US Patent 6975983 Natural language input method and apparatus

A system is disclosed for generating a modified data structure defining modified grammar rules for the recognition of a natural language input with pauses in which grammar rules for recognition of a natural language are analysed to identify positions in the grammar rules at which pauses can occur in the natural language. A modified data structure is generated defining the modified grammar rules in dependence upon the analysis. The modified data structure is used to improve the accuracy of recognition of a natural language input with pauses. Where the natural language input is used in conjunction with a second modality input, the analysis is performed to identify the positions of pauses in dependence upon the second modality inputs.