MURML: A Multimodal Utterance Representation Markup Language for Conversational Agents (original) (raw)
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Generating coordinated multimodal behavior for an embodied agent (speech, gesture, facial expression. . . ) is challenging. It requires a high degree of animation control, in particular when reactive behaviors are required. We suggest to distinguish realization planning, where gesture and speech are processed symbolically using the behavior markup language (BML), and presentation which is controlled by a lower level animation language (EMBRScript). Reactive behaviors can bypass planning and directly control presentation. In this paper, we show how to define a behavior lexicon, how this lexicon relates to BML and how to resolve timing using formal constraint solvers. We conclude by demonstrating how to integrate reactive emotional behaviors.
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Abstract. Generating coordinated multimodal behavior for an embodied agent (speech, gesture, facial expression...) is challenging. It requires a high degree of animation control, in particular when reactive behaviors are required. We suggest to distinguish realization planning, where gesture and speech are processed symbolically using the behavior markup language (BML), and presentation which is controlled by a lower level animation language (EMBRScript). Reactive behaviors can bypass planning and directly control presentation. In this paper, we show how to define a behavior lexicon, how this lexicon relates to BML and how to resolve timing using formal constraint solvers. We conclude by demonstrating how to integrate reactive emotional behaviors. 1
Specification And Realisation Of Multimodal Output
We present a high level formalism for specifying verbal and nonverbal output from a multimodal dialogue system. The output specification is XML-based and provides information about communicative functions of the output without detailing the realisation of these functions. The specification can be used to control an animated character that uses speech and gestures. We give examples from an implementation in a multimodal spoken dialogue system, and describe how facial gestures are implemented in a 3Danimated talking agent within this system.