Real-Time In-Call Translation Relay System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication systems fail to effectively facilitate voice or video calls between users speaking different languages, leading to comprehension issues due to language barriers.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that performs automatic language translation of call audio in real-time, using a translator relay system integrated into the communication network, which translates speech from a source language to a target language and notifies users of translation changes through visual or auditory cues, enabling seamless communication between users with different linguistic backgrounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If real-time translation is performed during voice or video calls, then language barriers are eliminated and communication effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and processing delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelanguage compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a translator relay as an intermediary component that mediates between users speaking different languages. The translator relay receives call audio, performs translation procedures, and outputs translated audio to the target user, thereby enabling communication between users with different linguistic backgrounds without requiring direct integration of translation capabilities in each user device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The translation system is segmented into separate functional components: the translator relay that handles translation processing, the notification component that manages behavior change notifications, and the audio processing components. This segmentation allows the translation functionality to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire communication system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If translation behavior changes are notified to users, then translation accuracy and user awareness are improved, but communication flow is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetranslation accuracyVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the notification component receives information about translation procedure behavior changes and communicates these changes to the target user. This feedback loop allows users to be aware of translation status and potential accuracy variations without completely interrupting the communication flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously interrupting communication to notify users of every translation behavior change, the system uses periodic or event-driven notifications that are triggered at specific moments when behavior changes occur. This approach balances the need for user awareness with maintaining communication flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3120259B1In-call translation
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3120259B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3120259B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3120259B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure pertains to a communication system for effecting a voice or video call between at least a source user speaking a source language and a target user speaking a target language. A translation procedure is performed on call audio of the call to generate an audio translation of the source user's speech in the target language for outputting to the target user. A notification is outputted to the target user to notify the target user of a change in the behaviour of the translation procedure, the change relating to the generation of the translation.