Language translator

• US 6,434,518 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Glenn
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Glenn
• Inventors: Glenn, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): EDOUARD, PATRICK NESTOR
• Application Number:
  US09/404,099
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 704/2, 704/3, 704/4, 704/5-7, 704/277, 704/258, 434/156, 434/157
• US Class Current: 704/3
• 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: G09B 19/06 Foreign languages with audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04

Abstract

An electronic translator has the form of a compact battery-powered case which includes a memory of electronically recorded translations of a given base and language. A booklet or visual display is mounted to one panel of the case. A selection input allows a given word or phrase to be selected, and the selected phrase is electronically transmitted through a speaker or other audio device in grammatically correct and fluently spoken audio form. A recorder is also provided for recording a trial facsimile of the transmitted translation.

Claims

1. An electronic translator comprising:

case means including circuitry and having an upper substrate;

a memory module mounted to said substrate and demountably connected to said circuitry;

said memory module comprising;

electronic memory means comprising a plurality of permanently electronically stored translations; and

menu means comprising a booklet for listing an array of base language selections corresponding to said translations;

manually selectable access means communicating with said memory means and said circuitry for accessing a translation corresponding to a selected base language selection;

audio means communicating with said memory means and said access means for reproducing said selected translation in audio form; and

recording means communicating with said circuitry for recording a trial translation.

2. The electronic translator of claim 1 further comprising replay means for reproducing said trial translation in audio form.

3. The electronic translator of claim 1, wherein said menu means further comprises an array of phrases and corresponding translations and a corresponding designation for each said phrase.

4. The electronic translator of claim 2, wherein said recording means further comprises means for recording a second trial translation over said first trial translation.

5. The electronic translator of claim 1, wherein said booklet comprises lists of base language phrases and corresponding translations arranged in a linear form.

6. The electronic translator of claim 5, wherein said access means comprises a first input means for indicating the line number of said selected phrase.

7. The electronic translator of claim 6 further comprising a second input means for indicating the page number of said booklet for said selected phrase.

8. The electronic translator of claim 1, wherein said memory module further comprises a plug-in module.

9. The electronic translator of claim 1, wherein said booklet opens to extend beyond said upper substrate.

10. The electronic translator of claim 1, wherein said audio means comprises an integrated chip.

11. An electronic translator comprising:

a compact case having a top panel and a connector;

a module removably mounted to said top panel and connected to said connector, said module having an upper portion opposite said top panel and further comprising;

memory means comprising a plurality of electronically stored translations; and

a booklet disposed at said upper portion for listing an array of base language selections corresponding to said translations;

selection means having at least one selector mounted to said case for selecting a translation corresponding to a selected base language selection; and

audio means communicating with said selection means and said memory means for reproducing said selected translation in audio form.

12. The electronic translator of claim 11 wherein said audio means comprises a recorder integrated chip.

13. The electronic translator of claim 11, wherein said booklet opens to extend beyond said top panel.