WO2004059520A1 - Method for providing an interpretation service via a communication network - Google Patents

Method for providing an interpretation service via a communication network Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004059520A1
WO2004059520A1 PCT/EE2003/000004 EE0300004W WO2004059520A1 WO 2004059520 A1 WO2004059520 A1 WO 2004059520A1 EE 0300004 W EE0300004 W EE 0300004W WO 2004059520 A1 WO2004059520 A1 WO 2004059520A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
translation
communication
mobile
client
service
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EE2003/000004
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Raoul Pillau
Kunnar LÄETS
Original Assignee
Oü Exitline
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oü Exitline filed Critical Oü Exitline
Priority to AU2003266224A priority Critical patent/AU2003266224A1/en
Publication of WO2004059520A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004059520A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/68—Payment of value-added services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
    • H04M3/51—Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention, e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M2203/20—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to features of supplementary services
    • H04M2203/2061—Language aspects
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0196—Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/56—Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities

Abstract

The invention is related to the method of providing two-way oral or written translation service in real time via the existing communication networks. Communication with the translator is initiated automatically or semiautomatically by one of the parties with the intermediation of the translation centre, which, being the deliverer of the translation service, organises finding of the necessary interpreter, calculation of the actual translating time and payment procedure of the service, with the clients and the translation operators. The parties may use a mobile phone, a fixed phone, a payphone, a personal computer or a computer of a public Internet point as the means of communication.

Description

METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INTERPRETATION SERVICE VIA A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention is related to the method of providing two-way oral or written, consecutive or simultaneous mobile translation service via the existing communication networks, especially via the mobile phone network and the Internet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various kinds of automated and semiautomated one-way simultaneous oral and written translation systems have been created on the basis of the existing technical facilities (communication systems, translation programmes, speech analysers and synthesizers). A Chinese patent application no. CN 2000 0109861 (application filed on 13.07.2000), dealing with an automated oral translation system, where the simultaneous translation of several different languages is carried out with the help of computers, has also been referred to. At the moment, there are no other two-way simultaneous translation systems known that could be suitable for a regular, including a commercial, service.
PRESUMPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
In actual tourism, enterprising and other fields of activity, practically the only possibility for having two-way simultaneous translation of oral communication is to use physical interpreters who are personally present in the place where the communication takes place.
However, the usage of physical interpreters is limited by the following constraints:
• it is impossible to pay on the basis of the minutes of the actual translation time; • when involving an interpreter in a far-away place, it is necessary to cover the travel expenses of the interpreter, not to mention his or her subsistence expenses in case of a longer stay;
• the lack of visual confidentiality; • the lack of a possibility to guarantee the confidentiality of the translated text by changing interpreters in course of the communication.
The deficiency of possible automated translating systems is the loss of the information contained in speaking intonation and emotional effects.
The method corresponding to the invention liberates the translation process from the abovementioned constraints, at the same time allowing mobile translation, in which case both parties may be located in moving vehicles at the time when the communication takes place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the method corresponding to the invention, the communication between the two parties speaking in different languages and the interpreter, who is located at a distance, takes place by using a communication system, whereas communication with the interpreter is initiated automatically or semiautomatically via the mobile translation centre (see Figure 1), which, being the deliverer of the translation service, organises finding the necessary interpreter, the calculation of the actual translating time and the payment procedure for the service with the clients and the translation operators. Depending on the communication system used and the possibilities of specific parties, as well as on the conditions in which the communication takes place, the parties may use a mobile phone, a fixed phone, a payphone, a personal computer or a computer of a public Internet point as the means of communication.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In Figure 1 , a block diagram illustrating the implementation of the method corresponding to the invention has been presented. In Figure 2, the base structure of the preferred embodiment of the method corresponding to the invention, and operations for implementing the method have been outlined. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The structure corresponding to the preferred embodiment is outlined in Figure 2, which describes the elements of the physical infrastructure used (means of communication, communication channels) and the participants in realisation of the method (parties of the communication being translated, mobile translation centre, translation operator).
Mobile translation centre
In the preferred embodiment of the method, the mobile translation centre disposes of the following technical computer devices, which hardware and software are configured to perform one or several of the following functions:
• receipting the call-in or network access of the client with an acoustic and/or visual symbol of a translation operator; administration of client database; • client identification on the basis of identification data entered by the client; administration of the database of translation operators (translators, interpreters); search of free translation operator for the desired pair of languages; calculation of translation time; processing of the bank account and transaction data of the translation service; • computer system with the mobile translation management software; communication with other mobile translation centres in different countries; communication with global network of translation operators.
Client of mobile translation A person who does not speak foreign languages, but desires to provide him or herself with the possibility of using mobile translation, would need to acquire the following starting package.
The prepayment for the translation time will be effected by the client by purchasing a translation time card. That card contains a hidden code of the translation time paid.
The owner of the starting package who wishes to communicate with a partner, whose language he or she does not speak, will need to use a communication device - a mobile phone, a fixed phone or a computer connected to Internet. In case of absence of such device, he or she can use a payphone or a computer in a public Internet point.
Mobile translation over a phone In order to start a far-distance mobile translation, i.e. mobile translation over a mobile phone, fixed phone or payphone, the client dials the general number of the mobile translation centre. The call is received by the translation service software of the centre. The software will send a signature tone of the centre to the person calling, informing that connection has been established with the centre. Then the applicant of mobile translation will enter his or her client number, i.e. the translation time code. The translation time code, consisting of numbers, is obtained from the translation time card; after it has been entered by dialling, it will be transmitted to the translation centre.
The software checks the existence of the number in the client database. In case such number exists in the database and is accompanied with data on the prepaid translation time, the client will have the opportunity to establish connection with a translation operator. The client will be informed thereof by a signature tone.
The client enters on the phone the short number of the translation operator performing the translation of the necessary language. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile translation system corresponding to the invention enables mobile translation in the official languages of diverse countries, in dialects of different regions, in the specialty languages of different fields (e.g. technical or legal language). The software of the centre finds a free translation operator and connects the client with him or her.
The client will inform the translation operator of the phone number of the other party. Thereafter, the translation operator will establish communication with the other party (the foreigner) through the intermediation of the translation centre, and will ask for his or her consent for communicating with the client desiring to use the translation service through the intermediation of the translation operator. After receiving the consent, the translation operator will establish a communication link between the three parties, using the principal of conference speech. The translation service can also be used in case the client and the foreigner are situated in the same place and share the communication device. In case of a fixed phone, the microphone regime can also be used.
In case the prepayment runs off in course of the call, the mobile translation centre informs the client thereof with a signature tone, giving the client the opportunity to continue using the service by entering a new translation time code from the re-charging card. Otherwise, providing the service will be stopped by the mobile translation centre.
After ending the usage of the mobile translation service, the client will cancel the call.
Mobile translation via the Internet
In order to start mobile translation via a computer connected to the Internet or over a mobile phone that is provided with Internet connectivity, the client will enter the web page address of the mobile translation centre to the computer or mobile phone. The web page of the centre contains all the necessary explanatory and informative material on the possibilities offered by mobile translation that the client needs. On the web page, the client will find the place for initiating the translation and will enter his or her identification number in the respective field. In case such number exists in the database and is also accompanied with data on the prepaid translation time, the client will have the opportunity to establish connection with a translation operator. The client will mark the necessary type of translation; thereafter the process will proceed analogically to the case described above, basing on the usage of a phone, except in case the service is provided on-line, via Internet.
The possibility of connection with the mobile translation centre established by the client using an Internet phone can also be considered, with the presumption that the client has a sound card, a microphone and a speaker/speakers.
In case of using the service via Internet, it is possible to use the translation operator for obtaining information on databases in foreign languages that might also be located in foreign countries, accompanied by the translation of the mentioned information by the translation operator. The preferred embodiment described above is to be regarded as only one possibility and as an example illustrating the method corresponding to the invention, which will not in any way restrict the modification of the method within the limits defined in the patent claims.

Claims

1. Method for providing mobile translation service via the communication network, characterised in that the translator communicates with the parties via communication network and that the information exchange between the translator and the said communication parties is initiated by one of the parties through the intermediation of the mobile translation centre.
2. Method according to the claim 1, characterised in that the said communication network is constituted by fixed or mobile phone network and the communication channel of the communication party is a fixed phone, payphone or mobile phone operating in the respective network.
3. Method according to the claim 1, characterised in that the said communication network is constituted by Internet and the communication channel of the communication party is a computer or a mobile phone provided with Internet connectivity.
4. Method according to the claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the said service provided by the mobile translation centre can be initiated by a party who is a client of the mobile translation centre, provided that he or she has made a prepayment.
5. Method according to the claim 4, characterised in that the communication devices necessary for providing the mobile translation service are connected with technical computer devices, which software and hardware are configured to perform one or several of the following functions:
- receipting the call-in or network access of the client with an acoustic and/or visual symbol of a translation operator;
- administration of client database;
- client identification on the basis of identification data entered by the client; - administration of the database of translation operators (translators, interpreters);
- search of free translation operator for the desired pair of languages;
- calculation of translation time;
- processing of the bank account and transaction data of the translation service;
- computer system with the mobile translation management software; - communication with other mobile translation centres in different countries;
- communication with global network of translation operators.
6. Method according to the claim 4, characterised in that the prepayment is done by purchasing a starting package or re-charging card intended for receiving the service.
PCT/EE2003/000004 2002-12-24 2003-09-04 Method for providing an interpretation service via a communication network WO2004059520A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003266224A AU2003266224A1 (en) 2002-12-24 2003-09-04 Method for providing an interpretation service via a communication network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EEU200200071U EE00387U1 (en) 2002-12-24 2002-12-24 A method of providing a mobile translation service over a communications network
EEU200200071 2002-12-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004059520A1 true WO2004059520A1 (en) 2004-07-15

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ID=32668663

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EE2003/000004 WO2004059520A1 (en) 2002-12-24 2003-09-04 Method for providing an interpretation service via a communication network

Country Status (3)

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AU (1) AU2003266224A1 (en)
EE (1) EE00387U1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004059520A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1954017A1 (en) * 2007-02-01 2008-08-06 BIUCCHI, Sergio System for the simultaneous and automatic multilingual translation of a telephone conversation between two or more users
EP2005318A2 (en) * 2006-04-05 2008-12-24 Language Line Services, Inc. System and method for providing access to language interpretation
GB2486307A (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-13 Language Line Services Inc Predetermined code initiating live language interpretation for a communication device
DE102019208742A1 (en) * 2019-06-17 2020-12-17 Audi Ag Speech translation system for providing a translation of a speech input signal from a speaker into a speech output signal in a different language for a listener, as well as a translation method for such a speech translation system

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0601710A2 (en) * 1992-11-10 1994-06-15 AT&T Corp. On demand language interpretation in a telecommunications system
US5353335A (en) * 1992-08-03 1994-10-04 At&T Bell Laboratories Multilingual prepaid telephone system
WO1999003253A1 (en) * 1997-07-11 1999-01-21 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson Method and device using mobile telephones
EP0973312A1 (en) * 1998-07-11 2000-01-19 Matthias Stöffler Method and device for the simultaneous translation of telephone conversations
US6339754B1 (en) * 1995-02-14 2002-01-15 America Online, Inc. System for automated translation of speech

Patent Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5353335A (en) * 1992-08-03 1994-10-04 At&T Bell Laboratories Multilingual prepaid telephone system
EP0601710A2 (en) * 1992-11-10 1994-06-15 AT&T Corp. On demand language interpretation in a telecommunications system
US6339754B1 (en) * 1995-02-14 2002-01-15 America Online, Inc. System for automated translation of speech
WO1999003253A1 (en) * 1997-07-11 1999-01-21 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson Method and device using mobile telephones
EP0973312A1 (en) * 1998-07-11 2000-01-19 Matthias Stöffler Method and device for the simultaneous translation of telephone conversations

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES: "LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS", INTERNET ARTICLE, 31 October 1999 (1999-10-31), pages 1 - 2, XP002271103, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.languageline.com/pdf/Q_and_A_Interpretation.pdf> [retrieved on 20040108] *

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2005318A2 (en) * 2006-04-05 2008-12-24 Language Line Services, Inc. System and method for providing access to language interpretation
EP2005318A4 (en) * 2006-04-05 2012-01-25 Language Line Services Inc System and method for providing access to language interpretation
EP1954017A1 (en) * 2007-02-01 2008-08-06 BIUCCHI, Sergio System for the simultaneous and automatic multilingual translation of a telephone conversation between two or more users
GB2486307A (en) * 2010-12-06 2012-06-13 Language Line Services Inc Predetermined code initiating live language interpretation for a communication device
GB2486307B (en) * 2010-12-06 2014-08-13 Language Line Services Inc Predetermined code transmission for language interpretation
DE102019208742A1 (en) * 2019-06-17 2020-12-17 Audi Ag Speech translation system for providing a translation of a speech input signal from a speaker into a speech output signal in a different language for a listener, as well as a translation method for such a speech translation system
DE102019208742B4 (en) * 2019-06-17 2021-01-14 Audi Ag Speech translation system for providing a translation of a speech input signal from a speaker into a speech output signal in a different language for a listener, as well as a translation method for such a speech translation system

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AU2003266224A1 (en) 2004-07-22
EE00387U1 (en) 2003-07-15

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