Multilingual communications device

• US H2,098 H1
• Filed: 02/22/1994
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1994
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lee M.E. Morin
• Original Assignee: Lee M.E. Morin
• Inventors: Morin, Lee M. E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomson, M.
• Application Number:
  US82/000,49
• Publication Number:
  US H2,098 H1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,661 Days
• Field of Search: 36441301, 36441302, 36441303, 36441901, 36441902, 36441903, 36441904, 36441907, 39500286, 39500287, 434157, 434169, 434185, 434308, 434318, 434319, 434321, 704001, 704002, 704277, 707001, 707002, 707003, 707004, 707007, 707270, 707271, 707277, 707278
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/47 Machine-assisted translation, e.g. using translation memory

Abstract

A computer-based device for providing spoken translations of a predetermined set of medical questions, upon the selection of individual questions. Translations are prerecorded into a number of languages, and the physician user, in cooperation with the patient, chooses the language into which the translations are made. Then the physician chooses the questions in the physician'"'"'s own language that should be asked, then indicates his choice to the device, and the device speaks the corresponding questions in the language of a potential respondent.

Claims

1. A computer-based communications device for aiding communication between a user and a respondent, wherein the user and respondent do not speak a common language, the device comprising:

(a) a primary storage unit which stores an ordered list comprising discrete phrases in a language understood by the user;

(b) at least one secondary storage unit which stores digital pre-recorded audio translations to the discrete phrases stored in the primary storage unit in at least one language not fluently spoken by the user, said digital pre-recorded audio translations having been produced by translating the discrete phrases into the at least one language not spoken by the user to form translated discrete phrases, speaking each translated discrete phrase to form spoken translated discrete phrases, and recording each spoken translated discrete phrase;

(c) a visual display unit which displays a plurality of phrases from the ordered list;

(d) a phrase selector which allows the user to select a discrete phrase from the plurality of displayed phrases, wherein the phrase selector allows the user to scroll through the plurality of displayed phrases to select available phrases, retrieves a set of discrete phrases from said primary storage unit in response to a keyword input from said user, retrieves a script comprising a plurality of discrete phrases making up a structured interview in response to a script topic selection from said user, or a combination thereof, said phrase selector including an input device which controls movement of an on-screen indicator, said input device further including an actuator which, when activated while the on-screen indicator is at a position corresponding to that of a specific displayed, discrete phrase, selects the specific displayed, discrete phrase;

(e) a foreign language selector which allows the user to select a language for translation of the selected, displayed, discrete phrase;

(f) a software interface which allows the user to interact with various components of the device;

(g) an audio unit which plays out, from the digital pre-recorded audio translations stored on the at least one secondary storage unit, a translation in the user-selected foreign language of the selected, displayed, discrete phrase;

wherein said ordered list comprises predetermined phrases which solicit a universally comprehensible response from the respondent; and

wherein the respondent need not be literate in the language of the pre-recorded audio translations to comprehend and respond to the discrete phrases.

2. The device of claim 1 which is a personal computer system.

3. The device of claim 2 which is portable.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the primary storage unit is at least one hard disk.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one secondary storage unit is at least one CD-ROM.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the software interface comprises a program written in visual basic.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein the video display unit is a video monitor.

8. The device of claim 2 wherein the audio unit comprises a sound card and at least one speaker.

9. The device of claim 2 wherein the foreign language selector and the phrase selector comprise a keyboard or a peripheral device that, when activated by the user, interacts, through said software interface, with said visual display to select the language for translation or the discrete phrase.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the ordered list comprises discrete phrases ordered alphabetically, according to category, or a combination thereof.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one language is a plurality of languages.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the primary storage unit and the at least one secondary storage unit comprise the same hardware.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said ordered list of discrete phrases comprises predetermined phrases which solicit a yes response, a no response, a non-verbal response, or a non-verbal gesture from the respondent.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the phrase selector retrieves a script comprising a plurality of discrete phrases forming a structured medical interview in response to a script topic selection from the user.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the structured interview is a standard medical interview.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the standard medical interview is about at least one specific medical condition or ailment.

17. A method for a medical practitioner to interview a patient using the computer-based communications device of claim 1, wherein the patient does not understand any language spoken fluently by the doctor;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) selecting a phrase;

(b) selecting a foreign language to audibly present a translation of the phrase selected for the patient;

(d) determining whether the patient understood the translation;

(e) repeating steps (b) and (c) until a foreign language which the patient understands is found;

(f) selecting a script comprising a structured interview appropriate to medically interview the patient.