Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
  • G10L—SPEECH ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES OR SPEECH SYNTHESIS; SPEECH RECOGNITION; SPEECH OR VOICE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES; SPEECH OR AUDIO CODING OR DECODING
  • G10L13/00—Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F40/00—Handling natural language data
  • G06F40/40—Processing or translation of natural language
  • G06F40/58—Use of machine translation, e.g. for multi-lingual retrieval, for server-side translation for client devices or for real-time translation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
  • G10L—SPEECH ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES OR SPEECH SYNTHESIS; SPEECH RECOGNITION; SPEECH OR VOICE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES; SPEECH OR AUDIO CODING OR DECODING
  • G10L15/00—Speech recognition
  • G10L15/26—Speech to text systems
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
  • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones

Definitions

• Verbal translator integrated with perception of integrated interlocutor integrated with perception of integrated interlocutor.
• the invention relates to a verbal (or vocal) translator of the portable and autonomous type.
• the invention relates to automatic translation, allowing a first individual speaking in a first language to converse orally with a second individual speaking in a second language, distinct from said first language.
• a means of translation between the first and second languages a headset connected to the translation means by a connecting means.
• This headset is provided with at least one earphone, a microphone and a speaker located on a buccal support bow of said microphone.
• This microphone is arranged to capture the words of individuals and then they are transmitted either to the earpiece or to the mouth-arc speaker.
• the vis-à-vis the wearer of the translator acoustically perceives the words translated since those pronounced by the wearer, as if these words were emitted directly from the mouth of the wearer.
• Such a translator is described in document FR2921735A1 or
• the batteries and accumulators able to provide such a power often prove to be of an antagonistic size with the lightness and comfort of porting of the translator.
• the batteries are made with chemically hazardous products, rare and difficult to recycle, which pushes to limit the integration to a translator.
• the charging of the accumulators is often quite impractical, since it forces to have a dedicated charger that increases the size to be transported by the carrier. But also, it is necessary to have a socket connected to the sector. In this case, depending on the country, the different nominal voltages may require to carry, in addition, an additional transformer. While the time required for charging via the sector (e.g. 220V-50Hz), is sometimes long or prohibitive to the use of the translator.
• US2009120429 discloses a solar powered helmet, with an electronic element and a plurality of photovoltaic solar panels, arranged to be movable between a closed position and an open position.
• Document US 61 01 256 describes an integral protective helmet, for example for fireman or motorcyclist.
• On this headset to connect its wearer outside a sound point of view, are provided a microphone and a speaker, outside and inside.
• An amplifier signal coupler couples external audio signals from a microphone upwardly speaking, respectively internal / external or vice versa.
• a solar power source can be provided.
• US2007054705 discloses a non-contact apparatus provided with multiple sources of power supply.
• a photovoltaic solar panel can be arranged on a high speaker shell of the device in the form of a headset.
• a removable connector can also be connected to this shell.
• An optical cable connection is possible.
• US2005282591 discloses a hand-held mobile phone, with an integrated radio receiver and photovoltaic solar panels at the top of a keyboard and screen case.
• WO20091 32646 describes the combination of two audio signals from two microphones, to improve the sound reproduction.
• one or more electronic devices such as a personal computer, an electronic organizer, a camera or a camera, a media player, etc.
• the translator can be housed in a receptacle as compact and practical as possible.
• a toy in the form of a semi-integral protective helmet with a transparent visor.
• a microphone on an articulated arm is connected to the toy, and are provided internal and external speakers, the latter located at the top of the hull of the toy, used to emit unintelligible.
• a noise scrambling selection button is provided.
• the object of the present invention is defined by the claims, to provide an electronic translator, usable using the device according to the invention by following a method determined, to overcome the limitations of translation devices mentioned above by allowing a conversation.
• an embodiment of the invention is a portable electronic translator forming a helmet, comprising at least: a sound pickup device arranged on a front branch intended to place this pickup device facing a user's oral position .
• Said frontal branch being mounted on a main atrium, itself secured to a bow or headrest.
• the capture device comprising on the one hand at least one mouth microphone arranged towards a rear face of the front branch, and at least one interlocution microphone arranged towards an anterior face of the front branch.
• a sound reproduction device comprises on the one hand at least one listening speaker integrated in said headset and an interlocution speaker integrated in the front branch to be oriented substantially similar to that of the interlocution microphone .
• Electronic and logical means are provided in the translator and arranged to ensure the capture, processing, restitution and translation of words.
• the capture device is coupled to the electronic means; at least one interlocution microphone opens in a direction directed towards an interlocutor in a direction forming a conversation axis and is wide front capture fields, while at least one mouth microphone which opens in an opposite direction directed in the direction forming conversation axis is strongly directional rear fields.
• the electronic means have means of discrimination of a current phase of conversation, of which one phase of utterance by the wearer which involves a translation in a vis-à-vis language, when a signal from said mouth microphone is greater than another signal from the interlocution microphone. In this case, a speech conversation phase being determined, the electronic means automatically perform a translation processing of said signal from said mouth microphone in a language vis-à-vis.
• the capturing device is arranged with the microphone of interlocution with wide front capture fields of cardioid type.
• the capturing device is arranged with the highly directional rear-end microphone, hyper cardioid or barrel type.
• the electronic and logical means are provided at least in part in an atrium of the translator and are arranged to automatically determine phases of: uttered by the wearer in his own language, a word; - translation of this word into the language of the person opposite; hearing by the vis-à-vis the wearer, of this speech translated into his language; utterance of another word of response by the vis-à-vis the wearer, in his language not understandable by the wearer; translation of this word not understandable in the language of the wearer; and hearing by the wearer, of this word translated into his language.
• the translator has at least one photovoltaic sensor
• At least one photovoltaic sensor is on the arch of the translator.
• the translator has means for viewing the speech / listening state. These means are controlled by the electronic means so that a specific color lighting is activated according to the current conversation phase, another color, clearly distinct visually, being provided for at least one other conversation phase.
• the electronic means of the translator have at least one coupling connection to an external electronic device.
• the electronic means of the translator comprise transcription means which are integrated with display means.
• the translator has a male connector plug, e.g., on a main headset and / or a complementary female plug e.g., on a branch.
• Another object of the invention is a translation method, which employs a translator as evoked.
• a logic processing performed by the electronic means provides a switching functionality of automatic language with an automatic determination, at each moment, in real time and / or in repetitive intervals, of which is the interlocutor between the translator's wearer and his opposite person who speaks, and the listener.
• the electronic means are arranged so that in a listening state, it is expected that the restitution of the signals from the microphone microphone-type pickup device are reduced and those of the other microphone-type pickup device. interlocution are increased, and / or translation processing of which a choice of the language produced and interpreted by the translator and that to be provided via the rendering devices including the headset, are automatically determined.
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a conversation using several translators according to the invention, each of which has means for viewing the speech / listening state
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a detail of a translator embodiment according to the invention, which has a so-called "unitary" form of means for viewing the speech / listening state, as well as a removable branch at connect by a plug / socket
• - Figure 3 schematically illustrates a detail of a translator embodiment according to the invention, coupled to an electronic device and / or network connected by a logical link;
• FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a detail of a translator embodiment according to the invention, with another form of detachable branch, and means for adjusting the size of a bow vis-à-vis at least one earpiece where are located means for connecting and assembling said removable branch;
• FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a detail of a translator embodiment according to the invention, with electrical energy supply means of the photovoltaic type, e.g. arranged on a holding bar.
• reference numeral 1 designates an electronic device forming a portable voice translator.
• a wearer / user 2 puts this translator on his head, here in the manner of a sound headset, when he wants to use it.
• a voice translator 1 For the use of a voice translator 1, at least one user 2 (or “carrier” or “interlocutor”) is needed, one direct and carrying the translator, the other indirect and not necessarily porteu r lu itself a translator 1, but can be equipped.
• the interlocutor 2 d irect is called the "main user 2". While the other interlocutor 2, bearer or not, is called “interlocuteu r 2 secondary”.
• the invention of a SpeakWorld ® (or multiple) vocal translator 1 may also be useful for a group of interlocutors 2 (see Figure 1) of more than two persons wishing to converse.
• Figu re 1 we see three users 2 each with a translator 1.
• a direction 4 is drawn between the mouth positions 3 of the main and secondary interlocutors 2 at a given moment. This direction 4 is called “the axis of conversation" (continuous double dotted line).
• the invention it has appeared useful and pleasant for the users 2 to improve the sound recording of the verbal (vocal) utterances of the main interlocutor 2.
• the translator 1 "SpeakWorld ®" according to document FR2921735 has a front branch 6 on which are placed, close to the conversation axis 4 of the oral position of the interlocutor 2, a device 7 for sound reproduction (loudspeaker) opening in the opposite direction to the interlocutor 2 in the direction 4, and in general at least two devices 5 capturing verbal utterances of the interlocutors 2 main and secondary.
• a translator 1 has at least two capture devices 5, eg. on one branch 6. One is oriented outwards that is to say the front of the translator 1, the other inward, that is to say the back of this translator 1. Each inner or rear device 5 serves as a mouth microphone 8. Each external or front device 5 serves as an interlocution microphone 9.
• the mouth microphone 8 forms a device 5 (rear or internal) with highly directional capture fields (e.g. hyper cardioid microphones or barrel).
• the interlocution microphone 9 forms meanwhile a device 5 (front or outer) with wide capture fields.
• this realization is practical for public translations (speech, conference, lecture, for example) where the translation of the words (speeches, speeches, etc.) of the bearer 2 of a translator 1 are preponderant, and the Positional origin of the returns (questions, reactions, etc.) can be of extended origin.
• the mouth microphone 8 which is wide field of capture
• the interlocution microphone 9 which is highly directional field of capture.
• the invention therefore makes good use of the fact that naturally, two interlocutors 2 are automatically oriented vis-à-vis when they converse.
• their mouth positions 3 (more generally their entire face, including their eyes and mouth together) come opposite or facing each other, to jointly define a conversation axis 4 relatively stable, common and accurate, during a given conversation phase.
• a highly directional interlocution microphone 9 "targets” or “points” towards the external speaker, which provides a good capture, relatively “concentrated” on the words of this external speaker (to the detriment of background noise surrounding ).
• one of the capture devices 5 has strongly directional (forward) capture fields.
• this device 5 opens in the forward direction directed towards the interlocutor
• the invention therefore makes judicious use of the natural setting compared to the mouth positions
• the natural setting of the mouth positions 3 places the sound pickup field automatically relatively in front of the mouth 3 vis-à-vis, which ensures optimal capture to the wearer 2. And if this capture is highly directional, the spurious noise surrounding the capture field are only slightly or not recorded, because out of field, which corresponds to a kind of filtering.
• the invention can make use of a reduced sensitivity in terms of sound volume capture by the mouth microphone 8, compared to the superior sensitivity in terms of sound volume pickup by the wide-field 9 speaking microphone.
• Applications of the invention with a rear-end microphone 8 with a highly directional field plus a front wide-field microphone 9, may be suitable for multi-point dialogues (three or more) in a quiet location, where the microphone is wide-field interlocution 9 facilitates the perception of the words of each vis-à-vis the carrier 2 of a translator.
• At least one mouth microphone 8 is wide field of capture and another mouth microphone 8 has a strongly restricted field of capture.
• at least one interlocution microphone 9 is wide field of capture and another interlocution microphone 9 is strongly limited capture field.
• Mix capture Electronic and logic means 1 1 of the mixed translator 1 are, in one embodiment, implemented with means 10 for discriminating sound sources, combined with these two microphones 8 back and two microphones 9 before.
• the discriminating means 10 evaluates the instantaneous capture quality of each microphone 8-9 and determines which one offers the best rendering of speech.
• the electronic and logical means 1 1 determine the current conversation phase, the "turn of speech", etc. Then, these electronic and logical means 1 1 not only select whether it is appropriate to process the signal from a rear microphone 8 or before 9, but also which (wide or strong field) restricted) offers the optimum sound quality for this conversation phase.
• At least one highly restricted field capture device 5 is of hyper cardioid or canon technology. While at least one wide capture device 5 is cardioid technology.
• the invention thus provides a very high sound pickup quality, together with excellent flexibility and positional stability (in proximity and direction by convergence of the two axes 4), which provides comfort and mutual understanding of interlocutors 2 high.
• the device (s) 5, more precisely the mouth microphone 8 or interlocution 9 have a filter (confused with the means 1 1).
• it is a voice learning filter, so that the voice utterances of the two instantaneous interlocutors 2 are picked up and then cleared of noise and / or acoustically focused on the specific sonorities of voice utterances of these two interlocutors 2 snapshots.
• the two mouth microphones 8 and interlocution 9 are merged or confused in a single device 5, and leads (eg one before the speaker 2 the other back to the carrier translator 1) also form part of or form source discrimination means 10.
• the capture devices 5 are microphones produced by Bruel & Kjaer (see http://www.bksv.fr/Products/TransducersConditioning/AcousticTran sducers / Microphones.aspx). Thanks to the invention, it is possible to have a translator 1 at the same time more compact, lightweight and modular.
• an embodiment provides that all or most of the electronic and logical means 1 1 of a translator 1 are integrated with a main atrium 12.
• electronic and logical means 1 1 denotes the electronic cards and processing components information, sound signal production (including any filters eg sound focus), power supply, connectivity for accessories to the headset 12, external connectivity.
• electronic and logical means 1 1 provide in embodiments of the invention, an external connectivity of the translator 1 to other electronic devices eg PDA, computer, wireless network such as wifi, Bluetooth, 3G, GSM, RFID, etc. . or wired like USB, FireWire, RS232, mono / stereo jack, etc.
• wireless network such as wifi, Bluetooth, 3G, GSM, RFID, etc. . or wired like USB, FireWire, RS232, mono / stereo jack, etc.
• the electronic and logical means 11 comprise at least one data storage memory 13 (ROM, RAM, EPROM, etc.) which is arranged in such a way as to be able to memorize the various computer programs or software (hardware management of the software).
• translator 1, translation, filtering, etc.).
• the translator 1 has a feature called "automatic language switching".
• the sound signals picked up or not (silence) by the device 5 of the mouth microphone type 8, as well as the sound signals picked up or not (silence) by the other device 5 of interlocution microphone type 9, are connected logically (typically within electronic and logical means 1 1 integrated to a main headset 12) to determine at each given moment, the current phase of a conversation between interlocutors 2.
• the logical processing performed by these means 1 1 is to automatically determine, at each moment-in real time and / or in repetitive intervals- is the interlocutor 1 (the one who carries the translator 1 in question, or the other translator 1) who speaks and the one who listens, in particular.
• a state or "listening" phase provides for example that the restitution of the signals from a device 5 of the mouth microphone type 8 are reduced and those of another device 5 of the microphone type interlocution 9 are increased.
• the translation processing the choice of the language produced and interpreted by the translator 1 and that to be provided via the device 7 including the headset 12, are automatically determined.
• an embodiment provides in a state of speech that the language perceived or spoken by the bearer 1 is French, and the translated language is English, while the translator 1 passes or is automatically maintained in translation mode.
• verbal statement "(eg Chinese to German).
• the translator 1 While at the perception of a silence (relatively durable and marked in loudness) by the device 5 of the mouth microphone type 8, the translator 1 is switched in phase and "listening state", for example after validation. 'a capture significant by the other d ispositif 5-type interlocution microphone 9, and the logical processing is placed in "translation of external speech” (eg German to Chinese).
• these means 17 have a green LED (s) 1 8 on the branch 6 here in the vicinity of the devices 5 and 7, that is to say on the outer face of the device. this branch 6.
• the means 1 7 have another block of LEDs (s) bright 1 9 of red color on the main atrium 1 2, here in the vicinity of the devices 5 and 7 of this atrium 12.
• the translator 1 has another so-called "unitary" form of display means 17 of the speech / listening state.
• these means 1 7 have a single block of LED (s) luminous 1 8-19 variable color (depending on the frequency and / or supply voltage) fully grouped on the branch 6 and also near the devices 5 and 7 of the outer face.
• These means 1 7 grouped are pi lot by the means 1 0 so that the (or) pavement (s) of LED (s) 1 8-1 9 illuminated light of a cou their determined by a specified state or phase of the translator 1. Another color, clearly distinct visually, is provided for another state or phase.
• the keypad (s) 1 8- 1 9 bright illuminates in green for the listening state of the carrier 2, and red color for the state of speech of said port r 2.
• the interlocutor 2 in front of a carrier 2 of a translator 1 in speech thus sees that it is preferable that he keep quiet and listen when the wearer speaks 2 Conversely he sees that he can express himself verbally when the translator 1 indicates to him in green that the wearer 2 is in a listening state. This avoids overlapping verbal utterances, facilitates processing and improves conversation quality.
• the translator 1 is coupled to an electronic apparatus e.g. PDA, computer, wireless network such as wifi, BlueTooth, 3G, GSM, RFI D, etc.
• This apparatus 20 is connected by a logic link 21 which can be wired (for example via a cable 22 on which are coupled two "jack" jacks of diameter 1, 5mm).
• the apparatus 20 has display means 23. This is conventional for PCs, PDAs, Ipod®s /
• Iphone® BlackBerry® and other devices 20 Psion® type, Archos®, Android® in particular.
• visualization means 17 of translator 1 are integrated with the display means 23 of the apparatus 20.
• transcription means 24 are integrated in the display means 23.
• these means 24 allow the written display of: ung lossaire, interactive lexical propositions (based on voice recognition and / or offering in writing 25 eg choices of quasi-homonyms, to be selected, - dictionaries, transcripts of conversations (for example transferable on computer, eg by email or chat, or to a word processor, operating aids (multilingual user guide) of translator 1, etc.).
• transcription means 24 is ViaVoice® or Dragon®.
• written text reading means 26 are integrated and / or accessible via the apparatus 20. Then, via the connection 21 and / or 22, a reading of written text, produced by by or through the apparatus 20 is transmitted orally to the translator 1 (eg to the main atrium 12). Thus, a written text is read and stated by the translator 1.
• the means 7 have a speaker 37 interlocution.
• the means 7 also have a listening loudspeaker 36.
• the electronic and logical means 1 1 (including a translation model 27 in particular (FIG. 3) operate to the attention of the carrier 2 equipped with the translator 1, a voice translation of the written text, in the listening language. of the carrier 2 (eg, selected in advance via a control interface 28 of the translator 1, on the latter and / or on the apparatus 20).
• the control interface 28 is tactile (screen, buttons ...), but other control means (eg verbal) are provided in embodiments, especially when the risk of interference with the words to be translated is limited.
• the translation module 14 (FIG. 2) comprises electronic components and language management programs such as Nuance (http://nuance.fr), Jibbigo (http://www.jibbigo.com) or like.
• the invention allows e.g. via the control interface 28 and / or using the means 10-1 1, easy validation of dialogue languages, clarity of sound, etc..
• the translator 1 has a male connection plug 15, here on the main atrium 12.
• the translator 1 is equipped with a USB plug or the like, allowing the connection of the translator 1 for exchanging data, signals or for charging electricity.
• the translator 1 also has a complementary plug 16, here female, into which the plug 15 can be connected. Integrated to this plug 16, a thin rod 29 at the distal end (opposite to the complementary plug 16) of which are arranged devices 5 (Mouth 8) that allow when a translation is not desired, to use the structures of the translator 1 as a simple headset and / or speech.
• a complementary plug 16 here female
• a thin rod 29 at the distal end (opposite to the complementary plug 16) of which are arranged devices 5 (Mouth 8) that allow when a translation is not desired, to use the structures of the translator 1 as a simple headset and / or speech.
• Such a headset is useful with various types of apparatus 20, once connected via links 21 or 22, eg. to a cell phone, a PDA, a walkman, a computer, or the like.
• the translator 1 has a hoop 30 which supports (or integrates) at least one atrium 12.
• This arch 30 is mechanically coupled to at least one atrium 12 by adjusting and immobilizing means 31.
• these adjustment and immobilization means 31 have a sliding link 32 with ratchets.
• the translator 1 has at least one photovoltaic (solar) sensor designated at 34.
• a photovoltaic sensor 34 is on the hoop 30.
• a translation process is implemented by the translator 1.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computational Linguistics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Machine Translation (AREA)

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• 2010
  • 2010-09-21 FR FR1003741A patent/FR2965136B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-08-09 WO PCT/FR2011/000463 patent/WO2012038612A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2011-08-09 EP EP11757357.6A patent/EP2619754A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-08-09 US US13/824,693 patent/US20150039288A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (3)

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