Abstract: One automatically accesses (101) a hierarchical task model as corresponds to a particular task to be executed by a given end user to thereby identify one or more presently un-executed agenda elements. One also automatically accesses (102) characterizing information for that given end user. (By one approach, for example, this characterizing information can comprise information regarding the given end user's knowledge.) This information regarding the un-executed agenda elements and the characterizing information are then used (103) to identify a highest hierarchical level within the hierarchical task model as corresponds to the given end user's wherewithal to successfully execute without also needing lower hierarchical level content within the hierarchical task model. The identified highest hierarchical level within the hierarchical task model is then used (104) to generate a presentation to present to the given end user to thereby facilitate execution of the particular task by the given end user.

Abstract: A Statechart for management of an interaction is generated automatically from a frame that describes the interaction by extracting a data model and a set of goals from frame and then generating a Statechart from the data model and the set of goals. The data model includes a set of data fields to be completed during the interaction Procedural logic is extracted from the frame and used to annotate the Statechart with, for example, initial and final rules, prompts and grammar. The Statechart may be stored for future use or editing, or used to manage a current interaction.

Abstract: One automatically accesses (101) a hierarchical task model as corresponds to a particular task to be executed by a given end user to thereby identify one or more presently un-executed agenda elements. One also automatically accesses (102) characterizing information for that given end user. (By one approach, for example, this characterizing information can comprise information regarding the given end user's knowledge.) This information regarding the un-executed agenda elements and the characterizing information are then used (103) to identify a highest hierarchical level within the hierarchical task model as corresponds to the given end user's wherewithal to successfully execute without also needing lower hierarchical level content within the hierarchical task model. The identified highest hierarchical level within the hierarchical task model is then used (104) to generate a presentation to present to the given end user to thereby facilitate execution of the particular task by the given end user.

Abstract: One receives input (101) from a given end user as pertains to a particular task to be executed and automatically accesses (102) a hierarchical task model as corresponds to a particular task to be executed by a given end user to thereby identify one or more presently un-executed agenda elements. One also automatically accesses (103) characterizing information for that given end user. (By one approach, for example, this characterizing information can comprise information regarding the given end user's knowledge.) This information regarding the un-executed agenda elements and the characterizing information are then used (104) to identify a highest hierarchical level within the hierarchical task model as corresponds to the given end user's wherewithal to successfully execute without also needing lower hierarchical level content within the hierarchical task model. This hierarchical level is then used (105) to facilitate correlating the input with a corresponding meaning.

Abstract: A frame definition for use by dialog system during an interaction with a user, the frame definition includes at least one data field and at least one goal comprising a Boolean function of one or more filled predicates, each of which takes a reference to a field of the frame as its argument. A goal is satisfied during a dialog if the Boolean function evaluates to true. A goal may be used to control the focus of the interaction.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a user in interacting with a multi-modal dialog system (104) is provided. The method includes interpreting a “What Can I Do? (WCID)” question from a user in a turn of the dialog. A multi-modal grammar (212) is generated, based on the current context of the dialog. One or more user multi-modal utterances are generated, based on the WCID question and the multi-modal grammar. One or more user multi-modal utterances are conveyed to the user.

Abstract: A Statechart is generated automatically from a set of goals for completion of a data model. A set of states is generated corresponding to completion states of the data model, an initial pseudo-state and a final state. Transitions are generated from the initial pseudo-state to an empty state of the set of states and between each state and its subset states. Outgoing transitions are generated from any state that satisfies at least one goal of the set of goals and a transition is generated from that state to the final state. The resulting Statechart may be used to manage an interactive dialog to complete a data model having a set of data fields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an extended Harel Statechart for an automated interaction from a declarative interaction specification. The declarative interaction specification includes a model of interaction data and a set of controls. A set of states are generated in the extended Harel Statechart corresponding to the set of controls of the interaction specification and self-transitions, which include actions associated with the state, are generated for each state. A data model associated with the set of states is also generated in the extended Harel Statechart from the model of interaction data. Transitions between states are also generated to correspond to changes in control activation.

Abstract: A Statechart for management of an interaction is generated automatically from a frame that describes the interaction by extracting a data model and a set of goals from frame and then generating a Statechart from the data model and the set of goals. The data model includes a set of data fields to be completed during the interaction Procedural logic is extracted from the frame and used to annotate the Statechart with, for example, initial and final rules, prompts and grammar. The Statechart may be stored for future use or editing, or used to manage a current interaction.

Abstract: A frame definition for use by dialog system during an interaction with a user, the frame definition includes at least one data field and at least one goal comprising a Boolean function of one or more filled predicates, each of which takes a reference to a field of the frame as its argument. A goal is satisfied during a dialog if the Boolean function evaluates to true. A goal may be used to control the focus of the interaction.

Abstract: A Statechart is generated automatically from a set of goals for completion of a data model. A set of states is generated corresponding to completion states of the data model, an initial pseudo-state and a final state. Transitions are generated from the initial pseudo-state to an empty state of the set of states and between each state and its subset states. Outgoing transitions are generated from any state that satisfies at least one goal of the set of goals and a transition is generated from that state to the final state. The resulting Statechart may be used to manage an interactive dialog to complete a data model having a set of data fields.