Pocketable Language Translation System for use in Noisy Environments

"We propose to develop a wearable device that allows the warfighter to eavesdrop on conversations in a non-English language, extract keywords from the speech, and help the warfighter form an impression of the significance of the conversation relative to thecurrent mission. The firmware of the device will be engineered to function under acoustically difficult conditions and will be integrated into a larger system that provides rapid configuration, dynamic learning, and human backup services. The electricaland mechanical design of the pocketable device will be engineered to allow it to operate in challenging field environments. The success of most commercially available speech understanding systems is limited by their need for very high-quality speech input,free of degradations produced by additive noise sources, unknown linear filtering, nonlinear distortion, and transient interference.The approach to Pocketable Language Translation System design described in this proposal will transition current state-of-the-art robust recognition techniques into an operational setting. The integration of core technology components into a prototype, aswell as the definition of an overall system, will create a platform that can support the Pocketable Language Translation System and can be used in other scenarios that require small portable devices for language computation, in both military and commercialareas where speech translation and/or conventional speech capture capabilities are required. Potential commercial examples include emergency medical services, hands-free motor vehicle operations, and in-flight hands-free operations.Through contacts in key industries, such as automotive, communications, medical, and military, Indesign is well positioned to bring the concept of a pocketable speech translator in front of critical decision makers. Indesign also has technologyrelationships with leaders in key manufacturing and semiconductor industries where voice technologies are being explored."