Method and system for consecutive translation from a source language to a target language via a simultaneous mode

• US 7,069,222 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2000
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brigido A. Borquez, Elizabeth A. Borquez
• Original Assignee: Brigido A. Borquez, Elizabeth A. Borquez
• Inventors: Borquez, Brigido A, Borquez, Elizabeth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorvil, Richemond
• Assistant Examiner(s): Han, Qi
• Application Number:
  US09/599,817
• Time in Patent Office: 2,195 Days
• Field of Search: 704/3, 704/277, 704/9, 360/73.09, 348/14.07
• US Class Current: 704/277
• 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

Abstract

A consecutive, simultaneous translation method and system for use in courtroom and other settings to permit accurate and discrete translation from a source language to a target language. In its most basic form, the method involves providing a translator with a record/playback device, so that the translator can record words spoken in a source language, allow time for, for example, an objection and ruling, and play back the recorded words in the source language and translate those into the target language in a simultaneous manner. Other features include earphones for the translator to afford greater discretion and accuracy, slow playback capabilities, and other enhancements.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a consecutive translation from a source language to a target language via a simultaneous mode in a courtroom, the method comprising the steps of:

a human translator hearing words spoken in a source language;

said human translator utilizing one or more remote transmitter and a digital recording device having a wireless receiver by;

transmitting the words in the source language from the at least one remote transmitter to the digital recording device;

said human translator recording said words spoken in said source language utilizing the digital recording device, the digital recording device receiving and recording the words in the digital recording device;

wherein said recording device further comprises means for playing back said words spoken in said source language substantially instantaneously;

said human translator utilizing said recording device to play back said words in said source language to said human translator; and

said human translator simultaneously interpreting and translating said words in said source language into a target language while they are being played back;

wherein the step of simultaneously interpreting and translating comprises said human translator verbally delivering a consecutive translation in real time relative to the step of hearing the words spoken in the source language.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording device comprises a digital recorder.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording device has a telephone input coupled thereto and wherein said telephone input permits said recording device to receive said words spoken in said source language over a telephone line and to transmit said words translated into said target language over said telephone line.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording device includes at least one earphone assembly coupled thereto and wherein said playing back of said words spoken in said source language is transmitted to said human translator through said at lease one earphone assembly.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording is in communication with at least one microphone located in a position that is remote from said recording device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said at least one remote microphone is in wireless communication with said recording device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording device includes means for adjusting the speed at which said words in said source language are played back.

8. A method of consecutively delivering a translation in real time via simultaneously interpreting and translating recorded messages by a human translator in a courtroom, the method comprising:

a human translator utilizing a digital recording device having wireless transmission, the human translator recording a first spoken message in the recording device;

the human translator instantaneously playing back the first spoken message by depressing a playback activator on the digital recording device;

the human translator interpreting and translating the first spoken message while playing back the recorded first spoken message;

the human translator transmitting the translated first spoken message from a transmitter in the digital recording device to at least two remote receivers while the first spoken message is being translated;

the human translator recording a second spoken message substantially without interruption between transmitting the translated first spoken message and recording the second spoken message by depressing a second record activator;

the human translator instantaneously playing back the second spoken message;

the human translator interpreting and translating the second spoken message while playing back the recorded second spoken message; and

the human translator transmitting the translated second spoken message from the transmitter in the digital recording device to at least two remote receivers while the second spoken message is being translated;

wherein the steps of interpreting and translating comprise the human translator simultaneously interpreting and translating from one language to another distinct language during the steps of instantaneously playing back, and delivering the translations consecutively in real time.

9. A method of consecutively delivering a translation by simultaneously interpreting and translating by a human translator with the aid of a recording and transmitting system in a courtroom, the method comprising:

utilizing at least one digital recording device having a wireless receiver, at least one recording activator and at least one playback activator; and

utilizing a plurality of transmitters operatively connected to the recording device for transmitting a spoken message to the wireless receiver of the recording device;

a human translator utilizing the digital recording device by recording the spoken message by selectively activating the recording activator;

the human translator interpreting and translating the spoken message from a source language to a target language different from the source language while the recorded spoken message is being instantaneously played back; and

the human translator verbally delivering a resulting consecutive translation relative to the step of recording the spoken message.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising utilizing a plurality of recording activators and utilizing a plurality of playback activators, wherein the recording activator is a first recording activator and the playback activator is a first playback activator, the recording device further comprising said plurality of recording activators including the first recording activator and said plurality of playback activators including the first playback activator.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of utilizing a plurality of transmitters further comprises utilizing a plurality of transceivers, wherein the recording and transmitting system further comprises said plurality of transceivers including said transmitters for transmitting spoken messages to the recording device and receiving spoken messages from the recording device.