FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for selection of
language for contents on communication devices and, particularly but not exclusively, for
selection of language for contents to be accessed on the communication devices by users.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Users across the globe commonly watch movies, daily soaps, news, knowledge
contents, and such, on television (TV) sets at home or other places, and listen to news, and such,
on radio sets. In addition to watching contents on TV sets or listening to contents on radio sets, it
is common for users to watch movies screened at theatres. For TV and radio sets, the contents
are broadcasted by service providers through broadcasting stations, which are received on and
transmitted by TV sets and radio sets via transmission channels for the users to watch and/or
listen, as the case may be. For theatres, pre-stored data in a memory, for example magnetic tapes,
is transmitted for screening movies for the users. The contents for TV sets and theatres may
include audio-video contents, and, in addition, sub-tile contents. The contents on radio sets
include audio contents.
[0003] Some users, for a variety of reasons, may have preferences for language in which
they like to hear audio contents or view sub-title contents, if any. The reasons may include, a
language being the native language, ease of understanding of a language, and such. Thus, for
different users watching same movie, news, or daily soap, on same TV set, or watching same
movie on same screen in a theatre, or listening to same news on same radio set, it may be
desirable to hear audio or view sub-titles, if any, for that movie, news, and such, in different
languages in accordance with their respective choice or interest.
SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to selection of language
for contents on communication devices. This summary is not intended to identify essential
features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the
scope of the claimed subject matter.
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[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, a language
selection system is described. The language selection system is configured to receive a
transmission signal comprising first contents in at least two languages, and provide connections
with a communication device to multiple users for accessing the first contents. The language
selection system is also configured to provide the first contents to each of the multiple users
through a respective connection with the communication device. The first contents are provided
to the each of the multiple users in a language requested from amongst the at least two languages
by a respected user.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter, a method of
selection of language for contents on a communication device includes receiving a transmission
signal comprising first contents in at least two languages, providing connections with the
communication device to multiple users for accessing the first contents by each of the multiple
users, and providing the first contents to each of the multiple users through a respective
connection with the communication device. The first contents are provided to the each of the
multiple users in a language requested from amongst the at least two languages by a respected
user.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter, a computer
readable medium having a set of computer readable instructions is disclosed. The computer
readable instructions on the computer readable medium, when executed, perform acts including
receiving a transmission signal comprising first contents in at least two languages, providing
connections with a communication device to multiple users for accessing the first contents by
each of the multiple users, and providing the first contents to each of the multiple users through a
respective connection with the communication device. The first contents are provided to the each
of the multiple users in a language requested from amongst the at least two languages by a
respected user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the
reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference
like features and components. Some embodiments of systems and/or methods in accordance with
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embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with
reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0009] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system architecture implementing a language
selection system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0010] Figure 2 illustrates a method for selection of language for contents on a
communication device accessible by users, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0011] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein
represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present
subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state
transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be
substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or
processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for selection of
language for contents on communication devices accessible by users.
[0013] Users are understood as individuals who are watching news, a movie, a daily
soap, knowledge content, etc., on a television (TV) set, a personal computer, a smart phone, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), and such, watching a movie in a theatre, or listening to news, or
other audio contents on a radio set. For the purpose of the present subject matter, set-top boxes,
TV sets, personal computers, smart phones, PDAs, transceiving device in theatres for screening
movies, radio sets, and similar devices, which receive and/or transmit transmission signals over
communication channels, are understood as the communication devices. The transmission
signals, received and transmitted by the communication devices, are the signals that carry
contents, such as movies, daily soaps, news, knowledge contents, and other information. As
mentioned earlier, the contents provided to the users on TV sets, PDAs or theatres may include
video, audio, and, in addition, sub-title contents, and the contents provided to the user on radio
sets may include audio contents. Multiple users may watch and/or listen to such contents, as the
case may be, together on the communication device or through the communication device. The
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term “contents”, in the description herein, may be referred to as a singular content or plural
contents.
[0014] Conventionally, movies, news and other such contents with audio and/or sub-title
contents in different languages are provided to the communication devices, such as set-top
boxes, TV sets or radio sets, over different communication channels by service providers. A
communication channel can be selected on a TV or a radio set to view and/or listen to such
contents. For hearing audio and/or viewing sub-titles for a movie, news or other contents in a
different language, users have to select another communication channel on the TV or radio sets,
as provided by the service provider. However, at an instance, multiple users, viewing and/or
listening to same contents over same communication channel on a TV or a radio set, hear the
audio and/or view the sub-titles in same language. Thus, conventionally, multiple users can not
hear audio or view sub-titles in languages of their respective choices or interests, while viewing
the same movie, news, or other similar contents, on a TV or a radio set.
[0015] Similarly, in a theatre, a movie with audio in a single language, and, in addition,
sub-titles in a single language, is typically played on a screen. Multiple users watching the same
movie on the same screen in a theatre, despite having interests or preference for different
languages, hear the audio and, in addition, view sub-titles in the same language. Thus,
conventionally, multiple users can not hear audio or view sub-titles in languages of their
respective choices or interests, while viewing the same movie on a screen in a theatre.
[0016] Embodiments of systems and methods for selection of language for contents on
communication devices accessible by users are described herein. As mentioned earlier, the
communication devices may include set-top boxes, TV sets, personal computers, smart phones,
PDAs, transceiving device in theatres for screening movies, radio sets, and the like, which
receive and/or transmit transmission signals over communication channels for providing contents
to the users. For the purposes of the present subject matter, a transmission signal includes at least
one of audio contents and sub-title contents in two or more languages. The audio contents and/or
sub-title contents in two or more languages, in the transmission signal, hereinafter, may be
referred to as first contents. The transmission signal may also include video contents, as the case
may be, for the user to view. The video contents on the transmission signal, hereinafter, may be
referred to as second contents.
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[0017] In accordance with the systems and the methods of the present subject matter,
language for contents on a communication device is selected based on the languages in which the
first contents, i.e., audio and/or sub-title contents, are present in the transmission signal received
by the communication device. Multiple users are allowed to connect to the communication
device for accessing the first contents in the transmission signal. In an implementation, the
multiple users may connect to the communication device using their respective user devices,
through wireless connections or wired connections, for hearing audio contents and/or viewing
the sub-title contents. The user devices may include, but are not restricted to, headsets, smart
phones with or without headsets, PDAs with or without headsets, and the like. The user devices
connected to a communication device, in accordance with the present subject matter, hereinafter
may be referred to as the connected user devices, and the corresponding users may be referred to
as the connected users.
[0018] Based on the connection of each of the multiple users, an option is provided to the
each user to select one of the languages for the first contents, as available in the transmission
signal. Further, based on the language requested or selected by the each user, the first contents in
the selected or requested language are provided to the each user on the connected user device
through the respective connection with the communication device. This facilitates the multiple
users in hearing audio contents and/or viewing sub-title contents in different languages, i.e., in
the languages of their interest or choice, as available in the transmission signal, while the same
transmission signal is being played on or transmitted by the communication device.
[0019] In an implementation, the users may hear the audio contents in the language of
their choice on the respective headsets directly connected to the communication device, or on the
respective smart phones or PDAs connected to the communication device, or on the headsets
coupled to the smart phones or PDAs connected to the communication device. Similarly, the
users may view the sub-title contents in the language of their choice on the respective smart
phones or PDAs connected to the communication device. It may be understood that, in a case
where the transmission signal includes the second contents, i.e., the video contents, the second
contents may be displayed on the communication device for the users to view. Thus, with the
systems and the methods of the present subject matter, while one movie, news, or other such
contents are playing and being watched on a TV set, or on a screen in a theatre, or while one
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news or other audio contents are playing on a radio set, different users are able to hear the audio
contents and/or view sub-title contents in different languages, each in the language of their
choice or interest.
[0020] The systems and methods described herein may be implemented in a variety of
network or system environments employing a communication device to which multiple users
may connect or couple using their respective user devices for accessing the first contents in the
transmission signal in the communication device. The system, in accordance with an
implementation of the present subject matter, includes a language selection system. In an
implementation, the language selection system may be implemented in the communication
device. In other implementations, the language selection system may be communicatively
coupled to the communication device.
[0021] The language selection system is configured to receive the transmission signal
comprising the first contents in two or more languages received in the communication device,
provide connections to multiple users for accessing the first contents in the transmission signal,
and provide the first contents to each of the multiple users through a respective connection with
the communication device, where the first contents are provided in one of the languages
requested by the each user. Although the description herein is with reference to certain
communication devices and user devices, the systems and the methods may be implemented in
other devices, albeit with a few variations, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.
[0022] In an implementation, for the purposes of selection of language for contents in a
communication device, the transmission signal in the communication device is decoded to filter
the first contents in each of the two or more languages. With the decoding, the languages in
which the first contents are present in the transmission signal are identified. In an
implementation, the multiple languages for the contents in the transmission signal may include,
but are not restricted to, English, Hindi, French, Japanese, Tamil, and such. The multiple
languages may be decided by the service provider based on the availability of contents in such
languages. In an implementation, the multiple languages may be decided based on user choices
and preferences registered with the service provider.
[0023] Further, based on the respective connection for each of the multiple users with the
communication device, a menu to select a language may be provided to the each user. The menu
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is provided for selection of one of the two or more languages in which the first contents are
present in transmission signal. A language request, based on the menu, is received from each of
the connected user, where the language request is indicative of the language in which the first
contents are to be provided to the user through the respective connection with the communication
device. After receiving the language request from the each connected user, the language
requested or selected by the each user is identified, and the first contents in the selected language
are provided to the each user on the respective user device.
[0024] With the systems and the methods of the present subject matter, different users
will be able to hear the audio contents and/or view sub-title contents in different languages, i.e.,
in the language of choice or interest, in real-time and in a substantially easy and efficient manner
while same contents are being played on or transmitted by the communication device.
[0025] The described methodologies can be implemented in hardware, firmware,
software, or a combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing units can be
implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal
processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices
(PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,
microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions
described herein, or a combination thereof. Herein, the term "system" encompasses logic
implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof.
[0026] For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies can be
implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions
described herein. Any machine readable medium tangibly embodying instructions can be used in
implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes and programs
can be stored in a memory and executed by a processing unit. Memory can be implemented
within the processing unit or may be external to the processing unit. As used herein the term
"memory" refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other storage
devices and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type
of media upon which memory is stored.
[0027] In another firmware and/or software implementation, the functions may be stored
as one or more instructions or code on a non transitory computer-readable medium. Examples
9
include computer-readable media encoded with a data structure and computer-readable media
encoded with an executable program. Computer-readable media may take the form of an article
of manufacturer. Computer-readable media includes physical storage media. A storage medium
may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computing device. For the purpose of the
present subject matter, the computer readable medium may be understood to include storage
medium that can be accessed and read by a computing device, such as the communication device
of the present subject matter. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable
media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic
disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store
desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
computing device; disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce
data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0028] In addition to storage on computer readable medium, instructions and/or data may
be provided as signals on transmission media included in a communication apparatus. For
example, a communication apparatus may include a transceiver having signals indicative of
instructions and data. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or more processors to
implement the functions outlined in the claims. That is, the communication apparatus includes
transmission media with signals indicative of information to perform disclosed functions. At a
first time, the transmission media included in the communication apparatus may include a first
portion of the information to perform the disclosed functions, while at a second time the
transmission media included in the communication apparatus may include a second portion of
the information to perform the disclosed functions.
[0029] It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the
present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to
devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles
of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all
examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to
aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by
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the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such
specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles,
aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to
encompass equivalents thereof.
[0030] The manner in which the systems and methods for selection of language for
contents on communication devices shall be implemented has been explained in details with
respect to the Figures 1 and 2. While aspects of described systems and methods for selection of
language for contents on communication devices can be implemented in any number of different
computing systems as the communication devices, transmission environments, and/or
configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary
system(s).
[0031] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the words during, while,
and when as used herein are not exact terms that mean an action takes place instantly upon an
initiating action but that there may be some small but reasonable delay, such as a propagation
delay, between the initial action and the reaction that is initiated by the initial action.
Additionally, the word “connected” and “coupled” is used throughout for clarity of the
description and can include either a direct connection or an indirect connection.
[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system architecture 100 implementing a
language selection system 102 for selection of language for contents on a communication device
104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, the
language selection system 102 is implemented in the communication device 104. As mentioned
earlier, the communication device 104 is a device that can receive and/or transmit content
carrying transmission signals through which users can watch and listen to movies, news, daily
soaps, and other contents, at home or public places, like theatres, airplanes, etc. Such a
communication device 104 may include, but is not restricted to, a set-top box, a TV set, a
personal computer, a smart phone, a PDA, a transceiving device in a theatre, a transceiving
device in an airplane, and the like. The communication device 104 may also be a device that can
receive and/or transmit content carrying transmission signals through which users can only listen
to news, information, and other similar contents. Such a communication device 104 may include,
but is not restricted to, a radio set, and the like.
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[0033] Further, in an implementation, as shown in Figure 1, the communication device
104 is communicatively coupled to a signal providing system 106 which provides the content
carrying transmission signals to the communication device 104 for providing contents to the
users. In an example, the communication device 104, such as a TV set, a set-top box or a radio
set, may receive the transmission signals from the signal providing system 106 including one or
more broadcasting stations of a service provider. In another example, the communication device
104, such as a transceiving device in a theatre or an airplane, may receive the transmission
signals from the signal providing system 106, including one or more entities, which processes the
pre-stored contents from a storage medium or a memory. Further, in another example, the
communication device 104, such as a personal computer, a PDA, a smart phone, may receive the
transmission signals from the signal providing system 106 including one or more network
entities configured to provide such signals.
[0034] For the purposes of the present subject matter, a transmission signal, i.e., a content
carrying transmission signal, includes at least first contents in two or more languages. The first
contents are at least one of audio contents and sub-title contents in the transmission signal. In an
implementation, the content carrying transmission signal may also include video contents as the
second contents.
[0035] In an implementation, the communication device 104 may be communicatively
coupled to the signal providing system 106 over a communication network. The communication
network may be a wireless or a wired network, or a combination thereof. The communication
network can be a collection of individual networks, interconnected with each other and
functioning as a single large network. Examples of such individual networks include, but are not
limited to, television-based network, radio-based network, cable, Global System for
Communication (GSM) network, Universal Telecommunications System (UMTS) network,
Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, Personal Communications Service (PCS) network, Time
Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network,
Next Generation Network (NGN), Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN), Internet Protocol (IP) Network. Although the description
herein is with reference to certain communication networks, other networks and devices, albeit
with a few variations, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art. Depending on the
12
terminology, the communication network includes various network entities, such as broadcasting
stations, gateways and routers; however, such details have been omitted to maintain the brevity
of the description. Further, it may be understood that the communication between the
communication device 104, the signal providing system 106, and other entities may take place
based on the communication protocol compatible with the communication network.
[0036] In an implementation, as shown in Figure 1, the communication device 104 is
communicatively connectable to a plurality of user devices 108-1, 108-2, … , 108-N through
which multiple users can access the first contents in the transmission signal in the
communication device 104. The plurality of user devices 108-1, 108-2, … , 108-N, hereinafter,
are collectively referred to as user devices 108, and individually referred to as a user device 108.
In an example, each user may connect with the communication device 104 using one user device
108. In an implementation, a user may connect to the communication device 104 using the user
device 108, such as a headset, earphones, and the like, for hearing audio contents in the
transmission signal. In an implementation, a user may connect with the communication device
104 using the user device 108, such as a smart phone, a PDA, and the like, with or without a
hearing device, for hearing and/or viewing the sub-title contents in the transmission signal.
[0037] Further, in an implementation, the user device 108 of each of the multiple users
may be connected with the communication device 104 through a wireless connection or a wired
connection. A wireless connection may include, but is not restricted to, a Bluetooth connection, a
Infrared (IR) connection, an ultrasonic connection, and other similar connection. A wired
connection may include, but is not restricted to, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, an
audio jack or plug type connection, and other similar connection. It may be understood that the
user devices 108 and the communication device 104 are configured with input/output ports or
interfaces that are compatible for such wired or wireless connections between them.
[0038] In an implementation, the language selection system 102 includes processor(s)
110. The processor(s) 110 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors,
microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state
machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational
instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor(s) 110 are configured to fetch and execute
computer-readable instructions stored in the memory.
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[0039] The functions of the various elements shown in the figure, including any
functional blocks labeled as “processor(s)”, may be provided through the use of dedicated
hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate
software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated
processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which
may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” should not be construed to refer
exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without
limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for
storing software, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile storage. Other hardware,
conventional and/or custom, may also be included.
[0040] The language selection system 102 also includes interface(s) 112. The interface(s)
112 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces that allow the language selection
system 102 to interact with the communication device 104, with the signal providing system 106
and with the user devices 108, as the case may be. Further, the interface(s) 112 may enable the
language selection system 102 to communicate with other communication and computing
devices, such as network entities, web servers and external repositories. The interface(s) 112 may
facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types,
including wire networks, for example, LAN, cable, IP, etc., and wireless networks, for example,
WLAN, cellular, satellite-based network, etc.
[0041] Further, the language selection system 102 includes memory 114, coupled to the
processor(s) 110. The memory 114 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art
including, for example, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), and/or non-volatile memory (e.g.,
EPROM, flash memory, etc.).
[0042] Further, the language selection system 102 includes modules 116 and data 118.
The modules 116 may be coupled to the processor(s) 110. The modules 116, amongst other
things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform
particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The modules 116 may also be
implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device
or component that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. The modules 116 further
14
include modules that supplement applications on the language selection system 102, for example,
modules of an operating system. The data 118 serves, amongst other things, as a repository for
storing data that may be fetched, processed, received, or generated by one or more of the
modules 116. Although the data 118 is shown internal to the language selection system 102, it
may be understood that the data 118 can reside in an external repository (not shown in the
figure), which may be coupled to the language selection system 102. The language selection
system 102 may communicate with the external repository through the interface(s) 112 to obtain
information from the data 118.
[0043] Further, the modules 116 can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed
by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computing
unit, a processor, a state machine, a logic array or any other suitable devices capable of
processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes
instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the
processing unit can be dedicated to perform the required functions.
[0044] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the modules 116 may be machinereadable
instructions (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform
any of the described functionalities. The machine-readable instructions may be stored on an
electronic memory device, hard disk, optical disk or other machine-readable storage medium or
non-transitory medium. In one implementation, the machine-readable instructions can be also be
downloaded to the storage medium via a network connection.
[0045] In an implementation, the modules 116 of the language selection system 102
includes a content processing module 120, a content transmitting module 122, and other
module(s) 124. In an implementation, the data 118 of the language selection system 102 includes
language data 126, and other data 128. The other module(s) 124 may include programs or coded
instructions that supplement applications and functions, for example, programs in the operating
system of the language selection system 102, and the other data 128 comprise data corresponding
to one or more other module(s) 124.
[0046] The foregoing description describes the selection of language for contents on a
TV set as the communication device 104, in accordance with the present subject matter. The
communication device 104 is configured to receive content carrying transmission signals either
15
directly from a broadcasting station as the signal providing system 106. Further, the
communication device 104, i.e., the TV set, is configured to be connected to a plurality of user
devices 108, for example headsets and smart phones, over wireless connections, such as
Bluetooth connections. The user devices 108 for said implementation are Bluetooth enabled. It
will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the concepts explained in context of the present
subject matter may be extended to selection of language for contents on other communication
devices 104, where multiple users may connect with the communication device 104 using the
user devices 108 over wired or wireless connections for accessing the first contents in the
transmission signal.
[0047] In an implementation, for the purpose of selection of language in contents on the
communication device 104, the content processing module 120 receives a transmission signal
having the first contents (audio and/or sub-titles) in two or more languages, and the second
contents (video contents). The content processing module 120 receives the transmission signal
that is provided by the signal providing system 106 to the communication device 104. The
transmission signal refer to the signal that is being played or transmitted on the communication
device 104, over a communication channel, for multiple users to together watch and listen to the
contents therein. The contents may be for a movie, a soap, news, sports, knowledge contents,
etc., where audio and/or sub-titles are provided in two or more languages.
[0048] After receiving the transmission signal, the content processing module 120
processes or decodes the received transmission signal to filter the first contents therein. The first
contents are decoded and filtered to identify the languages in which the first contents are present
in the transmission signal, and to provide the first contents, in selected languages, to multiple
users in accordance with the present subject matter. The details of the languages, in which the
first contents are present in the transmission signal, are stored in the language data 126.
[0049] For providing the first contents to multiple users, the content transmitting module
122 is configured to provide connections to the user devices 108 of the multiple users with the
communication device 104. In an implementation, the users may wirelessly connect with the
communication device 104 using their headsets for hearing the audio contents of the first
contents, or using their smart phones for viewing sub-title contents of the first contents or
hearing the audio contents of the first contents.
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[0050] In an implementation, as the connections are established between the user devices
108 and the communication device 104, the content transmitting module 122 provides a language
selection menu to each of the users to select one of the languages in which the first contents are
present in the transmission signal. The languages, two or more, which are identified by the
content processing module 120 based on decoding of the transmission signal, may be provided in
the language selection menu to the each user for selection. In an implementation, a user or a
group of users may pre-set two or more languages of choice or interests in the language selection
system 102 in the communication device 104, such as a TV set, at home. The languages
identified in the transmission signal are compared with the pre-set languages, to provide
languages in the language selection menu for selection by the users. The details of the pre-set
languages may be stored in the language data 126.
[0051] With the language selection menu, each of the users may then select a language
from the language selection menu in accordance with his choice for hearing the audio contents
and/or viewing the sub-title contents, as the case may be, of the first contents. The user input for
the selected language is sent as a language request from the user to the language selection system
102 for further processing in accordance with the present subject matter.
[0052] In an implementation, the content transmitting module 122 may be configured to
provide the language selection menu on the communication device 104. The each user may
individually provide an input to the communication device 104 to select the language of choice
or interest. In an example, the input from the user may be provided using an input device
associated with the communication device 104. Such an input device may be a wired or a
wireless input device, such as a remote controller.
[0053] In an implementation, the content transmitting module 122 may be configured to
provide the language selection menu to each user on the respective user device 108 connected
with the communication device 104, particularly with the language selection system 102 in the
communication device 104. The user may provide an input to his user device 108 to select the
language of choice, and the user device 108 may then send the user input as the language request
to the communication device 104.
[0054] Further, in an implementation, the language selection menu may be provided on a
separate input device (not shown) communicatively coupled with the communication device 104.
17
The input device is configured to receive user inputs for the selection of a language of choice,
and provide the user input to the communication device 104. Such input device may be
wirelessly or wire coupled with the communication device 104. In an example, the input device
may display the language selection menu, receive the user input for a language, and transmit the
user input as the language request to the communication device 104.
[0055] Based on the user inputs for language of choice, the content processing module
120 receives language request from each of the users. The content processing module 120
processes the language request from each user to identify the language selected or requested by
the each user. The language in the language request from the user is indicative of language in
which the first contents are to be provided to the user. The details of the language selected or
request by each of the users are stored in the language data 126.
[0056] Further, after receiving the language request for each of the users, the content
transmitting module 122 provides or transmits the first contents to the each user, in the language
identified in the language request from the corresponding user. The first contents in the selected
or requested language are provided to the user device 108 of the each user. The first contents are
provided through the connections of the respective user device 108 with the communication
device 104. With this, each of the users is able to access the first contents in the language of his
choice, on the respective user device 108, while the same transmission signal is being transmitted
by the communication device 104 for all the users. It may be understood that the first contents
are provided on the user devices 108 in synchronization with the second contents being displayed
on the communication device 104.
[0057] In an implementation, where the first contents in the transmission signal include
audio contents in multiple languages, the audio contents are provided to the headset of the each
user connected with the communication device 104, or to the smart phone of the each user
connected with the communication device 104. The audio contents are provided to each user in
the language selected or requested by the each respective user. The users are able to hear the
audio in the language of choice on the respective headsets connected with the communication
device 104, or on the respective smart phones, or on headset connected with the respective smart
phones, while the same second contents, i.e., the video contents, are being displayed on the
communication device 104 for all the users. It may be understood that the audio contents are
18
provided in synchronization with the video contents being displayed on the communication
device 104.
[0058] In an implementation, where the first contents in the transmission signal include
sub-title contents in multiple languages, the sub-title contents are provided to the smart phone of
the each user connected with the communication device 104. The sub-title contents are provided
in the language selected or requested by the each respective user. The users are able to view the
sub-titles in the language of choice on the screen of the respective smart phones connected with
the communication device 104, while the same audio contents and same second contents, i.e., the
video contents, are being played on the communication device 104 for all the users. It may be
understood that the sub-title contents are provided in synchronization with the audio contents
being played on the communication device 104 and in synchronization with the video contents
being displayed on the communication device 104.
[0059] The description below describes some scenarios in which language is selected for
the contents on the communication device 104, in accordance with implementations of the
present subject matter.
[0060] In an implementation, consider that multiple users are watching a movie being
played on a TV set as the communication device 104. The transmission signal provided on the
TV set may include audio and sub-titles (first contents) in four different languages, for example,
English, French, Hindi, and Chinese. With the language selection system 102 in the TV set, the
transmission signal is decoded to filter the audio and sub-titles and to identify the languages in
which the audio and sub-titles are present therein. Now, if some users watching the movie wish
to hear the audio in preferred languages and view the sub-titles in preferred languages, the
language selection system 102 allows such users to individually connect with the TV set using
their smart phones for accessing the audio and sub-titles in the language of their choice. The
users may connect their smart phones, for example, through Bluetooth connections, with the TV
set. As the smart phone of each user is connected with the TV set, the language selection system
102 provides a language selection menu, with the languages identified from the transmission
signal, on the smart phone of the each user for selection of the language of choice. Each user
may then select a language from the language selection menu on the respective smart phone. The
selected language is indicative of the language in which the audio and the sub-titles are to be
19
provided to the user while the movie is being played on the TV set. The language selection
system 102 receives the language requests (user inputs) for all the connected users, and processes
such requests to identify the requested language for each of the users. Based on this, the language
selection system 102 provides audio and sub-titles on the smart phone of the users, where the
audio and sub-titles are provided to the users in the language respectively selected by them. The
users may view the sub-titles on the screen of their smart phones and hear the audio through
hearing device coupled to the smart phones.
[0061] In an implementation, consider that multiple users are watching a movie being
played on a screen in a theatre. The theatre may screen the movie through a transceiving device,
such as the communication device 104. The transmission signal provided on the transceiving
device in the theatre may include audio (first contents) in five different languages, for example,
English, French, Japanese, Hindi, and Tamil. With the language selection system 102 in the
transceiving device, the transmission signal is decoded to filter the audio and to identify the
languages in which the audio are present therein. Now, if some users watching the movie wish to
hear the audio in preferred languages, the language selection system 102 allows such users to
individually connect with the transceiving device using headsets provided in the theatre or using
their smart phones for accessing the audio in the language of their choice. The users may connect
the smart phones, for example, through Bluetooth connections, or the users may connect the
headsets, for example, through audio jack type connections. As the smart phone or the headset of
each user is connected with the transceiving device, the language selection system 102 provides
a language selection menu, with the languages identified from the transmission signal, to the
each user. The language selection menu may be provided on the smart phone of the each user for
selection of the language of choice, or may be provided as voice based menu on the headset.
Each user may then select a language from the language selection menu on the respective smart
phone or select a language from the voice based menu through a separate input device provided
in the theatre. The selected language is indicative of the language in which the audio are to be
provided to the user while the movie is being played in the theatre. The language selection
system 102 receives the language requests (user inputs) for all the connected users, and processes
such requests to identify the requested language for each of the users. Based on this, the language
20
selection system 102 provides audio on the smart phone or the headset of the users, where the
audio are provided to the users in the language respectively selected by them.
[0062] In an implementation, consider that multiple users are listening to informative
contents being played on a radio set or a smart phone as the communication device 104. The
transmission signal provided on the radio set or the smart phone may include audio (first
contents) in two different languages, for example, English and French. With the language
selection system 102 in the radio set or the smart phone, the transmission signal is decoded to
filter the audio and to identify the languages in which the audio are present therein. Now, if some
users listening to the informative contents wish to hear the audio in preferred languages, the
language selection system 102 allows such users to individually connect with the radio set or the
smart phone using their headsets for accessing the audio in the language of their choice. The
users may connect the headsets, for example, through Bluetooth connections, with the radio set
or the smart phone. As the headset of each user is connected with the radio set or the smart
phone, the language selection system 102 provides a language selection menu, with the
languages identified from the transmission signal, to the each user. The language selection menu
may be provided on the smart phone or as a voice based menu on the headset of the each
respective user for selection of the language of choice. Each user may then select a language
from the language selection menu. The selected language is indicative of the language in which
the audio are to be provided to the user while the informative contents are being played on the
radio set or the smart phone. The language selection system 102 receives the language requests
(user inputs) for all the connected users, and processes such requests to identify the requested
language for each of the users. Based on this, the language selection system 102 provides audio
on the headset of the users, where the audio are provided to the users in the language respectively
selected by them.
[0063] Figure 2 illustrates a method 200 for selection of language for contents on the
communication device 104 accessible by the users, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present subject matter. The order in which the method 200 is described is not intended to be
construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in
any order to implement the method 200, or an alternative method. Additionally, individual
blocks may be deleted from the method 200 without departing from the spirit and scope of the
21
subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the methods can be implemented in any suitable
hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0064] A person skilled in the art will readily recognize that steps of the method 200 can
be performed by programmed machines or computing devices. Herein, some embodiments are
also intended to cover program storage devices, for example, digital data storage media, which
are machine or computer readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executable
programs of instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of the
described method. The program storage devices may be, for example, digital memories,
magnetic storage media, such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically
readable digital data storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover both
communication network and communication devices configured to perform said steps of the
exemplary method.
[0065] Referring to Figure 2, although the method 200 for selection of language for
contents on the communication device 104 may be implemented in a variety of communication
devices 104 in different network environments; in an embodiment described in Figure 2, the
method 200 is explained in context of the aforementioned language selection system 102
implemented in the communication device 104 for the ease of explanation.
[0066] In an implementation, at block 202, a transmission signal including first contents
in two or more languages is received. As mentioned earlier, the first contents include audio
contents and/or sub-title contents. The transmission signal may also include second contents,
such as the video contents. The transmission signal is the signal which is provided to the
communication device 104 by a signal providing system 106, and is being played, in real-time,
on the communication device 104 for a plurality of users to together watch and/or listen to the
contents therein.
[0067] At block 204, the received transmission signal is processed or decoded to filter the
first contents in the multiple languages present in the transmission signal. As mentioned earlier,
the transmission signal is decoded and filtered by the language selection system 102 to identify
different languages in which the first contents are present. The first contents in different
languages are filtered such that the first contents, in the selected languages, can be provided to
different users in accordance with the present subject matter.
22
[0068] Further, at block 206, connections are provided to multiple users with the
communication device 104 such that each of the multiple users can access the first contents
filtered from the transmission signal. As mentioned earlier, the language selection system 102
allows the multiple users to connect with the communication device 104 using their respective
user devices 108 for accessing the first contents. In an implementation, the connections between
the communication device 104 and various user devices 108 may be wireless connections, such
as Bluetooth connections, IR connections, ultrasonic connections, and the like, or may be wired
connections, such as USB connections, audio jack type connections, and the like. It may be
understood that both, the communication device 104 and the user devices 108, have compatible
interfaces and ports for establishing the connections between them.
[0069] Based on the connection between the user device 108 and the communication
device 104 for each of the users, a language selection menu is provided to the each user, at block
208. The language selection menu is provided for the user to select one of the languages in which
the first contents are present in the transmission signal and in which he may be interested in
hearing the audio or viewing the sub-titles. The language selection menu may be provided by the
language selection system 102 either on the communication device 104 or on the user device 108
of the each connected user, in a manner as described earlier in the description. Further, based on
the language selection menu, the each user may select a language therefrom, indicating the
language of choice in the first contents are requested, and should be provided to the respective
user. The user input for each user, for the selection of language of choice, is sent to the
communication device 104, and particularly to the language selection system 102, as a language
request for further processing.
[0070] At block 210, the language request from each of the connected users is received.
Each of the received language requests is processed by the language selection system 102 to
identify the language selected or requested by the corresponding user.
[0071] After receiving the language request and identifying the selected language for the
each user, the first contents are provided, at block 212, to the each of the connected users, in the
language respectively selected by them. The first contents in the selected language are provided
by the language selection system 102 on to the respective user devices of the users, through the
respective connections with the communication device 104. As mentioned earlier, with the
23
provision of the first contents in the language of choice, different users are able to hear the audio
contents and/or view the sub-title contents in different languages (languages of choice) on the
respective user device 108, while the same transmission signal is being played on the
communication device 104 for all the users. It may be understood that the first contents are
provided on the user devices 108 in synchronization with the second contents being displayed on
the communication device 104.
[0072] Although implementations for the language selection system 102 have been
described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that
the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described.
Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary implementations for
selection of language for contents on the communication devices 104.

I/We claim:
1. A language selection system (102) comprising:
a processor (110);
a content processing module (120) coupled to the processor (110), the content processing
module (120) configured to receive a transmission signal comprising first contents in at least
two languages; and
a content transmitting module (122) coupled to the processor (110), the content
transmitting module (122) configured to,
provide connections with a communication device (104) to multiple users for
accessing the first contents; and
provide the first contents to each of the multiple users through a respective
connection with the communication device (104), wherein the first contents are provided
to the each of the multiple users in a language requested from amongst the at least two
languages by a respected user.
2. The language selection system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content processing
module (120) is configured to decode the transmission signal to filter the first contents in each of
the at least two languages.
3. The language selection system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
the content transmitting module (122) is configured to provide a language selection menu
to the each of the multiple users to select one of the at least two languages of the first
contents; and
the content processing module (120) is configured to receive a language request from the
each of the multiple users, wherein the language request is indicative of the language in
which the first contents are to be provided through the respective connection with the
communication device (104).
4. The language selection system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first contents
comprise audio contents.
5. The language selection system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first contents
comprise sub-title contents.
25
6. The language selection system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission signal
comprises second contents, wherein the second contents are video contents.
7. The language selection system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connections between
the communication device (104) and the multiple users comprise wireless connections, wherein
the wireless connection comprise Bluetooth connections, Infrared connections, and ultrasonic
connections.
8. The language selection system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection between
the communication device (104) and the multiple users comprise wired connections, wherein the
wired connections comprise USB connections, and audio jack type connections.
9. A method for language selection for contents on a communication device (104), the method
comprises:
receiving a transmission signal comprising first contents in at least two languages;
providing connections with the communication device (104) to multiple users for
accessing the first contents by each of the multiple users; and
providing the first contents to each of the multiple users through a respective connection
with the communication device (104), wherein the first contents are provided to the each of
the multiple users in a language requested from amongst the at least two languages by a
respected user.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the providing the first contents comprises:
providing a language selection menu to the each of the multiple users to select one of the
at least two languages of the first contents; and
receiving a language request from the each of the multiple users, wherein the language
request is indicative of the language in which the first contents are to be provided through the
respective connection with the communication device (104).
11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the providing the first contents comprises:
decoding the transmission signal to filter the first contents in each of the at least two
languages; and
identifying the at least two languages in which the first contents are present in the
transmission signal.
26
12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first contents comprise at least one of audio
contents and sub-title contents.
13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connections between the communication
device and the users comprise at least one of wired connections and wireless connections.
14. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that when executed
perform acts comprising:
receiving a transmission signal comprising first contents in at least two languages;
providing connections with a communication device to multiple users for accessing the
first contents by each of the multiple users; and
providing the first contents to each of the multiple users through a respective connection
with the communication device, wherein the first contents are provided to the each of the
multiple users in a language requested from amongst the at least two languages by a
respected user.