Hierarchical Methods and Apparatus for Extracting User Intent from Spoken Utterances

Abstract

Improved techniques are disclosed for permitting a user to employ more human-based grammar (i.e., free form or conversational input) while addressing a target system via a voice system. For example, a technique for determining intent associated with a spoken utterance of a user comprises the following steps / operations. Decoded speech uttered by the user is obtained. An intent is then extracted from the decoded speech uttered by the user. The intent is extracted in an iterative manner such that a first class is determined after a first iteration and a sub-class of the first class is determined after a second iteration. The first class and the sub-class of the first class are hierarchically indicative of the intent of the user, e.g., a target and data that may be associated with the target. The multi-stage intent extraction approach may have more than two iterations. By way of example only, the user intent extracting step may further determine a sub-class of the sub-class of the first class after a third iteration, such that the first class, the sub-class of the first class, and the sub-class of the sub-class of the first class are hierarchically indicative of the intent of the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 216,483 filed on Aug. 31, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to speech processing systems and, more particularly, to systems for hierarchically extracting user intent from spoken utterances, such as spoken instructions or commands.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The use of a speech recognition system (or a voice system) to translate a user's spoken command to a precise text command that the target system can input and process is well known. For example, in a conventional voice system based in a vehicle, a user (e.g., driver) interacts with the voice system by uttering very specific commands that must be consistent with machine-based grammar that is understood by the target system.[0004]By way of example, assume that the climate control system in the vehicle is the target syste...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides better techniques for allowing users to use human-based grammar when talking to a target system through a voice system. The invention uses a multi-stage intent extraction approach to determine the user's intent by analyzing the decoded speech. The first class is the target, the sub-class of the first class is the action, and the sub-class of the sub-class of the first class is the data associated with the action. Based on these class and sub-class determinations, commands can be provided to the target system. The technical effect of this invention is improved efficiency and accuracy in identifying the user's intent and taking appropriate action."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, people do not talk or think in terms of specific machine-based grammar, and may also forget the precise predetermined commands that must be uttered to effectuate their wishes.

However, a major problem with this approach is that a human operator is required.

One major difficulty in this second approach is that statistical parsers are huge in terms of storage requirements.

Further, they require hand-tuning in every step.

That is, every time data is added, the statistical parser requires a tremendous amount of hand-tuning and balancing of the new data with the old data.

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