AU2006202949A1 - Communication System and Method - Google Patents
Communication System and Method Download PDFInfo
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- AU2006202949A1 AU2006202949A1 AU2006202949A AU2006202949A AU2006202949A1 AU 2006202949 A1 AU2006202949 A1 AU 2006202949A1 AU 2006202949 A AU2006202949 A AU 2006202949A AU 2006202949 A AU2006202949 A AU 2006202949A AU 2006202949 A1 AU2006202949 A1 AU 2006202949A1
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- Australia
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- communication
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- communication module
- communication modules
- modules
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Description
P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990
ORIGINAL
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicants: Actual Inventors: Address for service is: Darren Eric Catling and Paul Anthony Robinson Darren Eric Catling and Paul Anthony Robinson WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Communication System and Method The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2-
\O
S"Communication System and Method" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system and method.
C 5 The system and method are particularly relevant to facilitating communication N between two persons who do not speak the same language.
c Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
Background Art The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.
Travellers in foreign countries often experience problems in communicating with local residents of such countries, such as being misunderstood or misdirected.
This is particularly the case if the traveller and the local resident do not speak the same language.
The present invention seeks to provide a communication system and method that alleviates such problems to at least some extent.
-3- Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system for communicating between a first party and a second party, the communication system comprising: a plurality of communication modules, each communication module within 0 the plurality of communication modules relating to a subject;
(NO
each communication module including a first identifying means provided on each communication module for identifying the subject of the communication module in a first manner; and a second identifying means provided on each communication module for providing an indication of the subject of the communication module in one or more languages; wherein one or more communication modules within the plurality of communication modules are selectable to form a selection of communication modules, and the communication modules within the selection of communication modules are sequenceable by the first party to form a sequence of communication modules defining a meaning to be communicated between the first and second parties, and whereby the second party is able to derive understanding of the meaning from the first and second identifying means.
Preferably, the first manner comprises a visual identification of the subject.
Preferably, the visual identification includes an image of the subject.
Preferably, the visual identification includes a written description of the subject.
Preferably, the first manner comprises a tactile identification of the subject.
Preferably, the first manner comprises an aural identification of the subject.
Preferably, each communication module comprises a card.
-4- Preferably, the communication system further comprises storage means for storing the plurality of communication modules.
Preferably, the communication system further comprises processing means operable to: select the communication modules from the plurality of communication modules to form the selection of communication modules; and
IND
sequence the communication modules within the selection of communication modules to form the sequence of communication modules.
Preferably, each communication module comprises a media file.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method for communicating between a first party and a second party, the method comprising: selecting one or more communication modules from a plurality of communication modules to form a selection of communication modules, each communication module within the plurality of communication modules relating to a subject and having a first identifying means for identifying the subject in a first manner; and a second identifying means for providing an indication of the subject of the communication module in one or more languages; sequencing the communication modules within the selection of communication modules to form a sequence of communication modules defining a meaning to be communicated between the first and second parties; and deriving understanding of the meaning from the first and second identifying means.
Preferably, the first identifying means are identified visually.
0 Preferably, the first identifying means are identified via an image, and/or via a
(N
rwritten description.
Alternatively, the first identifying means are identified via tactile identification.
Alternatively, the first identifying means are identified aurally.
Preferably, the method further comprises storing the plurality of communication IDmodules.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication module for a communication system for communicating between a first party and a second party, the communication module comprising: a first identifying means provided on the communication module for identifying a subject of the communication module in a first manner; and a second identifying means provided on each communication module for providing an indication of the subject of the communication module in one or more languages; wherein one or more communication modules within the plurality of communication modules are arranged to be selectable to form a selection of communication modules, and the communication modules within the selection of communication modules are sequenceable by the first party to form a sequence of communication modules defining a meaning to be communicated between the first and second parties, and whereby the second party is able to derive understanding of the meaning from the first and second identifying means.
Preferably, the first manner comprises a visual identification of the subject.
Preferably, the visual identification includes an image of the subject, and/or a written description of the subject.
Preferably, the first manner comprises a tactile identification of the subject.
-6-
NO
Preferably, the first manner comprises an aural identification of the subject.
Preferably, each communication module comprises a card.
Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: (Ni Figure 1 is a plan view of a communication system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a translation card having the subject "train" of the communication system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a translation card having the subject "happy" of the communication system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of an index card of the communication system of Figure 1; Figure 4A is a plan view of an index card of an alternative embodiment of the communication system of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view of three translation cards of the communication system of Figure 1 arranged to form a message; Figure 6 is a plan view of two translation cards of the communication system of Figure 1 arranged to form a response; Figure 7 is a schematic of a second embodiment of a communication system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a plan view of a hand held computer of the communication system of Figure 7.
-7- O Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention In Figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a communication system 10 in accordance with the present invention.
In the first embodiment, the system 10 is intended to be used by a first person who speaks a first, or primary, language to communicate with a second person who does not speak the first language. In the embodiment described, the first Iperson is an English speaking traveller in Europe, and the second person is a non-English speaking European resident. The communication system and method of the present invention is not limited to facilitating communication between two such persons, however, and in alternative embodiments may be used to facilitate communication between speakers of any languages.
The system 10 comprises a plurality of reorderable or sequenceable, discrete, communication modules in the form of a deck 12 of translation cards 14.
Each translation card 14 in the deck 12 is of substantially the same shape and dimension as a conventional playing card, and is provided with a front face 16.
Each translation card 14 in the deck 12 relates to a different subject that may be expressed in the first language.
Each translation card 14 includes a first identifying or identification means for identifying the subject that a particular translation card 14 relates to in the form of firstly an image 18 of the subject provided on the front face 16 of the translation card 14.
Having an image 18 of the subject on the translation card 14 is advantageous as it enables a sighted person to identify the subject independently of the language spoken. Although a person viewing the translation card 14 may not be able to speak the same language as the first person, the image 18 enables the subject to which the translation card 14 relates to be visually identified by them.
-8- 0 In addition to the image, there is also a written subject description 19 of the
(N
subject in the form of a word (or phrase if appropriate) provided on the front face 16 of the translation card 14. This written subject description 19 is in the first language.
Providing such a written subject description 19 acts to further identify the subject of the translation card 14 to a viewer literate in the first language and/or one or 0more additional languages, which are described further below.
(N
INO
SIn alternative embodiments, the first identifying means is provided by just the image 18, or just the written subject description 19, rather than both as in the first embodiment.
Each translation card 14 also includes a second identifying or identification means that, in the first embodiment, comprises a written translation or equivalent form of the subject in a predetermined selection of additional languages this providing an indication of the subject provided in the first language of the written description 19. In the embodiment described the first language is English and the predetermined selection of additional languages comprises: German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Greek, Russian, and Portuguese. An image of the flag of a country commonly associated with each of the additional languages is provided beside the name of the subject in the corresponding additional language.
Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates a translation card 14 in which the subject is "train". Accordingly, in this case, the image 18 is of a train, and the written subject description 19 comprises the word "train". The translation card 14 also includes a translation 20 of the word "train" in each of the above mentioned languages.
Figure 3 of the drawings illustrates a translation card 14 in which the subject is the emotion "happy". In this case, the image 18 is of a person with a smiling face, and the written subject description 19 comprises the word "happy". The translation card 14 also includes a translation 20 of the word "happy" in each of the above mentioned languages.
-9- Within the deck 12, translation cards 14 for subjects relating to a particular theme or concept are grouped together. For example, translation cards 14 having subjects such as ice, tea, rice, chicken, beef, and fish, are grouped together in a Group 1 having the theme of Drinks/Food. Translation cards 14 having subjects such as hospital, doctor, ambulance, and bank, are grouped together in a Group 2 having the theme of Emergency/Medical.
The inclusion of the subject of a translation card 14 in a particular group is signified by the translation card 14 being a particular colour.
In the embodiment described, colours and themes as follows: o Group 1 (Yellow): o Group 2 (Red): o Group 3 (Brown): o Group 4 (Green): o Group 5 (Purple): o Group 6 (Orange): o Group 7 (Blue): there are seven such groups, having respective Drinks/Food Emergency/Medical Transport/Geography Travel/Accommodation Entertainment/Shopping Miscellaneous/Animals/Weather/Time/Numbers Personal/Emotions One of the translation cards 14 provided within the deck 12 is an index card 22, illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The front face 16 of the index card 22 lists each of the groups and their corresponding colour to enable identification of translation cards 14 belonging to a particular group within the deck 12.
Additionally, the front face 16 of the index card 22 lists each of the additional languages, and their corresponding flag images.
O Such grouping and colour coding facilitates easy identification and selection of particular translation cards 14 from the deck 12 having subjects relevant to a particular situation, such as, for example, a medical emergency.
An index card 22 of an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 4A of the drawings.
0 To communicate a message or meaning to another person, the first person firstly
(N
Iselects and removes from the deck 12 a set of one or more translation cards 14 relating to the one or more essential subjects of the message to form a selection of translation cards 14.
The first person then sequences or orders individual translation cards 14 within the selection so that the subjects thereof are sequenced to correspond to the order in which the essential subjects arise in the message. The sequenced translation cards 14 are then given to the second person. The second person is thereby provided with a sequenced selection of translation cards 14 having subjects corresponding to the essential subjects of the message.
Whilst the second person may not be able to read any of the languages of the written subject description 19 of the subjects of the translation cards 14, they will be able to recognise the images 18 of the subjects thereupon, and thereby understand the essential subjects of the message. The second person's understanding will be enhanced if they are additionally able to read at least one of the languages of the translations 20 of the subjects.
In this manner, the essential subjects of the message, and thereby the meaning, will be communicated to the second person and their understanding of the intended message will thereby be facilitated, despite their inability to speak the first language.
The second person will then be able to helpfully respond to the first person's message. In this regard, if the first person is able to anticipate what the response is likely to be, such as "walk in a particular direction", then the first person may 11 O additionally give to the second person a plurality of translation cards 14 having subjects relating to the anticipated response.
In such a case, the second person selects and removes from the plurality of translation cards 14 provided to them a selection of one or more translation cards 14 relating to one or more essential subjects of their response.
0Subsequently, the second person sequences or arranges individual translation
(N
IN cards 14 within the selection so that the subjects thereof are sequenced to 0correspond to the order in which the essential subjects arise in the response to form a sequence of translation cards 14. The sequenced translation cards 14 are then given to the first person. In this manner, the first person is provided with a sequenced selection of translation cards 14 having subjects corresponding to the essential subjects of the response.
For example, in the case where the first person wants to know directions to a venue where they can purchase a meal, a beer and go dancing, the first person selects and removes from the deck 12 three translation cards 14 having subjects "beef', "beer" and "dancing", respectively. The first person then arranges and presents the selected translation cards 14 to the second person in that sequence, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.
Anticipating that the second person's response is likely to involve some directions, the first person additional provides to the second person translation cards 14 belonging to Group 4 (Travel/Accommodation). Knowing that the first person, from their present location, will need to travel straight and then turn left to arrive at such a venue, the second person removes from Group 4 two translation cards 14 having subjects "straight" and "left" and arranges and presents them to the first person in that sequence. This is illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings.
The communication system 10 thereby facilitates communication between the first person and the second person despite their not speaking the same language.
-12- A second embodiment of a communication system 110 in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.
In the second embodiment, the system 110 is also intended to be used by a first person who speaks a first language to communicate with a second person who does not speak the first language.
IThe system 110 comprises a hand held computer 112 having memory, not shown, for storing a database 114 and a program, and an operating system for executing application software stored in the memory, such as the program. Additionally, the computer 112 comprises a processor, not shown, coupled to the memory, as well as user interfaces such as a keyboard 116 and a display 118.
The database 114 has a plurality of translation modules 120. Each translation module 120 in the database 114 relates to a different subject that may be expressed in the first language.
Each translation module 120 has one or more digital media files 122 that, when executed, identifies the subject that the translation module 120 relates to by showing an image of the subject on the display 118.
The program is operable via the keyboard 116 to select and arrange a sequence of translation modules 120 from the database 114 so that when the media files 122 thereof are executed, images of subjects corresponding to the essential subjects of a message to be communicated are shown on the display 118.
To communicate a message comprising one or more essential subjects to the non-English speaking second person using the communication system 110, the first person operates the program via the keyboard 116 to select translation modules 120 from the database 114 having subjects relating to the one or more essential subjects of the message.
-13- 6 The first person then operates the program via the keyboard 116 to arrange the selected translation modules 120 so that the subjects thereof are sequenced to correspond to the order in which the essential subjects arise in the message.
The display 118 is then shown to the second person, and the first person operates the program via the keyboard 116 to execute the media files 122 of the sequenced translation modules 120 to show on the display screen 118 a sequence of images of subjects corresponding to the essential subjects of the Imessage.
The second person is thereby shown a sequenced selection of images of subjects corresponding to the essential subjects of the message.
The second person will be able to recognise the images displayed, and thereby understand the essential subjects of the message.
In this manner, the first person is able to communicate the message to the second person, despite their not speaking the same language.
It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. For example, the invention as described can include the following modifications and/or additions: o To facilitate communication with a visually impaired person, a tactile identification of the subject may be provided, such as a description of the subject in Braille.
o An aural identification of the subject may be provided, such as a recording of a person speaking the name of the object, or the sound made by the object, such as a dog barking.
o The first language, and the predetermined selection of additional languages are not limited to those described, and -14in alternative embodiments of the invention may be any language.
o The inclusion of the subject of a translation card in a particular group may be signified by means other than colour, such as, for example, the translation card being a particular Sshape.
IDo Each translation card 14 may relate to more than one subject, 0 with first and second identifying means relating to the additional subject provided on a back face of the translation card 14.
It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of features described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, can be combined to form yet further embodiments falling within the intended scope of the invention.
Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (22)
- 2. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first manner comprises a visual identification of the subject.
- 3. A communication system according to claim 2, wherein the visual identification comprises an image of the subject.
- 4. A communication system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the visual identification comprises a written description of the subject.
- 5. A communication system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first manner comprises a tactile identification of the subject. -16- O 6. A communication system according to any one of the preceding claims, (N wherein the first manner comprises an aural identification of the subject.
- 7. A communication system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each communication module comprises a card.
- 8. A communication system according to any one of the preceding claims, 0 wherein the communication system further comprises storage means for (N Istoring the plurality of communication modules.
- 9. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication system further comprises processing means operable to: select the communication modules from the plurality of communication modules to form the selection of communication modules; and sequence the communication modules within the selection of communication modules to form the sequence of communication modules. communication system according to claim 9, wherein each communication module comprises a media file.
- 11.A communication method for communicating between a first party and a second party, the method comprising: selecting one or more communication modules from a plurality of communication modules to form a selection of communication modules, each communication module within the plurality of communication modules relating to a subject and having a first identifying means for identifying the subject in a first manner; and a second identifying means for providing an indication of the subject of the communication module in one or more languages; sequencing the communication modules within the selection of communication modules to form a sequence of communication modules -17- defining a meaning to be communicated between the first and second parties; and deriving understanding of the meaning from the first and second identifying means. C 5 12.A method according to claim 11, wherein the first identifying means are 0identified visually. IND
- 013.A method according to claim 12, wherein the first identifying means are identified via an image.
- 14.A method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first identifying means are identified via a written description. method according to claim 11, wherein the first identifying means are identified via tactile identification.
- 16.A method according to claim 11, wherein the first identifying means are identified aurally.
- 17.A method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising storing the plurality of communication modules.
- 18.A communication module for a communication system for communicating between a first party and a second party, the communication module comprising: a first identifying means provided on the communication module for identifying a subject of the communication module in a first manner; and a second identifying means provided on each communication module for providing an indication of the subject of the communication module in one or more languages; -18- wherein one or more communication modules within the plurality of communication modules are arranged to be selectable to form a selection of communication modules, and the communication modules within the selection of communication modules are sequenceable by the first party to form a sequence of communication modules defining a meaning to be communicated between the first and second parties, and whereby the Ssecond party is able to derive understanding of the meaning from the first N and second identifying means.
- 19.A communication module according to claim 18, wherein the first manner comprises a visual identification of the subject. communication module according to claim 19, wherein the visual identification comprises an image of the subject.
- 21.A communication module according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the visual identification comprises a written description of the subject.
- 22.A communication module according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the first manner comprises a tactile identification of the subject.
- 23.A communication module according to any one of the claims 18 to 22, wherein the first manner comprises an aural identification of the subject.
- 24.A communication module according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein each communication module comprises a card. communication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
- 26.A communication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
- 27.A communication method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. -19- O 28.A communication method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
- 29.A communication module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
- 30.A communication module substantially as hereinbefore described with 0 reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings. (N Dated this Eleventh day of July 2006. DARREN ERIC CATLING and PAUL ANTHONY ROBINSON Applicants Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicants
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006202949A AU2006202949A1 (en) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-07-11 | Communication System and Method |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2005903670 | 2005-07-11 | ||
| AU2005903670A AU2005903670A0 (en) | 2005-07-11 | Communication System and Method | |
| AU2006202949A AU2006202949A1 (en) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-07-11 | Communication System and Method |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2006202949A1 true AU2006202949A1 (en) | 2007-01-25 |
Family
ID=37726480
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006202949A Abandoned AU2006202949A1 (en) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-07-11 | Communication System and Method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2006202949A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010077211A1 (en) * | 2008-12-30 | 2010-07-08 | Addurra Ma Amoun Omar | The language of colors & symbols used to express all kinds of written texts |
| GB2512578A (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2014-10-08 | Ooozu Ltd | Device for providing translations |
-
2006
- 2006-07-11 AU AU2006202949A patent/AU2006202949A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010077211A1 (en) * | 2008-12-30 | 2010-07-08 | Addurra Ma Amoun Omar | The language of colors & symbols used to express all kinds of written texts |
| GB2512578A (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2014-10-08 | Ooozu Ltd | Device for providing translations |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK4 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(d) - no continuation fee paid for the application |