Natural Language Dialogue For Managing An On-Line Calendar

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a project for studying the feasibility of developing systems which accomplish typical office tasks by means of human-like communication with the user. An actual dialogue with the initial version of a system that is being built for scheduling activities such as meetings is presented and then is used as a source of examples in explaining the operation of the system. The knowledge network is described, and the use of Augmented Phrase Structure Grammars for both the analysis and generation of English utterances in this system is discussed.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Natural language

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS
      H.4.1 Office Automation
          Subjects: Time management (e.g., calendars, schedules)

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages, Management

Keywords:
Artificial intelligence, Augmented phrase structure grammar, Calendar, Dialogue, Knowledge based system, Natural communication, Natural language processing, Office system, Semantic network