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HEXTravel Agent

Thorarinn Stefansson

CEO Hex software

www.hex.is

Overview

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What is an Hex Agent

Authoring systemAuthor writes the text that the agent should sayAuthor handles likely responses

Dialog control is automaticGrammar is generated based on expected reply from user

Some grammar is customized

Dialog flow is automatic

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How is it used?

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Technical Details

Client – Server based system

Dialog controlContext handled by a state machine

Fuzzy logic used to select the next response and generate the grammar

The next response of the user is expected to be based on the current context – or a new topic

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What Problems Does it Solve?

The dialog is authored – not programmed

It is easier to handle complex conversations

Connections to third party systems and advanced features are handled separately server side

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The Data

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Experience

Biggest newspaper in Iceland

Most frequented web site

Phone-based news service10 sub-categories

Content retrieved via httpDTMF based inputTTS based outputEffort for trial : 201 hours

Current 400 hours

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Travel Information

Hex is about to launch a unique tourist information service in IcelandThere will be one 4 digit phone number for all travel informationIt will bring together information from many different sources

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The Sources

What’s OnEvent calendars

What can I do tonight?

HotelsWhere can I stay?

Restaurant GuidesWhere is the nearest Italian Restaurant?

ActivitiesWhere can I go Whale Watching

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The Sources

VegagerdinRoad Conditions

Traffic Information

Weather

Route informationHow do I get there

Where is the nearest Gas Station

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The Sources

Currency ConvertersHow much is ISK 12450 in €?

Local GuidesWalking tours

Historical tours

Eco-tours

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The Sources

The tourists themselvesTravelBlog by phone

Attached ratings

Attached pictures

After-sales service

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Available Sources

All of these sources are available in all Nordic countries

Language support exists for all Nordic Languages

Uses Nordic technologies

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The Tech Environment

The HEX Agent server runs the agentJ2EE Application Server based

A Voice Server is needed to connect to the telephony system

We recommend PipeBeach SpeechWeb 2.3, but any VoiceXML 2.0 compliant Voice Server can be usedVoice Server can use Text-to-Speech or RecordingsAvailable in most languages (all Western European)

The Voice Server needs a VoIP gw for the physical connection to the telephony network

CISCO VoIP gw, or any H.323/SIP compliant gw.

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OA&M

All user interactions are logged in the HEX AgentAll sessions are logged in the Voice ServerVoice Server, Application Server and HEX Agent Server provide SNMP trapsVoice Server and HEX Agent provide customizable CDR output on transactionsHEX Agent can handle external authentication before providing access to service if needed

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We Build Character

Thorarinn Stefansson

CEO Hex software