Intelligent natural language interface for a signal processing system

An intelligent natural language interface to a signal processing system is described. Users type commands to the interface in a form of english orientated towards mathematical operations. The interface will interpret them, and if the commands are known to the interface, it will execute them. If any commands are unknown to the interface, a dialogue will be initialised whereby the system will seek clarification of the unknown ones. Such commands may be re-expressed either in terms of previously encountered synonymous commands, or as functions of simpler commands. The newly defined command is saved for future use. Nonprogrammers are thus able to define ‘programs’ and tailor the signal processing system for their own purposes. Although natural language interfaces are not new, this system is novel in its learning capabilities.