The powerful theoretical base of LinguaNet permits a broad range of functions. The choice offered in the present system build is, however, controlled to some extent by the practical concerns of a professional sector. Genuine operational demands, ease and speed of use, a minimal training requirement, reliability of support technologies and cost are examples of considerations which have already moulded the police and emergency services prototype and which will continue to influence its successor.
It is anticipated, nevertheless, that the version of LinguaNet currently being prepared will require, alongside the more familiar system features, technologies derived from the most promising results of recent language engineering and telematics research. The following example features are included in the illustrations provided in this document:
LinguaNet: example features and technologies:interfaces in all network languages user specified templates for routine operational messages translation modules for templated and controlled text integrated paralinguistic media: sounds images fingerprints text to speech conversion in all network languages interaction with system by way of controlled speech search facilities and message scanning on-line operational police/services' multilingual lexicons on-line 'directories': emergency plans contacts procedures |
LinguaNet: example message topics and message segmentsperson descriptions vehicle descriptions major incident situation reports casualty details firearms reports drugs reports credit card details fraud profiles property descriptions |
LinguaNet: Modes of useWithin the police sector there are contrasting modes of use. Routine cross-border enquiries differ from major incident communications and both differ from the exchanges conducted between national bureaux. LinguaNet must address the pace, the content and the protocols of all three if it is to serve the sector effectively. The simple example illustrated attempts to show the functionality used in a typical cross-border person enquiry. |