Abstract:
Methods and devices for voice communications and foreign language translation are disclosed. One method includes selecting one of a plurality of microphones of an earpiece unit, receiving a selected voice communication of a first language from the selected microphone and translating the selected voice communication from the first language to a second language, the second language different from the first to create a translated voice communication, and transducing the translated voice communication at a speaker within the earpiece unit. Preferably the microphones are oriented in different directions and are directional microphones. The present invention further optionally provides for the sensing and transmission of pulse oximeter measurements and temperature measurements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/967,413, filed Aug. 15, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 10/022,022, filed Dec. 13, 2001, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,527,280, issued on Sep. 3, 2013, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a voice communication device with foreign language translation. Given the widespread availability of travel the need for foreign language translation has increased. The present invention has applications in numerous areas and instances where foreign language translation is desirable. One particular application of the present invention is in military applications. 
         [0003]    U.S. troops have often been required to render assistance in numerous foreign environments. For example, U.S. troops have been used as members of peacekeeping forces in various countries. Further, U.S. troops have been deployed to counter terrorism in the Middle East. In these and other situations, these military personnel are placed at a disadvantage and are potentially subjected to dangers, heightened by the fact that these personnel are unable to speak the native languages used by the people around them. In these types of missions, there is an acute need to be able to understand the locals or natives. The military personnel have a huge and heavy burden of administering justice by neutralizing threats without compromising the safety of innocents in an effort to reduce or eliminate any collateral damage. This places military personnel in a difficult situation. 
         [0004]    The identification of potential threats would be aided if the military personnel could understand the language used by the people around them. Knowledge of a foreign language has long been considered an asset in the military. For example, Green Berets are required to speak at least a second language. Nevertheless, given the tenure of today&#39;s society where it is not known where conflict may arise and it is not known what language military personnel should be versed in, it is not practical to have sufficient numbers of troops who speak every language that is needed. This problem is further complicated by the fact that there are numerous dialects associated with various languages. Further, even if some troops are skilled in a particular language, it is impractical for every troop to be skilled in that language. Therefore, problems remain. 
         [0005]    These same problems are also prevalent in contexts outside of the military. For example, people involved in business, education, and even tourists have reason to speak languages beyond their native tongue. Learning a foreign language can be time-consuming, and many people may not have the time or discipline to do so. Further, many people have the need to communicate in a variety of foreign languages, and it is often impractical for these people to learn every foreign language they might encounter. 
         [0006]    Therefore, as a primary object of the present invention to improve upon the state of the art. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a voice communication device which provides for foreign language translation. 
         [0008]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication device which is nonocclusive in nature. 
         [0009]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication device that is small and lightweight. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication device that a soldier can wear in conjunction with a helmet. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication device that is capable of listening in on voice communications that may be outside the range of normal human hearing. 
         [0012]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a voice communication device that is capable of listening to voice conversations in multiple directions relative to the operator of the voice communications device. 
         [0013]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from that which is now described. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention includes methods and devices for foreign language translation. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a nonocclusive earpiece that allows the wearer to continue to hear environmental sounds is disclosed. The nonocclusive earpiece includes a plurality of microphones, preferably directional. The directional microphones allow reception of voice communications in microphone positions or orientations relative to the person wearing the earpiece. One of the pluralities of directional microphone may be selected either manually or automatically. Voice sound information received by the corresponding directional microphone can then be amplified and processed. The resulting voice sound information signal is then translated. The translation may occur locally within the earpiece. Alternatively, the translation may occur at a remote location. When translation occurs remotely, the earpiece transmits the selected signal to a translation unit which translates the voice communication and transmits the resulting translation back to the earpiece. The earpiece receives the translation and transduces the translated voice sound information through a speaker disposed within the earpiece. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial representation of the nonocclusive earpiece of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the electrical system of one earpiece according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of one embodiment of the translation station according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of another translation system according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an electrical system of another embodiment of the earpiece of the present invention providing physiological monitoring. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is another block diagram of an electrical system of one embodiment of the earpiece of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is another block diagram of one embodiment of the earpiece unit of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The present invention will now be described as it applies to an exemplary embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended the invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of one embodiment of an earpiece according to the present invention. The earpiece  10  preferably does not occlude the external auditory canal. The earpiece  10  includes a speaker  12 . In addition, the earpiece  10  includes a plurality of microphones. For example, microphones shown include a front microphone  18  directed in a frontward direction, a side microphone  20 , directed in an outward direction, and a rear microphone  22 , directed in a rearward direction. Each of these microphones is preferably a directional microphone, although omnidirectional microphones may be used. In addition, the earpiece  10  includes an optional pulse oximeter  14  and an optional thermistor  16  or other temperature sensor. The pulse oximeter  14  is placed such that oxygen saturation, and other measurements associated with pulse oximeters are performed. The thermistor  16  provides a body temperature reading. These sensors provide physiological monitoring of the operator. In military applications, such sensors are of great importance, particularly in an era where biological and/or chemical warfare remains a threat. In addition to these optional features, the earpiece unit shown includes an optional expansion slot  24 . The expansion slot  24  can be of a variety of structures. The expansion slot  24  allows additions in functionality to be added to the earpiece  10  without replacing the entire earpiece. The expansion slot  24  can receive cards, modules, or other expansion units that provided added features, functionalities, and/or memory such as may be appropriate for a particular use or application. 
         [0024]    The earpiece  10  shown in  FIG. 1  can be worn under a helmet by military personnel if need be. The relative small size and light weight of the device allow the device to be worn comfortably. Although a behind-the-ear (BTE) earpiece is shown, the present invention further allows for a completely-in-canal (CIC) device also to be worn. Preferably the earpiece does not occlude the external auditory canal of a user. One example of an earpiece that does not occlude the external auditory canal of a user is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,492, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  provides a block diagram of one embodiment of the earpiece of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the earpiece  10  is shown. The earpiece  10  includes a first microphone  18 , a second microphone  20 , and a third microphone  22 . Each of the plurality of microphones is operatively connected to a microphone control unit  24 . The microphone control unit  24  is used to manually or automatically select one of the plurality of microphones for transmission over the short-range transceiver  26 . The earpiece unit  10  also includes a short range receiver  28  operatively connected to a speaker  12 . According to this embodiment of the present invention, one of a plurality of the microphones is selected. The microphone may be selected manually or automatically. The sound information signal associated with that microphone, preferably a voice sound communication, is then transmitted over the short-range transceiver  26 . A translated voice sound communication is then received by the short range receiver  28  and then transduced on the speaker  12  such that the wearer of the earpiece  10  hears the translated voice sound information. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a translation unit  30  according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a short-range receiver  32  is operatively connected to a translator  36 . The translator  36  is operatively connected to a short-range transceiver  34 . The translator unit  30  receives transmissions of voice sound information of a first language from the earpiece unit  10  at the short range receiver  32 , then translates the voice sound information from the first language to a second language and sends the resulting translated voice sound information back to the earpiece unit  10  through the short range transceiver  34 . The present invention contemplates numerous variations in the implementation of the translator. In particular, the translator  36  can be a computer adapted for voice translation. Various translator products are available as commercial off-the-shelf products or are available online. Examples include the Franklin language translators, Lernout &amp; Hauspie&#39;s Power Translator Pro, and others. The present invention contemplates that the received voice sound information may be processed using voice recognition or other voice to text applications in a first language, and then the resulting text information is then translated to text of a second language. The text of the second language is then converted from text to voice. Preferably such a system is real time or near real time. The present invention is in no way limited to a particular translation method, or language, and allows for any number of such translation methods and languages to be used. The computer used can be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), embedded computer, or other computer or electronic device. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  provides a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  provides for a translation system  40  in operative communication with the earpiece unit. In  FIG. 4 , a short-range receiver  42  receives a voice communication from the earpiece unit. This information is then sent over a communications channel  46  to a translator  50 . In this implementation of the present invention, the translator  50  may be at a remote location that is further than a short range from the earpiece unit. The information received from the earpiece is effectively relayed across the communications channel  46 . Similarly, information from the translator  50  is effectively relayed across the communications channel  46  back to the short-range transmitter  44  which is in operative communication with the earpiece unit  10 . In this embodiment, the computer performing the translation need not be on site and can be well-removed from the earpiece  10  and operator. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  provides a block diagram of another embodiment of the earpiece unit according to the present invention, this embodiment using an input switch  64 . In  FIG. 5 , earpiece unit  60  is shown. The earpiece unit includes a first microphone  18 , second microphone  20 , and a third microphone  22  electrically connected to an input switch  64 . The input switch  64  is one type of microphone control unit that can be used. The input switch  64  routes the output of one of the microphones to the transmitter  26 . The input switch  64  allows one of the plurality of microphones to be selected. The input switch  64  is operatively controlled by the controller  62 . The controller is an intelligent control. The present invention contemplates any number of types of intelligent controls that can be used according to the present invention. This includes processors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, integrated circuits, portions of an integrated circuit, control circuits, and other types of intelligent controls. Alternatively, the input switch  64  is manually controlled. The selected input is then relayed to the transmitter  26  which transmits the voice sound communication. The receiver  28  receives the translated voice communication and is capable of outputting the translated voice communication to a speaker  12 . In addition, the controller  62  is electrically connected to a pulse oximeter  66  within the earpiece. The pulse oximeter  66  is used to determine oxygen concentration within the blood of the wearer of the earpiece. In addition, a thermistor  68  is electrically connected to the controller  62  such as through an analog to digital converter  70 . The analog to digital converter  70  may be built into the controller  62 . The present invention provides for information obtained from the pulse oximeter  66  as well as the thermistor  68  to be transmitted with the transmitter  26 . 
         [0029]    The transmitter  26  provides for the transmission of one or more audio streams such as voice communications from one of the plurality of microphones. In addition, the transmitter preferably allows for the transmission of digital information received from the controller  62 . This digital information can include pulse oximeter measurements as well as temperature measurements. In such a transmitter, the transmitter can provide for modulation of the digital data such that both analog and digital information can be received. The present invention also contemplates that the controller  62  can provide the same function if need be by modulating the digital information through pulse width modulation into audio. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  provides a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates earpiece  72 . According to  FIG. 6 , the present invention provides for the audio received from the selected microphone to be output directly to the speaker  12  as well as to the transmitter  26 . The output switch  74  allows this selection to be made. Such a feature is useful when the audio received from the selected microphone is amplified or is otherwise louder or clearer than that which the user would hear without the earpiece. Thus, even if the operator understands the languages being spoken, the present invention still provides advantages. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of another embodiment of an earpiece  80  of the present invention. In  FIG. 7 , the earpiece unit includes a bone conduction sensor  82  in addition to a plurality of microphones. Each of the plurality of microphones as well as the bone conduction sensor  82  is electrically connected to an audio mixer  84 . The audio mixer  84  allows the signals from each of the microphones as well as the bone conduction sensor  82  to be mixed in various proportions as controlled by the controller  62  which is electrically connected to the audio mixer  84 . In addition, the earpiece  80  includes an audio switch  86  electrically connected to each of the microphones and the bone conduction sensor  82 . This allows the speaker  12  to transduce any one of the selected signals. Further, a controller  62  is electrically connected to a modulator  88  for combining data into the audio signal which is mixed by audio mixer  84  and transmitted by the transmitter  26 . This allows voice communications from the operator, as transduced by the bone conduction sensor  82  or one of the microphones to be communicated. When the bone conduction sensor  82  is used, the operator can speak covertly so that those around the operator can not hear the operator speaking. 
         [0032]    Further, the earpiece is preferably nonocclusive in nature. This allows the operator to continue to hear the operator&#39;s surroundings even though the operator is also using the earpiece to receive voice communications. 
         [0033]    Therefore, a voice communication device with foreign language translation has been disclosed. The present invention contemplates numerous variations in the languages translated, the specific translation product or device used, the number of microphones used, whether a bone conduction sensor, pulse oximeter, and/or temperature sensor are used, whether the translation occurs within the ear piece, within a device that is located within a short range of the ear piece, or by a device located remotely, whether the antenna used be directional or omnidirectional and other variations. The scope of the present invention should be construed broadly and is only to be limited to that which is claimed and all equivalents.