JPH10228474A - Portable voice interpreter by which bidirectional conversation is available - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform bidirectional conversation without being aware of foreign languages by selecting a character of a language in a conversation form that is shown in an own language by touching with a finger or a pen and emitting a selected language in a voice of a foreign language. SOLUTION: A touch panel provided integrally with an electronic indicator is provided on an electronic indicator display surface 3. When one of plural software switches 4 that are shown on the surface 3 is lightly touched by a finger or a pen, internal control circuits of an own language device 1 and a foreign language device 2 are operated and one of plural that are shown is selected. That is, the internal control circuit of the device 1 is operated, a language that is used for conversation is selected, and a voice that is previously stored in a foreign language that corresponds to the selected language is issued from a speaker 5. Thus, a person understand a foreigner with the device 2, who he meet. Then, a person having the device 1 can communicates with a foreigner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is not only a one-way foreign language speech translation, but also a bidirectional and fluent conversation between foreign languages, because the words used in the conversation can be selected easily and quickly. The present invention relates to a portable voice translator that enables a user to speak, and a portable voice translator that enables two-way conversation for a language-disabled person who can understand characters but cannot speak words.

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional speech translator inputs or selects a word or a single character in a native language using a switch or a keyboard or the like, converts it into a foreign language, and outputs it as speech. In addition to the one-way voice translation function, it takes time for the user to select or input the words that he / she wants to convey, and the words that are translated and spoken aloud are words that are spoken words. Such as not being
There are problems such as not being a voice translator and a voice translator capable of simple and quick conversation between foreign languages.

[0003] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and provides a simple and quick selection and input of words required for a conversation, and a function of speaking words in a conversation style. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable voice translator and a voice conversation device capable of two-way conversation having the following.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention classifies words necessary for conversation, displays the words on an electronic display for each classification, and further comprises an electronic display. With the integrated touch panel, the selection and input of words become very fast, and the function of conversational words corresponding to the displayed words is stored in advance by voice,
By using two portable devices that speak foreign language in native language and speak native language in native language, two-way foreign language conversation and native language speech conversation can be performed. It is characterized in that it becomes possible.

According to the present invention, a person who uses a foreign language has a face-to-face conversation using two portable voice translators. There is an electronic display with an integrated touch panel, a voice storage unit that stores spoken words by voice, and a signal receiving and transmitting unit for synchronizing the conversation classification display. Conversation sentences of the same category are always displayed on the display surfaces of the two electronic displays. On the display surface of one of the portable speech translators, a conversational sentence is displayed in a native language character, and a foreign language word corresponding to the conversational sentence is stored in a voice storage unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “local language translator”). "), The other hand-held speech translator displays a conversational sentence in a foreign language on the display surface, and the language of the native language corresponding to the conversational sentence is stored in the speech storage unit (hereinafter referred to as the Is abbreviated as "foreign language device"). Select a conversation sentence of your language you want to talk with your native language device from the display surface, touch the display surface with your finger or pen, the touch panel works, the selected conversation sentence is selected, and the foreign language stored in the voice storage unit The sound is output from the speaker of the native language device. A person with a foreign language device can hear the sound output from the native language device in their own language, so select a conversation sentence corresponding to the content from the display surface of the foreign language device and touch the display surface with a finger or pen, Sound is output from the speaker of the foreign language device in the partner's own language. In addition, since conversational sentences are classified and displayed for each type, if the display classification changes, a display change signal is transmitted from the signal transmission unit of one portable voice translator, and the signal of the other portable voice translator is transmitted. Entering the receiving section, the display classification is automatically changed. In this way, the ability of foreigners to constantly see the same conversation classification, the ability to hear speech in both native languages, and the ability to easily and quickly select conversational sentences eliminate foreign language barriers and provide bidirectional Conversation becomes possible.

[Embodiment] In FIG. 1, 1 is a native language of a portable speech translator, 2 is a foreign language of a portable speech translator, 3 is an electronic display screen, and 4 is software. Character or figure frame, 5 is a speaker, 6 is an infrared signal transmitter, 7
Is an infrared transmission signal, 8 is an infrared signal receiver, 9 is a message switch, 10 is a power switch, 11 is a battery housing, 12 is a charging and AC adapter connection port, and 13 is a volume control volume. The native language device 1 of the portable speech translator and the foreign language device 2 of the portable speech translator are small and light so that they can be easily held with one hand. The conversational person has the native language device (hereinafter abbreviated as “local language device”) 1 of the portable speech translator, and the foreign language device (hereinafter abbreviated as “foreign language device”) 2 of the portable speech translator is a foreigner Has. When the message switch 9 of the native language device 1 is pressed, an explanation of the method of using the foreign language device 2 and the conversation method is uttered from the speaker 5 in a language that the foreigner having the foreign language device 2 can understand. Can use the foreign language device 2 without receiving an explanation from the conversational subject having the native language device 1. On the electronic display screen 3 of the native language device 1 and the foreign language device 2,
A plurality of character or graphic frames (hereinafter abbreviated as “software switches”) 4 displayed by software are displayed,
This content can be freely changed by software.
Since the touch panel integrated with the electronic display is provided on the electronic display screen 3, one of the software switches 4 displayed on the electronic display screen 3 is touched by a finger. Alternatively, by lightly touching with a pen, the control circuits inside the native language device 1 and the foreign language device 2 operate, and one of a plurality of displayed characters can be selected. The software switch 4 displays a conversation classification item or a word used in the conversation as characters or graphics, and a conversation classification screen is displayed on a display screen first displayed when the power switch 10 is turned on. You. The category of conversation is a systematic classification of words used in conversation, for example, greetings, self-introduction, hotels, restaurants, shopping, transportation, etc. are displayed as categories, and one of these is By selecting with the eyes and lightly touching the display frame of a classification item with a finger or a pen, a plurality of words used for conversation in the classification item are displayed. When a word used in the conversation displayed is selected by eye and the display frame of the selected word is touched with a finger or a pen, a control circuit inside the native language device 1 operates, and the word used in the conversation is identified. Since the voice stored in advance in the foreign language corresponding to the selected word is uttered from the speaker 5, the foreigner facing the foreign language device 2 can understand. In this way, the intention of the person holding the native language device 1 can be communicated to the foreigner. next,
The foreigner with the foreign language device 2 selects the words to be used for conversation from among the software switches 4 displayed in characters that the foreigner can understand, and uses a finger or a pen to select the words to be used for the conversation. When the user touches the display frame, the control circuit inside the foreign language device 2 operates, the words used in the conversation are identified, and the voice stored in the language understood by the person having the native language device 1 corresponding to the selected word. However, since it is uttered from the speaker 5 of the foreign language device 2, the intention of the foreigner can be conveyed to the facing person who has the native language device 1. Since there are many words used for conversation in the conversation classification items, the electronic display screen 3
In addition, the number of software switches 4 that can be displayed on the same display screen is limited. Therefore, by having a plurality of display screens, a desired word can be easily selected from many by a method of sequentially switching the display screens. or,
When the conversation item is selected or changed by the software switch 4 of the native language device 1 and when the display screen of the words used for the conversation in the conversation classification item is switched, the inside of the native language device 1 is changed. A control signal for switching the display screen is output as an infrared transmission signal 7 from the infrared signal transmitter 6 of the native language device 1, and the foreign language device 2
Of the foreign language device 2 is controlled by the operation of the control circuit inside the foreign language device 2 so that the display screen of the foreign language device 2 is always the same as the display screen of the native language device 1. The choice of words to use is faster, and the conversation is smoother.
The function of making the display screen identical can be performed from the foreign language device 2. When the display screen is switched by the software switch 4 of the foreign language device 2, the display screen of the native language device 1 is similarly switched, and the foreign language device 2 is switched. The display screen is the same as the display screen of the word device 2.
In this way, the two devices are used to classify the words used in the conversation, express them in characters that can be understood by foreigners, and keep the same screen on which the words used in the conversation are always displayed. The prompt selection of words used in conversation and the ease of selection through the use of a touch panel allow smooth bidirectional conversation between foreigners. Since the language used in the conversation can be selected by the foreigner who is the conversation partner, the storage unit inside the native language device 1 and the foreign language device 2 stores the language of the conversation in a plurality of foreign languages. A target foreign language is selected from among the software switches 4 displayed on the electronic display screen 3 by eye, and the selected software switch 4 is touched with a finger or a pen to be a conversation partner. In addition to being able to easily switch to a foreign language, foreign languages that are not stored can be easily registered and used from the outside via a storage medium, so the types of foreign languages are not limited. The electronic display can be a liquid crystal display or a fluorescent display, and can be any type of electronic display. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a use example in which two portable speech translators are used to carry out two-way conversation. FIG.
Is a foreign language device of a portable speech translator, 4 is a character or graphic frame displayed by software, 5 is a speaker, 7 is an infrared transmission signal, 14 is a conversation subject, and 15 is a foreigner. The conversation subject 14 has the native language device 1 and the foreigner 15 has the foreign language device 2 facing each other, and the two devices are selected in a language that the foreigner 15 can understand. When the conversation subject 14 visually selects a word to be used for conversation from among the software switches 4 and touches the selected software switch 4 with a finger or a pen, the speaker 5 speaks a conversational language that the foreigner 15 can understand. Then, from the software switch 4 displayed by characters which can be heard by the foreigner 15 and understood by the foreigner 15, a word to be used in the conversation is visually selected and touched with a finger or a pen to speak from the speaker 5. Subject 1
4 understandable conversational words are uttered, and the conversation subject 14 can hear it. In this way, by repeating the simple operation described above, a foreigner who does not understand both languages can have a two-way conversation. In addition, since the words used in conversation are very large, words are classified and similar and related words are displayed on the same screen,
The entire screen can be displayed by switching the display screen. Also, in order to speed up a two-way conversation,
The choice of words used in the conversation must be fast,
Therefore, when the display screen of either the native language device 1 or the foreign language device 2 is switched, the infrared transmission signal 7, which is the display screen switching signal of the other device, is transmitted, and the other screen is automatically switched. Accordingly, the two display screens are always the same, and words related to the conversation can be selected quickly, so that a smooth conversation can be performed. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical configuration of the portable speech translator. In FIG. 3, 16 is a control circuit, 17 is a storage device, 18 is a display circuit, 19 is a touch panel circuit, 20 is a language selection circuit, 21 is a voice output circuit, 22 is an infrared signal control circuit, 23 is an infrared signal transmission circuit, 24 is an infrared signal receiving circuit, 25 is a rechargeable battery. The words used in conversation are the touch panel circuit 1.
From 9, a selection signal enters the control circuit 16, which word is selected by the operation of the control circuit 16, and a signal for controlling the output of the selected word enters the storage device 17 from the control circuit 16. The words used in the conversation are stored in the storage device 17 by voice, and one of the stored words can be selected and output from the voice output circuit 21 as a voice signal by the operation of the control circuit 16. The sound to be output is transmitted to the language selection circuit 2 by the operation of the touch panel circuit 19.
0 operates and the control circuit 16 selects one of the foreign languages stored in the storage device 17 and utters the selected foreign language. The display circuit 18 is an electronic circuit for displaying characters and graphics on the display surface of the electronic display, and the contents to be displayed are controlled by the control circuit 16. When the display screen is switched, a selection signal enters the control circuit 16 from the touch panel circuit 19, and by the operation of the control circuit 16, a screen selection signal enters the infrared signal control circuit 22 from the control circuit 16, and the infrared signal control circuit 22 operates. An infrared signal for screen switching is output from the infrared signal transmission circuit 23. This infrared transmission signal is received by the other portable voice translator, passes from the infrared signal receiving circuit 24 through the infrared signal control circuit 22, and is controlled by the control circuit 16 and the display circuit 18 to display the other portable voice translator. Switch screens. The rechargeable battery 25 is a power source for all drives,
In addition to the type of rechargeable small battery, dry batteries can also be used. The control circuit 16, the language selection circuit, and the infrared signal control circuit 22 may be of any type, in addition to being able to use a microcomputer. For transmission and reception of signals by infrared rays, a method by ultrasonic waves or radio waves can be used. The storage device 17 can use a magnetic disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a mini disk device, or a semiconductor memory, and can be of any type. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the portable speech translator. In FIG. 4, 26 is a case, 27 is a touch panel, 3 is an electronic display screen, 18 is a display circuit, 19 is a touch panel circuit, 13 is a volume control volume, 9 is a message switch, 5 is a speaker, and 17 is a memory. The device, 23 is an infrared signal transmission circuit, 22 is an infrared signal control circuit, 24 is an infrared signal reception circuit, 16 is a control circuit, 25 is a rechargeable battery, and 12 is a charging and AC adapter connection port. The touch panel 27 is on the uppermost surface, and the surface is covered with a transparent protective material. When viewed from the top, the touch panel 27 cannot be seen because it is transparent.
The electronic display screen 3 is directly visible. The display circuit 18 and the touch panel circuit 19 can have an integrated structure.
The touch panel 27 and the electronic display surface 3 can also be integrated. The infrared signal control circuit 22, the infrared signal transmission circuit 23, and the infrared signal reception circuit 24 can have an integrated structure. Charging and AC adapter connection port 12
Is a connection port for charging a rechargeable battery and supplying driving power from outside. The case 26 is made of resin and is lightweight and rigid, and may have any shape. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable speech translator application example. In FIG. 5, 2
6 is a case, 25 is a rechargeable battery, 12 is charging and A
C adapter connection port, 29 is a charger / AC adapter for the rechargeable battery 25, 28 is an additional storage device, 32 is information inserted into the additional storage device 28 and information for inputting information to the additional storage device 28 is recorded. Medium, 30 is a band for carrying,
Reference numeral 31 denotes a shoulder belt. The rechargeable battery 25 is
Charging is possible by connecting the charger / AC adapter 29 to the charging and AC adapter connection port 12, and the rechargeable battery 25 is a driving power source for the portable speech translator.
Further, by connecting the charger / AC adapter 29 to the charging and AC adapter connection port 12, a commercial power supply of AC 100V can be used as a driving power supply for the portable speech translator.
The additional storage unit 28 stores conversations classified according to the purpose of adding words used in the conversation or adding a foreign language type or using a speech translator, and conversation contents, for example, travel, business trip, inspection, etc. For input and storage of the medium 32.
The additional storage device 28 can use a magnetic disk device or a magneto-optical disk device, and can be of any type and structure.
The recording medium 32 may be of a magnetic type, an optical type, or an electronic type, and may be of any type and structure. Carry band 3
The belt 0 and the shoulder strap 31 are used when the portable speech translator is carried, and can be attached to and detached from the case 26, regardless of the type and structure of resin, metal, leather, and the like.

According to the present invention, a person who cannot understand a foreign language and a language can use two portable voice translators to change the characters of a conversational language displayed in his / her own language. By touching and selecting with a finger or a pen, the words selected in the pre-stored words necessary for the conversation are uttered in a foreign language voice. This has the effect of enabling a two-way conversation without being aware of the situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable speech translator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of using a portable speech translator.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration of the portable speech translator.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portable speech translator.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portable speech translator application example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ・ ・ Portable speech translator native language device 2 ・ ・ Portable speech translator foreign language device 3 ・ ・
Electronic display screen 4. Character or graphic frame displayed by software
5. Speaker 6. Infrared signal transmitter 7. Infrared signal 8
..Infrared signal receiver 9.Message switch 10.Power switch 1
1. Battery storage unit 12. Charging and AC adapter connection port 13.
Volume for volume control 14 ・ ・ Conversation agent 15 ・ ・ Foreigners 16
..Control circuit 17 Memory circuit 18 Display circuit 19
..Touch panel circuit 20.Language selection circuit 21.Sound output circuit 22
..Infrared signal control circuit 23.Infrared signal transmission circuit 24
..Infrared signal receiving circuit 25.Rechargeable battery 26..Case 27
・ ・ Touch panel 28 ・ ・ Expansion storage device 29 ・ ・ Charger and AC adapter 30 ・ ・ Hand carrying band 31 ・ ・ Shoulder belt 32 ・ ・ Medium with recorded information

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. There are two box-shaped devices that can be easily held by one hand, one of which is a native language device, the other is a foreign language device,
Each has an electronic display and a voice storage unit. In the native language device, a plurality of conversational words in the native language are displayed for each classification on the electronic display, and the foreign language conversational words are stored in speech in the voice storage unit, and in the foreign language device, the electronic display is displayed. A plurality of conversational words in a foreign language are displayed in the same classification as the native language device, and the conversational words in the native language are stored in the voice storage unit by voice.
In both native language and foreign language, the display of words and the stored voice are linked. The words displayed on the electronic display can be selected by lightly touching the display surface with a finger or a pen, and the words are controlled via two transmitting / receiving units so that the classification display is always the same. Therefore, the portable speech translator is characterized in that it is easy to select words necessary for conversation, and that a mutual operation enables a fluent conversation without being aware of a foreign language. 2. Displaying conversational words in characters and graphics on an electronic display, integrating the electronic display with a touch panel, storing sounds corresponding to the displayed contents in a storage unit, and classifying the words to be displayed. Using two devices with signal transmitters and receivers for synchronizing, using a finger or pen to touch the characters and graphics on the electronic display screen, to convey spoken words in voice A portable voice conversation device for the language impaired, wherein two-way conversation becomes possible.