Universal Language Translator

Abstract

A universal language translator automatically translates a spoken word or phrase between two speakers. The translator can lock onto a speaker and filter out ambient noise so as to be used in noisy environments, and to ensure accuracy of the translation when multiple speakers are present. The translator can also synthesize a speaker's voice into the dialect of the other speaker such that each speaker sounds like they're speaking the language of the other. A dialect detector could automatically select target dialects either by auto-sensing the dialect by listening to aspects of each speaker's phrases, or based upon the location of the device.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 61 / 513381 filed on Jul. 29, 2011, and U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 61 / 610811 filed on Mar. 14, 2012. These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.Field of the Invention[0002]The field of the invention is translation devicesBACKGROUND[0003]The problem of different people being unable to understand one another is as old as the legend of the Tower of Babylon. When a first person who speaks a first language wishes to communicate with a second person who speaks a second language, some sort of translator needs to be used. Preferably the translator is a human tr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that can automatically translate a user's spoken words into a different language. The device uses a voice recognition system to detect the user's voice and mimic their mannerisms. It can also filter out background noise and detect the speaker's dialect. The device can be trained to emulate the voices of different speakers and can be used in various languages. Additionally, the device can filter out non-speaker objects and select the speaker's dialect based on their location or the user's selection. The device is designed to allow two users to converse with each other while speaking different languages.

Problems solved by technology

The problem of different people being unable to understand one another is as old as the legend of the Tower of Babylon.

However, many people do not have access to a human translator, and must rely upon machine translations.

However, not all users have access to a web user interface when they need a word or phrase translated from one language to another.

In addition, some users might hear a word or phrase in a foreign language, but may not know how to accurately spell or type the word or phrase into a keyboard user interface.

Brotz's device, however, uses machine-synthesized phonemes to produce the translated phrase, which sounds artificial and stilted to a normal user.

Li's device, however, fails to account for a speaker that is moving about a room, and requires a locked-on speaker to remain in one place for the duration of the translation session.

Many older languages, such as Chinese, have localized to such an extent that people speaking different dialects of the same language frequently cannot even understand one another.

None of those devices, however, output a voice while mimicking a speaker's voice.

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