Device and method for translating language

• US 20040122678A1
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leslie Rousseau
• Original Assignee: Leslie Rousseau
• Inventors: Rousseau, Leslie
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/277
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/40 Processing or translation of natural language natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/26 Recognition of special voice characteristics, e.g. for use in lie detectors; Recognition of animal voices

Abstract

A device and method for translating language is disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a method for providing a translated output signal derived from a speech input signal compromises receiving a speech input signal in a first language, converting the speech input signal into a digital format compromising a voice model component representing a speech pattern of the speech input signal and a content component representing a content of the speech input signal, translating the content component from the first language into a second language to provide a translated content component; and generating an audible output signal comprising the translated content in an approximation of the speech pattern of the speech input signal.

Claims

1. A method for providing a translated output signal derived from a speech input signal, the method compromising:

receiving a speech input signal in a first language;

converting the speech input signal into a digital format compromising a voice model component representing a speech pattern of the speech input signal and a content component representing a content of the speech input signal;

translating the content component from the first language into a second language to provide a translated content component; and

generating an audible output signal comprising the translated content in an approximation of the speech pattern of the speech input signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first language is identified from the content component.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first language is predetermined.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice model component comprises a point cloud.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the point cloud comprises an abbreviated version of the speech input signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the content component comprises at least one word.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of translating the content component utilizes the voice model component.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the voice model component utilized in the operation of translating the content component comprises a dialect.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the audible output signal is generated substantially simultaneously with the receipt of the speech input signal to allow for substantially real-time communication.

10. A device that provides for translation of speech, the device comprising:

a speech input device;

a converter for converting a speech input signal received by the speech input device into a digital format comprising a voice model component representing a speech pattern of the speech input signal and a content component representing a content of the speech input signal;

a language converter for translating the content component from a first language to a second language to provide a translated content component; and

a speech output device for generating an audible output signal comprising the translated content component in an approximation of the speech pattern of the speech input signal.