JP2001092822A - Automatic interpreting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic interpreting device which eliminates the problem of the conventional interpreting device that the device is not able to work as an appropriate interpreter when the device is not able to use a user dictionary of a person to communicate, because the user dictionary related to a specific person is necessary whenever conversation is made by using the device. SOLUTION: An automatic interpreting device is provided with a transmitting means which notices an input language, etc., to the outside and a receiving means which receives the input language, etc., transmitted from the outside by means of the transmitting means. The device is also provided with an individual storing medium for each user, makes the reference dictionary for language translation peculiar to each user to be kept on each individual medium, and actively utilizes the user dictionary when automatic translation is started. The equipment burden is reduced by using automatic interpreting devices and translation dictionaries peculiar to users and executing automatic interpretation by making information exchanged between them.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a client / server type of independent central processing type and a completely parallel type of language processing, and a relational type of box-table relational structure, a hierarchical type of tree-tree hierarchical structure, The present invention relates to a language machine translator that takes a word dictionary configuration of a network complex network structure, such as a Kodasil type, and communicates through existing input / output devices, and particularly translates a first language into a second language.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an automatic interpreting apparatus includes a dictionary (hereinafter, referred to as a basic dictionary) in which information relating to a basic vocabulary is provided in advance as a system, and vocabulary information necessary for each user who uses the system. It is customary to perform translation using both dictionaries, which are constructed and stored (hereinafter referred to as user dictionaries).

For example, a conventional example 1 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-736.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 14 discloses a client / server type translation processing system which basically includes a basic dictionary common to clients,
Basically, in the notation corresponding to the user dictionary unique to the client, for words unique to the user dictionary, the identifier (including part-of-speech utilization information) is added to the original text and transferred to the server. It is characterized by word replacement processing on the client side through expansion on the server and expansion on the client of the user dictionary by transfer of the translation sentence from the server while including the identifier (including the part of speech utilization information). A client / server type translation processing method having an effect of suppressing a load on a server due to addition of a client is disclosed.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 82333 discloses a multi-user type kana-kanji conversion Japanese processing device for grouping users, a first word dictionary assigned to each user, a second word dictionary assigned to each group, The first registration device assigned to each user that can be specified for each word, and the first word dictionary and the second word dictionary are arranged so as to be unique words within the group, and correspond to the second word dictionary. The second registration device that unifies and unifies the existence of words is characterized by word-to-kana-kanji conversion registration. By grouping users with effective use of storage area and efficiency of word registration work. There is also known a Japanese processing device that manages words between a user dictionary and a group dictionary.

[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-6
No. 2797 discloses a handwritten character recognition method and apparatus.
Recognition priority is introduced for handwriting registration, and for character recognition, basic recognition and user recognition are adjusted based on recognition priority while using a basic dictionary and a user dictionary in which arbitrary user-specific handwriting is registered. With the recognition setting that reflects the user's intention, a handwritten character recognition result consistent with the writer's intention can always be obtained economically regardless of the dictionary capacity and the cost-to-time index required for learning. Character recognition methods and devices with effects are also known.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 96149 discloses a client / server type kana-kanji conversion system in which a server that receives a kana-kanji conversion request from a client selects and allocates a subsystem related to kana-kanji conversion adapted to a user of the client. The dictionary is a knowledge-based user dictionary that is learned and combined with the basic dictionary, and the basic dictionary is also integrated into a common dictionary. Operability, work efficiency, and convenience of the system There is disclosed a client / server type kana-kanji conversion system switching method which has an advantageous effect.

[0007]

However, these prior arts have the following problems.

Conventional example 1 is also of a client / server type, and a large-capacity memory for storing a basic dictionary must be prepared, and the load on the server side due to the addition of a new client is reduced. There was a problem that it was not done. On the other hand, from the client's point of view, there is a disadvantage that the accumulated data capability of the dictionary specific to each client cannot be effectively used.

In the second conventional example, the second word dictionary assigned to each group acts as a conventional basic dictionary for the first word dictionary assigned to each user. Then, there was a problem that it was not different from the conventional example.

Further, in the conventional example 3, the recognition priority is set for each new handwriting registration, and the basic dictionary and the user dictionary are always named together for each character recognition. Although the user recognition is adjusted each time, there is a problem that it is difficult to use the automatic interpretation device as it is.

The conventional example 4 is also of a client / server type, and has a problem in that it is necessary to prepare a subsystem for kana-kanji conversion adapted for each user.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional example, it is generally well known that a basic dictionary prepared in advance for automatic interpretation has abundantly stored vocabulary words used frequently. However, in the actual translation of a language, there are many cases where a vocabulary not stored in the basic dictionary is used for each scene used by the user, In many cases, even a vocabulary that is used should be used in a special meaning or translated as a special translated word.

In response to such a problem, a user dictionary relating to the vocabulary required for each user who uses the automatic interpreting apparatus is constructed, and is used for translation together with the basic dictionary. However, even if the aim is to improve the translation quality by using it separately, the construction of a dictionary for each user contributing to the Kana-Kanji conversion function in automatic interpreting is a task with a large creation cost as a user who repeats trial and check, As is evident from its unique nature, a user dictionary can only be constructed by the user himself or by a person directly requested by the user. There is a problem that it is difficult.

An automatic interpreter translates interactive utterances between persons using two or more mutually different languages, and translates from a first language to a second language and from a second language to a second language. If a particular automatic interpreter is used alone, since it is to be translated into the first language and to be made to support the language communication of two or more speakers, Although it is possible to construct in advance a user dictionary (in this case, a basic dictionary) necessary for the first speaker and equip it with the system, it is necessary to interpret a conversation with an unspecified second speaker. As soon as we try to improve the quality of the second speaker, a user dictionary for the second speaker becomes indispensable, and depending on the existence or availability of this dictionary, the transmission of the meaning of the whole conversation is affected. The problem of fear of becoming It has a basic existence.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is particularly small and portable, and enables a person who engages in a conversation using an automatic translation system between different languages to simplify the inherent ability of each user dictionary. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic interpreting device that can be utilized to the maximum extent in an appropriate manner.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a specific language input with reference to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary in which vocabulary dedicated to the user is registered is set to a different language. An automatic interpreting device that translates and outputs a result to another user, and has an ability to communicate with an external environment, wherein any of the automatic interpreting devices can access other user dictionaries through the communication function. The automatic interpretation is performed by referring to the user dictionary in the automatic interpreting apparatus and, if necessary, using the user dictionary of another user for reference.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a specific language input with reference to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary and with reference to a user dictionary in which a user-specific vocabulary is registered is changed to a different language. In an automatic interpreting apparatus that translates and outputs a result, a user-specific user dictionary is included, and an individual storage medium is provided for each user, and arbitrary information is retrieved from the user-specific user dictionary on the individual storage medium. And an information transfer means for reading and transferring the data. The information transfer means transfers information between one of the automatic interpretation devices and each of the individual storage media of another device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a specific language input with reference to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary in which user-specific vocabulary is registered is translated into a different language. An automatic translator that outputs a result, wherein the automatic translator has a function of communicating with an external environment, and any of the automatic translators can access another user's dictionary by the communication function. In addition to referring to the internal user dictionary, automatic interpretation is performed using the user dictionary of another user as a reference when necessary.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a specific language input by referring to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary in which vocabulary dedicated to a user is registered is translated into a different language. In the automatic interpreting apparatus that outputs the information, a user-specific user dictionary is embedded therein, and individual information is retrieved from the user-specific user dictionary on the individual storage medium for each user and read and transferred. Information transfer means for transferring information between one of the automatic interpreting devices and each of the individual storage media of another device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, only the first user has the automatic interpreter, and the other speakers bring only the user's own dictionary and transfer it to the first user. It is characterized in that it communicates with the user's automatic telephone device, communicates with the utterance participant's user's automatic translation device, and performs automatic interpretation using the utterance participant's user dictionary.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic interpreter having a dictionary exchange function. That is, using a basic dictionary in which basic words are stored and a user dictionary in which user-specific vocabulary is registered, a function of translating the input first language into a second language and outputting the result is provided. An automatic interpreter that has a communication function with an automatic interpreter other than itself and has a function of communicating data between automatic interpreters connected by the communication function. Both devices transfer the user dictionaries of the other automatic translators to their own automatic translators and use both the user dictionaries of the own automatic translator and the user interpreters of the other automatic translators. It has a function of performing automatic interpretation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a pen input function may be used to recognize a character written with a pen and use it as an input unit for automatic interpretation, or use a voice input / voice output method. it can.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be applied to any case in which two or more persons participate in utterances that interpret each other, but here, for simplicity of explanation, a case where two participants use different language dialects will be described as an example. .
Further, it is still presumed that the participants in the conversation using the automatic interpreting device according to the present invention have not been identified without any notice from the beginning as an operating environment premise in the present invention. An embodiment of the invention which is not supposed to be a specific state but is executed in a steady state as an apparatus will be disclosed.

[0024]

Embodiment 1 The structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, a first automatic interpreter 1 and a second automatic interpreter 4 are connected by a communication line 3 connecting them. Here, a telephone line is used as the communication line 3. The first automatic translation device 1 holds a user dictionary 2, and the second automatic translation device 4 holds a user dictionary 5. Here, a state is shown in which the owner or user (hereinafter, referred to as a user) of each automatic interpreting device has brought the automatic interpreting device to each other in search of international conversation.

FIG. 2 shows a state where the users engage in a conversation from such a state, and the other party's user dictionary is taken into their own device. Regardless of the motivation for both parties engaged in international conversation to start a conversation with the conversation partner chosen by each other, it does not matter what kind of identifier (for example, telephone number information) can be used to recognize the person of the conversation partner at that time. Since the premise that they are exchanged at that time is the basis for the necessity of using the automatic interpreter, it is inevitably also the premise in the invention of the automatic interpreter, so any restrictions, restrictions, If there is information related to conditions, special agreements, etc., it is necessary that these be applied as they are to the automatic interpreting device for interpretation.
The user dictionary 5 of the second automatic interpreting apparatus 4 is copied into the first automatic interpreting apparatus 1 to obtain a user dictionary 50, and the user dictionary 2 of the first automatic interpreting apparatus 1 is copied into the second automatic interpreting apparatus 4. This shows a state where the input user dictionary 20 is set.

After the conversation as shown in FIG. 2 starts, the two users start talking on their own automatic translators, in addition to their own user dictionaries, and actually exchange utterances in the current situation. The user dictionary unique to the other party can also be used together, and the conversation proceeds by uniquely recognizing the own language and the other party's language. In other words, both parties have a two-way conversation through an interpreter using the same natural language translation resources.

Here, when ending the conversation between the two via the automatic interpreter, the user dictionary copied and taken in from the other party is deleted, and the state is returned to the original state, that is, the state of FIG. A communication protocol for terminating the automatic interpreting program may be used. As described above, when the user dictionary in the automatic interpreter is returned to the initial state, and then another speaker having another automatic interpreter is again conversed, the speaker may be used in the same manner as described above. Automatic interpretation is performed by combining user dictionaries owned by each other.

[0028]

Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 of the present invention shows a case where an automatic interpreter is used alone. The configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 3, the first automatic interpreter 1 and the storage medium 6 are connected to a communication line 3 connecting them.
Are tied together. The first speaker has the first automatic interpreter 1, and the second speaker does not have the automatic interpreter itself, but only has its own user dictionary 5 in the storage medium 6. . This may be the case, for example, when a general-purpose personal computer is used as the terminal of the second speaker.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram showing a state in which the user dictionary 5 of the second speaker is copied into the first automatic translation apparatus 1 via the communication line 3 and is taken in as the user dictionary 50. In this state, the user dictionary 2 and the user dictionary 50 held by the speaker 1 and the speaker 2 in the first automatic interpreter 1 are used together.

Here, when ending the conversation between the two via the automatic interpreter, the user dictionary copied and taken in from the other party is deleted, and the state is returned to the original state, that is, the state shown in FIG. The communication protocol is used to terminate the automatic interpreting program. As described above, after returning the configuration of the user dictionary in the automatic interpreter to the initial state, when again talking with another speaker having another automatic interpreter,
In the same manner as described above, automatic interpretation is performed by combining user dictionaries owned by speakers.

[0031]

Embodiment 3 As shown in FIG. 5, the first, second and third automatic interpreting apparatuses 11, 21 and 31 constitute an automatic interpreting system. Each automatic interpreting device has an input unit and an output unit, respectively, and has communication means A1, A2, A3; storage media M1, M storing user dictionaries (D1, D2, D3).
2, M3. Each of the automatic interpreters is provided with a storage medium M1a (user dictionary D1a), M1
b (user dictionary M1b); storage medium (M2a, M2)
b); storage media (M3a, M3b) are connected respectively.

The communication means A1, A2 and A3 are mutually connected by communication, and constitute the first, second and third automatic interpreting devices as one automatic interpreting system.

The first automatic interpreter can simultaneously communicate with the second and third automatic interpreters via a communication line or wirelessly, or via a public line.
Access the user dictionaries D2 and D3 of the third automatic interpreter.

Of course, the first automatic communication device accesses the other storage media M1a and M1b, and
a, D1b can also be used.

Similarly, the second automatic interpreter can access the first and third automatic interpreters via a communication line, and can also access other storage media M2a, M2 via transfer means.
b, the user dictionaries D2a and D2b can be used.

The same applies to the third automatic interpreter.

In this manner, the automatic interpretation can be performed by using the other automatic interpretation apparatus or the user dictionary of another storage medium as required through the mutual communication function of the automatic interpretation apparatus. It is not essential that other storage media (or storage means) have an interpreting function.

[Expansion of Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the case of two participants has been described for the sake of simplicity of explanation. However, the present invention participates in an utterance in which two or more people interpret each other. Because it can be applied in any case,
In the case of simultaneous interpretation between N or more M languages (N ≧ M), a translation dictionary corresponding to one-to-one (in the optimal semantic unit) may be used for each language bi-combination, A specific language may be fixed as an intermediate language and processed as a conversion pair system surrounding that language, or similar languages may be grouped as a language system and set as a representative language in the group and translated into and out of the language group via this It goes without saying that it is freely and freely possible to take steps and particularly to precede the conversion pair of the translation language combination having a high use frequency record separately and to proceed with the processing of the one with a small interlanguage distance selectively and sequentially. .

Further, according to the word translation based on one or all of the references by selecting and referring to the language translation reference dictionaries on the storage medium, or the combination of each language in each language translation, (In the optimal semantic unit) as a conversion means using each user dictionary referenced as a one-to-one translation dictionary, a conversion means based on the user dictionaries of all conversion pairs, or a specific language fixed as an intermediate language Conversion means that processes as a conversion pair system surrounding that language, or conversion means that groups similar languages as a language system and sets it as a representative language in the group and takes the translation step inside and outside the language group via this, or especially Separately precede conversion pairs of translation language combinations that have a high use frequency, and selectively select those with a small interlanguage distance. Converting means proceeding in Le, it can be used at least one of.

Further, language input / output means inevitably associated with the language conversion function, which is a basic part of the present invention, such as inputting an utterance to an automatic interpreter or outputting a translation result by the automatic interpreter. It goes without saying that various devices can be used as the devices required for the man-machine interface, and it is inevitable that this can be realized by using a well-known input / output device.

For example, the input means for ideographic recognition may be input by a character from a keyboard, or the uttered voice may be temporarily converted to a significant value which is independently dependent on the automatic interpreting machine using the voice recognition means. After converting to information form,
It may be used as input data for this automatic interpreter. Similarly, it is also possible to recognize handwritten characters using a pen input device as handwritten character recognition means and use the resulting characters as input data for an automatic interpreter, etc. You may. In addition, input and output with animations (including pseudo) that simulate gestures, sign language, and braille-like objects, use icons such as popular animals, plants, birds, and fish and insects that exist in nature,
Conversation as a universal abstract concept that can be symbolically represented by human relations or things, or the original word or unique name that has been converted into a famous common name as it is It is needless to say that it is free and arbitrary to take measures to prevent conversion or to maintain conversion efficiency by a re-input request including a conversion prohibition for a special abstraction.

Also, as the result output of the automatic interpreter,
The translation result may be displayed on the conversation partner's monitor device as a character string, or may be presented to the conversation partner's side as a depiction on paper or other fixed medium using a printing unit or the like. Alternatively, the sound may be output as sound waves from a loudspeaker or the like to a conversation partner using a voice synthesis unit. As a storage medium for holding the user dictionary, any type of medium can be used. The meaning of "automatic interpretation" is used in consideration of the interactive meaning, but naturally includes automatic translation.

As a transmission medium by a communication line used for communication between apparatuses, a wire using various linear media such as a communication cable such as a coaxial line, a feeder line, a twisted pair, an optical fiber, a power line, and a telephone line. Transmission may be performed, or wireless transmission using various propagation characteristics may be performed. As a transmission method, physical characteristics such as heat rays such as infrared rays, visible rays, invisible rays, voltage / current, ultrasonic waves, electromagnetic waves, and radiation may be used.

[0044]

According to the present invention, by using a small-sized automatic interpreter (especially a portable type), the shortage of its own unique dictionary can be compensated for by a simple system, and a dictionary function necessary and sufficient for conversation can be secured. . Specifically, for example, an individual speaker may have an automatic interpreter and transmit and use each other's own user dictionary, and the capacity of the user dictionary that must be prepared by each user as occasion demands There is an effect that it is not necessary to be able to respond to all. Further, in detail of the translation, there is an effect that the versatility of the international conversation content is satisfied while utilizing the language and the specificity of each user. For automatic interpretation, one
Only the stand can be prepared, and other speakers can prepare only the storage medium with their own user dictionary and use it for this automatic interpreter. In this case, the restrictions on the types of equipment are greatly reduced. , Relaxed. In addition, after interpreting with a specific person (on a specific theme) is completed, when interpreting with any other person (on any theme), the accuracy and speed of the interpreter are simple. This has the effect of being guaranteed through means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a state diagram illustrating a state in which a first automatic interpreting apparatus and a second automatic interpreting apparatus fetch each other's user dictionaries by communication in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram showing a state in which another user dictionary is taken into the first automatic interpreter in the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st automatic interpreter 2 ... User dictionary which 1st automatic interpreter has 3 ... Communication line which connects 1st automatic interpreter and 2nd automatic interpreter 4 ... 2nd automatic interpreter Apparatus 5: User dictionary of the second automatic interpreter 6: Storage medium 20: User dictionary of the first automatic interpreter taken into the second automatic interpreter 50: Inside the first automatic interpreter User dictionary of the second automatic translation device taken in

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An automatic interpreting apparatus for translating a specific language input with reference to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary in which vocabulary dedicated to a user is registered into a different language and outputting a result, In an automatic interpreting apparatus having a communication function with an external environment, any of the automatic interpreting apparatuses can access another user dictionary by the communication function, refer to the user dictionary in the automatic interpreting apparatus of each user, and, if necessary, An automatic interpreting apparatus for performing automatic interpreting by using a user dictionary of another user together for reference. 2. An automatic interpreter which refers to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary, translates a specific language input by referring to a user dictionary in which vocabulary dedicated to a user is registered into a different language, and outputs a result. In the apparatus, a storage medium individual for each user having a user-specific user dictionary therein, and information transfer means for searching and reading and transferring arbitrary information from the user dictionary specific to each user on the individual storage medium are provided. An automatic interpreting apparatus for transmitting information between one automatic interpreting apparatus and each of the individual storage media of another apparatus. 3. An automatic interpreting apparatus for translating a specific language inputted with reference to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary in which vocabulary dedicated to a user is registered into a different language, and outputting a result, In an automatic interpreting apparatus having a communication function with an external environment, any of the automatic interpreting apparatuses can access another user dictionary by the communication function, refer to the user dictionary in the automatic interpreting apparatus of each user, and, if necessary, An automatic interpreting apparatus for performing automatic interpreting by using a user dictionary of another user together for reference. 4. An automatic interpreting apparatus for translating a specific language inputted by referring to a basic dictionary and a user dictionary in which vocabulary dedicated to the user is registered into a different language and outputting a result, comprising: A storage medium provided for each user having a user dictionary therein, and information transfer means for searching and reading and transferring arbitrary information from the user dictionary unique to each user on the individual storage medium; An automatic interpreting apparatus for transferring information between an interpreting apparatus and each of the individual storage media of another apparatus. 5. The automatic interpreting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the first user has the automatic interpreting apparatus, and the other speakers only have their own user dictionary. Have a function of communicating with the automatic translation device of the first user, communicating with the automatic translation device of the utterance participant's user, and performing automatic translation using the user dictionary of the utterance participant. An automatic interpreting device. 6. Using a basic dictionary in which basic words are stored and a user dictionary in which user-specific vocabulary is registered, translate the input first language into a second language and output the result. Automatic translators that have a function and have a function of communicating with other automatic translators, and that have a function of communicating data between automatic translators connected by the communication function. Both automatic translators transfer the user dictionaries of the other automatic translators to their own automatic translators and transfer the user dictionaries of both the user's own automatic translator and the other user's automatic translator. An automatic interpreting apparatus with a dictionary exchange function, which has a function of performing automatic interpreting using a dictionary. 7. An automatic interpreting system with a dictionary exchange function according to claim 6, wherein a speech recognition function converts an utterance of a human voice into a character to be used as an input unit of a machine translation device, and translates a translation result of the machine translation device into a speech. A machine translation device with a dictionary exchange function, which outputs as sound by a synthesis function. 8. An automatic interpreter with a dictionary exchange function according to claim 6, wherein a pen input function recognizes a character written with a pen and uses the pen as an automatic interpreter input unit. Automatic interpreter. 9. The automatic interpreting device according to claim 6, wherein only the first user has the automatic interpreting device, and the other speakers bring only the user's own dictionary and transfer it to the first user. An automatic interpreter with a dictionary exchange function, having a function of communicating with the automatic interpreter of the user of the present invention and automatically interpreting using the user dictionary of the utterance participant.