Pocketable Language Translation System for use in Noisy Environments

Mission Statement: "To develop and deploy a Pocketable Language Translation System (PLTS) that identifies and translates keywords as they are spoken even though significant background noise and/or degradation of the audio signal may be present. Thesystem shall support bi-directional identification and translation of multiple languages. Conversations of interest shall be automatically recorded, saved and identified. The resulting system will be low in cost, easy to use in all environments,comfortable to carry and/or wear, be easily expandable to additional languages and vocabulary words, ruggedized to shock, dust and water, be small in size, lightweight and have an extended battery life." This research effort will investigate thescientific merit and commercial feasibility of the system described in the preceding mission statement. Four technical areas will be investigated: speech recognition, conversation analysis, language translation, and the computing platform(s). Bycombining the technical and commercial elements with end-user's needs, a complete definition of a successful system will be achieved. This definition will be used to develop and deliver to the government representative(s) a prototype system thatdemonstrates key performance elements along with a final report documenting the results. An option is included for integrating the prototype system with a government selected platform. Applications include all individuals who require multi-lingualtranslation capabilities in noisy environments. The mobile translator system will benefit a wide range of individuals including military personnel, airport employees, border patrol and customs agents, police, fire fighters, rescue personnel, retailclerks, bank tellers, delivery personnel, phone operators, tourists and any industry that sells, develops or manufactures products to/in global markets or employs individuals that do not speak the native language.