AU2016100128A4 - Interactive system for real time communication in different languages - Google Patents

Abstract

An interactive computerized system to facilitate instantaneous dictation and translation of text messages into different languages such that users of different backgrounds are able to communicate in text or speech substantially in real time in their own language. CTj; Www Cow \\ xN N .. .. . .. . .. . -7

Description

INTERACTIVE SYSTEM FOR REAL TIME COMMUNICATION IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to communication systems, in particular but not exclusively, to an interactive computerized system to facilitate instantaneous dictation and translation of text messages into different languages such that users of different backgrounds are able to communicate in text or speech substantially in real time in their own language. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The concept of chat boxes or chat rooms in computer communication technology is known. In most prior art examples, of which Skype is the most prominent, the software has to be down loaded and installed on the user's own device. In most cases including Skype, there is no translation from one language to another in real time after a user sends a message to facilitate conversation between speakers of different languages without the need to first translate the message on a third party website or service. There is also no built-in voice dictation software whereby a user can dictate speech into a chat box which is instantly converted to text as the user speaks and wherein this is simultaneously translated into the message recipient's spoken language. Prior art chat boxes or chat rooms also do not facilitate the saving of files to a user's file cloud. In the case of Skype, the user can only save or open a received file or content on the user's computer where they downloaded the file. The message or content is not saved on a central server or file cloud and therefore cannot be retrieved through another computer or from another location.

There is therefore a need for and it is an object of the invention to provide a facility which provides instantaneous dictation and translation of text messages into different languages such that users of different backgrounds are able to communicate in text or speech substantially in real time and in their own language. It is also the general object of the invention to seek to overcome or ameliorate the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art or to at least provide the public with an alternate choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resides in an interactive system to facilitate real time translation of text messages in different languages comprising: a computer server providing a communications platform for at least two users communicating in different languages; the communications platform including one or more language translation engines; the translation engines adapted to translate instantaneously text messages sent in a first language to the communications platform into a second language and vice versa such that users of different language backgrounds are able to communicate substantially in real time in their own language. Preferably, the system is enabled and facilitated via a server hosting a web based application. In the alternative, the system can be enabled and facilitated via an iOS or Android application. In another version, system may be facilitated via a smart device including a smart phone or tablet in communication with the service provider's website. 2 More preferably, the system also includes speech to text software wherein spoken messages are converted into and sent as text messages to be translated and reciprocally, there is text to speech software wherein translated text messages are delivered to a recipient user as computer generated voice messages. The system is preferably managed by a service provider and provided to users on a subscription basis. Preferably, the system is provided as a communications package which also includes Webcam functionality, voice processing, emoticons and the ability to send files. Preferably, the system enables a user to view their previous chat history for each day and the option of downloading a chat to their computer as a PDF file or delete a specific chat conversation. The user has the ability to list, upload and retrieve conversations from a file cloud facility and wherein new files can added into the file cloud or sent directly to another user from the user's list of files. In a complementary aspect, the invention resides in a method of facilitating communication between users of different language backgrounds substantially in real time via text in their own language using the system according to any of the above claims including the steps of: logging on a service provider's server using a computer or smart device; accessing the communications platform and the one or more language translation engines; inputting or dictating a first message in a first language; sending the first message as a text message to the communications 3 platform; the translation engines instantaneously translating the first text message into text of a second language and vice versa wherein typed or voice activated communication between users of different language backgrounds is effected substantially in real time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention be understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a preferred system of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1 the interactive system to facilitate real time translation of text messages in different languages comprises a computer server with software 10 providing a communications platform for at least two users communicating or chatting 12, 13 in different languages. The translation engine 14 is adapted to translate instantaneously text messages sent in a first language to the communications platform into a second language and vice versa substantially in real time. The system can be enabled and facilitated via an iOS or Android application or via a smart device including a smart phone or tablet in communication with a service provider's website. The system includes speech to text software wherein spoken messages 16 are converted into and sent as text messages to be translated and reciprocally, there is text to speech software wherein translated text messages are delivered to a recipient user as computer generated voice messages 30. The system is 4 preferably managed by a service provider and provided to users on a subscription basis. Preferably, the system is provided as a communications package which also includes Webcam functionality, voice processing, emoticons 17 and the ability to send files 18 to a file cloud 20. Preferably, the system enables a user to view their previous chat history 22 for each day and the option of downloading a chat to their computer as a PDF file or delete a specific chat conversation. The user has the ability preferably via drop box integration 24 to list, upload and retrieve conversations from a file cloud facility 20 and wherein invitations 27 and new contacts 26 can added into the file cloud or sent directly to another user from the user's list of files. The system is also preferably able to be customized by varying settings 28. There is also a speech playback facility 30 where a text to speech translation is enabled. It will of course be realized that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. In the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing" such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains". 5

Claims (9)

1. An interactive system to facilitate real time translation of text messages in different languages comprising: a computer server providing a communications platform for at least two users communicating in different languages; the communications platform including one or more language translation engines; the translation engines adapted to translate instantaneously text messages sent in a first language to the communications platform into a second language and vice versa such that users of different language backgrounds are able to communicate substantially in real time via text in their own language.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is enabled and facilitated via a server hosting a web based application on a subscription basis.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is provided as a communications package which includes Webcam functionality, voice processing, emoticons and the ability to send files.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is enabled and facilitated via an iOS application.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is enabled and facilitated via an Android application.

6. The system according to any of the above claims, wherein the system is enabled and facilitated via a smart device including a smart phone or tablet in communication with the service provider's website. 6

7. The system according to any of the above claims, wherein the system includes speech to text software wherein spoken messages are converted into and sent as text messages to be translated.

8. The system according to any one of the above claims, wherein the system includes text to speech software wherein translated text messages are delivered to a recipient user as computer generated voice messages.

9. A method of facilitating communication between users of different language backgrounds substantially in real time via text in their own language using the system according to any of the above claims including the steps of: logging on a service provider's server using a computer or smart device; accessing the communications platform and the one or more language translation engines; inputting or dictating as defined, a first message in a first language; sending the first message as a text message to the communications platform; the translation engines instantaneously translating the first text message into text of a second language and vice versa wherein as defined, typed or voice activated communication between users of different language backgrounds is effected substantially in real time. 7