Patent Document ID: 8630961
Application ID: 13143887

Base Claim:
1. A computer-implemented method for conducting an automated conversation with a correspondent, the method comprising: providing at least one database containing a conversation data structure comprising a plurality of conversation nodes, and a correspondent profile comprising a plurality of profile variables, wherein the conversation nodes each comprise coded information adapted for processing to determine a successive conversation node for a conversation, the conversation including multiple conversational interactions including generated conversational responses to the correspondent, the multiple conversational interactions sufficiently associated in terms of subject matter to form a conversation path, the successive conversation node being in response to one or more of an input message previously received from the correspondent; receiving an input message from the correspondent; and processing information coded in a conversation node along the conversation path, the conversation node being processed to determine and select a successive conversation node along the conversation path in response to at least the received input message; wherein the processing information coded in the conversation node being processed to determine and select a successive conversation node along the conversation path in response to at least the received input message further comprises employing a dynamic node resolution process at selected points along the conversation path; wherein the dynamic node resolution process at the selected points along the conversation path identifies a prior conversation node along the conversation path to return to and continue processing at least in part based on a predetermined criteria, a correspondent input message, and/or conversation context.

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Claim 3:
3. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more conversation nodes of the conversation data structure comprise coded information including instructions to update one or more profile variables of the correspondent by execution of an associated profile update rule, and wherein the processing information coded in a conversation node being processed along the conversation path which has an associated profile update rule comprises executing the profile update rule to update the one or more profile variables of the correspondent.