CMU (Carnegie-Mellon University) computer science graduate student Stan Jou, 34, of Shadyside, stood
before the audience yesterday morning with 11 tiny electrodes affixed
to the muscles of his cheeks, neck and throat.
The Taiwan native then mouthed -- without speaking aloud -- the
following phrase in Mandarin Chinese: "Let me introduce our new
prototype."
The sensors captured electrical signals from Jou's facial
muscles when they moved to form the silent Chinese words. In a matter
of seconds, this information traveled to a computer that recognized the
words and translated them into English and Spanish. The phrase was then
displayed on a screen and spoken by the computer in both languages.
This is InterAct, a translation system right out of Hitchhiker's Guide, which, in real world application, would display translations on the inside of a set of "translation goggles" that, according to Engaget:
lipread other
languages and subtitle your field of vision with translated text, or focused-sound translation “beams” that can make a
room of internationals like a wireless, computerized session of the UN.
"Perhaps" said he, "but would you say the same for the revival of some lesser creature?"
He didn't really want to tell her his suspicion that one little passage in the back of the book might be an actual instruction.
He also didn't want to admit how well the syringe fit into the palm of his hand.
"Well that completely depends," she answered, her back to him. "Which lesser creatures are you thinking of?"
"Well, let's take a look at what the cat dragged in" he responded.
"You don't mean that nasty robin! I put that in the trash."
"You know what they say: one man's trash..."
"...is another man's wife, yes, yes, I know, I know, but that's not important now. And don't call me Shirley."
"Very funny" she answered flatly" No dear, I'm afraid the Robin wont work. Remember last year and the vampire problems we had ? I wasn't taking any chances this year. I drove a tiny stake through the evil bird's heart and cut off its head. So unless you want to spend all night stitching its little head back on, you'll have to go out and find some other miserable creature to do your little experiments on.. like a bum or a poor person or something." "Fine, fine." he answered in a resigned tone," and just where do you suggest I look for a dead street person at this ungodly hour?"
She started, "maybe you could try"
fwap, fwap, fwap.....
"Well hello Fluffy, what have you got there?" he said, approaching the cat, "is that another robin?"
"It appears to be... an African Swallow!", she exclaimed,"But those are supposed to be non-migratory!
"Wow... What are the odds of that?" he said quietly to himself.
"What was that Dear? I didn't catch it.." she answered ,as she pried the still spasming bird from Fluffy's teeth, eliciting a small spray of bright red blood across her Issey Miyaki silk blouse.
"Good girl Fluffy.. Give the bird to Mommy.."
"Oh nothing really.." He responded, " Just that you're right, that IS an African Swallow and YES, they are non-migratory... As a matter of fact, about the only place you'd find one around here would be Rick's Undead Bar up on Crowley and Thelema. They serve them as snacks with their marrow martinis as I recall..." He smiled briefly to himself remembering the wild times he'd had there in his younger years. " My point is, just as I'm faced with the question of where to come up with a dead body, fate brings me a token, pointing me to Rick's. What are the odds?"
"Yes, quite a coincidence, Dear.. I suppose you'd better run up there for your body, but don't stay long and do be careful. I've heard that a rough crowd hangs out there.. Dead Priests and Carnies and the like.. Just watch yourself is all I'm saying " she warned, " You're not as young as you used to be but you are still breathing.." A faint, sly, enigmatic smile crossed his face and was gone. "For the time being", he thought to himself, " for the time being..."