Abstract: A system and method of the present invention for determining and maintaining dialog focus in a conversational speech system includes presenting a command associated with an application to a dialog manager. The application associated with the command is unknown to the dialog manager at the time it is made. The dialog manager determines a current context of the command by reviewing a multi-modal history of events. At least one method is determined responsive to the command based on the current context. The at least one method is executed responsive to the command associated with the application.

Abstract: A method and system for modeless operation of a multi-modal user interface through implementation of independent decision networks includes presenting a command to a dialog manager and comparing the command to a table of decision networks to determine if a corresponding decision network entry exists. The dialog manager creates a new instance of a decision network when a corresponding decision network entry is found. The new instance of the decision network is traversed in an isolated thread of execution such that a plurality of decision networks of a same instance or different instances may be active simultaneously. The new instance of the decision network is executed responsive to the command.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention for determining and maintaining dialog focus in a conversational speech system includes presenting a command associated with an application to a dialog manager. The application associated with the command is unknown to the dialog manager at the time it is made. The dialog manager determines a current context of the command by reviewing a multi-modal history of events. At least one method is determined responsive to the command based on the current context. The at least one method is executed responsive to the command associated with the application.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method and system for accessing a dialog system employing a plurality of different clients, includes providing a first client device for accessing a conversational system and presenting a command to the conversational system by converting the command to a form understandable to the conversational system. The command is interpreted by employing a mediator, a dialog manager and a multi-modal history to determine the intent of the command based on a context of the command. A second client device is determined based on a predetermined device preference stored in the conversational system. An application is abstracted to perform the command, and the results of the performance of the command are set to the second client device.