Abstract:
Communication networks, communication devices, and associated methods are disclosed for translating voice communications for calls from one language to another. When a call is placed from a first party to a second party, the communication network receives voice communications for the call from the first party that are in a first language. The communication network identifies the first language of the first party and a second language of the second party. The communication network then translates the first party&#39;s voice communications in the first language to the second language, and transmits the first party&#39;s voice communications in the second language to the second party. The second party may listen to the first party&#39;s voice communications in the second language. The communication network also translates the second party&#39;s voice communications from the second language to the first language so that the first party may listen to the second party&#39;s voice communications.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention is related to the field of communications, in particular, to providing for language translation during an active voice call so that parties speaking different languages may have a conversation. 
         [0003]    2. Statement of the Problem 
         [0004]    It is sometimes the case that a calling party places a call to a called party that does not speak the same language as the calling party, such as when the call is placed to a foreign country. For instance, the calling party may speak English while the called party may speak French. When the parties to the call speak different languages, no meaningful conversation can take place. It may be possible with the proper planning before the call to use an interpreter to translate between the languages of the parties, but use of the interpreter may be inconvenient, may lengthen the time of the call, or may have other drawbacks. It is thus a problem for parties that speak different languages to communicate via a voice call. 
       SUMMARY OF THE SOLUTION 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the invention solve the above and other related problems by providing communication networks and/or communication devices that are adapted to translate voice communications for a call from one language to another in real time. For instance, if a calling party speaks English and a called party speaks French, then the communication network connecting the parties may translate voice communications from the calling party from English to French, and provide the voice communications to the called party in French. Also, the communication network may translate voice communications from the called party from French to English, and provide the voice communications to the calling party in English. The real-time voice translation as provided herein advantageously allows parties that speak different languages to have a meaningful conversation over a voice call. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a communication network is adapted to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another. When a call is placed or initiated from a calling party to a called party, the communication network receives voice communications for the call from the calling party. The calling party&#39;s voice communications are in a first language, such as English. The communication network identifies the first language understood by the calling party, and identifies a second language understood by the called party. To identify the languages of the parties, the communication network may prompt the calling party and/or the called party for the languages, may receive indications of the languages in a signaling message for the call, may access a database having a pre-defined language indication for the parties, etc. The communication network then translates the calling party&#39;s voice communications in the first language to the second language understood by the called party, such as French. The communication network then transmits the calling party&#39;s voice communications in the second language to the called party. The called party may then listen to the calling party&#39;s voice communications in the second language. 
         [0007]    The communication network also receives voice communications for the call from the called party for a full duplex call. The called party&#39;s voice communications are in the second language. The communication network translates the called party&#39;s voice communications in the second language to the first language. The communication network then transmits the called party&#39;s voice communications in the first language to the calling party, where the calling party may listen to the called party&#39;s voice communications in the first language. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a communication device (e.g., a mobile phone) is adapted to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another. Assume for this embodiment that the communication device is being operated by a calling party initiating a call to a called party. The communication device receives voice communications for the call from the calling party, such as through a microphone or similar device. The calling party&#39;s voice communications are in a first language. The communication device identifies a second language for translation, such as a language understood by the called party, or a common language agreed upon. The communication device then translates the calling party&#39;s voice communications in the first language to the second language. The communication device provides the calling party&#39;s voice communications in the second language to the called party, such as by transmitting the calling party&#39;s voice communications in the second language over a communication network for receipt by the called party. 
         [0009]    The communication device also receives voice communications for the call from the called party over the communication network. The called party&#39;s voice communications are in the second language. The communication device translates the called party&#39;s voice communications in the second language to the first language. The communication device then provides the called party&#39;s voice communications in the first language to the calling party, such as through a speaker. The calling party may then listen to the called party&#39;s voice communications in the first language. 
         [0010]    The invention may include other exemplary embodiments described below. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The same reference number represents the same element or same type of element on all drawings. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a communication network in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2-3  are flow charts illustrating methods of operating a communication network to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a communication device in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5-6  are flow charts illustrating methods of operating a communication device to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1-6  and the following description depict specific exemplary embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects of the invention have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a communication network  100  in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Communication network  100  may comprise a cellular network, an IMS network, a Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC), or another type of network. Communication network  100  includes a session control system  110  adapted to serve a communication device  114  of a party  112 . Session control system  110  comprises any server, function, or other system adapted to serve calls or other communications from party  112 . For example, in a cellular network, such as a CDMA or UMTS network, session control system  110  may comprise a MSC/VLR. In an IMS network, session control system  110  may comprise a Call Session Control Function (CSCF). Communication device  114  comprises any type of communication device adapted to place and receive voice calls, such as a cell phone, a PDA, a VoIP phone, or another type of device. 
         [0018]    Communication network  100  further includes a session control system  120  adapted to serve a communication device  124  of a party  122 . Session control system  120  comprises any server, function, or other system adapted to serve calls or other communications from party  122 . Communication device  124  comprises any type of communication device adapted to place and receive voice calls, such as a cell phone, a PDA, a VoIP phone, or another type of device. 
         [0019]    Although two session control systems  110 ,  120  are shown in  FIG. 1 , those skilled in the art understand that communication device  114  and communication device  124  may be served by the same session control system. Also, although session control systems  110  and  120  are shown as part of the same communication network  100 , these two systems may be implemented in different networks possibly operated by different service providers. For instance, session control system  110  may be implemented in an IMS network while session control system  120  may be implemented in a CDMA network. 
         [0020]    Communication network  100  further includes a translator system  130 . Translator system  130  comprises any server, application, database, or system adapted to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another language in substantially real-time. Translator system  130  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a stand alone system or server in communication network  100 . In such an embodiment, translator system  130  includes a network interface  132  and a processing system  134 . In other embodiments, translator system  130  may be implemented in existing facilities in communication network  100 . As an example, if session control system  110  comprises a Central Office (CO) of a PSTN, then translator system  130  may be implemented in the CO. The functionality of translator system  130 , which will be further described below, may be distributed among multiple facilities of communication network  100 . As an example, some functions of translator system  130  may be performed by session control system  110  while other functions of translator system  130  may be performed by session control system  120 . 
         [0021]    Assume that party  112  wants to place a call to party  122 , but that party  112  speaks a different language than party  122 . For the below embodiment, party  112  is referred to as “calling party” and party  122  is referred to as “called party”. According to embodiments provided herein, a call may be established between a calling party  112  and a called party  122 , and translator system  130  translates between the languages of calling party  112  and called party  122  during an active voice call as follows. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a method  200  of operating communication network  100  to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of method  200  will be described with reference to communication network  100  in  FIG. 1 . The steps of the flow chart in  FIG. 2  are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. The steps of the flow chart are also not indicative of any particular order of operation, as the steps may be performed in an order different than that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0023]    In step  202  of method  200 , translator system  130  receives voice communications for the call from calling party  112  through network interface  132 . The voice communications from calling party  112  represent the segment or portion of the voice conversation as spoken by calling party  112 . The voice communications from calling party  112  are in a first language, such as English. 
         [0024]    In steps  204  and  206 , processing system  134  of translator system  130  identifies the first language understood by calling party  112 , and identifies a second language understood by called party  122 . Processing system  134  may identify the languages of parties  112  and  122  in a variety of ways. In one example, processing system  134  may prompt calling party  112  and/or called party  122  for the languages spoken by each respective party. In another example, processing system  134  may receive indications of the languages in a signaling message for the call. Calling party  112  may enter a feature code or another type of input into communication device  114  indicating the languages of calling party  112  and/or called party  122  responsive to which communication device  114  transmits the language indications to translator system  130  in a signaling message. Calling party  112  may also program communication device  114  to automatically provide an indication of a preferred or understandable language to translator system  130  upon registration, upon initiation of a call, etc. In another example, processing system  134  may access a database having a pre-defined language indication for parties  112  and  122 . Processing system  134  may identify the languages of parties  112  and  122  in other desired ways. 
         [0025]    In step  208 , processing system  134  translates the voice communications from calling party  112  in the first language to the second language that is understood by called party  122 . As an example, processing system  134  may translate the voice communications from calling party  112  from English to French. Processing system  134  may store a library of language files and associated conversion or translation algorithms between the language files. Responsive to identifying the two languages of parties  112  and  122 , processing system  134  may access the appropriate language files and appropriate conversion algorithm to translate the voice communications in substantially real-time during the call. 
         [0026]    In step  210 , network interface  132  transmits the voice communications for calling party  112  in the second language to called party  122 . Called party  122  may then listen to the voice communications of calling party  112  in the second language instead of the first language originally spoken by calling party  112 . Called party  122  can advantageously understand the spoken words of calling party  112  through the translation even though called party  122  does not speak the same language as calling party  112 . 
         [0027]    Because many voice calls are full duplex, translator system  130  is also adapted to translate voice communications from called party  122  in the second language to the first language understood by calling party  112 .  FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method  300  of operating communication network  100  to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of method  300  will be described with reference to communication network  100  in  FIG. 1 . The steps of the flow chart in  FIG. 3  are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. 
         [0028]    In step  302  of method  300 , network interface  132  of translator system  130  receives voice communications for the call from called party  122 . The voice communications from called party  122  represent the segment or portion of the voice conversation as spoken by called party  122 . The voice communications from called party  122  are in the second language, such as French. In step  304 , processing system  134  translates the voice communications from called party  122  in the second language to the first language that is understood by calling party  112 . As an example, processing system  134  may translate the voice communications from called party  122  from French to English. In step  306 , network interface  132  transmits the voice communications for called party  122  in the first language to calling party  112 . Calling party  112  may then listen to the voice communications of called party  122  in the first language instead of the second language originally spoken by called party  122 . Calling party  112  can advantageously understand the spoken words of called party  122  through the translation even though calling party  112  does not speak the same language as called party  122 . 
         [0029]    As is illustrated in the above embodiment, parties  112  and  122  speaking different languages are able to effectively communicate over a voice call through translator system  130 . Although the above embodiment illustrated a call between two parties, translator system  130  may translate between languages of three or more parties that are on a conference call. The translation in the above embodiment is accomplished through a network-based solution. However, the translation may additionally or alternatively be performed in communication device  114  and/or communication device  124 . The following describes translation as performed in a communication device. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates a communication device  114  in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Communication device  114  includes a network interface  402 , a processing system  404 , and a user interface  406 . Network interface  402  comprises any components or systems adapted to communicate with communication network  100 . Network interface  402  may comprise a wireline interface or a wireless interface. Processing system  404  comprises a processor or group of inter-operational processors adapted to operate according to a set of instructions. The instructions may be stored on a removable card or chip, such as a SIM card. User interface  406  comprises any components or systems adapted to receive input from a user, such as a microphone, a keypad, a pointing device, etc, and/or convey content to the user, such as a speaker, a display, etc. Although  FIG. 4  illustrates communication device  114 , communication device  124  may have a similar configuration. 
         [0031]    Assume again that party  112  wants to place a call to party  122 . According to embodiments provided herein, a call may be established between calling party  112  and called party  122 , and communication device  114  translates between the languages of calling party  112  and called party  122  during an active voice call as follows. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method  500  of operating communication device  114  to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of method  500  will be described with reference to communication network  100  in  FIG. 1  and communication device  114  in FIG.  4 . The steps of the flow chart in  FIG. 5  are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. The steps of the flow chart are also not indicative of any particular order of operation, as the steps may be performed in an order different than that illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0033]    In step  502  of method  500 , processing system  404  in communication device  114  receives voice communications for the call from calling party  112  through user interface  406 . For instance, user interface  406  may be a microphone adapted to detect the audible voice frequencies of calling party  112 . The voice communications from calling party  112  are in a first language. In step  504 , processing system  404  identifies a second language of translation for the voice communications. The second language may be a language understood by called party  122 , may be a pre-defined or common language, etc. Processing system  404  may identify the first language and/or second language in a variety of ways. In one example, processing system  404  may prompt calling party  112  for the languages spoken by each respective party. In another example, processing system  404  may receive input from calling party  112  indicating the languages of calling party  112  and/or called party  122 . Processing system  404  may identify the languages of parties  112  and  122  in other desired ways. 
         [0034]    In step  506 , processing system  404  translates the voice communications from calling party  112  in the first language to the second language. Processing system  404  may store a library of language files and associated conversion or translation algorithms between the language files. Responsive to identifying the two languages of parties  112  and  122 , processing system  404  may access the appropriate language files and appropriate conversion algorithm. Processing system  404  may then translate the voice communications in substantially real-time during the call. 
         [0035]    In step  508 , processing system  404  provides the voice communications for calling party  112  in the second language for receipt by called party  122 . For instance, processing system  404  may transmit the voice communications over communication network  100  through network interface  402  to communication device  124  of called party  122 . Called party  122  may then listen to the voice communications of calling party  112  in the second language instead of the first language originally spoken by calling party  112 . Alternatively, communication device  124  may translate the voice communications in the second language to a third language understood by called party  122 . Called party  122  can advantageously understand the spoken words of calling party  112  through the translation even though called party  122  does not speak the same language as calling party  112 . 
         [0036]    Communication device  114  is also adapted to translate voice communications from called party  122  in the second language to the first language understood by calling party  112 .  FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method  600  of operating communication device  114  to translate voice communications for calls from one language to another in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of method  600  will be described with reference to communication network  100  in  FIG. 1  and communication device  114  in  FIG. 4 . The steps of the flow chart in  FIG. 6  are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. 
         [0037]    In step  602  of method  600 , processing system  404  receives voice communications for the call through network interface  402  from called party  122 . In step  604 , processing system  404  translates the voice communications from called party  122  in the second language to the first language that is understood by calling party  112 . In step  606 , processing system  404  provides the voice communications for called party  122  in the first language to calling party  112 . For instance, user interface  406  may comprise a speaker adapted to emit audible voice frequencies of called party  122  that may be heard by calling party  112 . Calling party  112  may then listen to the voice communications of called party  122  in the first language instead of the second language originally spoken by called party  122 . Calling party  112  can advantageously understand the spoken words of called party  122  through the translation even though calling party  112  does not speak the same language as called party  122 . 
         [0038]    Processing system  404  in communication device  114  (see  FIG. 4 ) may not necessarily translate the voice communications from calling party  112  to a language that is understood by called party  122 . Processing system  404  may convert the voice communications from calling party  112  to a pre-defined or common language and it is the responsibility of communication device  124  of called party  122  to convert the voice communications from the pre-defined language to the language understood by called party  122 . For example, assume that calling party  112  speaks German and called party  122  speaks French. Processing system  404  of communication device  114  may translate the German speech of calling party  112  to English, and transmit the voice communications for calling party  112  in English. Communication device  124  of called party  122  would then receive the voice communications of calling party  112  in English. Because called party  122  understands French, communication device  124  would translate the voice communications from English to French. 
         [0039]    Although the above description was in reference to communication device  114 , communication device  124  of called party  122  may operate in a similar manner to translate received voice communications to a language understood by called party  122 . Other communication devices not shown in  FIG. 1  also may operate in a similar manner to translate the voice communications. For instance, this type of language translation may be beneficial in conference calls where there are three or more communication devices on a call. In a conference call scenario, a communication device of a first party may translate the voice communications from that party to a language pre-defined or agreed upon for the conference, or may convert the voice communications to a common language. For example, assume that a first party speaks German, a second party speaks English, and a third party speaks French. The communication device of the first party may translate voice communications from German to English, and transmit the voice communications to communication network  100 . Similarly, the communication device of the third party may translate voice communications from French to English, and transmit the voice communications to communication network  100 . The parties to the conference call may then be able to communicate because their communication devices converted the spoken languages to a common language, such as English. 
       EXAMPLES 
       [0040]    The following describes examples of translating voice communications for calls from one language to another. In  FIG. 1 , assume again that party  112  wants to place a call to party  122 , but that party  112  speaks a different language than party  122 . In this first example, communication network  100  provides the functionality to translate from one language to another. In other words, communication device  114  and/or communication device  124  may not need any special functionality to allow for language translation. 
         [0041]    To place a call to called party  122 , calling party  112  dials the number for called party  122  in communication device  114 , selects called party  122  from a contact list, etc. Responsive to initiation of the call, communication device  114  generates a signaling message for the call, such as an SS7 Initial Address Message (IAM) or a SIP INVITE message, and transmits the signaling message to session control system  110 . To instruct communication network  100  that a language translation is needed for this call, calling party  112  may enter a feature code, such as *91, into communication device  114 . The feature code may additionally indicate one or more languages that will be involved in the translation. For instance, the feature code *91 may indicate an English to French translation is desired. In some real-life situations, especially in case of conference calls, we may just know the language of choice at each end-point. In such cases, the network will know the needed language conversion from each caller to each called party. Communication device  114  then transmits the feature code to session control system  110 . Responsive to the receiving the feature code, session control system  110  notifies translator system  130  (which may actually be implemented in session control system  110 ) that voice communications for the call will need to be translated. 
         [0042]    Responsive to the notification, translator system  130  identifies the first language understood by calling party  112 , and identifies a second language understood by called party  122 . In this example, translator system  130  identifies the first language of calling party  112  by prompting calling party  112 . Translator system  130  may include an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit that provides a menu to calling party  112  requesting calling party  112  to select an understood language. In a similar manner, translator system  130  identifies the second language of called party  122  by prompting called party  122 . 
         [0043]    When the call is set up between calling party  112  and called party  122 , assume that calling party  112  begins speaking into communication device  114 . Communication device  114  detects the voice frequencies of calling party  112  and transmits voice communications for the call to session control system  110 . Session control system  110  routes the voice communications from calling party  112  to translator system  130 . Translator system  130  then translates the voice communications from calling party  112  in the first language to the second language that is understood by called party  122 . Translator system  130  then transmits the voice communications for calling party  112  in the second language to called party  122 . Translator system  130  performs this translation function in real-time during the active voice call. As a result, called party  122  listens to the voice communications of calling party  112  in the second language instead of the first language originally spoken by calling party  112 . A similar process occurs to translate voice communications from called party  122  to calling party  112 . 
         [0044]    In a second example, assume again that party  112  wants to place a call to party  122 . In this example, communication device  114  prompts calling party  112  for the languages to convert between, and communication network  100  provides the translation. Calling party  112  initiates the call to called party  122 . Responsive to initiation of the call, communication device  114  prompts calling party  112  for the language in which calling party  112  will be speaking (the first language), and also prompts calling party  112  for the language of called party  122  (the second language), or in other words the language to which the voice communications will be translated. Communication device  114  then generates a signaling message for the call, and transmits the signaling message to session control system  110 . The signaling message includes an indication of the first language and the second language. Responsive to the receiving the signaling message, session control system  110  transmits the indication of the first language and the second language to translator system  130 . Translator system  130  is then able to identify the first language understood by calling party  112 , and to identify the second language understood by called party  122  based on the indications provided in the signaling message. 
         [0045]    When the call is then set up between calling party  112  and called party  122 , assume that calling party  112  begins speaking into communication device  114 . Communication device  114  detects the voice frequencies of calling party  112  and transmits voice communications for the call to session control system  110 . Session control system  110  routes the voice communications from calling party  112  to translator system  130 . Translator system  130  then translates the voice communications from calling party  112  in the first language to the second language that is understood by called party  122 . Translator system  130  then transmits the voice communications for calling party  112  in the second language to called party  122 . Translator system  130  performs this translation function in real-time during the active voice call. As a result, called party  122  listens to the voice communications of calling party  112  in the second language instead of the first language originally spoken by calling party  112 . A similar process occurs to translate voice communications from called party  122  to calling party  112 . 
         [0046]    In a third example, assume again that party  112  wants to place a call to party  122 . In this example, communication device  114  provides the functionality to translate from one language to another. Calling party  112  initiates the call to called party  122 . Responsive to initiation of the call, communication device  114  prompts calling party  112  for the language in which calling party  112  will be speaking (the first language), and also prompts calling party  112  for the language of called party  122  (the second language). Communication device  114  then generates a signaling message for the call, and transmits the signaling message to session control system  110  to set up the call to called party  122 . When the call is then set up between calling party  112  and called party  122 , assume that calling party  112  begins speaking into communication device  114 . Communication device  114  detects the voice frequencies of calling party  112  that represent the voice communications of calling party  112  that are in the first language. Communication device  114  translates the voice communications from calling party  112  in the first language to the second language that is understood by called party  122 . Communication device  114  then transmits the voice communications for calling party  112  in the second language to called party  122  over communication network  100 . Communication device  114  performs this translation function in real-time during the active voice call. As a result, called party  122  listens to the voice communications of calling party  112  in the second language instead of the first language originally spoken by calling party  112 . A similar process occurs to translate voice communications from called party  122  to calling party  112 . 
         [0047]    In a fourth example, if a calling party  112  initiates the call to called party  122 , then communication device  114  prompts calling party  112  for the language in which calling party  112  will be speaking (the first language). Communication device  114  also identifies a second language that is a common language agreed upon for transmission over communication network  100 . For instance, the agreement may be to transmit voice communications in English over communication networks  100  in the United States. Communication device  114  then generates a signaling message for the call, and transmits the signaling message to session control system  110  to set up the call to called party  122 . When the call is then set up between calling party  112  and called party  122 , assume that calling party  112  begins speaking into communication device  114 . Communication device  114  detects the voice frequencies of calling party  112  that represent the voice communications of calling party  112  that are in the first language. Communication device  114  translates the voice communications from calling party  112  in the first language to the second language. Communication device  114  then transmits the voice communications for calling party  112  in the second language over communication network  100 . 
         [0048]    Upon receipt of the voice communications in the second language, communication device  124  may provide the voice communications to called party  122  if they are in the appropriate language. However, if called party  122  does not speak the second language, then communication device  124  prompts called party  122  for the language in which called party  122  will be speaking (a third language). Communication device  124  then translates the voice communications from calling party  112  in the second language to the third language understood by called party  122 . Communication device  124  then provides the voice communications calling party  112  in the third language, such as through a speaker. 
         [0049]    A similar process occurs to translate voice communications from called party  122  to calling party  112 . 
         [0050]    Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.