METHOD OF PROVIDING TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A DEAF PERSON AND A HEARING PERSON

• US 20110116608A1
• Filed: 11/18/2009
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gwendolyn Simmons
• Original Assignee: Gwendolyn Simmons
• Inventors: Simmons, Gwendolyn
• Application Number:
  US12/621,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20110116608A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/52
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/009 Teaching or communicating with deaf persons G09B21/04 takes precedence; deaf and dumb persons G09B21/00

Abstract

A method of two-way communications between a deaf or hearing impaired person and a hearing person. Each person has a device (10) capable of communicating with each other. One of the devices executes a type-to-sign protocol for translating speech by the hearing person into corresponding signs displayed to the deaf or hearing impaired person. The other device executes a sign-to-speak protocol for translating language entered into the deaf or hearing impaired person'"'"'s device into speech broadcast for the hearing person to hear from the hearing person'"'"'s device. A display (18) for the deaf or hearing impaired person on that person'"'"'s device displays imagery (20) of signs representing the speech of the hearing person.

Claims

1. A method of two-way communications between a deaf or hearing impaired person and a hearing person comprising:

providing each person with a device capable of communicating with each other, one of the devices performing a speak-to-sign protocol for translating speech by the hearing person into corresponding signs displayed to the deaf or hearing impaired person and the other device performing a type-to-speak protocol for translating language entered into the deaf or hearing impaired person'"'"'s device into speech broadcast for the hearing person to hear from the hearing person'"'"'s device; and

,

displaying for the deaf or hearing impaired person on that person'"'"'s device, imagery of signs representing the speech of the hearing person.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the devices include a personal computer (PC), and IPOD, an MP3 player, and a personal digital assistant (PDA) device.

3. The method of claim 2 in which communication between the devices includes telephone linkage, the Internet, Wireless, Bluetooth, and Infra Red or Direct connection.

4. The method of claim 1 which further allows one of the people to communicate in one language understood by one of the speakers which is then translated into a separate language which is understood by the other speaker.