Patent US5982853A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5982853A
Expired / Lapsed
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Telephone for the deaf and method of using same
Assignee: ALEXANDER TRUST
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Filing: 1996-05-23
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2016-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An electronic communications system for the deaf includes a video apparatus for observing and digitizing the facial, body and hand and finger signing motions of a deaf person, an electronic translator for translating the digitized signing motions into words and phrases, and an electronic output for the words and phrases. The video apparatus desirably includes both a video camera and a video display which will display signing motions provided by translating spoken words of a hearing person into digitized images. The system may function as a translator by outputting the translated words and phrases as synthetic speech at the deaf person's location for another person at that location, and that person's speech may be picked up, translated, and displayed as signing motions on a display in the video apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Raanan Liebermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M1/247; H04M1/2474; H04M1/2475; H04M1/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf comprising: (a) a video apparatus for visually observing the images of facial and hand and finger signing motions of a deaf person and converting the observed signing motions into digital identifiers; (b) means for translating said digital identifiers of said observed signing motions into words and phrases; (c) means for outputting said words and phrases generated by the visual observation of said signing motions in a comprehensible form to another person; (d) a receiver for receiving spoken words and phrases of another person and transmitting them; (e) means for translating said spoken words and phrases into a visual form which may be observed by the deaf person; and (f) means for outputting said visual form of said spoken words and phrases on said video apparatus for viewing by the deaf person.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf comprising: (a) a video apparatus for visually observing the images of facial and hand and finger signing motions of a deaf person and converting the observed signing motions into digital identifiers; (b) means for translating said digital identifiers of said observed signing motions into words and phrases; (c) means for outputting said words and phrases generated by the visual observation of said signing motions in a comprehensible form to another person; (d) a receiver for receiving spoken words and phrases of another person and transmitting them; (e) means for translating said spoken words and phrases into a visual form which may be observed by the deaf person; and (f) means for outputting said visual form of said spoken words and phrases on said video apparatus for viewing by the deaf person.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said another person is at a remote location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said video apparatus includes a video camera and image capture and processing hardware and software.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said translating means is located at a central station with which said video apparatus and said receiver and outputting means are in communication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said translating means also includes artificial intelligence for interpreting and converting the translated signing motions into words and phrases and into coherent sentences.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said outputting means converts said coherent sentences into synthetic speech.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outputting means converts said spoken words and phrases into written form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said video apparatus includes a display screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said video apparatus provides an output of said spoken words and phrases as signing motions on said display screen for viewing by the deaf person.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said video apparatus includes a display screen to provide an output of said spoken words and phrases as signing motions on said display screen for viewing by the deaf person, and wherein said video apparatus includes a microphone and speaker whereby a deaf person may communicate with another person in the immediate vicinity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electronic communications system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said translating means is located at a central station with which said video apparatus and said receiver and outputting means are in communication.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a method for electronic communication for the deaf comprising: (a) visually observing the images of facial and hand and finger signing motions of a deaf person and converting the observed signing motions into digital identifiers; (b) translating said digital identifiers of said observed signing motions into words and phrases; (c) outputting said words and phrases in a comprehensible form to another person; (d) receiving speech from said another person; (e) translating said speech of said another person into signing motions; and (f) displaying said signing motions representing said speech to said deaf person.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a method for electronic communication for the deaf comprising: (a) visually observing the images of facial and hand and finger signing motions of a deaf person and converting the observed signing motions into digital identifiers; (b) translating said digital identifiers of said observed signing motions into words and phrases; (c) outputting said words and phrases in a comprehensible form to another person; (d) receiving speech from said another person; (e) translating said speech of said another person into signing motions; and (f) displaying said signing motions representing said speech to said deaf person.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic communications method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said another person is at a remote location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said step of outputting at a remote location is effected by transmission of said translated words and phrases to a communications device receiver at said remote location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said step of observing and converting the signing motions is effected by a video camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 including the step of transmitting said digital identifiers of said motions and said speech electronically to a central station where said translating steps are performed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said outputting step provides such words and phrases as synthetic speech.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said outputting step provides said words and phrases in written form to said another person.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said displaying step provides said words and phrases in written form.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said translating step utilizes artificial intelligence.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic communication method and software in accordance with claim 20 wherein said intelligence is developed with the use of multiple neural networks automatically created and assigned by gesture type.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said another person and said displaying step are at the same location as said deaf person and wherein said visually observing and converting step utilizes a video apparatus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 22 wherein said receiver and outputting steps are conducted by components of an installation including said video apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 22 wherein said translating steps are conducted at a remote center.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic communication method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said translating steps are conducted at a remote center.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf comprising: (a) a video apparatus for visually observing the images of facial and hand and finger signing motions of a deaf person and converting the observed signing motions into digital identifiers; (b) means for translating said digital identifiers of said observed signing motions into words and phrases; (c) means for outputting said words and phrases generated by the visual observations of said signing motions in a comprehensible form to another person; (d) a receiver for receiving spoken words and phrases of another person and transmitting them; (e) means for translating said spoken words and phrases into signing motions which may be observed by the deaf person; and (f) means for outputting said signing motions on said video apparatus for viewing by the deaf person, said translating means being located at a central station with which said video apparatus and receiver are in communication.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
150 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf comprising: (a) a video apparatus for visually observing the images of facial and hand and finger signing motions of a deaf person and converting the observed signing motions into digital identifiers; (b) means for translating said digital identifiers of said observed signing motions into words and phrases; (c) means for outputting said words and phrases generated by the visual observations of said signing motions in a comprehensible form to another person; (d) a receiver for receiving spoken words and phrases of another person and transmitting them; (e) means for translating said spoken words and phrases into signing motions which may be observed by the deaf person; and (f) means for outputting said signing motions on said video apparatus for viewing by the deaf person, said translating means being located at a central station with which said video apparatus and receiver are in communication.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf in accordance with claim 26 wherein said another person is at a remote location.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf in accordance with claim 26 wherein said video apparatus includes a video camera and image capture and processing hardware and software.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf in accordance with claim 26 wherein said translating means also includes artificial intelligence for interpreting and converting the translated motions into words and phrases into coherent sentences.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf in accordance with claim 28 wherein said outputting means converts said coherent sentences into synthetic speech.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf in accordance with claim 26 wherein said video apparatus includes a display screen.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electronic communications system for the deaf in accordance with claim 26 wherein said video apparatus includes a display screen to provide an output of said spoken words and phrases as signing motions on said display screen for viewing by the deaf person, and wherein said video apparatus includes a microphone and speaker whereby a deaf person may communicate with another person in the immediate vicinity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |