Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
)0880
1 LANGUAGE INFORMATION SYSTEM
This invention relates to the conveying of information
and, more particularly, conveying information to a person in
his native language when he is in a foreign country. In particu-
lar, information in a person's native language is to be conveyed
to him regarding an event that is taking place. In a typical
example, a visitor from a foreign country will come to the United
States and attend one or more activities which are taking place
in the English language. The foreign visitor, who has little or
no knowledge of the English language, will therefore not be
able to derive the full benefit of the event. A prime example of
this is a play taking place in a Broadway theatre. There, the
foreign visitor will not be able to derive the full enjoyment of
either the spoken word and, in some cases, will not be able to
understand the various types of actions that are taking place
and the meanings of these actions.
The present invention relates to an information system
for providing a visitor who is not familiar with the English
(or some other) language with information in his native language
corresponding to a given event which is taking place. In
accordance with the invention, the information the person is
to receive in his native language is pre-recorded on a suitable
storage medium, such as a magnetic tape. The person, for example
a theatre patron, is able to select a particular track of
information, which is in his native language, from the magnetic
tape for reproduction. The tape is controlled so that the
information recorded thereon is conveyed to the patron to provide
a more or less running commentary or translation of the spoken
activity which is taking place.
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1 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a theatre
patron is provided with a console having a switching arrange-
ment whereby he can select the desired track of a magnetic tape
to pick out the language that he wants. In addition, the
console is provided with other sources of information, such
as, for example, information from other pre-recorded tracks,
or music, or business information from radio stations.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, an
interactive quiz game is also provided wherein the console is
coupled to a computer and the patron is to answer a series of
questions with a check on the answers being provided by the
computer on a display at the console.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an information system.
A further object is to provide an information system
capable of providing a patron with a running co~mentary or trans-
lation of an event in his native language.
An additional object is to provide an information
system having both visual and aural readouts.
Another object is to provide an interactive quiz game.
A further object is to provide an information system in
which a patron can selectively obtain information from a number of
sources as he desires.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent upon reference to the following specification
and annexed drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a general block diagram of a system according
to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing one form of cueing
system for controlling the output of the storage information medium.
Fig. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of another embodi-
ment of a cueing arrangement for controlling the storage medium, and
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the in-
vention for use in a hotel or motel.
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1 In accordance with one aspect of the invention~ a running
translation or running commentary of a theatrical production is
made as a theatre patron conversant in one language watches the
production which is given in another language, e.g. English.
The term "translation" is here used to mean a more or less literal
translation of the words spoken by the actors taking place on a
more or less simultaneous basis as they are spoken. The term
"commentary" means a summary or explanation of the words spoken
or sung by the actors and/or the action taking place.
The simplest way to accomplish a running translation or
commentary in a "live" situation is to have a translator(s) or
commentator available. This is done, for example, at the United
Nations where in a typical case a number of translators will
simultaneously translate a speech given into a number of different
languages. While such an arrangement is effective, it is quite
expensive and requires that a staff of trained translators be on
call at all times to provide translations of different speeches.
A less complicated problem is encountered where a transla-
tion is to be provided on a repetitive basis to accommodate a
recurring event. For example, in the case of touring an art
museum, cassette tapes are provided in a variety of languages.The patron rents a tape player in the language of his choice and
carries it around with him. Normally, the patron controls the
starting and stopping of the tape as he goes from one gallery or
room to another. He is provided with a commentary of the various
objects or paintings within the gallery or room under his own
control.
Another similar example is in the case of a film dubbed
in one or more languages. Here, a film originally made in one
language is dubbed into another language by a set of actors and
actresses. The film is then played in the language into which it
was dubbed.
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11~)(~880
1 The case of providing a running translation or commentary
for a theatrical production is different from ~ny of the foregoing
in several aspects. First of all, the action is live and there
are changes from time to time of the spoken word, i.e, lines are
dropped or changed. Further, the timing of the delivery of the
lines varies to account for laughter, applause, etc.
Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention for use in
providing a running translation or commentary to a play.
A suitable record medium, such as a multi-track magnetic tape 10
is provided. The tape 10 illustrated is shown as having four
tracks and a reproducing head 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d associated
with each track. Each track has recorded thereon the translation
or commentary of the event in a different language. For example,
the track associated with head 12a is in Japanese, the track with
12b in French, 12c in German, and 12d in Spanish. There can be
as many tracks as desired on the tape to accommodate a variety
of languages.
The output of each reproducing head 12 is connected to
a respective amplifier 14. Included in each amplifier block 14
are the necessary stages of pre-amplification, amplification,
equalization, etc., as is well known to those skilled in the art.
Thus, the output of each head 12 is suitably amplified and applied
to a distribution network 16. The distribution network 16 is
needed since a number of patrons are to be provided with a control
console for selecting a desired track of information and other
information, to be described below. Consequently, the distribution
network 16 comprises the necessary distribution lines, amplifiers,
pre-amplifiers, filters and other components needed to distribute
the information from tape 10 and other sources to a plurality
of consoles.
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1 A plurality of transmission lines 18 branch out from the
distribution network to the location for the various consoles to
be used by the patrons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the consoles are located on the arm of a theatre seat or under
the seat to be pulled out for use. Preferably~ a plug and jack
arrangement is used so that the input lead to the console, illus-
tratively designated 20, can be plugged into the distribution
network. Suitable provisions (not shown) are made to prevent the
console from being removed without authorization. This can include,
for example, an alarm system.
As many consoles 20 as needed are provided for use with
the system. Only one is described here in detail. Each console
includes an amplifier 22 with a volume control 24, the latter
being accessible to the patron. The input to the amplifier 22
is controlled by a switch 26 also under the control of the patron
who can select which of the tracks of information from tape 10 to
be heard. That is, the patron can select the approprlate line
from the distribution network which has the language that he desires.
Thus, as the tape moves he is provided with a running translation
or commentary of the play in the language of his choice.
The patron hears the recorded information over a pair of headphones
or an earphone 27 which are plugged into the console 20.
Headphones are preferred instead of a loudspeaker so that the
sound from the console of one patron will not disturb another patron.
The control of the tape to synchronize with the action
taking place on the stage, by the tape drive control mechanism 11,
is described below.
The console 20 is also preferably adapted to operate as an
information output and exchange device so that the patron will
have access to various information inputs and outputs at various
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1 times to keep him entertained, for example, before the play
starts or durin~ an intermission. For this purpose, there can
be, for example, one or more tracks of recorded music or commentary
from a recorded tape 30. The information provided from tape 30
can be music, weather, business, stock market reports, etc.
These tracks can be selected by the patron by operating switch 26.
Also available to the patron is the information from one
or more radio receivers 34 which are tuned to various stations,
for example, music, news, business reports, etc. The signal
received from each station is suitably amplified and processed
and supplied to the distribution network 16. From these it is
available to each patron at his console for selection by manipulation
of switch 26, which can be a number of pushbuttons. Thus, the patron
can also hear information from a radio station as he desires.
To provide further entertainment for the patron, the
console 20 is provided with an interactive quiz game.
This operates as follows. Each patron is given a sheet with a
number of questions. The questions can be printed in a variety
of languages and can be of general or special interest. For
example, in the case where the console is used in a theatre,
the quiz questions would pertain to the theatre, movies,etc.
In accordance with the invention, the quiz aspect is
accomplished by an interactive computer system and a display on
each console. The sheet of quiz questions given to the patron
has a number for each question. There are a plurality of switches
for example 8 or 10, or more, which are numbered 40-1 ... 40-10
on the console. The switches correspond to the numbers for the
questions. The console also incorporates a displa~ 45. ~ny suitable
display can be used, for example, a cathode ray tube, LCD or LED -
display. An LED type display with scanning capability is
preferred, that is, a display in which the letters can move
across the display.
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1 Each console 20 operating with the system is connected
to a programmed computer 50 through the distribution network 16.
The computer is programmed with the answers to the quiz questions
and it outputs this information on demand. For simplicity,
the output is on a serial basis. The patron plays the quiz game
by reviewing one of the questions on the paper given to him,
mentally gives an answer, and then actuates theproper switch 40
corresponding to the question number. This connects the console
with the computer 50 and the computer will give the answer to
the question. The data from the computer is read out for the
question and conveyed to the display 45 on the console. It moves
across the display letter by letter or number by number as the
case may be. The necessary timing, output, storage and buffer
circuits are contained in the computer, The computer 50 can be of
the time sharing type so that a number of consoles can be
supplied information.
Considering the tape drive control 11, there are
several ways in which this can be actuated to provide the patron
with a more or less simultaneous running commentary or transla-
tion of the event which is taking place. One of the simplest
is to provide an operator who would start and stop the tape.
The operator would be conversant with the language in which the
event is taking place and he would start and stop the tape,
or control its running speed, in a manner which would make it
more or less simultaneous with the action occurring in the event.
Of course, the provision of an operator gives rise
to additional expense. Therefore, it is preferred that some
arrangement be provided for automatically starting and stopping
the tape. Fig. 2 shows one such an arrangement in which the
0
l starting and stopping of -the tape by the tape drive control
takes place by cues which the actors on the stage normally
perform during -the course of the play. The cuing system of
Fig. 2 uses various entrances and exits of the actors and
actresses and/or movements to predetermined places. In this
arrangement, for example, detectors are provided at certain
points both on an offstage to sense the position or change of
position of the actors. A number of detectors 60 are shown in
Fig. 2 at various locations on and/or at the stage entrance(s).
These detectors can be of any suitable type, for example, light
responsive detectors, that is, the actor or actress would break
a photocell as he or she crossed a predetermined point in the
stage. Dectectors 60 also can be a radio, ultrasonic, or other
wave energy receiver. In the case of a radio or ultrasonic
receiver used as a detector, the actor or actress would carry
a small transmitter which he or she could activate at the ap-
propriate time in the course of the action to provide the cue
or which will produce a signal at all times and will cause a
detector to respond when the action is within a predetermined
radius and/or area of the detector. This can be accomplished
by making the transmitter and/or receiver antennas directive.
In either case, the cue is picked up by the detector and a
cuing signal is produced. The cuing signal is then provided
to the tape drive control ll. The transmitter of each of the
actors produces a different signal which is recognized by the
receiver and the receiver produce a corresponding unique output
signal.
Tape drive control ll has an input signal the signal
from a timing track 13 on the tape lO. The timing track can,
- 30 for example, produce a number of counting pulses as the tape moves.
Tape drive control ll also includes a pre~programmed
system, formed by a mechanical switch or a computer with a
suitable program, so that as a particular cue is received, the tape
will be run for a predetermined time and then be stopped.
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1 The program is entered into the computer part of the tape-drive
control ahead of time since the action which is going to take
place is already known. Thus, for example, a cuing signal
produced by a given actor from a given detector 60 is recognized
by the computer and its program. This program then actuates the
tape drive control 11 via the computer to cause it to move a
predetermined amount. This can be determined either by the
counting pulses from timing track 13 or by the computer itself.
In this manner, the tape is kept in step with the action taking
place.
A preferred form of cuing for use for controlling the
starting and stopping of the tape is under the control of the
light system used in the theatre. As is conventional in any
theatrical production, a house electrician or lighting technician
operates the various spotlights, flood lights, stage lights, etc.
The electrician is provided with a script of the play containing
a number of lighting cues. The house electrician adjusts
lighting cues in accordance with the action taking place on a
stage. The lighting cues fairly accurately track the action
taking place on the stage. For example, if a song is to be
performed by a solo singer, a spotlight might be brought up,
a lighting color changed, etc. Lights are also moved to follow
an actor, colors are changed to set different moods, and the
lighting intensity is changed. Any one or combination of these
factors can be used to actuate the tape drive control 11.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein a
number of light detectors are provided to pick up lighting
changes brought about by the house electrician changing the
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1 lighting during the course oE t~le play, In t:he prcferred
embodimcnt oE the invcntion, a number o~ light dctectors 70 are
provided. The detectors 70 are preferably spaced to sense various
types of lighting which are normally used during the play,
for example, spotlight, flood light, and also, if desired,
special cuing type lights can be provided. The latter are not
absolutely necessary.
Each of the detectors 70 is of the type which can
recognize both the color and the intensity of the light.
Color sensing is accomplished, for example, by a number of
filters or photocell detectors responsive to a particular spectrum
of color. The detectors also respond to the intensity level of
the light. It is preferred that at least three colors be sensed,
these being white, blue and red. Consequently, each detector 70
is shown as having three output lines for the white, blue and
red colors. Appearing on each of the output lines is a signal
corresponding to the intensity of the particular color being
sensed by the respective detector. The output of each detector 70
is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter located in the
detector or at a remote location so that the signal appearing
on the output line is a binary word which can be readily
processed by a computer.
The outputs of the detectors 70 are applied to a
computer 75 where they are matched with a stored instructional
program. That is, the outputs of the detectors are applied to
the computer as one or more binary words. The word(s) is checked
against another word(s) in memory, with the words in memory being
read out on a sequential basis corresponding to the action
taking place in the script. That is, the computer program is
11~)(~8~30
1 written to recognize the action which is to take place and it
knows that a certain combination or sequence of lighting cues as
sensed by the detector corresponds to a certain point in the
action of the play.
When the word(s) is recognized by the computer, either
an exact match or a match within a reasonable degree of error
being needed as determined by the program, the computer puts
out a signal which actuates the tape-drive control 11 to drive
the tape for a predetermined amount of time. The time can be
determined by the counting pulses, from track 13 or from a
self-contained turning signal put out by the computer. In
this manner the translation or commentary is kept in step with
the action taking place on the stage.
Utilizing the principles of the subject invention,
it is also possible to provide a patron who is not conversant
with the English language with information at other places.
For example, the console 20 and its associa~d system components
can be adapted for use in buses, trains and other vehicles.
A further and more pertinent use is when the patron
returns to his hotel or motel room at night. In this arrange-
ment, a system is provided utilizing a console system of the
type disclosed with respect to Fig. 1 wherein the sound track
of movies shown on the television receiver in the patron's
hotel room or other information can be provided to him.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of such a system. Here,
the usual television receiver present in the hotel room is
designated by reference numeral 80. Interconnected with the
television receiver 60 is a control console 120 which has many
features similar to that of a control console 20 of Fig. 1.
Here, the control console 120 connnected through adistribution network
116 to a central information source located in the hotel in
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11~)()880
1 th~ hotel in which, for example, the sound track of the movie
which is being shown on the hotel television receiver is recorded
on a tape, such as tape 30, on a number of tracks. A patron
desiring to view a movie, which is shown by the hotel on a more
or less continuous basis, swi-tches the T.~, receiver to the channel
for the movie and turns down the sound of the T,V. receiver.
At the same time, he operates the selector switch 26 on his control
console 120 to receive the sound from the movie in the desired
language. In this case, instead of having the earphones shown in
Fig. 1, a speaker 144 is preferably provided on the control console
and there is also a volume control. The system also can be wired
to reproduce the sound through the T.V~ receiver.
The record medium with the movie sound track in the
various languages, or magnetic taoe, is synchronized by starting
the tape at the same time as the movie. Alternatively, a number
of sou~d tracks in the different languag~s can be recorded directly
on the film.
The application of the subject invention in connection
with movies also can be used in a movie theatre. That is, the
patron is provided with a control console at his seat, selects
the appropriate language track and watches the movie while listen-
ing in the preferred language. An earphone or headphone is
preferably used in this application.
The interactive portion of the system of Fig. 4 operates
in a different manner rather than providing the answer to game
quizzes. Here, instead of providing answers to quizzes, the
hotel patron is supplied with a sheet which lists several
categories of information available to the patron in his native
language from a computer, for example, the location of various
ethnic restaurants, location of medical facilities, current
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1 sporting events available, etc. The sheet listing these
various categories is printed in a number of languages
and made available to the hotel patron.
sy pressing one of the buttons 140-1 through 140-10,
as many being provided as needed, this requests information.
For example, pressing buttom 140-1 corresponds to a request
for information regarding the location of restaurants in the
vicinity of the hotel.
In the system of Fig. 4, the control console 120 is
linked with a computer 150 through network 116. Here, the
computer is programmed with the information to be responsive
to the questions which are selected by the patron from the
buttons 140 on the control console 120. In this case, the
combination of the language track selected by the patron by
the switch 26 and the category of information by the button
140 actuates the computer 150 to give the information. The
computer 135 is pre-programmed with the information of the
various categories is a number of languages.
The computer 150 is actuatecl by the combination
of the switches 140 and 26 and by the patron pushing a
switch 155 asking for a data display. Console 120 contains
a data transmission set which sends out digital signals to
the computer regarding the information to be requested. The
computer 150 outputs the information with which it was
originally programmed, that is, the information to a category
request in the requested language. The television receiver 60
is used as a video display terminal. That is, the information
outputted by the computer 150 is displayed on the television
receiver 60 in the language selected.
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1 It is also preferred that the receiver in each room
be provided with suitable addressing circuitry so that the
information requested by the room and transmitted by the computer
will be unique to that room. This can be done, for example, by
providing an address coder/decoder 160. When the data display
request switch 155 is activated, the request for information by
the console 120 is preceded by an address produced by the coder
portion of unit 160 in digital form. The computer recognizes this
address and retransmits it back through the distribution network
116 to the coder/decoder 160 which opens to pass the subsequent
information from the computer. Decoder 160 will only open in
response to receiving the correct address in digital form. In this
manner, the information from the computer will be received only
by the room requesting it. It should be understood, of course,
that the coder/decoder of each room has a unique address.
So that many patrons can use the computer 150 at the
same time, the cumputer can be operated on a time-sharing basis.
Also, it is possible to provide the video display monitor, the
television receiver 60, with a storage capability. That is, the
television receiver is operated to display the information
received for a predetermined time and then to erase this information.
The system and control console 20 of Fig. 1 also can be
adapted to display information other than the answers to quiz
questions. That is, information of the type referred to in
connection with the system of Fig. 6 also can be displayed on the
display 45 of console 20 of Fig. 1.
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