Device and method for translating language

• US 7,593,842 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leslie Rousseau
• Original Assignee: Leslie Rousseau
• Inventors: Rousseau, Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth; David R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rider; Justin W
• Application Number:
  US10/733,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20040122678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,113 Days
• Field of Search: 704/4, 704/2
• US Class Current: 704/2
• 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, comprises receiving a speech input signal in a first language, converting the speech input signal 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, 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 to improve conversation, the method comprising:

i. receiving a speech input signal from a speaker in a first language via a speech input device;

ii. converting the speech input signal into a digital format comprising a voice model component representing the speaker'"'"'s voice patterns and a content component representing the content of the speech input signal;

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

iv. combining the translated content component with the voice model component to more accurately reflect conversational speech; and

generating an audible output signal comprising the translated content in a second language in an approximation of the speaker'"'"'s voice;

v. wherein the audible output signal is an approximation of the speech patterns of the input signal, and the translated output is combined with the voice model component to approximate the speaker'"'"'s voice to more accurately reflect conversational speech.

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 1, 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 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, and improved conversation, the device comprising:

i. a speech input device component;

ii. a converter for converting a speech input signal received by the speech input device into a digital format comprising a voice model component representing the speaker'"'"'s voice patterns, that is, the speech pattern of the speech input signal and a content component representing a content of the speech input signal;

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

iv. a component for combining the translated content component with the voice model component; and

v. a speech output device component for generating an audible output signal comprising the translated content component combined with the voice model component in an approximation of the speech patterns of the speech input signal to more accurately reflect conversational speech.