Virginia A Greene

US Patent:

6377925, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Jul 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/610675

Inventors:

Morgan Greene, Jr. - Bradenton FL
Virginia Greene - Bradenton FL
Harry E. Newman - Ellenton FL
Mark J. Yuhas - Sarasota FL
Michael F. Dorety - Sarasota FL

Assignee:

Interactive Solutions, Inc. - Sarasota FL

International Classification:

G09B 2104

US Classification:

704271, 704235, 704260, 379 52

Abstract:

An electronic translator translates input speech into multiple streams of data that are simultaneously delivered to the user, such as a hearing impaired individual. Preferably, the data is delivered in audible, visual and text formats. These multiple data streams are delivered to the hearing-impaired individual in a synchronized fashion, thereby creating a cognitive response. Preferably, the system of the present invention converts the input speech to a text format, and then translates the text to any of three other forms, including sign language, animation and computer generated speech. The sign language and animation translations are preferably implemented by using the medium of digital movies in which videos of a person signing words, phrase and finger spelled words, and of animations corresponding to the words, are selectively accessed from databases and displayed. Additionally the received speech is converted to computer-generated speech for input to various hearing enhancement devices used by the deaf or hearing-impaired, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids, or other output devices such as speakers, etc. The data streams are synchronized utilizing a high-speed personal computer to facilitate sufficiently fast processing that the text, video signing and audible streams can be generated simultaneously in real time.