Automatic language translation technique for use in a telecommunications network

Claim 2

For use in a telecommunications network, a method for automatically translating information generated by a calling and a called party in accordance with language preferences of the called and calling parties, respectively, comprising the steps of: prompting the calling party, in response to a call therefrom invoking a language translation service, to enter a number of at least one called party and a language preference for translation of information generated by the called party; establishing a connection with the called party; prompting the called party to enter a language preference for translation of speech uttered by the calling party; automatically translating the information generated by the calling and by the called party in accordance with the language preferences entered by the called and calling parties, respectively; monitoring characteristics of the information generated by the calling and called parties; and simultaneously with the translation, adjusting the characteristics of the information generated by the calling and called parties to achieve synchronism therebetween.

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1 wherein the information generated by the calling and called parties comprises speech.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 1 wherein the information generated by the calling and called parties comprises text.

Claim 5

The method according to claim 3 wherein the text is generated by a computer terminal.

Claim 6

The method according to claim 3 wherein the text is generated by a fax terminal.

Claim 7

The method according to claim 1 wherein the called party is prompted in a language associated with a region where the called party is located.

Claim 8

The method according to claim 1 wherein the number of the called party comprises a telephone number.

Claim 9

The method according to claim 1 wherein the number of the called party comprises an IP address.

Claim 10

The method according to claim 1 wherein the monitored characteristics are frequency, amplitude and phase.

Claim 11

The method according to claim 1 wherein: the called party enters a plurality of numbers in sequence, each associated with a separate party to be called; a call is launched to each party to be called; each called party is prompted to enter a language translation preference; and the language of the calling party is translated into the language preference of each called party.

Claim 12

The method according to claim 10 wherein: the calling party enters a separate language translation preference for each called party; and the language of each called party is translated in accordance with the translation preference for that party.

Claim 13

The method according to claim 1 wherein the calling and called parties are located domestically.

Claim 14

The method according to claim 1 wherein the calling and called parties are located internationally.

Claim 15

The method according to claim 1 wherein one of the calling and called parties may be located domestically and another located internationally.

Claim 16

A telecommunications network for completing a call between a calling and called party and for translating information generated by the calling and called parties, comprising: an originating telecommunications switch for making a connection to the calling party; a terminating telecommunications switch for making a connection to the called party; means for passing in-band traffic between the originating and terminating switches so a connection can be made through the switches between the calling and called parties; means for passing out-of band signaling information between the switches; and first and second front end processors connected to the originating and terminating switches, respectively, the first front end processor prompting the calling party, in response to a call therefrom invoking a language translation service, to enter a number of at least one called party and a language preference for translation of information generated by the called party, the second front end processor prompting the called party to enter a language preference for translation of speech uttered by the calling party, the first and second front end processors automatically translating the information generated by the calling and by the called party, respectively, in accordance with the language preferences entered by the called and calling parties, respectively; and further monitoring characteristics of the information generated by the calling and called parties; and simultaneously with the translation, adjusting the characteristics of the information generated the calling and called parties to achieve synchronism therebetween.

Claim 17

A telecommunications network for completing a call between a calling and called party and for translating information generated by the calling and called parties, comprising: an originating telecommunications switch for making a connection to the calling party; a terminating telecommunications switch for making a connection to the called party; means for passing in-band traffic between the originating and terminating switches so a connection can be made through the switches between the calling and called parties; means for passing out-of band signaling information between the switches; and first and second front end processors connected to the originating and terminating switches, respectively, the first front end processor prompting the calling party, in response to a call therefrom invoking a language translation service, to enter a number of at least one called party and a language preference for translation of information generated by the called party, the second front end processor prompting the called party to enter a language preference for translation of speech uttered by the calling party, the first and second front end processors automatically translating the information generated by the calling and by the called party, respectively, in accordance with the language preferences entered by the called and calling parties, respectively; and further monitoring characteristics of the information generated by the calling and called parties; and simultaneously with the translation, adjusting the characteristics of the information generated the calling and called parties to achieve synchronism therebetween.