JP2003234833A - Interpretation network device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to have a talk with an unspecified foreigner as much as needed time through an interpreter when the user has to talk with the foreigner. <P>SOLUTION: In an interpretation network device, a portable telephone set handsfree speech communication device (patent application number 2000-32423) (hereafter handsfree device) is attached to a portable telephone set and connected to an interpretation center through a communication line, voices are transmitted by a microphone attached to the handfree device, and interpreted voices can be heard with the speaker of the handfree device attached to the portable telephone set through a person of the interpretation center. In a configuration related to a claim 2, a connection is made convenient by preparing a switch on a dedicated handfree device with respect to the above device, and a needed foreign language for conversation is selectable at that time. In a configuration related to a claim 3, a computer telephone set is used instead of the handfree device, a connection is made to the interpretation center through a provider by using the Internet, a selection is made according to display on a computer screen, and the user can have a talk with a foreigner by using a microphone and a loudspeaker attached to the computer telephone set in the above method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interpreter network device, and more particularly to a device which enables conversation with foreigners through an interpreter at an interpreter center using a hands-free device, a communication line, the Internet or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A person who is not good at conversation in a foreign language calls an interpreter on the side and has a conversation through the interpreter. However, if you are working with a foreigner who does not know what time you will come, if a foreigner rarely comes, call an interpreter,
It is costly to prepare at all times, and it is inconvenient to have a conversation with a foreigner.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a simultaneous interpretation apparatus used in international conferences and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, a conversation in the hall is transmitted through a microphone to an interpreter through a line, the words are translated into a specific word, and then transmitted through a person's headphone speaker in the hall. The interpreter in this case will be hired by the organizer of the meeting or the person at the meeting place, and will need to pay a certain amount of money. Also, in a video conference system, etc., a conference is held by connecting the video and audio to a foreign country via the Internet and copying them to the screen. Even in this case, we hire an interpreter and proceed with the meeting.

[0004] There is a system in which a telephone company connects interpreter lines in a telephone line and performs simultaneous interpreting business. In this case, since it is a telephone line of a telephone-interpretation system-telephone, it is inconvenient for a visitor.

[0005]

According to the present invention, when a foreign visitor from an unspecified country unexpectedly needs a conversation, he / she needs to call an interpreter or remove the need to stay resident. The above-mentioned conventional problems have been solved by making it possible to interpret in a foreign language by connecting to an interpreting center with a mobile phone through a telephone line for the required time regardless of time.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a hands-free device is attached to a mobile phone, or a computer (computer phone) equipped with a speaker and a microphone that can use a communication line and the Internet is connected to a foreigner. In between, connect one of them to the interpreting center via a communication line or the Internet, and talk with the interpreter through the microphone.
I made the interpreter's voice audible through Spiker.

[0007]

2 is an example of a block diagram of an interpreter network device 10 according to claim 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of a perspective view used with the mobile phone 11 on the side of transmitting a conversation and the mobile phone hand-held communication device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-32423) (hereinafter, hands-free device) 12. FIG. 4 is an example of perspective views of the mobile phone 11 and the hands-free device 12. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the hands-free device 12. This hands-free device 12 has a connector 18 for connecting to a battery power source 13, a circuit board 14, a speaker 15, a microphone 16 and a mobile phone 11 inside a housing 18.
7 and has a connector 17 for connecting the hands-free device 12 to the mobile phone 11 and is connected to the mobile phone 11.

In FIG. 6, a hands-free device 12 is attached to a mobile phone 11 and is connected to a foreigner with whom a conversation is made at a translation center 19 via a communication line. Interpretation Center 1
It is conceivable that people who are fluent in foreign languages will refrain from entering 9 and that automatic interpretation will be performed by the voice response interpreter system in the future. Connect to an interpreter person via the interpreter center 19.
When the line is connected and a conversation is made, the conversation is communicated to the interpretation center 19 by the microphone 16 built in the hands-free device 12, and the voice of the conversation interpreter translated into Japanese or a foreign language is transmitted through the communication line. Then, the mobile phone 11 is entered, and the translated sound is output from the speaker 15 of the hands-free device 12 attached to the mobile phone 11. In this case, there may be more than one person in the conversation. If you no longer need it, just close the line.

FIG. 7 is an example of a block diagram of an interpreter network device using a dedicated hands-free device according to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8A shows a dedicated hands-free device 20.
Is an example. The dedicated hands-free device 20 is a hands-free device 20 having a function of a dedicated switch 21 for calling the interpreting center 19. This device does not require 8 to 12 digits of the telephone number of the interpreting center or the abbreviated number in which the telephone number is stored.
Interpretation center 19 by pressing one-touch or several times
Connected to. As shown in FIG. 8B, a switch 22 for selecting a foreign language is provided on the surface of the hands-free device 20, so that a person who interprets the foreign language selected by the foreign language selection switch 22 of the interpreting center 19 can be directly connected. I can.
Further, as a method of simplifying the connection of a dedicated hands-free device, it is conceivable that the hands-free device can be attached to a mobile phone and connected to an interpreting center after a preset time has elapsed. The method of transmitting the voice of the interpreter from the speaker 23 of the hands-free device 20 and transmitting the conversation with the foreigner to the interpreter center 19 through the microphone 24 is the same as in claim 1.

FIG. 9 is an example of a block diagram of an interpreting network device 31 using a computer telephone according to claim 3 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an example of a perspective view of a computer (hereinafter, computer telephone) 31 in which a computer has a telephone function. The computer telephone 31 is provided with a speaker 32 and a microphone 33. Place it between the foreigners who have the same conversation as above, store the software for connecting to the interpreting center 19 in the computer telephone 31 in advance, operate the keyboard according to the order displayed on the screen of the computer telephone 31, and connect the Internet line. Connect to the interpreter center 19. A conversation with a foreigner is made through the microphone 33, and a sound translated by the interpreter is output from the speaker 32. Even in this case, a plurality of people may be included in the conversation. If you no longer need it, just close the line.

[0012]

[Effects of the Invention] When a foreign visitor from an unspecified country suddenly arrives, if he / she contracts with the interpreting center in advance, he / she can connect to the interpreting center with a mobile phone equipped with a hands-free device. You can talk to foreigners through.
Also, since you can do the same with a computer phone via the Internet, you can deal with general shops, department stores, beauty salons, barbers, service businesses such as inns and hotels in tourist areas, and patients who are visited by unspecified foreigners. It has a wide range of use, such as a doctor, an emergency police officer, an emergency worker, etc., and has the effect of having an interpreter interpret when necessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a simultaneous interpretation device such as an international conference hall.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an interpreter network device according to claim 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a usage example of the mobile phone and a hands-free device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of a mobile phone and a hands-free device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a hands-free device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a usage example of the mobile phone and the hands-free device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an interpreter network device using a hands-free device according to claim 2;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a dedicated hands-free device having a switch function dedicated to the connection.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a dedicated hands-free device having the foreign language selection switch function.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an interpreter network device using a computer telephone according to claim 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a usage example of a computer telephone.

[Explanation of symbols]

11. Mobile phone 21. Switch 12. Hands-free device 22. Foreign language selection switch 13. Battery power 14. Circuit board 15. Speaker 16. Mike 31. Computer phone 17. Connector 32. Speaker 18. Housing 33. Mike 19. Interpretation Center 20. Dedicated hands-free device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. When a foreigner does not understand a foreign language when visiting a foreign country, he / she attaches a mobile phone handset to a mobile phone (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-32423) (hereinafter, a hands-free device) and attaches to the foreigner. Place the telephone number of the interpreting center from your mobile phone to the dedicated interpreting center (tentative name) that you have contracted with, and connect to the interpreting center and talk, you can talk to the interpreting center with the microphone attached to the hands-free device. Connection, conversation with an interpreter at an interpreter center, or that the voice translated by the voice response interpreter comes out of the spiker attached to the handsfree device. An interpreter network device that enables 2. In the above case, a hands-free device dedicated to the interpreter network device is attached to the mobile phone instead of the hands-free device (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-32423), and a switch dedicated to the interpretation center connection attached to the hands-free device. You can connect to the interpreting center by pressing the switch with a few touches, or attach a dedicated hands-free device to the mobile phone to simplify the connection with the interpreting center. An interpreter network device that can be connected to the center. 3. In the case of claim 1, using a computer (hereinafter, referred to as a computer telephone) in which a device capable of conversation connected to a telephone line is incorporated, the contract is made according to the computer screen of the dedicated software prepared in advance. Connected to the interpreting center via the Internet via the computer, send a conversation to the interpreting center with a microphone attached to or connected to the computer, and use the speaker attached to or connected to the computer to hear the translated voice. , An interpreter network device that is connected to the Internet, a provider, and an interpreter center so that you can talk with foreigners.