Agent-based customization of a remote conversation support system

Abstract

This paper proposes an agent-based approach to customizing a remote conversation support system for people with cognitive handicaps such as aphasia. This remote conversation support system is designed as a web application to assist with conversation over the Internet. The system is built from ‘gadgets’, each of which implements a particular conversation support function. Since the need for conversation support varies from person to person, such a system needs to be customized to suit the requirements of multiple users who conduct the conversation. The proposed approach introduces a user agent that corresponds to a human user. The negotiation protocol for selecting the necessary gadgets is defined based on the FIPA interaction protocols. This paper describes a gadget-based remote conversation support system, and how the proposed protocol can be used to determine the gadgets to be used.