Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The use of interpreters to facilitate communication between persons speaking different languages has been a common practice from the time different cultures first began interacting for purposes of trade and exploration. With the comparatively recent invention of the telephone, interpretation services have also been provided telephonically where the interpreter and the persons desiring to communicate are all located remotely from one another. Through the use of mobile or wireless telephones, interpretation services are capable of being provided from virtually anywhere in the world and at any time. Furthermore, with the utilization of Bluetooth® technology, Radio Frequency (RF) technology and wireless headsets, hands-free communication between the parties and the interpreter are now possible. 
         [0002]    While interpretation services and the technology capable of permitting interpretation services among remote parties has been available for years, and while RF and Bluetooth technology is well known to permit hands-free wireless communication, heretofore, there has never been a system and method available that enables a user utilizing his/her existing conventional mobile telephone service or other two-way RF communication service to request and receive interpretation services on-demand and in real-time, from virtually anywhere in the world. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a mode of use of an embodiment of the system and method of the present invention. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of another mode of use of an embodiment of the system and method of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of another mode of use of an embodiment of the system and method of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate an embodiment of a pendant style hands-free communicator for use in connection with the system and method of  FIG. 1 ,  2  or  3 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a headset style hands-free communicator for use in connection with the system and method of  FIG. 1 ,  2  or  3 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates the mode of  FIG. 1  wherein the embodiment of the pendant style hands-free communicator of  FIG. 4  is being used. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates the mode of  FIG. 1  wherein the embodiment of the hands-free communicator comprising the combination of the pendant of  FIG. 4  and the headset of  FIG. 5  are being used. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates the mode of  FIG. 2  wherein the embodiment of the hands-free communicator comprising the combination of the pendant of  FIG. 4  and the headset of  FIG. 5  are being used. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates the mode of  FIG. 2  wherein the embodiment of the headset style hands-free communicator of  FIG. 5  is being used. 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates the mode of  FIG. 3  wherein an embodiment of a remote user pendant of  FIG. 4  is being used by person B and an embodiment of a remote user headset of  FIG. 5  is being used by person C. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate various embodiments of the system and method  10  of the present invention, or, more accurately,  FIGS. 1-3  represent different “modes” in which the system and method  10  of the present invention may be utilized. 
         [0014]    As schematically illustrated in each of the various modes, a first person “A” speaks a first language “L 1 ” and a second person “B” speaks a second language “L 2 ” such that an interpreter, who speaks both languages L 1  and L 2 , is needed to facilitate communication between persons A and B or to otherwise interpret the communications between persons B and C (both speaking the second language L 2 ) into the first language L 1  for the benefit of person A. 
         [0015]    The interpreter is shown to be remote from persons A, B and C. The interpreter may be an individual previously arranged by person A to provide interpretation services, or the interpreter may be a call center that employs, or contracts with, individual interpreters to whom calls are forwarded based on availability and the languages for which interpretation services are needed. The individual interpreter and/or call center having individual interpreters are hereinafter referred to, collectively and/or individually, as “interpretation service provider” or simply “provider” or “interpreter” unless otherwise designated. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, with respect to each of the modes or embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , person A is presumed to have a two-way RF communication device, such as a two-way radio, mobile telephone or some other device for wireless two-way communication (hereinafter referred to as a “2-way RF device  12 ”) for calling and communicating with the remote interpreter. Preferably the 2-way RF device  12  includes, or is adapted to cooperate with, a wireless personal area network (WPAN) transceiver for reasons discussed later. 
         [0017]    As used herein, a WPAN (also commonly known or referred to as a “scatter-net,” “piconet” or “multi-hop ad-hoc network”) should be understood to include any wireless technology such as Bluetooth, RF, ZigBee or other currently known or later developed wireless technology for networking or interconnecting devices in relative close proximity to one another (e.g., typically less than ten meters) to enable communication therebetween. 
         [0018]    Continuing to refer to the modes or embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , the system and method  10  further includes a wireless hands-free communicator  20 . The wireless hands-free communicator  20  preferably includes a speaker  22 , a microphone  24 , a user interface  26 , and a WPAN transceiver for communication with the WPAN transceiver of the 2-way RF device  12 . The hands-free communicator  20  may be separate from the 2-way RF device as illustrated in the drawing figures, or, alternatively, the hands-free communicator  20  and 2-way RF device  12  may comprise a single integral unit (not shown). 
         [0019]    The microphone  24  is preferably a directional microphone to minimize signal-to-noise ratio and improve speech clarity. However, under certain conditions, an omni-directional microphone may be suitable to permit hearing in all directions. Additionally, it may be desirable to provide both an omni-directional microphone and a directional microphone to enable person A to switch between hearing in all directions versus hearing primarily in only one direction as circumstances or surroundings dictate. 
         [0020]    The user interface  26  preferably includes or incorporates an on/off switch  30 , a call connect/disconnect feature  32 , and speaker volume control  34  and a speaker mute feature  36 . Depending on the application and circumstances under which the system and method  10  is being used, the foregoing features may be actuated by hand or by voice. For hand actuation, push buttons or other suitable switches or dials, or pressure, heat or light sensitive pads or membranes or even non-contact sensors (e.g., infrared motion sensors, etc.) may be utilized to provide the foregoing features and functionalities. Furthermore, as discussed below, the user interface  26  may be divided among separate components that together constitute the hands-free communicator  20 , such as, for example, the combination of the pendant and headset discussed below. 
         [0021]    Depending on the circumstances under which the system and method  10  of the present invention is being used, the hands-free communicator  20  may take the form of a pendant  40  ( FIGS. 4A-4B ) to be worn or carried by person A. In a preferred embodiment, the pendant  40  includes a clip  42  for clipping onto person A&#39;s clothing or over an arm or wristband, etc. Additionally, the pendant embodiment may include Velcro® strips (not shown) for fastening the pendant to person A&#39;s clothes, arm or wrist. The pendant  40  also preferably includes hooks, apertures or other supports  44  for receiving a lanyard  46  for hanging the pendant  40  from person A&#39;s neck. It should be appreciated that the pendant  40  is particularly suited for use in situations in which persons A and B are in mobile indoor or outdoor situations, but may be equally suitable in any other setting, including, for example, in substantially stationary table-top or wall mounted applications. Furthermore, the pendant  40  may incorporate a video camera to permit the interpreter to view persons B and/or C. Additionally, the pendant  40  may include a video screen thereby permitting persons B and/or C to view the interpreter. 
         [0022]    In yet another embodiment of the hands-free communicator  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the hands-free communicator  20  may include and cooperate with a headset  50 . The headset  50  may incorporate one or more of the above-described features of the user interface  26 , for example the on/off switch, the call connect/disconnect feature, etc. The headset  50  also preferably includes a WPAN transceiver  52  to enable wireless communication between the headset  50  and the pendant  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the headset  50  includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component  54  and a within-the-ear (WTE) component  56 . The BTE component  54  preferably houses the transceiver  52  and other electrical components required to communicate with the pendant  40 . In this manner, the voice communications are transmitted from the pendant  40  to the wireless transceiver  52  within the BTE component  54  of the headset  50 , which then communicates the sound to the WTE component  56  into the wearer&#39;s ear via a flexible acoustical tube  58 . Alternatively, rather than an acoustical tube, sound may be provided to the ear electrically via a wire and miniature speaker placed in the ear canal. The headset  50  is particularly adapted for use in applications or situations where person A wishes to listen in on the communications between person B and another person C without the knowledge of person B and/or person C or in environments where it would be difficult for person A to hear the interpreter over the broadcast speaker of the pendant  40 . Like the pendant  40 , the headset  50  may also incorporate a video camera to permit the interpreter to view persons B and/or C. 
         [0023]    In yet another embodiment of the hands-free communicator  20 , a headset  60  ( FIG. 9 ) may alone constitute the hands-free communicator  20 . In this embodiment, the headset  60  may be substantially identical to that of the headset  50 , except that the BTE component of the headset  60  may also include the microphone  24  along with other desired features of the user interface  26 . As with the headset  50 , the headset  60  is particularly adapted for use in applications or situations where person A wishes to listen in on the communications between person B and another person C without the knowledge of person B and/or person C or in environments where it would be difficult for person A to hear the interpreter over the broadcast speaker of the pendant  40 . 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment, a remote user headset  80  ( FIG. 10 ) may be provided that is substantially identical to the headset  50 . A remote user headset  80  would be useful to facilitate two-way communications where person B is sufficiently remote from person A such that person B is unable to clearly hear the interpreter&#39;s words through the speaker  22  on the pendant  40  or where noise prevents persons B from clearly hearing the interpreter through the speaker  22  of the pendant  40 . In use, the remote user headset  80  communicates with the hands-free communicator  20  of person A via RF communication. Depending on the distances over which person A must communicate with person B, a transmitter may be necessary to extend the range of the RF communication. The transmitter may have a separate power supply and could reside in a vehicle, trailer or other facility. 
         [0025]    In yet another embodiment, a remote user pendant  90  ( FIG. 10 ) may be utilized instead of a remote user headset  80  or in combination with a remote user headset  80 . The remote user pendent  90  is preferably substantially identical to the pendant  40  except that the remote user pendant  90  does not include a call initiation or call drop feature since it does not communicate directly with the 2-way RF device  12 . Instead, the remote user pendant  90  communicates with the hands-free communicator  20  of person A via RF communication. The remote user pendant  90  may include a WPAN transceiver for communication with a headset  80  as previously described. As with the remote user headset  80  embodiment, a transmitter may be used to extend the range of the RF communication of the remote user pendant  90 . The transmitter may have a separate power supply and could reside in a vehicle, trailer or other facility. 
       Initial Registration: 
       [0026]    In the preferred system and method  10 , person A must first register to receive interpretation services from a provider  100  of the interpretation services. The provider  100  may be an individual interpreter, an entity having a pool of individual interpreters, or, for example, a wireless communication service provider (such as Verizon®, Sprint®, T-Mobile®, AT&amp;T®, etc.) that employs a pool of interpreters or which contracts with individuals or entities for interpretation services. 
         [0027]    As part of the preferred registration process, person A&#39;s hands-free communicator  20  is activated by assigning a unique identifier to the hands-free communicator and associating that unique identifier with person A. This unique identifier is preferably a factory-set electronic serial number (ESN) that is transmitted whenever the hands-free communicator initiates a call to the provider  100  thereby permitting the provider  100  to track usage of the system by person A. The step of registering the hands-free communicator  20  may be accomplished by person A contacting the provider telephonically to provide the ESN and other relevant subscriber information such as person A&#39;s name, billing address, etc. Additionally, person A may enter the ESN and relevant billing information through an interactive website. 
         [0028]    In addition, as part of the registration process, the hands-free communicator  20  may be preprogrammed to call a specific provider  100  based on person A&#39;s state or country of residence or present location. Also, as part of the registration process the unique identifier may be associated with person A&#39;s designated language L 1  to more quickly identify and assign an individual interpreter upon receipt of a call from person A requesting interpretation services. 
       Initiation Protocol: 
       [0029]    After the initial registration, use of the system  10  is accomplished by commencing an initiation protocol. The initiation protocol preferably includes person A actuating the call connect feature via the user interface  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the call connect/disconnect feature  32  of the user interface  26  is preferably a one-touch push-button or the like, that, when actuated, automatically calls the provider  100  and/or terminates the call to the provider  100 . As previously discussed, rather than a push button, the call connect/disconnect feature  32  may instead be actuated by voice or by some other contact or contactless switch or sensor, whereby upon actuation, a signal is caused to be sent over the WPAN established by the communication of the WPAN transceivers of the 2-way RF device  12  and the hands-free communicator  20 . This signal from the hands-free communicator  20  causes the 2-way RF device  12  to dial and/or call the interpreter as preferably preprogrammed during the registration process or as automatically determined or routed as previously described. The above-described feature is hereinafter referred to as “one-step actuation” or a “one-step call” feature. 
         [0030]    Upon receiving the call, the interpreter  100  preferably recites a greeting in language L 1  to let person A know that the call has been answered and that an interpreter  100  is connected. To complete the initiation protocol, person A identifies the languages L 2  for which interpretation services are required. If person A does not know the language being spoken for which he/she desires interpretation, a preferred system would enable person A to request a linguist to assist in identifying the language. Once the language is identified, an appropriate interpreter  100  may be connected to the call. 
         [0031]    In the preferred embodiment, the initiation protocol also preferably identifies to the interpreter  100  in what mode (as described below) the system is to be used (e.g., Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200 , Observation Mode  300  or Two-Way Remote Communication Mode  400 ), so that the interpreter  100  knows whether or not to wait for verbal communication from person A, or whether the interpreter  100  will simply be repeating communications from persons B and C, for example. It should be appreciated that the identification of language L 2  to the interpreter  100  may have been previously specified or pre-arranged by person A prior to person A actually approaching person B (as in the Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200 ) or before person A is in position to begin intercepting communications between two foreign language speakers (as in the Observation Mode  300 ), in which event, the initiation protocol is complete upon the interpreter  100  indicating he/she is connected and ready to begin interpretation services. 
       Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode: 
       [0032]      FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  7  schematically illustrate embodiments in which the system and method  10  is used to facilitate two-way communication in which person A, speaking language L 1 , desires to communicate with person B speaking language L 2 , and wherein persons A and B are in close proximity to one another. Thus, this embodiment is hereinafter referred to as the “Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200 .” 
         [0033]    The Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200  is particularly suited for travelers wishing to communicate with locals in their native or foreign language. Another application particularly suited for this Mode  200  is for law enforcement or medical personal having to interact with people that may not speak their language. Still another application particularly suited for this Mode  200  is for employers needing to speak with employees who may not speak the same language. 
         [0034]    For purposes of describing use of the system and method  10  in the connection with the Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200 , it is presumed that person A has previously completed the initial registration. Accordingly, as person A approaches person B, person A may begin the initiation protocol as previously described such that upon approaching person B, person A speaks aloud in language L 1  the question or statement that person A desires to be repeated in language L 2  to person B. Person A&#39;s statement in L 1  is received by the hands-free communicator  20  and is transmitted over the WPAN to the 2-way RF device  12  which, in turn, transmits the statement to the interpreter  100  via RF-communication. The interpreter  100  repeats person A&#39;s statement in language L 2  into the interpreter&#39;s telephone or other RF-communication device. The interpreter&#39;s words in Language L 2  are transmitted via RF-communication back to person A&#39;s 2-way RF device  12 , which, in turn, transmits the interpreter&#39;s words to the hands-free communicator  20  where the words are broadcast through the speaker  22  to person B. The interpreter  100  then waits for person B&#39;s response. Person B responds in language L 2 . The response is received through the microphone  24  of the hands-free communicator  20 . The response is transmitted by the hands-free communicator  20  over the WPAN and to the interpreter  100  over the wireless phone  12  via RF-communication as before. The interpreter  100  repeats person B&#39;s response in language L 1  and the interpreter&#39;s words are transmitted back to the 2-way RF device  12  and hands-free communicator  20  where the interpreters words in language L 1  are broadcast to person A through the speaker  22 . This back-and-forth communication with the interpreter  100  continues until termination of the call by person A actuating the call disconnect. 
       Observation Mode: 
       [0035]      FIGS. 2 ,  8  and  9  schematically illustrate an embodiment in which the system and method  10  is used to enable person A, speaking language L 1 , to listen in on, and understand communications between persons B and C speaking language L 2  without person B&#39;s and/or person C&#39;s knowledge. This mode or embodiment is hereinafter referred to as the “Observation Mode  300 .” The Observation Mode  300  is particularly suitable for covert situations, such as, for example, when a military scout is positioned to observe foreign combatants who speak a different language. Another application for which the Observation Mode  300  is particularly suited is when a law enforcement agent desires to listen in on a conversation between foreign speaking persons who may be plotting a terrorist attack or some other unlawful activity. 
         [0036]    For purposes of describing use of the system and method  10  in the connection with the Observation Mode  300 , it is presumed that person A has previously completed the initial registration. Additionally, it is also presumed that person A has previously identified to the interpreter  100  the mode of operation of the system will be in the Observation Mode  300  such that upon person A actuating the call connect feature of the initiation protocol upon approaching person B and C, the interpreter  100  will simply begin providing interpretation services without waiting for person A to speak. It is also presumed that person A is wearing a headset  50  which cooperates with the pendant style hands-free communicator  40 , or, alternatively, person A is wearing a headset  60  that is itself the hands-free communicator  20  as previously described. 
         [0037]    Thus, the process or method for the Observation Mode  300  is substantially the same as described for the Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200 , except that rather than person A speaking, person A remains silent and the interpreter  100  repeats only the verbal communications overheard through the microphone  24  between persons B and C. The interpreter  100  continues to provide interpretation services until termination of the call by person A actuating the call disconnect feature  32 . 
         [0038]    It should be appreciated that to prevent the interpreter&#39;s words from being heard by persons B and/or C, the external speaker  22  on the pendant style hands-free communicator  40  is muted and the interpreter&#39;s words are transmitted to the headset  50  worn by person A, such that only person A is able to hear the interpreter. It should also be appreciated that if person A is wearing the hands-free communicator headset  60  there may be no external speaker to mute. 
       Two-Way Remote Communication Mode: 
       [0039]      FIGS. 3 and 10  schematically illustrate an embodiment in which the system and method  10  is used to facilitate two-way communication in which person A, speaking language L 1 , desires to communicate with person B and/or person C who are sufficiently remote from person A such that they are unable to clearly hear the interpreter&#39;s words through the speaker  22  on the hands-free communicator  20  or where external noise prevents persons B and/or C from hearing the interpreter. This embodiment is hereinafter referred to as the “Two-Way Remote Communication Mode  400 .” 
         [0040]    For purposes of describing use of the system and method  10  in the connection with the Two-Way Remote Communication Mode  400 , it is presumed that person A has previously completed the initial registration. Accordingly, when person A desires to communicate with person B and/or C, person A begins the initiation protocol as previously described whereupon, person A speaks aloud in language L 1  the question or statement that person A desires to be repeated in language L 2  to persons B and/or C. It is also presumed that person A is wearing either a pendant style hands-free communicator  40  or a headset  50  which cooperates with the pendant style hands-free communicator  40 . It is also presumed that persons B and C are wearing the remote user headsets  80 . 
         [0041]    The process or method for the Two-Way Remote Communication Mode  400  is substantially the same as described for the Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200 , the only difference being that instead of or in addition to the interpreter&#39;s voice being broadcast over the speaker  22  of the pendant  40 , the interpreter&#39;s voice is wirelessly communicated to the remote user headsets  80  so that persons B and C can hear the interpreter&#39;s voice at their remote locations. 
       Multiple Person a Listeners 
       [0042]    It should be appreciated that, in a preferred system and method in each of the foregoing modes of operation ( 200 ,  300 ,  400 ), because the voice of person A, the voice of the interpreter  100  and the voices of persons B, C etc. are all being communicated through the system  10  via RF signals, anyone having a hands-free communicator  20  is able to listen in on the conversation. The ability to listen in on a conversation would be of benefit to police, firefighters, emergency medical personal, military personnel, etc. For example, in an emergency situation involving a foreign speaking victim, the first responder to the emergency may initiate the interpretation services in Two-Way Proximity Communication Mode  200  upon arriving at the scene. As other emergency personnel arrive later, they too will be able to hear the interpreted conversation between the first responder and the foreign speaking victim as soon as they enter the WPAN of the first responder. 
         [0043]    In another example, if a military squad is positioned to covertly observe non-English speaking enemy personnel, the squad leader may initiate the interpretation services in Observation Mode  300  in order to listen to the interpreted speech of the enemy personnel. All the other members of the squad within the squad leader&#39;s WPAN will also be able to hear the interpreted speech of the enemy personnel. 
         [0044]    The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus and the general principles and features of the system and methods described herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system and methods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit of this disclosure and the appended claims.

Technology Category: h