Translation device with planar microphone array
OwnerRobert D. Palmquistinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include a device and a method for translating words spoken in one language to a graphic or audible version of the words in a second language. A planar array of three or more microphones may be placed on a portable device, such as a handheld computer or a personal digital assistant. The planar array, in conjunction with a signal processing circuit, defines a direction of sensitivity. In a noisy environment, spoken words originating from the direction of sensitivity are selected and other sounds are rejected. The spoken words are recognized and translated, and the translation is displayed on a display screen and/or issued via a speaker.
Claims38
A device comprising:
- at least three microphones defining a plane, each microphone generating a signal in response to a sound;
- a signal processing circuit that processes the signals to select the signals when the sound originates from a direction of sensitivity and to reject the signals when the sound originates from outside the direction of sensitivity;
- and
- a display that, when the sound includes a voice speaking words in a first language from the direction of sensitivity, displays a graphic version of the words in a second language.
A method comprising:
- receiving a sound;
- selecting the sound when the sound originates from a direction of sensitivity as defined by at least three microphones defining a plane;
- extracting spoken words in a first language from the selected sound;
- and
- generating at least one of a graphic version and an audible version of the words in a second language.
A device comprising:
- at least three microphones defining a plane, each microphone generating a signal in response to a sound;
- a signal processing circuit that processes the signals to select the signals when the sound originates from a direction of sensitivity and to reject the signals when the sound originates from outside the direction of sensitivity;
- and
- an audio output circuit that, when the sound includes a voice speaking words in a first language from the direction of sensitivity, generates an audible version of the words in a second language.
A device comprising:
- at least three microphones defining a plane, each microphone generating a signal in response to a sound;
- a signal processing circuit that processes the signals to select the signals when the sound originates from a direction of sensitivity and to reject the signals when the sound originates from outside the direction of sensitivity;
- and
- a language translator that, when the sound includes a voice speaking words in a first language from the direction of sensitivity, generates a version of the words in a second language.
A method comprising:
- receiving a sound;
- selecting the sound when the sound originates from a direction of sensitivity as defined by at least three microphones defining a plane;
- extracting spoken words in a first language from the selected sound;
- and
- translating the words in the first language to a second language.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.