Abstract: A computing system, comprising: an I/O platform for interfacing with a user; and a processing entity configured to implement a dialog with the user via the I/O platform. The processing entity is further configured for: identifying a grammar template and an instantiation context associated with a current point in the dialog; causing creation of an instantiated grammar model from the grammar template and the instantiation context; storing the instantiated grammar model in a memory; and interpreting user input received via the I/O platform in accordance with the instantiated grammar model. Also, a grammar authoring environment supporting a variety of grammar development tools is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for user authentication based on speech recognition and knowledge questions. The method comprises receiving a speech recognition result derived from ASR processing of a received utterance. A reference information element is obtained for the utterance. Then, the method determines at least one similarity metric indicative of a degree of similarity between the speech recognition result and the reference information element. A feature vector is determined from the at least one similarity metric, and a score is computed based on the elements of the feature vector. A classifier may be used to process the elements of the feature vector, with the classifier having been trained to tend to produce higher scores when processing training feature vectors derived from utterances known to convey associated reference information elements than when processing training feature vectors derived from utterances known not to convey said associated reference information elements.