JP2002223299A - Interpretation service system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high quality interpretation service by an interpreter easily in real time utilizing a network, especially, at a highly public window being utilized by foreigners with high frequency. SOLUTION: A window 2 attended by a person in charge 101 and a foreigner 102 who cannot communicate directly with each other by the same language, and an interpretation service center 3 attended by an interpreter 103, are connected with a network 1 wherein interpretation service by the interpreter 103 is realized when voice data flows on he network 1. Microphones 24 and 26, speakers 25 and 27, a voice processor 22, a transmitter/receiver 21 and a service request unit 23 are provided at the window 2; and a microphone 34, a speaker 35, a voice processor 32, a transmitter/receiver 31 and a service request unit 33 are provided at the interpretation service center 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to information processing for realizing an interpreter service in real time by an interpreter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of convenient transportation, the number of foreign visitors is increasing. However, taking Japan as an example,
There is no foreign language that speaks Japanese as an official language, and foreigners who visit Japan are often poor at reading, writing, and speaking in Japanese. Conversely, even if a Japanese visits abroad, they may not always be able to use the local official languages. Under these circumstances, translating and interpreting are often required to negotiate, negotiate, contract, deal, guide, etc. with foreigners who do not understand each other.

However, not everybody can always accompany, accompany, or prepare a translator or interpreter due to cost, lack of qualified personnel, and the like. This is even more so when it comes to dealing with all kinds of foreign languages.

In the prior art, an automatic translator (for example,
JP-A-2000-207398) and electronic dictionaries (for example,
000-194701), and an interpreting service using a speech recognition device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-112939), all of which mainly use a computer for interpreting and translating processes. It is hard to say that the service has been high quality. However, with the development of Internet-related technologies, especially e-mail and WWW technologies, high-quality offline translation services that send translators electronically and have the translators reply with the translation results are easy. Is being obtained.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality interpreting service by an interpreter easily and in real time using a network. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an interpreting service at a window that is highly public and frequently used by foreigners (a window at a city hall, a government agency, a police box, a bank, a transportation system, etc.).

[0006] Other objects of the present invention are to be able to easily establish a connection with a translator service that can be handled, to be able to perform exclusion processing during the service, to improve the overall efficiency by schedule management, and to make a legitimate contract. It is necessary to be able to provide only those who are able to provide services, to be able to handle cases where there is no direct interpreter, to be able to provide an interpreter service while moving, and to apply to sign language interpreters.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following arrangement. A device or an interpreter capable of executing an interpreter requested from a terminal device used by a user who desires an interpreter is specified, and the specified device or interpreter executes information processing for the interpreter or the interpreter itself.

More specifically, the configuration is as follows.
In order to be able to easily and in real time obtain high-quality interpreting services by interpreters using a network, it is impossible to communicate directly with the same language in the same language. A contact with foreigners and an interpreter service center with an interpreter who can translate languages are connected by a network through which voice data flows, and microphones and speakers are provided at the contact and interpreter service center. , A voice processing device, and a transmission / reception device. In addition, a service request device is provided at the counter, and a service request confirmation device is provided at the interpreter service center.
Alternatively, a foreigner makes a request for an interpreting service using the service requesting device, and the interpreter uses the service request checking device to respond whether or not to accept the request. A communication path is established between the centers to transmit and receive voice data to and from each other.

In order to easily establish a connection with a translator service that can be handled, a management center that manages information on the translator service provider, the contents of the provision, and the provision status is connected. First, an inquiry is made here, and an instruction is given from a translator service provider that can respond.

[0010] In order to enable the exclusion process during the service, the server of the interpreting service center cannot simultaneously establish a logical connection with two or more windows.

In order to improve overall efficiency by schedule management, a management center manages a queue at a counter,
As soon as the interpreting service center notifies the end of the service, a window is allocated from the queue and the interpreting service is provided.

[0012] In order to allow only a valid contractor to provide, the principle of the electronic authentication technology is used to authenticate whether the communication partner is a valid contractor.

In order to be able to cope with the case where there is no direct interpreter, an interpreter service center is implemented in multiple stages, and an intermediate interpreter service center performs interpreting to another language as necessary. ,Forward.

In order to provide an interpreting service while moving, a mobile phone or a portable terminal is used as an interpreting service center, and the management center manages destinations that change while moving.

In order to apply to sign language interpretation, a window and an interpretation service center are provided with a camera, a monitor, and an image processing device so that voice and image data can be transmitted and received.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a system for realizing the interpreting service of the present invention. Each system of the counter 2 and the interpreter service center 3 is connected by a network 1. The window 2 is applicable to all places where foreigners may visit, such as windows of government offices, police boxes, tourist information centers, transportation, convenience stores, banks, shops, and corporate meeting rooms. It is possible.

The system of the window 2 includes microphones 24 and 26,
And a speaker 25, 27, a voice processing device 22, a transmission / reception device 21, and a service request device 23. The sound processing device 22 has a function of converting sound collected by the microphones 24 and 26 into digital data, and a function of converting digital data into sound and outputting the sound from the speakers 25 and 27. The service requesting device 23 is a device for requesting start / end of the interpreting service and for requesting selection of a foreign language. The transmitting / receiving device 21 is a device that transmits / receives data to / from another transmitting / receiving device 31 on the network 1.

The system of the interpreting service center 3 has a microphone 34, a speaker 35, a voice processing device 32, a transmitting / receiving device 31, and a service request confirmation device 33.
The audio processing device 32 has a function of converting sound collected by the microphone 34 into digital data and a function of converting digital data into sound and outputting the sound from the speaker 35. The service request confirmation device 33 is a device for returning a response as to whether or not to receive a request when a translation service start request is received. The transmitting / receiving device 31 is connected to the network 1
This is a device for transmitting and receiving data to and from another transmitting / receiving device 21 above.

FIG. 2 shows a basic flow for receiving an interpreting service. Foreigner 1 visiting window 2
When the person 02 wants to negotiate with the person in charge 101, he first uses the service requesting device 23 to issue a request to receive an interpreting service (step 1001). This request is sent to the interpreting service center via the transmitting / receiving devices 21 and 31 and the network 1 (step 1002).
03 is notified of the request. Next, when receiving the request, the interpreter 103 uses the service request confirmation device 33 to return a response indicating that the interpreter service is to be provided (step 100).
6, 1007). If these interactions are successful,
A logical connection is established between the transmitting / receiving apparatuses 21 and 31 (step 1003), and the interpreting service is being performed. This state continues until the service requesting device 23 issues a translation service termination request. When there is a termination request (step 1004), the connection is disconnected (step 1005).

During the interpreting service (step 1008),
The voices uttered by the person in charge 101, the foreigner 102, and the interpreter 103 are collected through the microphones 24, 26, and 34, converted into digital data by the voice processing devices 22 and 32, and transmitted to the transmission / reception devices 21, 31 and the network 1. Data communication with the other party is performed. Then, the received digital data is synthesized into voice by the voice processing devices 22 and 32, and is output as voice to the speakers 25, 27 and 35, and transmitted to the other person.

As described above, it is possible to receive the interpreting service provided by the interpreter 103 provided on the network 1 when the foreigner 102 visits the window 2 even if there is no interpreter physically at the window 2 itself. Becomes Also, for example,
By using the Internet network as the network 1, it is possible to reduce the communication cost related to the interpreting service, and it is possible to easily provide the service even if the interpreting service center 3 itself is located in a foreign country.

FIG. 3 shows an interpreting service of the present invention,
This shows a system that provides an interpreter service under registration reception. The system of the management center 4 includes a service management device 43 and a transmission / reception device 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the service management device 43 manages a foreign language 2001 that can be provided, an interpreter service provider (or an interpreter service center) 2002 that provides an interpreter service, and a state 2003 indicating whether or not the interpreter service is available. ing. Here, one interpreter service provider may support a plurality of foreign languages. In addition, the states include “in service”, which is currently providing a service, “waiting”, which is waiting for acceptance of a service, and “stopped”, in which service cannot be provided.

In the system of the interpreting service center 3, in addition to the system described with reference to FIG.
have. The service registration device 36 is a device for registering the type of the interpreting service that can be provided and whether or not the interpreting service can be provided. FIG. 5 shows a basic flow for registering an interpreter service.

When the interpreter 103 of the interpreting service center wants to start the interpreting service, he first selects a compatible foreign language using the service registration device 36 (step 1).
011), service registration is performed (step 1012).
A plurality of foreign languages may be supported. This registration is
The transmission / reception devices 31 and 41 are sent to the management center 4 via the network 1 and sent to the service management device 43. The service management device 43 can handle the foreign language, the name (or the destination, etc.) representing the service provider, and the status (“standby”). ) Is registered. Similarly, when the translation service is to be stopped, the service registration device 36
The registration is canceled by using (steps 1013, 1
014). FIG. 6 shows a basic flow for searching for an interpreter service provider and reaching “under service”.

The foreigner 102 at the counter 2 uses the service requesting device 23 to select a foreign language to be interpreted (step 1021) and issues a request to receive an interpreting service (step 1022). This request is transmitted and received by the transmission / reception devices 21 and 4
1. It is sent to the service management device 43 of the management center 4 via the network 1. The service management device searches for a foreign language in the requested content that is "waiting" based on a fair policy (step 1023), and returns the name (or destination) of the interpreter service provider as a search result (step 1024). ). Upon receiving the search result, the service request device 23 further issues a request to the service provider indicated in the search result to receive the interpreting service (step 1025). This request is sent to the service request confirmation device 33 of the interpreting service center 3 via the transmission / reception devices 21 and 31 and the network 1. Hereinafter, the status is changed to “under service” through a procedure similar to that described with reference to FIG.

It is to be noted that the fact that the interpreting service has been activated is transmitted to the service management device 43 of the management center 4 from either the service request confirmation device 23 of the window 2 or the service request confirmation device 33 of the interpretation service center 3. , The service management device sets the status of the corresponding item to “in service”. When one interpreting service center supports a plurality of foreign languages, all the states of the corresponding interpreting service center are set to “in service”. The normal operation is transmitted from the service request confirmation device 33 of the interpreter service center 3.

The "in service" state continues until the interpreter service end request is issued by the service requesting device 23 of the window 2. When the end request is made, the transmitting / receiving devices 21 and 31 between the window 2 and the interpreter service center 3 are transmitted. Is disconnected and the service is terminated, either from the service request confirmation device 23 at the counter 2 or the service request confirmation device 33 at the interpretation service center 3 from the management center 4.
Is transmitted to the service management apparatus 43, and the service management apparatus sets the state of the service management apparatus 43 to “standby”. The normal operation is transmitted from the service request confirmation device 33 of the interpreter service center 3.

As described above, at the counter 2, when a foreigner visits without an interpreter, a necessary foreign language interpreting service is provided from among the interpreting services provided on the network, and , It is possible to select an interpreter service that can be provided. Also, if the interpreter can handle multiple foreign languages, this will be dealt with appropriately. Further, it is possible for the interpreter service providers to be appropriately distributed without being biased to a specific place.

In the above example, each foreign language is used.
A specific specialty field may be added and managed, and a service request may be made. For example, "English specializing in law" and "French specializing in economy". If you add this level,
Interpretation services including technical terms are also possible, and higher quality services can be expected.

FIG. 7 shows an interpreting service of the present invention,
This shows a system that provides an interpreting service from a destination. The system of the interpreting service center 5 is a mobile phone connectable to the network 1 or a mobile terminal 5.
One. These mobile phones and mobile terminals are capable of voice communication (or voice input / output). In addition, by appropriately operating the buttons of the mobile phone and the keyboard of the mobile terminal, it is possible to confirm the service request and register the service. Also, on mobile phones and mobile terminals,
When a service is requested, the interpreter 103 is notified by means such as sound, lamp, and vibration. Further, as a name or a destination of a mobile phone or a mobile terminal, a telephone number, a mobile IP, a dynamic domain name, or the like is used.

In the same manner, the system can also be constituted by a portable telephone or a portable terminal which can be connected to the network 1 at the window.

As described above, the interpreter can provide services from any place other than the fixed interpreting service center.

FIG. 8 shows the exclusive processing of the interpreting service of the present invention. If the interpreter service center 301 and the window 201 establish a logical connection and the service is “in service”, even if there is a connection connection request from another window 202 to the interpreter service center 301, , The connection is refused. This can be realized by preventing the server function of the interpreting service center from establishing two or more connections.

As described above, while the interpreter is providing the interpreting service, the interpreter can continue the service without interruption.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the schedule management of the interpreter service provider of the present invention.

The foreigner 102 at the counter 2 uses the service requesting device 23 to select a foreign language to be interpreted (step 1031) and issues a request to receive an interpreting service (step 1032). This request is transmitted and received by the transmission / reception devices 21 and 4
1. It is sent to the service management device 43 of the management center 4 via the network 1. The service management device searches for a foreign language “waiting” in the request content based on a fair policy (step 1033). If there is no “waiting” foreign language, the service management device waits for this request and waits for the service request. (Step 1034). Usually, Figure 1
Waiting for service for each foreign language 2011 as shown in 1
012 in the last column. Then, the requester is returned to the effect that the user has entered the queue (step 1035). Thus, the user enters a waiting state.

When the service device of the management center 4 receives notification of the end of the service from an arbitrary interpreting service center, the service device in the corresponding foreign language (if the interpreting service provider can handle a plurality of foreign languages, all the foreign languages are used). ),
Check if there is a requester in the queue (step 104)
3) If there is a waiting requester, the highest priority waiting requester is selected according to the policy, and the name (or destination) of the interpreting service provider who has finished the service is sent to the waiting requester window. Is returned (step 1044). Upon receiving this result, the service request device 23 of the window 2 receives
After going through the same procedure as described with reference to FIG.

As described above, even when all of the foreign language interpreting services required by the requester are “under service”, it is possible to appropriately wait for the turn of use. In addition, the interpreting service provider can immediately perform the next service when one "service" is completed, which is efficient.

FIG. 12 shows an interpreting service center of the present invention.
Alternatively, it shows a system related to window authentication.

The management center 4 provides information or data indicating a valid user to a valid interpreting service center or a valid user. Here, the information or data is an ID and a password,
A private key used in public key cryptography. In the case of a secret key, it is desirable that it is stored in a highly secure medium such as an IC card. Hereinafter, a method of verifying a valid user using a public key cryptosystem will be described.

The management center 4 has a user verification device 48. The user verification device issues a challenge code to a party to be verified and verifies a signature on the challenge code. The signature of the challenge code is verified by the user's public key. Management center 4
Shall be able to securely obtain the user's public key.

The interpreting service center 3 and the counter 2 have signature devices 28 and 38. The signature device performs an electronic signature on the challenge code presented from the management center using each secret key. At this time,
Confirm that the user is a valid user by using the principle of electronic authentication.

The principle of the electronic authentication is that the user verification device 48 of the management center 4 generates a random challenge code at the timing when it is necessary to confirm a valid user, and checks the partner (window 2 or , To the interpreting service center 3), and have the signature device 28 or 38 of the partner to be verified electronically sign the challenge code with the secret key of the partner to be verified and return it, and the user verification device 48 Then, the digital signature is decrypted using the public key of the partner to be verified, and it is confirmed whether the digital signature matches the challenge code.

The above procedure describes the general principle of electronic authentication, and other principles of electronic authentication may be used. As described above, the management center 4 can authenticate the user of the counter 2 or the interpreter service center 3.

The above procedure is performed at the contact 2
Or the authentication of the interpreting service center 3 by the management center 4 has been described.
The authentication of the management center 4 by the service center 3 or the authentication of the management center 4 by the interpreter service center 3 and the mutual authentication between the counter 2 and the interpreter service center 3 are also applicable.

As described above, for example, only the interpreting service center 3 having a contract with the management center 4 or only the counter 2 (hereinafter, contractor) can benefit from the interpreting service. In addition, the quality of the interpreting service can be maintained at a certain level or higher by limiting the service to a contractor. Furthermore, when a contractor's fraud or quality deterioration is recognized, the contractor can be easily excluded. In addition, electronic authentication is useful as a basis for collecting usage fees from window users and paying usage fees to interpreting service providers.

FIG. 13 shows a system for realizing the interpreting service of the present invention in multiple stages. Each system of the counter 203 and the interpretation service centers 303 and 304 is connected by the network 1.

The system of the interpreter service center 303 is as follows:
A microphone 34, a speaker 35, an audio processor 32,
A communication destination control device 39 is provided in addition to the transmission / reception device 31 and the service request confirmation device 33. The communication destination control device 39
A function to control the communication destination by operating buttons and the like,
This device has a function of temporarily storing communication data.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show examples in which the interpreting service of the present invention is realized in multiple stages. For example, contact 2
In 03, it is assumed that Japanese and foreign language B interpreters are required. At this time, it is assumed that there is no direct interpreting service for Japanese and foreign language B on the network. The interpreting service center 303 can interpret foreign language A and foreign language B, but cannot support Japanese. Further, the interpreting service center 304 can interpret Japanese and foreign language A, but cannot handle foreign language B.

Interpretation service center 303
When the Japanese voice is received, the communication destination control device 39 is directly operated to transfer the Japanese translation stored at the time of reception to the translation service center 304 (step 10).
51, 1052). When interpreting service center 304 receives the Japanese voice, it interprets it into foreign language A and returns it to interpreting service center 303 (step 105).
3). When the interpreter service center 303 receives the foreign language A from the interpreter service center 304,
, And operates the communication destination control device 39 so that the contact 20
3 (step 1054).

Conversely, when the interpreter service center 303 receives the voice of the foreign language B from the window 203, it translates the foreign language A and operates the communication destination control device 39 to translate the foreign language A. It is transferred to the interpreter service center 304 (step 1055). When interpreting service center 304 receives the voice of foreign language A, it interprets it into Japanese and returns it to interpreting service center 303 (step 1056). The interpreter service center 303 is an interpreter service center 304.
When the Japanese language is received, the Japanese language stored at the time of reception is returned to the counter 203 by operating the communication destination control device 39 (steps 1057 and 1058).

Another example is the interpretation service center 30
5 can interpret Japanese and foreign language A, but cannot correspond to foreign language B. Further, the interpreting service center 306 is capable of interpreting foreign language A and foreign language B, but is not capable of interpreting Japanese.

In this example, the intermediate interpreting service center 3
This shows that the processing relationship of step 05 is different from that of the previous example, and the detailed description is omitted because the essential parts remain the same.

As described above, even if there is no physical interpreter at the window 2 itself, and there is no direct interpreter in the interpreter service provided by the interpreter provided on the network 1, Interpretation service will be available. Multi-tiered interpreting services have some degradation in interpreting service quality, but also reduce the overall number of interpreters to be supported. For example, assuming that a direct interpretation service is provided all over the world (N languages),
(N-1)! Although a kind of interpreter is required, if an indirect interpreting service is to be implemented, it is sufficient if there are at least (N-1) kinds of interpreters.

The multi-stage interpreting service can be used not only when there is no direct interpreting service, but also when there is no direct interpreting service available and when it is desired to take immediate action.

Although the invention so far has realized an interpreting service between languages, a sign language interpreting service will be described below.

FIG. 16 shows a system for realizing the sign language interpreting service of the present invention. Each system of the window 6 and the sign language interpreting service center 7 is connected by the network 1.

The system at the window 6 has a microphone 64, a speaker 65, a camera 66, a monitor 67, an audio processing device 62, an image processing device 68, a transmitting / receiving device 61, and a service requesting device 63. The image processing device 68 is a device having a function of converting an image captured by the camera 66 into digital data and a function of converting digital data into an image and outputting the image from the monitor 67.

The system of the sign language interpreting service center 7 is as follows.
It has a microphone 74, a speaker 75, a camera 76, a monitor 77, an audio processing device 72, an image processing device 78, a transmitting / receiving device 71, and a service requesting device 73. The image processing device 78 is a device having a function of converting an image captured by the camera 76 into digital data and a function of converting digital data into an image and outputting the image from the monitor 77.

FIG. 17 shows a basic flow for receiving the sign language interpreting service. When the person 112 who needs a sign language interpreter visits the counter 6 and wants to negotiate with the person in charge 111, first, a request to receive the sign language interpreting service is issued using the service requesting device 23 (step 1071). This request is sent to the sign language interpreting service center via the transmission / reception devices 61 and 71 and the network 1 (step 1072), and the service request confirmation device 73 is notified of the request to the interpreter 113 by a sound or a lamp. Next, when receiving the request, the interpreter 113 returns a response to provide an interpreting service using the service request confirmation device 33 (steps 1076 and 1077). When these exchanges are performed normally, a logical connection is established between the transmitting / receiving apparatuses 61 and 71 (step 10).
73), the sign language interpreting service is being provided. This state continues until the service requesting device 73 issues a sign language interpreting service end request. When the end request is issued (step 1074), the connection is disconnected (step 107).
5).

During sign language interpreting service (step 1078)
If the interpreter 113 wants to receive a voice from the person in charge 111, the interpreter 113 translates the sign into the camera 76. This video is converted into digital data by the video processing device 78, and the transmission / reception devices 71 and 61, the network 1
The image recognition device 68 synthesizes an image from the received digital data and outputs the image to the monitor 67. Conversely, when a person 112 who needs a sign language interpreter views a video in the sign language, the user interprets the sound toward the microphone 74. This sound is sent to the sound processing device 72.
Is converted into digital data by the transmitting / receiving device 71,
61, sent to the window 6 via the network 1, the image recognition device 62 synthesizes a voice from the received digital data, and outputs the voice to the speaker 65.

As described above, even when there is no sign language interpreter at the window 6 itself, when the person 112 who needs the sign language interpreter visits, the sign language interpreter 113 provided on the network 1 Sign language interpreting service will be available. Further, for example, by using the Internet network as the network 1, it is possible to reduce the communication cost related to the sign language interpreting service.

The above is a description of the interpreting service of the present invention. In practice, however, it is necessary to ensure network communication quality and security.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a system configuration for ensuring communication quality and security of a network. The router 2001 of the network node is controlled by a policy defined by the policy server 2002, and guarantees communication quality (bandwidth, priority, etc.) on the network. As a technology for guaranteeing communication quality, Dif
There is a method based on fServ or the like. In this method, information designating a processing method in a router is inserted into a communication packet, and the router controls the packet according to the information.

The firewall 2003 prevents unauthorized intrusion into the system from any on the network. As a technique for preventing intrusion, there is a method using a packet filter or the like. This is to perform access control according to the packet transmission / reception address and the type of service. Furthermore, to protect communication data (for example, personal information and video in sign language) on the network from eavesdropping, encrypted communication is performed. As a technology for performing encrypted communication, there is a virtual private network technology. This is to perform encrypted communication between mutual firewalls.

In the present embodiment, the explanation has been given assuming that the interpreting service is realized. However, if the service provider is a person and this person plays an intermediary role, it can be applied to all. It is possible. Further, in the present invention, the person in need of interpreting and the foreigner are physically present at the same window, but they may be physically separated via a network. In this case, the interpreter service center needs a communication destination control device as described in the description of the multi-stage service.

According to the present embodiment, when a foreigner visits even if there is no interpreter at the counter itself,
It is possible to receive an interpreter service provided by an interpreter provided on the network. Further, for example, by using the Internet as a network, it is possible to reduce the communication cost related to the interpreting service, and it is possible to easily provide the service even if the interpreting service center itself is located in a foreign country.

According to the present embodiment, from among the interpreting services provided on the network, those which provide the necessary foreign language interpreting service and are in a state where the interpreting service can be provided are selected. It is possible to do. Also, if the interpreter can handle multiple foreign languages, this will be dealt with appropriately. Further, it is possible for the interpreter service providers to be appropriately distributed without being biased to a specific place.

According to the present embodiment, the interpreter can provide services from any place other than the fixed interpreting service center.

According to the present embodiment, the interpreter can continue the service while providing the interpreting service without being interrupted by others.

According to the present embodiment, even when all of the foreign language interpretation services required by the requester are “under service”, it is possible to appropriately wait for the turn of use. In addition, the interpreter service provider can provide the next service immediately after completing one "service".
Efficient.

According to the present embodiment, only the interpreting service center that has a contract with the management center or the contact point
Contractor) can benefit from the interpreting service.
In addition, the quality of the interpreting service can be maintained at a certain level or higher by limiting the service to a contractor. Furthermore, when a contractor's fraud or quality deterioration is recognized, the contractor can be easily excluded. In addition, electronic authentication is useful as a basis for collecting usage fees from window users and paying usage fees to interpreting service providers.

According to the present embodiment, the interpreting service provided by the interpreter provided on the network can be indirectly received even if there is no direct interpreter. Multi-stage interpreter service
There is some degradation in interpreter service quality, but it also reduces the number of interpreters to be supported overall. For example, assuming that a direct interpretation service is provided all over the world (the number of languages N), (N-1)! Although a kind of interpreter is required, if an indirect interpreting service is to be implemented, it is sufficient if there are at least (N-1) kinds of interpreters.

According to the present embodiment, a sign language interpreter provided on a network when a person who needs a sign language interpreter visits even if there is no physical sign language interpreter at the window itself. Will be able to receive sign language interpretation services. Also, for example, by using the Internet as a network, it is possible to reduce communication costs related to the sign language interpreting service.

[0075]

According to the present invention, there is an effect that a translation service can be realized more efficiently on a network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an interpreting service provided by an interpreter.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic flow of an interpreting service by an interpreter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic configuration for performing registration management of an interpreting service.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of information registered and managed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a basic flow of registration management.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a basic flow for connecting to an appropriate service provider.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a mobile interpreting service provided by an interpreter.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exclusion process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a basic flow of storing an interpreting service in a queue example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a basic flow of transition from a waiting example to an interpreting service.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a part of queue information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a basic configuration for performing authentication of a communication partner.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a basic configuration for performing a multi-stage interpreting service by an interpreter.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an explanation of a multi-stage interpreting service by an interpreter.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a multi-stage interpreting service by an interpreter.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a basic configuration for providing a sign language interpreting service by a sign language interpreter.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a basic flow of a sign language interpreting service by a sign language interpreter.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example for ensuring security and communication quality.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Network, 2, 6 ... Contact, 3, 7 ... Interpretation Service Center, 4 ... Management Center, 22, 32, 42, 62,
72 audio processing device, 68, 78 image processing device, 23
... Service request device, 33 ... Service request confirmation device, 3
6: service registration device, 43: service management device, 2
8, 38: signature device, 48: user verification device, 39: communication destination control device

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Akuma Mikuma 1099 Ozenji Temple, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside of Hitachi, Ltd.System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Toshiaki Iino 1-6-27 Shinsuna, Koto-ku Tokyo Hitachi, Ltd. Public Systems Division (72) Inventor Izumi Aneyama 1-6-27 Shinsuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo Hitachi, Ltd. Public Systems Division (72) Inventor Takayoshi Kitada 5-2-1 Omika-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture No. 72, Hitachi, Ltd. Information Control System Division, Hitachi, Ltd. Inventor Junichi Miura 5-2-1, Omika-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture F-term (reference) 5B091 AA03 BA03 CB12 CB32 CD03 5D045 AB03 AB24 AB26 5K015 AB02 AF09 5K024 AA71 CC02 CC07 CC10 EE09 FF04 GG01 GG03

Claims (17)

[Claims] An interpreting system in which a user device used by a user who needs an interpreting service and an interpreter device connected to the user device via a network are connected, wherein the user device comprises: Transmitting, via the network, language identification information indicating at least one language requiring an interpreter and request information requesting an interpreter, wherein the interpreter apparatus provides an interpreting service using the interpreter apparatus; If it is determined based on the interpreter providing information indicating the possible language and the language identification information that the interpreter can interpret the language indicated by the language identification information, it is necessary to start interpreting the language indicated by the language information. The user device transmits language information of the language requiring the interpreter to the interpreter device via the network, An interpreter service system, wherein a translator device transmits language information obtained by translating the language information to the user device via the network. 2. The interpreter service system according to claim 1, wherein the interpreter providing information is information indicating whether there is an interpreter who can execute an interpreter using the interpreter device. Service system. 3. The interpreter service system according to claim 2, wherein the interpreter providing information includes information indicating whether the interpreter is engaged in another interpreter. 4. The interpreting service system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage device storing said interpreting provision information, further comprising a management device connected to said network and for judging whether said interpreting is possible or not. An interpreting service system characterized by the following. 5. The interpreting service system according to claim 4, wherein the network is connected to a plurality of interpreter devices, and the management device includes, as the interpreting provision information, an interpretable language and the plurality of interpreting devices. An interpreting service system that stores information associated with each interpreter and determines an interpreter apparatus that executes information processing for interpreting based on the interpreting providing information. 6. The interpreting service system according to claim 1, wherein the language information includes at least one of voice information and sign language image information. 7. The interpreting service system according to claim 1, wherein the user device inputs language information from a plurality of users who need an interpreter, and receives the interpreter via the network. An interpreting service system for outputting a plurality of interpreted language information transmitted from a user device. 8. An interpreter device connected via a network to a user device used by a user who needs an interpreting service, wherein an interpreter transmitted from the user device via the network is required. Means for receiving language identification information indicating at least one language and request information requesting an interpreter; interpreting provision information indicating a language in which an interpreter service can be provided using the interpreter apparatus; and the language identification information. When it is determined based on the language that the interpreting of the language indicated by the language identification information is possible, means for executing information processing necessary to start the interpreting of the language indicated by the language information, and starting the interpreting Language information of the language requiring the interpreter, transmitted from the user device via the network when the information processing necessary for the Means for receiving, in the user device via the network, interpreter apparatus characterized by having a means for transmitting language information interpretation is performed with respect to the language information. 9. The interpreter device according to claim 8, wherein the interpreter providing information is information indicating the presence or absence of an interpreter who can execute an interpreter using the interpreter device. Device. 10. The interpreter apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the interpreter providing information includes information indicating whether the interpreter is engaged in another interpreter. 11. The translator apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a storage device storing said interpreter providing information. 12. The interpreter apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said language information includes at least one of voice information and sign language image information. 13. The interpreter device according to claim 8, wherein said means for receiving language information from said user device receives a plurality of pieces of language information input by said user device. An interpreter apparatus, wherein the means for transmitting the interpreted information transmits a plurality of pieces of language information interpreted for each of the plurality of pieces of language information. 14. An interpreting service management device connected via a network to a user device used by a user who needs an interpreting service and a plurality of interpreter devices used by an interpreter performing the interpreting service. Means for storing translation providing information in which a possible language is associated with each of the plurality of translation devices; and language identification information transmitted from the user device via the network and indicating at least one language requiring translation. And means for receiving request information requesting an interpreter, based on the interpreter providing information and the language identification information,
Means for specifying an interpreter device capable of providing an interpreting service for the language indicated by the language identification information, and executing information processing for implementing an interpreting service from the specified interpreter device to the user device And an interpreting service management device. 15. The interpreting service management device according to claim 14, wherein the means for executing information processing for realizing the interpreting service includes information for specifying the interpreter device specified by the user device. An interpreting service management device for transmitting. 16. The interpreting service management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means for executing the information processing for realizing the interpreting service includes information for identifying the user apparatus to the identified interpreter apparatus. An interpreting service management device for transmitting information for specifying the content of a translation service requested by the user device. 17. The interpreting service management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the language information includes at least one of voice information and sign language image information. .