Compadre: A Device Independent Voice-to-Voice Language Translator Software Solution

"Mission Statement: "To develop and deploy language translation software that is device independent, supports bi-directional translation of multiple languages, produces text transcriptions of spoken conversations and supports translation of text extractedfrom digital images. This software shall run in both a reduced functionality standalone mode, and by wirelessly connecting to remote servers, a full-function mode. This software shall run on multiple pocketable platforms resulting in a mobile system thatis low in cost, easy to use, robust in operation and comfortable to carry and/or wear."The object of the Phase II research effort is to use the Phase I results to develop and deploy a fully functional language translation system as is defined in the above Mission Statement. This system will include three operational modes: standalone,camera-based and telephone-based. The standalone mode provides users with word lookup translation capabilities. The camera-based system allows users to input phrases using a digital camera. This is especially useful for languages that do not have astandard alphabet, such as Korean, Japanese, Thai and Arabic. Finally, the telephone-based system allows users to place phone calls to a foreign speaking individual, and have the system translate phrases as they are spoken.BENEFITS: Applications includeall individuals who require multi-lingual capabilities. The mobile translator will benefit a wide range