US5815196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Videophone with continuous speech-to-subtitles translation
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
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Filing: 1995-12-29
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Granted: 1998-09-29
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Expires: 2015-12-29
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a method and apparatus for providing continuous speech-to-subtitles translation utilizing a video-based communications device but without speech synthesis at the output. Instead, a translation of each user's speech is displayed continuously in text form on the other user's screen. In the preferred embodiment, the sending party speaks into a conventional videophone. Speech recognition and translation of the transmitted signal are performed by a remote device at the receiving party's location. The audio portion of the signal is sent both to a speaker for audio output and to a speech recognizer and text-based translation system, the output of which is text translated into the target language. The video portion of the signal and the translated text are combined in a subtitle generator and sent to a display device for viewing by the receiving party.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiyan Alshawi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for providing continuous speech-to-subtitle translation of a signal containing a video portion, and an audio portion comprising: (a) means for converting said audio portion to a corresponding first textual signal, wherein said converting means is located at a sending party's location; (b) means for translating said corresponding first textual signal to a second textual signal wherein said second textual signal is in a target language and wherein said translating means is located remotely from said sending party's location; (c) means for combining said video portion with said second textual signal to form a display signal, wherein said display signal displays said second textual signal as subtitles; and (d) means for simultaneously displaying said display signal and outputting said audio portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for providing continuous speech-to-subtitle translation of a signal containing a video portion, and an audio portion comprising: (a) means for converting said audio portion to a corresponding first textual signal, wherein said converting means is located at a sending party's location; (b) means for translating said corresponding first textual signal to a second textual signal wherein said second textual signal is in a target language and wherein said translating means is located remotely from said sending party's location; (c) means for combining said video portion with said second textual signal to form a display signal, wherein said display signal displays said second textual signal as subtitles; and (d) means for simultaneously displaying said display signal and outputting said audio portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said converting means comprises a speech recognizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said translating means comprises a text-based machine translation system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said combining means comprises a subtitle generator.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of providing continuous speech-to-subtitle translation of a signal containing a video portion and an audio portion, comprising the steps of: (e) converting said audio portion to a corresponding first textual signal at a sending party's location; (f) translating said corresponding first textual signal to a second textual signal at a location remote from said sending party's location, wherein said second textual signal is in a target language; and (g) combining said video portion with said second textual signal to form a display signal, wherein said display signal displays said second textual signal as subtitles.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of providing continuous speech-to-subtitle translation of a signal containing a video portion and an audio portion, comprising the steps of: (e) converting said audio portion to a corresponding first textual signal at a sending party's location; (f) translating said corresponding first textual signal to a second textual signal at a location remote from said sending party's location, wherein said second textual signal is in a target language; and (g) combining said video portion with said second textual signal to form a display signal, wherein said display signal displays said second textual signal as subtitles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of displaying said display signal and outputting said audio portion simultaneously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said converting step is performed by a speech recognizer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said translating step is performed by a text-based machine translation system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said combining step is performed by a subtitle generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5369704A
Cited
US5512938A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-28 | 2002-03-30 | 2002-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-28 | 2006-03-30 | 2006-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-28 | 2010-03-30 | 2010-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |