for forwarding the directive to the selected host. The system may further include a speech recognition system, a local data source for servicing the NL command, templates for converting the request into the host dependent directive, a heuristic for selecting the host, and an output system for obtaining and outputting the response.

Abstract: A method of developing natural language understanding (NLU) applications can include determining NLU interpretation information from an NLU training corpus of text using a multi-pass processing technique. The alteration of one pass automatically can alter an input for a subsequent pass. The NLU interpretation information can specify an interpretation of at least part of the NLU training corpus of text. The NLU interpretation information can be stored in a database, and selected items of the NLU interpretation information can be presented in a graphical editor. User specified edits also can be received in the graphical editor.

Abstract: A Monte Carlo method for use with natural language understanding and speech recognition language models can include a series of steps. The steps can include identifying at least one phrase embedded in a body of text wherein the phrase can belong to a phrase class. An additional attribute corresponding to the identified phrase can be determined. The body of text can be copied and the identified phrase can be replaced with a different phrase selected from a plurality of phrases. The different phrase can belong to the phrase class and correspond to the attribute.

Abstract: A method and system for use in a natural language understanding system for including grammars within a statistical parser. The method involves a series of steps. The invention receives a text input. The invention applies a first context free grammar to the text input to determine substrings and corresponding parse trees, wherein the substrings and corresponding parse trees further correspond to the first context free grammar. Additionally, the invention can examine each possible substring using an inventory of queries corresponding to the CFG.

Abstract: A method and system for statistical parsing. The method involves a series of steps. The system can apply a statistical natural language understanding (NLU) model to test input for identifying substrings within the text input. The statistical NLU model can be selected for identifying a particular class of substring. The system can examine each identified substring using an inventory of queries corresponding to the reusable statistical NLU model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple output channels in a microphone. More particularly, provision is made for an arrangement wherein a single microphone is adapted to produce one or more different audio outputs depending upon characteristics of a speaker or user of the microphone while facilitating a high degree of accuracy in the recognition of the user or speaker by the arrangement. The microphone is adapted to produce one or more different audio streams or outputs depending upon the speaker presently using the microphone. In effect, this can be readily implemented by a main user or speaker, such as an interviewer on a radio or TV talk show, or any speaker in a conference room, intending to control the audio output streams by suitably activating a button or switch.

Abstract: A method of tuning a decision network can include a series of steps. The steps can include identifying a deviation between a correct interpretation of a data item and an incorrect interpretation of the data item. In a decision network including a hierarchical set of nodes and leaves, a path of traversed nodes in the decision network resulting in the deviation can be determined. The nodes can correspond to queries. A measure of goodness at a node in the path can be calculated using at least one new query as a replacement for an existing query to determine whether the measure of goodness improves using the new query compared to the old query. If the measure of goodness improves, at least one new query can be selected and the decision network can be regrown from the node down through the leaves using the at least one new query at the node.

Abstract: A method for processing dual tone multi-frequency signals for use with a natural language understanding system can include several steps. The step of determining whether a audio input signal is a dual tone multi-frequency signal or a human speech signal can be included. If the audio input signal is determined to be a dual tone multi-frequency signal, the audio input signal can be converted to at least one text equivalent. Also, the step of providing the at least one text equivalent to a natural language understanding system can be included. The natural language understanding system can determine a meaning from the text equivalent.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein concerns a method of converting speech to text using a hierarchy of contextual models. The hierarchy of contextual models can be statistically smoothed into a language model. The method can include processing text with a plurality of contextual models. Each one of the plurality of contextual models can correspond to a node in a hierarchy of the plurality of contextual models. Also included can be identifying at least one of the contextual models relating to the text and processing subsequent user spoken utterances with the identified at least one contextual model.

Abstract: A method of configuring classes in a natural language understanding (NLU) system. The method can include the steps of assigning a unique value to members of a class in the NLU system. The step of generating possible substrings from the members in the class also can be included. Additionally, for each generated substring having at least one term in common with one of the members in the class, the step of associating with the generated substring the unique value assigned to the member can be included.

Abstract: A method of developing natural language understanding (NLU) applications can include determining NLU interpretation information from an NLU training corpus of text using a multi-pass processing technique. The alteration of one pass automatically can alter an input for a subsequent pass. The NLU interpretation information can specify an interpretation of at least part of the NLU training corpus of text. The NLU interpretation information can be stored in a database, and selected items of the NLU interpretation information can be presented in a graphical editor. User specified edits also can be received in the graphical editor.

Abstract: A method of tuning a decision network can include a series of steps. The steps can include identifying a deviation between a correct interpretation of a data item and an incorrect interpretation of the data item. In a decision network including a hierarchical set of nodes and leaves, a path of traversed nodes in the decision network resulting in the deviation can be determined. The nodes can correspond to queries. A measure of goodness at a node in the path can be calculated using at least one new query as a replacement for an existing query to determine whether the measure of goodness improves using the new query compared to the old query. If the measure of goodness improves, at least one new query can be selected and the decision network can be regrown from the node down through the leaves using the at least one new query at the node.

Abstract: A Monte Carlo method for use with natural language understanding and speech recognition language models can include a series of steps. The steps can include identifying at least one phrase embedded in a body of text wherein the phrase can belong to a phrase class. An additional attribute corresponding to the identified phrase can be determined. The body of text can be copied and the identified phrase can be replaced with a different phrase selected from a plurality of phrases. The different phrase can belong to the phrase class and correspond to the attribute.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple output channels in a microphone. More particularly, provision is made for an arrangement wherein a single microphone is adapted to produce one or more different audio outputs depending upon characteristics of a speaker or user of the microphone while facilitating a high degree of accuracy in the recognition of the user or speaker by the arrangement. The microphone is adapted to produce one or more different audio streams or outputs depending upon the speaker presently using the microphone. In effect, this can be readily implemented by a main user or speaker, such as an interviewer on a radio or TV talk show, or any speaker in a conference room, intending to control the audio output streams by suitably activating a button or switch.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing natural language requests with a plurality of remote host systems. The system utilizes a computer program that comprises: (1) an input system for inputting an NL command; (2) a translation system that extracts a request from the NL command and stores the request in a host-independent format; and (3) a routing system for servicing the request, wherein the routing system comprises a mechanism for selecting a host, for converting the request into a host dependent directive, and for forwarding the directive to the selected host. The system may further include a voice recognition system, a local data source for servicing the NL command, templates for converting the request into the host dependent directive, a heuristic for selecting the host, and an output system for obtaining and outputting the response.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein concerns a method of converting speech to text using a hierarchy of contextual models. The hierarchy of contextual models can be statistically smoothed into a language model. The method can include processing text with a plurality of contextual models. Each one of the plurality of contextual models can correspond to a node in a hierarchy of the plurality of contextual models. Also included can be identifying at least one of the contextual models relating to the text and processing subsequent user spoken utterances with the identified at least one contextual model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to manage a plurality of devices is described. The apparatus comprises a control server to generate a job to update a device, and a control point to establish a secure communication with the control server, and to receive the job. The control point further to establish communication with the device in accordance with a maintenance schedule, and to update the device using the JobScript found within the job.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing natural language requests with a plurality of remote host systems. The system utilizes a computer program that comprises: (1) an input system for inputting an NL command; (2) a translation system that extracts a request from the NL command and stores the request in a host-independent format; and (3) a routing system for servicing the request, wherein the routing system comprises a mechanism for selecting a host, for converting the request into a host dependent directive, and for forwarding the directive to the selected host. The system may further include a speech recognition system, a local data source for servicing the NL command, templates for converting the request into the host dependent directive, a heuristic for selecting the host, and an output system for obtaining and outputting the response.