Patent ID: 8799001

Claim:
A method of defining catch styles used in generating speech application code for managing a plurality of catch events in an interactive voice application, the method comprising steps of: presenting a style-selection menu for a plurality of catch styles that allows for selection of one or more of the catch styles, each catch style defining a system response to the plurality of catch events in the interactive voice application, wherein the plurality of catch styles provide different levels of complexity with regard to preparing a system's audio response to be played in a dialog turn and the plurality of catch events comprises an event being selected from the group consisting of a user request for help, a non-input entry, and a non-matching entry, wherein the plurality of catch styles includes a Simple catch style for which the system's audio response is to replay a prompt that led to the catch event in the interactive voice application, a Modern catch style for which the system's audio response is to play a same audio message for all catch events in the interactive voice application and a Classic catch style for which the system's audio response is to play different audio messages for at least two types of catch events in the interactive voice application, wherein the at least two types of catch events are selected from the group consisting of a user request for help, a non-input entry, and a non-matching entry; receiving during programming of the interactive voice application, an indication to associate a catch style with at least one catch event; determining, with at least one processor, in response to receiving the indication, a currently selected catch style; and associating the currently selected catch style with the at least one catch event by preparing the system response to the at least one catch event in accordance with the currently selected catch style.