System and method for providing access to language interpretation

• US 20070239625A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Language Line Services, Inc. (Teleperformance SE)
• Original Assignee: Language Line Services, Inc. (Teleperformance SE)
• Inventors: STERNS, THOMAS, MARSHALL, GREGORY, SPECIALE, PHILIP, D'PENHA, LINDSAY
• Application Number:
  US11/278,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20070239625A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/58 Use of machine translation, e.g. for multi-lingual retrieval, for server-side translation for client devices or for real-time translation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/62 based on trigger specification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2061 Language aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking

Abstract

In one aspect, there is a method of providing a language interpretation service. A request for language interpretation service can be received from a user at a computing device. The user speaks a first language. A user identifier that is associated to the user is generated. Additionally, the user identifier is transmitted to the computing device. The user identifier permits access to language interpretation service. The user identifier can be stored in a user database. A language access number can also be provided. The language access number can be a toll-free number. The language access number can be used to place a voice call to a language interpretation service provider for language interpretation assistance. A voice call from the user is received. The user places the voice call by dialing the language access number. Finally, language interpretation service is provided to the user if the user provides the user identifier. The language interpretation service interprets between the first language and a second language.

Claims

1. A method of providing a language interpretation service, comprising:

receiving from a user at a computing device a request for language interpretation service, wherein the user speaks a first language;

generating a user identifier that is associated to the user;

transmitting the user identifier to the computing device, the user identifier permitting access to language interpretation service;

providing a language access number, wherein the language access number can be used to place a voice call to a language interpretation service provider for language interpretation assistance;

receiving a voice call from the user, wherein the user places the voice call by dialing the language access number; and

providing language interpretation service to the user if the user provides the user identifier, wherein the language interpretation service interprets between the first language and a second language.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user identifier is stored in a user database.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging a total amount of money for the language interpretation service to the user.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the total amount of money is charged to a credit card of the user.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the total amount of money charged is based on a per-minute fee.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the total amount of money charged is discounted if the user is referred the language interpretation provider by a referring website.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for language interpretation service includes user payment information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the user payment information includes user credit card information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the request for language interpretation service includes user personal information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the user personal information includes user preferences.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for language interpretation is received at a registration server communicably coupled with the computing device through a computer network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the computer network is the Internet.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is received by a live operator.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration server is a web server that hosts a web page for entering data.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the user identifier is associated with a user profile.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the user profile includes user preferences.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein user preferences include the language spoken by the user.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein user preferences include the language to be translated.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the language access number is a toll-free number.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying an interpreter that can translate between the first language and a second language.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the language interpretation is provided to the user by engaging an interpreter in the voice call with the user.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the type of business need of the user.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising identifying a merchant that can address the business need of the user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the merchant is a bank, a health care provider, a government entity, an airline, a rental car agency, a hotel, a travel agency, an amusement park, a resort, a casino, a cruise line, a public transportation agency, a financial company, an insurance company, or a telecommunications company.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice call is first received by a private branch exchange that routes the voice call to the interpreter, the interpreter being located remotely from the business facilities of the language interpretation service provider.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the first language is English, Spanish, German, French or Chinese.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the second language is English, Spanish, German, or French or Chinese.

28. A system of providing a language interpretation service, comprising:

a web server that receives from a user at a computing device a request for language interpretation service, the web server configured to transmit a user identifier to the computing device, wherein the user identifier permits access to language interpretation service;

a private branch exchange that receives a voice call from the user, wherein the user places the voice call by dialing a language access number, wherein the voice call is made to a language interpretation service provider to receive language interpretation service; and

a validation module that validates the user identifier, wherein if the validation module validates the user identifier the language interpretation service provider interprets between the user'"'"'s language and an interpreted language.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a user database that stores the user identifier.

30. The system of claim 28, further comprising an accounting module that charges a total amount of money for the language interpretation service to the user.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the total amount of money is charged to a credit card of the user.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the total amount of money charged is based on a per-minute fee.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the total amount of money charged is discounted if the user is referred the language interpretation provider by a referring website.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the request for language interpretation service includes user payment information.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the user payment information includes user credit card information.

36. The system of claim 28, wherein the request for language interpretation service includes user personal information.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the user personal information includes user preferences.

38. The system of claim 28, wherein the web server is communicably coupled with the computing device through the Internet.

39. The system of claim 28, wherein the user identifier is associated with a user profile.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the user profile includes user preferences.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein user preferences include the language spoken by the user.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein user preferences include the language to be translated.

43. The system of claim 28, wherein the language access number is a toll-free number.

44. The system of claim 28, wherein the language interpretation is provided to the user by engaging an interpreter in the voice call with the user.

45. The system of claim 28, wherein the private branch exchange routes the voice call to the interpreter, the interpreter being located remotely from the business facilities of the language interpretation service provider.

46. The system of claim 28, wherein the user'"'"'s language is English, Spanish, German, French of Chinese.

47. The system of claim 28, wherein the interpreted language is English, Spanish, German, or French of Chinese.