On-demand, real-time interpretation system and method

• US 8,472,925 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2008
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Real Time Translation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Real Time Translation, Inc.
• Inventors: Howerton, Charles S.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US12/738,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20100267371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142.06, 379/265.12, 379/88.06, 379/88.14, 704/277, 704/270.1, 704/2, 704/3, 455/417, 455/405, 455/556.1, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/40 Processing or translation of natural language natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

A system and method for on-demand, real-time interpretation services. The system includes a mobile hands-free communicator that cooperates with a two-way radio frequency communication device. The hands-free communicator includes a unique identifier that is operably associated with the user. An initiation protocol enables the user to request interpretation services using the hands-free communicator.

Claims

1. A system for providing interpretation services between a first person speaking a first language and at least one second person speaking a second language, said system comprising:

an interpretation service provider comprising a call center having at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first and second languages;

a mobile hands-free communicator configured to that cooperates with a 2-way RF device, said the hands-free communicator configured to be activated with a unique identifier operably associated with the first person;

an initiation protocol configured to enable the interpretation services to be requested by the first person initiating a call to the interpretation service provider using the hands-free communicator, configured to connect the first person, the second person and the at least one individual interpreter in voice communication with one another via the hands-free communicator, the first person and the at least one individual interpreter communicating in the first language, the second person and the at least one individual interpreter communicating in the second language, wherein the unique identifier is operably associated with the first language of the first person for purposes of routing the call to the at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first language, wherein the unique identifier is operably associated with the second language as may be designated from time-to-time by the first person for purposes of routing the call to the at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first and second languages.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said initiation protocol includes identifying to said interpretation service provider whether interpretation services are to be provided in a two-way communication mode or in an observation mode, such that said interpretation service provider knows whether the first person desires two-way interpretation services between the first person and the at least one second person or whether the first person desires to listen only to interpreted speech of the at least one second person speaking said second language.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said interpretation service provider is an individual interpreter who speaks said first and second languages.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said hands-free communicator is configured to initiate the call using includes a one-step call feature.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said unique identifier is transmitted whenever said hands-free communicator is actuated to initiate a call to said interpretation service provider thereby permitting said interpretation service provider to track usage of the system by the first person.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said hands-free communicator is preprogrammed to call said interpretation service provider based on the first person'"'"'s residency.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said hands-free communicator is preprogrammed to call said interpretation service provider as a function of the first person'"'"'s present geographic location.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a pendant having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a head set having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a pendant and a head set each having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said hands-free communicator and said 2-way RF device comprise a single integral unit.

3. The system of 2 wherein in said two-way communication mode, the first person, the at least one second person and said interpretation service provider are all in voice communication with one another via the hands-free communicator, the first person and said interpretation service provider communicating in said first language, the at least one second person and said interpretation service provider communicating in said second language.

4. The system of 2 wherein in said observation mode, the first person, the at least on second person and said interpretation service provider are in voice communication with one another via the hands-free communicator, the first person and said interpretation service provider communicating in said first language, and wherein speech of the at least one second person speaking said second language is audible to said interpretation service provider, but said interpreted speech by said interpretation service provider is not audible to the at least one second person.

14. A method of receiving interpretation services by a first person speaking a first language:

registering a hands-free communicator with an interpretation service provider comprising a call center having at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first and second languages, said hands-free communicator cooperating with a 2-way RF device;

requesting interpretation services from said interpretation service provider through a preestablished initiation protocol wherein said initiation protocol is commenced by actuation of a one-touch call connect feature on said hands-free communicator;

connecting to a call the at least one individual interpreter such that the first person, the second person and the at least one individual interpreter are all in voice communication with one another via the hands-free communicator, the first person and the at least one individual interpreter communicating in the first language, the second person and the at least one individual interpreter communicating in the second language;

wherein the step of registering the hands-free communicator includes operably associating the second language as may be designated from time-to-time by the first person to establish routing the call to the at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first and second languages;

wherein the step of registering the hands-free communicator includes operably associating the first language of the first person to establish routing the call to the at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first language.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of registering said hands-free communicator includes having the hands-free communicator activated and operably associated by a unique identifier with the first person.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said initiation protocol includes identifying to said interpretation service provider said first and second languages for which interpretation services are requested.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said initiation protocol includes identifying to said interpretation service provider whether interpretation services are to be provided in a two-way communication mode or in an observation mode, such that the interpretation service provider knows whether the first person desires two-way interpretation services between the first person and at least one second person speaking said second language or whether the first person desires to listen only in said first language to interpreted speech of the at least one second person speaking said second language.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said interpretation service provider is an individual interpreter who speaks said first and second languages.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said hands-free communicator includes a one-step call feature.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said unique identifier is transmitted whenever said hands-free communicator is actuated to initiate a call to said interpretation service provider thereby permitting said interpretation service provider to track usage of the system by the first person.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein said hands-free communicator is preprogrammed to call said interpretation service provider based on the first person'"'"'s residency.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of registering said hands-free communicator includes operably associating said unique identifier with said interpretation service provider based on the first person'"'"'s present geographic location.

23. The method of claim 14 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a pendant having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

24. The method of claim 14 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a head set having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

25. The method of claim 14 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a pendant and a head set each having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

26. The method of claim 14 wherein said hands-free communicator and said 2-way RF device comprise a single integral unit.

27. A method for providing mobile language interpretation between a first person speaking a first language and a second person speaking a second language, said method comprising:

activating a hands-free communicator that cooperates with a 2-way RF device by assigning a unique identifier to said hands free communicator and operably associating said unique identifier with the first person;

executing an initiation protocol configured to enable an interpretation service to be requested by the first person initiating a call to an interpretation service provider using the hands-free communicator;

receiving a call initiated by the first person using said hands-free communicator in cooperation with said 2-way RF device;

connecting to said call an individual interpreter at a call center that speaks said first and second languages such that the first person, the second person and the individual interpreter are all in voice communication with one another via the hands-free communicator, said first person and said individual interpreter communicating in said first language, said second person and said individual interpreter communicating in said second language,

wherein the unique identifier is operably associated with the first language of the first person to enable routing the call to the at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first language, wherein the unique identifier is operably associated with the second language as may be designated from time-to-time by the first person to enable of routing the call to the at least one individual interpreter who speaks the first and second languages.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a pendant having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a head set having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein said hands-free communicator comprises a pendant and a head set each having a microphone, speaker and transceiver that wirelessly communicates with said 2-way RF device.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein said hands-free communicator and said 2-way RF device comprise a single integral unit.