Language translation for real-time text-based conversations

Patent 5987401 Issued on November 16, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 8, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventor

Trudeau, John R.

Assignee

Apple Computer, Inc.

Application

No. 569360 filed on 12/08/1995

US Classes:

704/2, Translation machine704/3, Having particular Input/Output device704/8Multilingual or national language support

Examiners

Primary: Thomas, Joseph
Assistant: Edouard, Patrick N.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Beyer & Weaver, LLP

Foreign Patent References

449230 A2 EP 03/09/1991

International Class

G06F 017/28

Abstract

A real-time language translation technique for text-based conversations. The messages forming the text-based conversation amongst a plurality of participants to the conversation are translated in real-time either from a user language to a conversation language of the conversation, or from the conversation language to the user language. The result is that the user is able to seamlessly converse in a text-based conversation (in the conversation language) using a language other than the conversation language. The invention is particularly advantageous for on-line text-based conversations, wherein users of on-line text-based conversations are able to seamlessly converse with each other in different languages.

Other References

Lu, Cary and Milligan, John, "e-World, The Official Guide for Macintosh Users", Hayden Books, Indiana, 1994
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