Abstract: Automated methods are provided for the editing and authoring of topic scripts for the dynamic operation of virtual robots. A virtual robot, or BOT, processes natural language input from a user to effect certain actions according to user input. Typically, BOTs are constructed using topic scripts. Topic scripts may comprise example statements that typify the topic in question and patterns that are matched against user input to determine if the topic is activated by the user input.

Abstract: In an automated interface program designed to interact and communicate with users, said program executing actions when a category among a predefined set of categories is activated, a method is disclosed for interpreting the context of a user input, the steps of said method comprising: associating subjects with categories; maintaining a list of the subjects associated with the most recently activated category; testing conditions in categories such that the condition is true if the comprises at least one subject in common with said list of subjects; and activating a set of categories, said set comprising those categories whose conditions are satisfied based on the list of subjects.