JP3344527B2 - Translation apparatus and translation method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a translation apparatus and a translation method. In particular, by translating the input sentence, by outputting proper nouns included in the category of general nouns in the input sentence, it is possible to present, for example, specific city names or hotel names. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a translation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional translation device (portable translation device) which is portable, for example, when traveling overseas, an input sentence input in a language such as Japanese is converted into another language such as English. Is translated and output.

[0003]

By the way, when a general noun is input to such a translator, it is convenient if a proper noun included in the category of the general noun, for example, unique to each country or region is obtained. It is. That is, for example, when a general noun “hotel” is input in an overseas trip, it is convenient if a specific hotel name existing at the destination is output.

[0004] It is more convenient if the specific hotel name is reflected in the translation.

However, the conventional translation device cannot convert a general noun into a proper noun included in the category. Therefore, when a proper noun as described above is obtained, The user needs to check using, for example, a guidebook or an information search device that is another device, which is troublesome.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, even when a proper noun is directly input, a translation result is not always obtained. That is, for example, when a specific city name is input, the translation result is not obtained if the city is not representative (or famous) of the country, if not. Was. Therefore, in such a case, the user searches for a translation of a specific city name by referring to a guidebook or the like, and obtains a translation by a translation device using the general noun or the representative city name. It was necessary to replace common nouns or representative city names with translations of the city names that they found.

[0007] In the translation, accompanying information associated with the proper noun, that is, if the proper noun is a specific hotel name, the address of the hotel, telephone number, hotel charge, and other information are also included. It is convenient if it can be obtained, but according to the conventional translator, such additional information could not be obtained.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and aims to improve the convenience of a translation apparatus.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems] translation apparatus of the present invention, input
Translation means for translating a predetermined language of the literary sentence into another language;
An output unit that outputs a translation result of the translation unit, a detection unit that detects a general noun included in the input sentence, a proper noun storage unit that stores a proper noun included in a category of a predetermined general noun, and a proper noun A proper noun search means for searching for a proper noun included in a category of a general noun detected by the detection means among the proper nouns stored in the storage means, wherein the output means comprises a proper noun searched by the proper noun search means. It is also characterized by outputting nouns.

In this translation device, the translation means includes:
The proper noun of a predetermined language searched by the proper noun search means is translated into a proper noun of another language , and the output means is composed of another language translated by the translation means. > Proper nouns can also be output. Further, the proper noun storage means can be made detachable.

[0011] Further, the translation device includes an additional information storage unit that stores additional information associated with the proper noun stored in the proper noun storage unit, and an additional information storage unit that stores the additional information stored in the additional information storage unit. And an additional information search means for searching for a thing attached to the proper noun searched by the proper noun search means. In this case, the output means also outputs the additional information searched by the additional information search means. Can be done. The translating means includes additional information in a predetermined language retrieved by the additional information retrieving means.
It can be translated into accompanying information in a language , and the output unit can also output the accompanying information in another language translated by the translating unit. The accompanying information storage means can be made detachable.

The translation method of the present invention detects common nouns contained in an input sentence, searches proper nouns included in the category of the general nouns from proper noun storage means, and outputs the searched proper nouns. Features.

[0013]

In the translation apparatus according to the present invention, the detecting means detects a general noun contained in the input sentence. The proper noun storage means stores proper nouns included in a category of a predetermined general noun, and the proper noun search means, among the proper nouns stored in the proper noun storage means, includes a general noun detected by the detection means. It is designed to search for items included in the category of nouns. The output means also outputs the proper noun searched by the proper noun search means.

In the translation method of the present invention, a general noun included in an input sentence is detected, a proper noun included in the category of the general noun is searched from a proper noun storage unit, and the searched proper noun is also output. Has been made.

[0015]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a translation apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This translator is portable and translates, for example, Japanese input sentences into English.

The sentence input device 1 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a microphone and a voice recognition device, an input pen, a tablet, and a handwritten character recognition device. It is made to take in. That is, the user can input an input sentence by operating, for example, a keyboard or an input pen. Further, the user can input an input sentence by voice.

An input sentence input by operating the keyboard is output to the input sentence analyzing circuit 2 as it is. The input sentence drawn on the tablet by operating the input pen is recognized by the handwritten character recognition device and output to the input sentence analysis circuit 2. Further, the input sentence input to the microphone is speech-recognized by the speech recognition device, and the input sentence analyzing circuit 2
To be output.

If the input sentence from the sentence input device 1 is not in word units, the input sentence analysis circuit 2 (detection means) divides the input sentence into word units and analyzes its part of speech (morphological analysis). Other necessary analysis processing is performed, whereby headings (for example, if the word is "invention", "invention") and reading (for example, if the word is "invention") of each word constituting the input sentence, The pronunciation is represented by phonetic symbols, etc.), and the parts of speech are obtained. Note that information obtained as a result of the analysis processing of the input sentence analysis circuit 2 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as analysis information) is output to the translation circuit 3.

Further, the input sentence analyzing circuit 2 detects a general noun included in the input sentence based on the result of the part of speech analysis,
It is also output to the proper noun list search circuit 6.

The translation circuit 3 (translation means) translates (replaces) each word constituting the input sentence into English (English words) based on the analysis information from the input sentence analysis circuit 2, and generates a translated sentence generation circuit. 4 is output. The translation sentence generation circuit 4 (translation means) composes the English word output from the translation circuit 3 into a sentence form using other English words if necessary, and thereby translates the input sentence into English. And outputs the result to the output device 5.

The output device 5 (output means) is, for example, an LCD
(Liquid crystal display), a speech synthesizer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs a translation from the translation generation circuit 4. That is, the output device 5 displays the translated sentence on the LCD, or generates a synthesized sound corresponding to the translated sentence by the voice synthesizing device and outputs the synthesized sound from the speaker.

The proper noun list search circuit 6 (proper noun search means) searches the storage medium 9 for proper nouns included in the category of general nouns supplied from the input sentence analysis circuit 2 and supplies them to the output device 5. It has been made like that. The output device 5 also outputs proper nouns supplied from the proper noun list search circuit 6.

The associated information database search circuit 7 (associated information search means) receives the unique name searched by the proper noun list search circuit 6 in response to an input supplied from the selection input device 8 via the proper noun list search circuit 6. Information associated with the noun is retrieved from the storage medium 9 and supplied to the translation circuit 3 or the output device 5.

Here, when the accompanying information is supplied from the accompanying information database search circuit 7, the translation circuit 3 translates the accompanying information into English and outputs it to the translated sentence generation circuit 4. The output device 5 outputs the accompanying information when the accompanying information is supplied from the accompanying information database search circuit 7.

The selection input device 8 is, for example, a keyboard, a pad (touch panel) or a tablet that allows a predetermined input with a finger or an input pen, and selects a proper noun output from the output device 5. It is operated when giving other necessary inputs. Selection input device 8
Is designed to output an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the proper noun list search circuit 6, and this operation signal is supplied from the proper noun list search circuit 6 to a necessary block. . The selection input device 8
Can also be used as the sentence input device 1.

The storage medium 9 (proper noun storage means) (associated information storage means) includes, for example, an IC card, a memory card,
It is composed of a CD-ROM or the like, and stores a proper noun list and an accompanying information database.

Here, the proper noun list is a list of proper nouns (for example, the general noun “hotel”) included in the category for each predetermined general noun (for example, “hotel”, “theater”, etc.).
Or, for “theatre,” the names of specific hotels or theaters are listed. An accompanying information database is a database in which various kinds of accompanying information related to each proper noun in the proper noun list are collected. As the accompanying information, for the proper nouns related thereto, for example, a guidebook (E.g., hotel location (address))
And phone numbers, hotel charges, hotel features, etc. (These data are basically text data, but the accompanying information includes image data such as a map around the hotel and information about the hotel. ) And other information that is convenient for the user to refer to. Further, the accompanying information includes information necessary for translating it into English and information necessary for translating proper nouns related to the accompanying information into English.

Since the proper noun list and the associated information database are related as described above, there is no problem even if they are stored together in the same storage medium 9 (rather, they are stored in the same storage medium 9). It is preferable to store it in

The storage medium 9 is detachable from the translation apparatus shown in FIG. In this case, the proper noun list and the accompanying information database stored in the storage medium 9 can be adapted to the usage status of the device. That is, the storage medium 9 can store, for example, a proper noun list and an associated information database corresponding to each predetermined region or city.

More specifically, for example, the storage medium 9 for sightseeing in New York includes hotels, theaters,
A list of proper nouns and associated information databases for restaurants, airfields, stations (on the subway) and the like are stored. For example, a storage medium 9 for sightseeing in London includes hotels, theaters, restaurants, airfields,
A list of proper nouns and an accompanying information database for stops (of buses) should be stored. Then, when traveling to New York or London, it is possible to obtain information suitable for using the apparatus by mounting the storage medium 9 for sightseeing New York or London, respectively.

In FIG. 1, the portion surrounded by the dotted line is
In addition to being constituted by the individual blocks shown in the figure, it can be constituted integrally by a microcomputer or the like.

Next, the operation will be described. When an input sentence is input by the user operating the sentence input device 1, the input sentence is output to the input sentence analysis circuit 2. In the input sentence analysis circuit 2, the input sentence from the sentence input device 1 is divided into words, and part-of-speech analysis and other analyzes are performed, and the analysis result (analysis information) is output to the translation circuit 3.

In the translation circuit 3, each word constituting the input sentence is translated into an English word based on the analysis information from the input sentence analysis circuit 2 and output to the translated sentence generation circuit 4. The translated sentence generation circuit 4 assembles the output of the translation circuit 3 into a sentence form, that is, forms a translated sentence (English translation sentence) and outputs it to the output device 5. As a result, the output device 5 displays a translated sentence of the input sentence. That is, when, for example, “I want to go to a hotel” is input as an input sentence, the translated sentence “I want to go to hotel” is displayed.

Further, the input sentence analysis circuit 2 detects general nouns included in the input sentence based on the result of the part-of-speech analysis, and outputs it to the proper noun list search circuit 6. Upon receiving the general noun from the input sentence analysis unit 2, the proper noun list search unit 6 searches the recording medium 9 for a proper noun list in which proper nouns included in the category of the general noun are registered, and searches the proper noun list. Is registered in the output device 5 (the proper noun is described in the language of the input sentence).
To be displayed.

That is, when the input sentence is, for example, “I want to go to a hotel” as described above, the general noun “hotel” is detected, and as shown in FIG. The proper noun list corresponding to "hotel" is searched. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, as the specific hotel names (hotel names) included in the category of the general noun “hotel”, “hotel aa”, “new hotel good”, “uuu hotel”,. , “Hotel Wawawa” are registered in the proper noun list, and the specific hotel names are displayed on the output device 5.

Note that the specific hotel name is displayed together with the translation "I want to go to hotel". Further, if a specific hotel name cannot be displayed together with the translation “I want to go to hotel” due to restrictions such as a large screen of the output device 5, only the specific hotel name is displayed. Is displayed.

Further, if the hotel names registered in the proper noun list cannot be displayed at one time, a part of them is displayed, and the other parts are selected and input by the selection input device. By operating the screen 8, the screen is scrolled or the page is turned to be displayed. Specifically, for example, when only one hotel name can be displayed on the output device 5, first, the hotel name “hotel aa” registered in the first line of the proper noun list is displayed, and thereafter, , When the selection input device 8 is operated to request the next hotel name, the hotel names "new hotel good", "uuu hotel", ... registered in the second and subsequent lines are sequentially displayed. . Also, after the hotel name "Hotel Wawawa" registered in the last line of the proper noun list is displayed,
When the selection input device 8 is operated so as to request the next hotel name, the hotel name "hotel aa" registered in the first line is displayed again.

From the displayed hotel name, the user searches for a desired one, for example, one for which he or she is going to stay, or one for which accompanying information is to be obtained.
The selection is made by operating the selection input device 8. An operation signal corresponding to this selection operation (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a selection operation signal) is output to the proper noun list search circuit 6 and is supplied to the accompanying information database search circuit 7 therefrom. Thereby, the accompanying information database search circuit 7 recognizes the hotel name selected by the user.

Thereafter, when the user wants to obtain the accompanying information of the selected hotel, he operates the selection input device 8 to display the accompanying information. An operation signal corresponding to this operation (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as an accompanying information display operation signal) is transmitted from the selection input device 8 via the proper noun list search circuit 6.
It is supplied to the accompanying information database search circuit 7. When the accompanying information database search circuit 7 receives the accompanying information display operation signal, the accompanying information associated with the hotel name recognized in response to the selection operation signal (however, it is necessary to translate the accompanying information into English). Information and proper nouns associated with the accompanying information, excluding the information necessary for translating the information into English) are retrieved from the accompanying information database stored in the storage medium 9 and output to the output device 5. Supply and display.

That is, for example, the hotel name “hotel aa”, “new hotel good”, “uuu hotel”,. When the selection input device 8 is operated so as to select "Aaa" and display the associated information, as shown in FIG. 2, the associated information associated with the hotel name "Hotel Aaa" is displayed. Is done.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, as the accompanying information, the name of the hotel "Hotel Aaah" is translated into English, the location of the hotel, the telephone number, the rank, the room charge, the number of rooms, the features (remarks), and the like. A map of the surrounding area is displayed. In the case of displaying the accompanying information, similarly to the case of displaying the hotel name, when it is not possible to display all of the accompanying information on the output device 5 at a time, a part of the accompanying information is displayed and the other parts are displayed. Is displayed by operating the selection input device 8 to scroll the screen or turn the page.

Thus, the user can easily obtain the accompanying information of the desired hotel without using a guidebook or another database device (information retrieval device).

Next, when the user wants to reflect the selected hotel name in the translation displayed on the output device 5,
That is, when it is desired to replace the general noun included in the translation with the English translation of the selected proper noun, the selection input device 8 is replaced. This operation signal (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a replacement operation signal) is supplied to the accompanying information database search circuit 7 via the proper noun list search circuit 6. Upon receiving the replacement operation signal, the incidental information database search circuit 7 stores the incidental information associated with the hotel name recognized corresponding to the selection operation signal in the storage medium 9 (an incidental information database).
From the information required to translate the hotel name into English (for example, spelling the hotel name in English, reading (pronunciation), singular / plural, etc. (For example, Japanese to German When the translation is performed, the translation circuit 3 also outputs information such as feminine noun / male noun distinction)) (hereinafter referred to as translation information as appropriate).

In the translation circuit 3, the selected hotel name is translated into English (converted into English words) based on the translation information, and output to the translated sentence generation circuit 4. In the translated sentence generation circuit 4,
In the translation output first, the general noun portion is replaced with the English translation of the hotel name output from the translation circuit 3 and output to the output device 5. As a result, in the output device 5, the translated sentence in which the general noun is replaced with the English translation of the proper noun selected by the user is displayed in place of the translated sentence displayed so far.

That is, in this case, assuming that the English translation of the hotel name "Hotel Aaa" is "Hotel AAA", the translation "I want to go to hotel" is used instead of the translation "I want to go to hotel" as shown in FIG. The sentence "I want to go to Hotel AAA" is displayed.

When a plurality of general nouns are included in a translation sentence output first, the above-described processing is performed on each general noun, for example, sequentially from the one at the head of the translation. When it is not necessary to display the accompanying information or replace the common noun with the proper noun, the display of the accompanying information and the replacement of the common noun with the proper noun can be performed by confirming the selection input device 8. It can be prevented from being performed.

As described above, in the translation device of FIG. 1, general nouns can be converted into proper nouns included in the category, so that the convenience can be improved.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation will be further described. When an input sentence is input to the sentence input device 1 in Japanese, the input sentence is fetched by the sentence input device 1 in step S1, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the input sentence is output from the sentence input device 1 to the input sentence analysis circuit 2, where the input sentence is analyzed, and the analysis result is sequentially output to the translation circuit 3 and the translated sentence generation circuit 4. In the translation circuit 3 and the translated sentence generation circuit 4, in step S3, the input sentence is translated from Japanese to English, and the translated sentence is supplied to the output device 5, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the output device 5 temporarily displays the translated sentence. Here, the provisional display means that the translated sentence is displayed in a state where it has not been determined yet.

In step S2, the input sentence analysis circuit 2 analyzes the input sentence and also detects general nouns contained in the input sentence, and outputs the detection result to the proper noun list search circuit 6. Is done.

After the provisional display of the translation is made, step S
Proceeding to 5, the proper noun list search circuit 6 determines whether the translated sentence includes a general noun and a proper noun list corresponding to the general noun is stored in the storage medium 9. Here, whether or not a general noun is included in the translated sentence is determined based on the output of the input sentence analysis circuit 2. In addition, whether or not the proper noun list corresponding to the general noun is stored in the storage medium 9 is determined.
This is performed by searching the storage medium 9.

In step S5, when the proper noun list search circuit 6 determines that the translated sentence includes a general noun and the proper noun list corresponding to the general noun is stored in the storage medium 9. Proceeding to step S7, the proper noun list search circuit 6 determines whether or not the selection input device 8 has been operated to determine the translated sentence (determination operation). If it is determined in step S5 that the selection input device 8 has not been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S8, and the proper noun registered in the proper noun list searched in step S5 is displayed on the output device 5.

Then, the process proceeds to step S9, where the output device 5
Is determined by the proper noun list search circuit 6 as to whether or not any of the proper nouns displayed in the list has been selected by operating the selection input device 8. If it is determined in step S9 that none of the proper nouns displayed on the output device 5 has been selected, the process returns to step S5, and the process from step S5 is performed on the next common noun included in the translation. .

Note that the general noun to be processed now (hereinafter, referred to as a noted general noun as appropriate) can be highlighted, for example, inverted. In this case, the user can easily recognize the general noun of interest.

On the other hand, in step S9, the output device 5
If it is determined that any one of the proper nouns displayed in is selected, the process proceeds to step S10, and the selection input device 8
The proper noun list search circuit 6 determines whether or not an operation has been performed to display the accompanying information. Step S10
In, when it is determined that the selection input device 8 has been operated to display the accompanying information, the process proceeds to step S11. As described above, the accompanying information is displayed by the output device 5, and the process proceeds to step S12. In this case, when the accompanying information includes not only text data but also image data and audio data, it is possible to display the text data and the image data and output the audio data as a synthesized sound.

If it is determined in step S10 that the selection input device 8 has not been operated so as to display the accompanying information, step S11 is skipped, the process proceeds to step S12, and the selection input device 8 performs The proper noun list search circuit 6 determines whether or not an operation (replacement operation) has been performed to replace the attention general noun with the English translation of the proper noun selected in step S9. If it is determined in step S12 that the selection input device 8 has not been replaced, the process returns to step S9, and the processes in and after step S9 are repeated. If it is determined in step S12 that the selection input device 8 has been replaced, the process proceeds to step S13, where the general noun of interest is replaced with the English translation of the proper noun selected in step S9, and the process returns to step S3.

In this case, in step S3, a translated sentence in which the general noun of interest is replaced with the English translation of the proper noun selected in step S9 is generated, and the process proceeds to step S4, where the translated sentence is displayed in the translation displayed so far. Instead of the sentence, it is tentatively displayed, and the process from step S5 is performed on the next common noun.

In step S5, it is determined that there is no unprocessed general noun in the translated sentence, or even if there is an unprocessed general noun, the proper noun list corresponding to the general noun is stored in the storage medium 9. If it is determined that the selection input device 8 has not been stored in step S7, or if it is determined in step S7 that the selection input device 8 has been confirmed,
Proceeding to No. 6, the translated sentence is actually displayed. Here, the main display means that the translated sentence is displayed in a determined state.

In step S7, it is also possible to output a translated sentence as a synthesized sound together with or instead of the main display.

After this display, the process returns to step S1 and waits for the input of a new input sentence, and the processing from step S1 is repeated.

The case where the present invention is applied to a portable translation device has been described above, but the present invention is also applicable to a non-portable translation device.

In this embodiment, Japanese is translated into English. However, an input sentence other than Japanese is translated, or an input sentence is translated into a language other than English. It is also possible.

Further, in this embodiment, the information supplied to the output device 5 is displayed on the output device 5, but it is also possible to output the synthesized sound.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the proper noun list and the accompanying information database are stored in the same storage medium 9, but these may be stored in separate storage media. Is also possible.

[0064]

As described above, according to the translation apparatus and the translation method of the present invention, the language of an input sentence is translated into another language and output, and a general noun contained in the input sentence is detected. Then, from the proper noun storage means which stores proper nouns included in a predetermined general noun category, those included in the detected general noun category are retrieved and output. Therefore, the convenience of the device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a translation apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a proper noun list and an accompanying information database.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 sentence input device 2 input sentence analysis circuit 3 translation circuit 4 translation sentence generation circuit 5 output device 6 proper noun list search circuit 7 auxiliary information database search circuit 8 selection input device 9 storage medium

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Kagami 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuo Ishii 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Yuki Tanaka 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Kato 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony (72) Inventor Hiroaki Ogawa 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Koji Asano 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (56) References JP-A-6-325072 (JP, A) JP-A-6-325074 (JP, A) JP-A-57-19875 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 17/21-17/30

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] A translation unit that translates a predetermined language of an input sentence into another language; an output unit that outputs a translation result of the translation unit; and a detection unit that detects a general noun included in the input sentence. A proper noun storage unit that stores proper nouns included in a category of a predetermined general noun; and, among the proper nouns stored in the proper noun storage unit, a name of the general noun detected by the detection unit. A translation device, comprising: proper noun search means for searching for a substance included in a category, wherein the output means also outputs the proper noun searched by the proper noun search means. Wherein said translation means, before the proper names composed of the predetermined language which are retrieved by said proper name retrieval means
Translated into proper names consisting of serial other languages, and the output means, said other translated by said translation means
2. The translation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein proper nouns in the language of (1) are also output. 3. The translation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said proper noun storage means is detachable. 4. An ancillary information storage means for storing ancillary information associated with the proper noun stored in the proper noun storage means, and among the ancillary information stored in the ancillary information storage means, And an additional information searching means for searching for a thing accompanying the proper noun searched by the proper noun searching means, wherein the output means also outputs the additional information searched by the additional information searching means. The translation device according to claim 1, wherein Wherein said translation means, before accompanying information composed of the predetermined language which are retrieved by said accompanying information retrieval means
Translated incidental information consisting of serial other languages, and the output means, said other translated by said translation means
The translation device according to claim 4, wherein the translation device also outputs accompanying information in the language of (b). 6. The translation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said additional information storage means is detachable. 7. comprising a proper noun storage means for storing proper nouns included in the scope of the given general noun, the input sentence at
What is claimed is: 1. A translation method for a translation apparatus, which translates a given language into another language, and outputs a common noun included in the input sentence, and stores a proper noun included in a category of the common noun in the proper noun. A translation method characterized by searching from a means and outputting the searched proper noun.