Sign Language Translator

• US 20100291968A1
• Filed: 07/26/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barbara Ander, Sidney Ander
• Original Assignee: Barbara Ander, Sidney Ander
• Inventors: Ander, Barbara, Ander, Sidney
• Granted Patent: US 8,566,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/40 Processing or translation of natural language natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/009 Teaching or communicating with deaf persons G09B21/04 takes precedence; deaf and dumb persons G09B21/00

Abstract

A digital sign language translator has a case configured to be supported by a hand of a user, a touch screen display located on a face of the case, a microprocessor for selectively translating words, letters, and numbers into video clips of an actual person performing a sign language translation. The translator has an internal memory device for storing a standard database selected words, letters, and numbers and the corresponding video clip of an actual person performing a sign language translation of words, letters, and numbers. The translator further includes a memory card slot for receiving an external memory card, the external memory card having an expanded vocabulary to supplement the standard database contained on the internal memory. The translator further includes a battery for powering the translator and a keyboard selectively shown on the touch screen display. The digital sign language translator is small and portable so as to be conveniently transported by the user in order to be handily available to the user as desired.

Claims

1. A digital sign language translator, comprising:

a case configured to be supported by a hand of a user;

a touch screen display located on a face of the case;

a microprocessor for selectively translating at least one of a selected word, letter, and number into at least one video clip of an actual person performing a sign language translation of the at least one of the word, letter, and number;

an internal memory device for storing a standard database, the standard database including the at least one of the selected word, letter, and number and the corresponding video clip of an actual person performing the sign language translation of the at least one of the selected word, letter, and number;

a memory card slot for receiving an external memory card, the external memory card having an expanded vocabulary to supplement the standard database contained on the internal memory;

a battery for powering the translator; and

a keyboard selectively shown on the display;

wherein the digital sign language translator is small and portable so as to be conveniently transported by the user in order to be handily available to the user as desired.

2. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the face of the case is approximately 3.1 inches high and 5.6 inches wide.

3. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the battery is capable of being recharged via a USB cable attached to the translator in a USB cable slot, the slot being configured to prevent data transfer to and from the translator via the USB cable.

4. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator is configured to prevent the transfer of any wireless data to and from the translator.

5. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator is configured to selectively operate the display in a video mode and a word entry mode, the video mode includes the playing of the video clip, while the word entry mode includes keyboard functionality for entering the words, letters, and numbers the user seeks to have translated.

6. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light button for selectively changing a contrast of the display.

7. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a menu button for selectively choosing a menu.

8. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power button for selectively turning the translator on and off.

9. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a stand for supporting the translator on a surface.

10. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator is configured so that data can only be transferred to the translator through the memory card slot.

11. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator operates in a word entry mode in which the user enters a first letter of a desired word such that a list of words which start with the first letter are displayed on the display such that the user can then either choose the word or enter additional letters of the desired word.

12. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator provides multiple sign language translations according to different dialects and base languages.

13. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator is configured to translate a foreign text into an English text, and translate the English text into a video of a sign language.

14. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator is configured to translate a foreign text directly into a video of a sign language.

15. The digital sign language translator according to claim 1, wherein the expanded library includes a foreign sign language that is supplemental to the sign language used on the standard database.

16. A smart phone having an integrated digital sign language translator, comprising:

a case configured to be supported by a hand of a user;

a touch screen display located on a face of the case;

a microprocessor for selectively translating a text into a video clip of an actual person performing a sign language translation of the text;

a memory device for storing a database of text and the video clip of an actual person performing the sign language translation of the text;

a battery for powering the smart phone; and

a keyboard selectively shown on the touch screen display;

wherein the smart phone is small and portable so as to be conveniently transported by the user in order to be handily available to the user as desired;

wherein the smart phone is configured to make and receive wireless phone calls in addition to being configured for translating a text into a video clip of an actual person performing a sign language translation of the text.