System and method for providing a managed language translation service

An approach is disclosed for providing a managed language translation service. A request, from a source station, is received, at a switch, to establish a voice call with a destination station. A determination is made whether the request includes an indicator specifying invocation of a translation service managed by a service provider. If the request includes the indicator, the voice call is directed to a gateway that transmits the voice call over a data network to a translation application. The translation application translates, in real-time, speech associated with the voice call from a first language to a second language. The translated speech is transmitted to the destination station.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Traditionally, obtaining language translation services has required completing various time consuming logistical activities. For example, such activities include scheduling of a human interpreter to be involved with a discussion among multiple participants. This necessitates the coordination of numerous individuals' schedules, which may require significant advance planning. The arduous task of scheduling is particularly onerous when the participants are in different time zones, thereby limiting scheduling freedom. Moreover, accessibility to translation services is significantly hindered, as a typical consumer would need to conduct extensive research to determine a proper translation service. Also, the “overhead” in setting up the service may not warrant the effort, if the session is expected to be relatively short in duration. Furthermore, conventional approaches cannot readily accommodate last minute or spontaneous translation needs, in large part because this overhead presents an impasse.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved approach for providing language translation services.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An apparatus, method, and software for providing real-time language translation are described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the exemplary embodiments.

Although the various embodiments are described with respect to Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks and applications, it is contemplated that these embodiments have applicability to other equivalent networks and applications.

FIG. 1is a diagram of a translation service platform capable of providing a managed language translation service, according to various exemplary embodiments. For the purposes of illustration, a communication system100includes a translation service platform101that provides a managed service for real-time translation. The platform101, in an exemplary embodiment, utilizes one or more translation applications103, which can be executed by a grid (or cluster) of computers. By way of example, the translation application can be an automated interactive language translator, without the need for interpreters, dictionaries, or memorization pre-recorded phrases—such application includes COMPADRE INTERACT™ by SPEECHGEAR™. The application receives speech in one language and outputs speech in a designated language in a real-time voice-to-voice translation of continuous free speech. In this example, the translation applications103can be implemented to encompass several different languages with varying combination of source and target languages (e.g., from English-to-Spanish, English-to-French, Spanish-to-English, Spanish-to-French, etc.).

A switch105within the translation service platform101provides a mapping of voice calls to respective sessions associated with the translation performed by the translation applications103. The switch105also performs load balancing of the voice traffic to ensure real-time performance of the translation service.

The translation service platform101utilizes, in one embodiment, an Internet Protocol (IP) virtual private network (VPN) gateway (GW)107for securely communicating over a data network109. Alternatively, the translation service platform101can communicate over a circuit switched network111, e.g., a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a cellular network, using an IP telephony gateway113.

As part of the managed service, a service provider maintains the translation service platform101and employs a billing system115to invoice its subscribers. The billing system115operates in conjunction with the translation applications103to accurately track usage of the service and to generate invoices based on the usage. The billing system115enables payment on demand or pre-paid. The billing process is more fully described inFIG. 4.

As shown, the translation service platform101can establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection with IP VPN GW117. The IP VPN gateways107,117create a secure tunnel through the data network109to enable sharing of the resources of the data network109to exchange voice traffic. The VPN can operate according to a best-effort or a negotiated Service Level Agreement (SLA). AlthoughFIG. 1shows a point-to-point connection, the VPN may employ other topologies. The IP VPN GW117serves IP private branch exchanges (PBXs)119,121. The IP PBX119connects to one or more voice stations123to provide telephony features and services. As a private branch exchange, the IP PBX119provides a telephony switching system within an organization (business or enterprise). The IP PBX119switches calls between Voice over IP (VoIP) voice stations (of which only one, voice station123, is shown) on local lines and permits such stations to share external phone lines. In addition, the IP PBX119can switch calls between a VoIP voice station and a traditional POTS voice station, or between two POTS voice stations.

The IP PBX121provides telephony features to voice station(s)125, such as call transfer, call forwarding, call pick-up, abbreviated dialing, etc. Under this scenario, the voice stations123,125are VoIP stations, which can be actual physical devices or virtual (“soft”) interface within a computing device. The computing devices can include desktop personal computers, workstations, web appliances, personal digital assistants (PDAs), palm computers, etc.

In addition, the communication system100permits users (or subscribers) with POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) voice stations127to partake in the real-time language translation service. Under the arrangement ofFIG. 1, the voice stations123,125, and127can permit the users to communicate in different languages without regard to scheduling issues, as the translation service platform101does not rely on a human interpreter. That is, no human intervention is required to sustain the translation service.

According to one embodiment, the translation service is easily invoked based on the dialing plan, as next explained.

FIG. 2is a diagram of a dialing plan for providing real-time language translation, according to an exemplary embodiment. A table200of translation prefixes is employed to specify that real-time translation service is requested. These prefixes can uniquely identify the particular languages involved in the translation. For instance, the dialing prefix of “1xx” conveys that the user seeks to have speech translated from English to Spanish. It is noted that the prefixes serve as indicators to notify the network (or application or protocol) that special treatment of the voice call is requested (i.e., invoke language translation service). These indicators need to be maintained, in substance, to identify the particular languages involved. Accordingly, the indicators can change form depending on the system and application that is processing the information. For example, at some point in the call flow, the prefix may need to be converted to a translation tag203to indicate which of the translation applications103is to handle the particular voice call.

The operation of the translation service platform101is explained below.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bare flowcharts of a process for providing real-time language translation, according to an exemplary embodiment. In step301, a caller (or calling party), who is an English speaker uses the voice station123(source station), for example, to place a voice call to a called party on the voice station127(destination station). For the purposes of explanation, the called party is a Spanish speaker. Thus, the dialed digits that is input by the caller includes a translation prefix for a given language—e.g., “1xx” corresponding to English-to-Spanish. Under this scenario, the voice station123, as a source station, is served by an IP private branch exchange (PBX)119, which examines the dialed digits for a translation prefix and routes the call, per step303, to the IP VPN gateway117upon detecting the existence of the prefix (e.g., “1xx”).

In step305, the IP VPN gateway117encapsulates the voice packet, the translation prefix, and the destination number in an encrypted packet. The IP VPN gateway117then prepends, as in step307, the translation service IP address to the encrypted packet. Next, the encrypted packet is then sent over a data network109to the translation service platform101, as in step309. A router (not shown in the system ofFIG. 1), for instance, can receive the packet, and forward to the IP VPN gateway107of the translation service platform101.

Next, the IP VPN gateway107decrypts the packet, the translation prefix and destination number, per step311. The decrypted voice packet is part of a voice stream, which is assigned a session stream in the load balancing switch105(step313). The session stream is assigned to a computer within the grid (i.e., transaction application) for translation based on the translation tag, per step315.

In step317, the voice stream is translated by the appropriate translation application103, and directed back to the load balancing switch105(per step319). At this juncture, the destination number is translated to an IP address, as in step321. In step323, the voice stream is packetized and duplicated. One duplicate stream is sent to the originating voice station123using the network109, so the caller (originator) can hear the translation, per step325. In step327, the second stream is sent to the destination voice station127. It is noted that the duplicate stream forwarded to the originating voice station123is merely optional.

According to one embodiment, the communication between the originating voice station123and the destination voice station127is in a half duplex mode—i.e., only one party speaks at a time, in a push to talk manner to prevent overlap of the translation streams.

Additionally, it is contemplated that the translation service platform101can support text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversions. Such functions can be integrated with the translation application103, for example. Alternatively, separate devices or modules (e.g., Digital Signal Processors) can be utilized to provide text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversions, and can reside in various components within the system100. For example, text-to-speech and speech-to-text processors can be deployed in the IP telephony gateway113or the switch105. These capabilities permit a user who is confined to text-based commmunications, e.g., computing system (not shown), such as a desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., to obtain the translation service.

FIG. 4is a diagram of message formats used in the real-time language translation process ofFIGS. 3A and 3B, according to an exemplary embodiment. Message401shows an example of an encapsulated packet that is generated by the IP VPN gateway117. The message401includes a translation prefix field401a, a destination number401b, and one or more voice packets associated with the voice call.

As shown, a translated voice packet403undergoes duplication after the translation process. Specifically, a message405that is destined for the originating voice station123includes a network address field407for the IP address of the calling voice station123and the translated voice packet403. A message409containing the duplicate translated voice packet403includes a network address field411to specify the IP address of the called voice station127.

Another aspect of the managed translation service pertains to the capability to accurately and timely bill for the service, as next described.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of a billing process for a real-time language translation service, according to an exemplary embodiment. In step501, the grid computers that loaded with the translation applications103can also keep track of how many calls and the duration of the calls (i.e., call records) translated on a per customer basis, which is reported to a consolidation application (not shown) on the grid. These call records, in form of consolidated information, are sent to the billing system115, as in step503. Next, in step505, the billing system115generates billing information.

As mentioned, a variety of payment methods can be used, including on-demand or pre-paid. In an alternative embodiment, a subscription service can be implemented, whereby the subscribers pay a fixed and/or variable monthly charge for the managed translation service.

FIG. 6illustrates a computer system600upon which an exemplary embodiment can be implemented. For example, the processes described herein can be implemented using the computer system600. The computer system600includes a bus601or other communication mechanism for communicating information and a processor603coupled to the bus601for processing information. The computer system600also includes main memory605, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus601for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor603. Main memory605can also be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by the processor603. The computer system600may further include a read only memory (ROM)607or other static storage device coupled to the bus601for storing static information and instructions for the processor603. A storage device609, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is coupled to the bus601for persistently storing information and instructions.

The computer system600may be coupled via the bus601to a display611, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display, active matrix display, or plasma display, for displaying information to a computer user. An input device613, such as a keyboard including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus601for communicating information and command selections to the processor603. Another type of user input device is a cursor control615, such as a mouse, a trackball, haptic devices, eye tracking systems, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor603and for controlling cursor movement on the display611.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the processes described herein are performed by the computer system600, in response to the processor603executing an arrangement of instructions contained in main memory605. Such instructions can be read into main memory605from another computer-readable medium, such as the storage device609. Execution of the arrangement of instructions contained in main memory605causes the processor603to perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the instructions contained in main memory605. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the exemplary embodiment. Thus, exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The computer system600also includes a communication interface617coupled to bus601. The communication interface617provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link619connected to a local network621. For example, the communication interface617may be a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, a telephone modem, or any other communication interface to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of communication line. As another example, communication interface617may be a local area network (LAN) card (e.g. for Ethernet™ or an Asynchronous Transfer Model (ATM) network) to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links can also be implemented. In any such implementation, communication interface617sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information. Further, the communication interface617can include peripheral interface devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) interface, etc. Although a single communication interface617is depicted inFIG. 6, multiple communication interfaces can also be employed.

The network link619typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link619may provide a connection through local network621to a host computer623, which has connectivity to a network625(e.g. a wide area network (WAN) or the global packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet”) or to data equipment operated by a service provider. The local network621and the network625both use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals to convey information and instructions. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link619and through the communication interface617, which communicate digital data with the computer system600, are exemplary forms of carrier waves bearing the information and instructions.

The computer system600can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link619, and the communication interface617. In the Internet example, a server (not shown) might transmit requested code belonging to an application program for implementing an exemplary embodiment through the network625, the local network621and the communication interface617. The processor603may execute the transmitted code while being received and/or store the code in the storage device609, or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, the computer system600may obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave.

In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that flow. The specification and the drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.