Patent ID: 7805312
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: G06F,G10L

Abstract:
1. A conversation control apparatus comprising: a processor causing an execution of a control which transmits an answer sentence in response to a user utterance; and a memory storing a plurality of plans each including the answer sentence and next candidate prescription information which prescribes a next candidate answer sentence, which is an answer sentence due to be transmitted in an order succeeding the answer sentence, wherein the processor: in response to a first user utterance, selects a plan stored in the memory, causes the selected plan to transmit an answer sentence included in the plan and, subsequently, in response to a second user utterance, based on next candidate prescription information included in the plan, causes a transmission of a next candidate answer sentence; regardless of contents of a user utterance, causes a transmission of a predetermined answer sentence and next candidate answer sentence in a predetermined order; in the event that a user utterance letter string indicating the user utterance contents includes a symbol indicating all of the user utterance contents, a plan of a compulsory type scenario is managed, wherein the plan of the compulsory type scenario transmits answer sentences in such a way that predetermined answer sentences are caused to be output in a predetermined order; and, before starting the compulsory type scenario, the processor transmits answer sentences asking whether the compulsory type scenario may be started, and the processor starts the compulsory type scenario after getting a user utterance which is positive for answering the compulsory type scenario.