JP2018147112A - Voice translation device and voice translation method and voice translation program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To communicate real intention and true meaning of a user to a listener by executing voice recognition processing and translation processing considering emotion of the user (a teller or a listener), and as a result to improve the communication between the users (the teller and the listener).SOLUTION: A voice translation device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an input part for inputting a voice of a user, a recognition part recognizing the inputted voice, a presentation part presenting a feeling character or an emotional symbol for expressing an emotion of the user so that the user can select it before the user inputs the voice or while the user is inputting the voice or after the user inputted the voice, a translation part translating a content of the recognized voice to a content of a different language based on the content of the recognized voice and the selected feeling character or the selected emotional symbol, and an output part outputting the content translated to the different language by a voice and/or a text.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a speech translation device, a speech translation method, and a speech translation program.

  In order to enable conversations between people who do not understand each other's language, for example, conversations between store clerk and foreign customers, the speech of the speaker is converted into text and the content of the text is machine translated into the language of the listener There has been proposed a speech translation technique for displaying on a screen or playing back the text content using a speech synthesis technique (for example, Patent Document 1). A speech translation application that operates on an information terminal such as a smartphone that embodies such speech translation technology has also been put into practical use (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-34895

U-STAR homepage [Search February 22, 2017], Internet <URL: http://www.ustar-consortium.com/qws/slot/u50227/index.html>

  In general, in the conventional speech translation technology, a spoken speech is recognized to obtain a reading (character) of the speech, and the character is translated into another language using a dictionary. In this case, an acoustic model or a language model built in advance is applied to the speech recognition process, and a database such as a corpus of each language prepared in advance is used for the translation process. However, in such speech recognition processing and translation processing, depending on the content of the conversation, the intent and true intention of the speaker cannot be transmitted through speech translation, and there is a problem that the two cannot communicate sufficiently due to misunderstandings. There was a case.

  Specifically, in order not to make the listener feel uncomfortable or to confuse the listener, the speaker should use eclectic expressions, i.e. content that includes words with negative or inconvenient implications. In order to avoid telling the listener as it is, it is conceivable that such a phrase is not directly used but replaced with another phrase. On the other hand, in the conventional translation technology, it is assumed that the speech recognition processing and translation processing based on such a concavo-convex expression are not performed, and the translation result of the spoken speech content itself is acquired and transmitted to the listener. As a result, the original negative or inconvenient implications intended by the speaker may not be conveyed to the listener.

  Also, for example, when the intimacy of the speaker and listener is high, the speaker has a bad meaning, a rude meaning, an inconvenient meaning, etc. in order to convey to the listener the contents with intimacy and favorable feelings. Words and expressions (speaking methods) are used, and in some cases, content that shows the meaning opposite to the speaker's real intention or real intention can be spoken. On the other hand, conventional translation technology does not perform speech recognition processing and translation processing in consideration of such speaker's intention and real intention, but obtains the translation result of the spoken speech content itself, It is assumed to be communicated to. As a result, there is a risk that the speaker's real intention and true intention will not be transmitted to the listener.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and conveys the user's intention and true intention to the listener by executing speech recognition processing and translation processing in consideration of the emotion of the user (speaker or listener). As a result, an object of the present invention is to provide a speech translation device, a speech translation method, and a speech translation program capable of improving communication between users (speaker and listener).

  In order to solve the above problems, a speech translation apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an input unit for inputting a user's speech, a recognition unit that recognizes the input speech, and an input before the user inputs the speech. While presenting or after input, a presentation unit that presents an emotion character or emotion symbol for expressing the user's emotion so that the user can select, the content of the recognized voice, and the selected emotion character Alternatively, a translation unit that translates the content of the recognized speech into content of a different language based on the emotion symbol, and an output unit that outputs the content translated into a different language as speech and / or text.

  More specifically, the output unit may be configured to display a button for displaying an emotion character or an emotion symbol on a screen on which a recognition result of the input voice is displayed.

  Furthermore, the output unit may be configured to display the selected emotion character or emotion symbol on a screen on which content translated into different languages is displayed.

  In addition, a storage unit that stores a combination of a predetermined phrase and an emotion character or an emotion symbol in association with contents of different languages for each of the combinations is stored, and the translation unit receives an emotion character or an emotion symbol And determining whether or not a combination of the phrase included in the input voice and the emotion character or the emotion symbol is stored in the storage unit, and when the combination is stored, You may make it translate using the content of the different language memorize | stored. The “phrase” includes sentences, clauses, phrases, words, and numbers.

  Alternatively, a storage unit that stores a combination of a predetermined phrase and an emotion character or an emotion symbol and the contents of different languages for each of the combinations is stored, and the output unit includes a phrase included in the input voice, When included in a predetermined phrase, a list of combinations of the predetermined phrase and emotion characters or emotion symbols is displayed so that the user can select, and the translation unit is stored in association with the selected combination. Translation may be performed using the contents of different languages.

  A speech translation method according to an aspect of the present invention uses a speech translation device including an input unit, a recognition unit, a presentation unit, a translation unit, and an output unit, and the input unit inputs a user's speech, The step of recognizing the input voice, and the presentation unit displays emotion characters or emotion symbols for expressing the user's emotion before, during, or after the user inputs the voice. The step of presenting the user so that the user can select the content, and the translation unit translates the content of the recognized speech into content of a different language based on the content of the recognized speech and the selected emotion character or emotion symbol. A step and a step in which the output unit outputs the contents translated into different languages in sound and / or text.

  A speech translation program according to an aspect of the present invention is input to a computer (not limited to a single type or a single type, and may be a plurality or a plurality of types; the same applies hereinafter) and an input unit for inputting a user's speech. A recognition unit for recognizing speech, and a user can select emotion characters or emotion symbols for expressing a user's emotion before, during, or after inputting a forehead A presentation unit to present, a translation unit for translating the recognized speech content into different language content based on the recognized speech content and the selected emotion character or emotion symbol, and content translated into a different language Is made to function as an output unit that outputs audio and / or text.

  According to the present invention, voice input by a user (speaker or listener) and an emotion character or emotion symbol for expressing the user's emotion are selected, and not only the content of the recognized input voice but also selected together with it. Since the recognized speech content is translated into different language content based on the emotional characters or emotional symbols that have been recognized, the translation process that takes into account the user's emotions, The real intention can be transmitted to the listener, and as a result, communication between users (speaker and listener) can be improved.

1 is a system block diagram schematically showing a preferred embodiment of a network configuration and the like related to a speech translation apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow (part) of the process in suitable one Embodiment of the speech translation apparatus by this invention. (A) thru | or (D) are top views which show an example of the transition of the display screen in an information terminal. (A) thru | or (D) are top views which show an example of the transition of the display screen in an information terminal. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow (part) of the process in suitable one Embodiment of the speech translation apparatus by this invention. (A) And (B) is a top view which shows an example of the transition of the display screen in an information terminal.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention only to the embodiments. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which the elements described below are replaced with equivalent ones, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right shown as needed are based on the display shown unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, various dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios.

(Device configuration)
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram schematically showing a preferred embodiment such as a network configuration related to a speech translation apparatus according to the present invention. In this example, the speech translation apparatus 100 includes a server 20 that is electronically connected to the information terminal 10 (user apparatus) used by the user via the network N (but is not limited to this).

  The information terminal 10 employs a user interface such as a touch panel and a display with high visibility, for example. The information terminal 10 here is a portable tablet terminal device including a mobile phone represented by a smartphone having a communication function with the network N. The information terminal 10 further includes a processor 11, a storage resource 12, a voice input / output device 13, a communication interface 14, an input device 15, a display device 16, and a camera 17. In addition, the information terminal 10 operates by the installed speech translation application software (at least a part of the speech translation program according to the embodiment of the present invention), so that a part of the speech translation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention or It functions as a whole.

  The processor 11 includes an arithmetic logic unit and various registers (program counter, data register, instruction register, general-purpose register, etc.). Further, the processor 11 interprets and executes speech translation application software, which is the program P10 stored in the storage resource 12, and performs various processes. The speech translation application software as the program P10 can be distributed from the server 20 through the network N, for example, and may be installed and updated manually or automatically.

  The network N includes, for example, a wired network (a short-range communication network (LAN), a wide-area communication network (WAN), a value-added communication network (VAN), etc.) and a wireless network (mobile communication network, satellite communication network, Bluetooth ( Bluetooth (registered trademark)), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), etc.).

  The storage resource 12 is a logical device provided by a storage area of a physical device (for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory), and an operating system program, a driver program, various data, etc. used for processing of the information terminal 10 Is stored. Examples of the driver program include an input / output device driver program for controlling the audio input / output device 13, an input device driver program for controlling the input device 15, and a display device driver program for controlling the display device 16. Can be mentioned. Furthermore, the voice input / output device 13 is, for example, a general microphone and a sound player capable of reproducing sound data.

  The communication interface 14 provides a connection interface with the server 20, for example, and is configured from a wireless communication interface and / or a wired communication interface. The input device 15 provides an interface for accepting an input operation by a tap operation such as an icon, a button, a virtual keyboard, or a text displayed on the display device 16. Various input devices to be attached can be exemplified.

  The display device 16 provides various kinds of information to a user (speaker and listener) as an image display interface, and examples thereof include an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display, and a CRT display. The camera 17 is for capturing still images and moving images of various subjects.

  The server 20 is constituted by, for example, a host computer having a high arithmetic processing capability, and expresses a server function by operating a predetermined server program in the host computer, for example, a speech recognition server, a translation server, And a single or a plurality of host computers functioning as a speech synthesis server (in the drawing, it is indicated by a single, but is not limited thereto). Each server 20 includes a processor 21, a communication interface 22, and a storage resource 23.

  The processor 21 is composed of an arithmetic and logic unit for processing arithmetic operations, logical operations, bit operations and the like and various registers (program counter, data register, instruction register, general-purpose register, etc.), and is stored in the storage resource 23. P20 is interpreted and executed, and a predetermined calculation processing result is output. The communication interface 22 is a hardware module for connecting to the information terminal 10 via the network N. For example, the communication interface 22 is a modulation / demodulation device such as an ISDN modem, an ADSL modem, a cable modem, an optical modem, or a soft modem.

  The storage resource 23 is a logical device provided by, for example, a storage area of a physical device (a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk drive or a semiconductor memory), and each includes one or a plurality of programs P20, various modules L20, and various databases. D20 and various models M20 are stored. In addition, the storage resource 23 stores a plurality of question phrases prepared in advance for one user (speaker) of the conversation to speak to the other user (listener) of the conversation, history data of input speech, and data for various settings. Phrase data and the like described later are also stored.

  The program P20 is the above-described server program that is the main program of the server 20. In addition, the various modules L20 perform a series of information processing related to requests and information transmitted from the information terminal 10, so that they are appropriately called and executed during the operation of the program P10 (moduleized subprograms). ). Examples of the module L20 include a speech recognition module, a translation module, and a speech synthesis module.

  The various databases D20 include various corpora required for speech translation processing (for example, in the case of Japanese and English speech translation, a Japanese speech corpus, an English speech corpus, a Japanese character (vocabulary) corpus, an English character) (Vocabulary) Corpus, Japanese dictionary, English dictionary, Japanese-English bilingual dictionary, Japanese-English bilingual corpus, etc.), voice database, management database for managing information about users, phrase database having a hierarchical structure described later, etc. It is done. Examples of the various models M20 include acoustic models and language models used for speech recognition.

(Normal speech translation conversation)
An example of processing operations and operations in the speech translation apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described below. Here, an example of normal speech translation processing in conversation between users (speaker and listener) and / or conversation preparation will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of (a part of) the processing flow in the speech translation apparatus 100. FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4A to 4D are plan views illustrating examples of display screen transition in the information terminal. In the present embodiment, a conversation is assumed in which the language of one speaker is Japanese and the language of the other speaker is Chinese (however, the language and situation are not limited to this).

  First, when the user (speaker) starts the application (step SU1), the language of the user (listener) is selected on the display device 16 of the information terminal 10 by the processor 21 of the server 20 and the processor 11 of the information terminal 10. Is displayed (FIG. 3A; step SJ1). This language selection screen includes a Japanese text T1 for prompting the speaker to ask the listener for a language, an English text T2 for asking the listener for the language, and a plurality of typical languages assumed here (here Then, a language button 31 indicating English, Chinese (for example, two types depending on the typeface), and Hangul) is displayed. Further below that, a cancel button B1 for closing the language selection screen and ending the application is also displayed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the Japanese text T1 and the English text T2 are divided by the processor 11 and the display device 16 into different areas on the screen of the display device 16 of the information terminal 10, and Are displayed in opposite directions (different directions; upside down in the figure). Accordingly, when a conversation is performed in a state where the speaker and the listener are facing each other, the speaker can easily confirm the Japanese text T1, while the listener can easily confirm the English text T2. In addition, since the Japanese text T1 and the English text T2 are displayed separately, there is an advantage that both are clearly distinguished and can be visually recognized more easily.

  The speaker presents the display of the English text T2 on the language selection screen to the listener and asks the listener to tap the “Chinese” button, or the listener himself “Chinese” which is the language of the listener Can be selected. When the listener's language is selected in this way, the processor 21 of the server 20 and the processor 11 of the information terminal 10 display a standby screen for voice input in Japanese and Chinese on the display device 16 as the home screen (FIG. 3). (B); Step SJ2). On this voice input standby screen, an input button 32a which is designed as a microphone for inputting Japanese speech and an input button 32b which is designed as a microphone for inputting Chinese speech are displayed. Further, on the edge side of the screen from the input buttons 32a and 32b, a Japanese text T3 indicating conversion of Japanese into Chinese and a Chinese text indicating conversion of Chinese into Japanese, respectively. Text T4 is displayed. Further, in the center of the screen from the input buttons 32a and 32b, there are a Japanese text T5 and a Chinese text T6 prompting to start a conversation by tapping the input buttons 32a and 32b each having a microphone. Is displayed.

  Furthermore, the voice input standby screen includes a registered phrase button B2 for displaying a group of phrases registered in advance by the user, a text input button B3 for inputting text instead of voice input, and the application. A setting button B4 for performing various software settings is also displayed.

  Next, on the voice input standby screen shown in FIG. 3B, when the user (speaker) taps the Japanese input button 32a and selects Japanese voice input, the voice for accepting the user's Japanese utterance content. The input screen is displayed (FIG. 3C). When this voice input screen is displayed, voice input from the voice input / output device 13 is enabled. In addition, this voice input screen is designed with Japanese text T6 prompting voice input to the microphone of the information terminal 10, Chinese text T7 indicating that the other party is inputting voice, and a microphone. The input button 32a and the multiple circular design 33 surrounding the input button 32a are displayed. The multiple circular design 33 indicates that the voice input state is present, and the size of a circle portion to be displayed changes in accordance with the voice volume so as to schematically and dynamically represent the magnitude of the voice volume. Thereby, the voice input level is visually fed back to the user.

  Further, a cancel button B1 is also displayed on this voice input screen, and when this is tapped, the application can be terminated, or the voice input standby screen (FIG. 3B) can be returned to perform voice input again. it can. Further, in the vicinity of the input button 32a, Japanese text T8 for performing later-described speech recognition processing and multilingual translation processing is displayed after the speech input is completed.

  In this state, when the speaker speaks a matter to be transmitted to the listener (step SU2), voice input is performed through the voice input / output device 13 (step SJ3). The processor 11 of the information terminal 10 generates an audio signal based on the audio input, and transmits the audio signal to the server 20 through the communication interface 14 and the network N. As described above, the information terminal 10 itself, or the processor 11 and the voice input / output device 13 function as an “input unit”.

  Then, when the utterance is finished and the Japanese text T8 is tapped (touched), the processor 11 finishes accepting the utterance content. The processor 11 of the information terminal 10 generates an audio signal based on the audio input, and transmits the audio signal to the server 20 through the communication interface 14 and the network N.

  Next, the processor 21 of the server 20 receives the voice signal through the communication interface 22 and performs voice recognition processing (step SJ4). At this time, the processor 21 calls the necessary module L20, database D20, and model M20 (speech recognition module, Japanese speech corpus, acoustic model, language model, etc.) from the storage resource 23, and obtains “sound” of the input speech. Convert to "reading" (character). As described above, the processor 21 also functions as a “translation unit”, and the server 20 also functions as a “voice recognition server” as a whole. In addition, the processor 21 stores the recognized content in the storage resource 23 (storage unit) (in an appropriate database as necessary) as voice input history data.

  Subsequently, the processor 21 proceeds to multilingual translation processing for translating the recognized “reading” (characters) of the recognized speech into a plurality of other languages (step SJ5). Here, since Chinese is selected as the language of the listener, the processor 21 sends the necessary module L20 and database D20 (translation module, Japanese character corpus, Japanese dictionary, Chinese dictionary, Japan) from the storage resource 23. Japanese / Chinese bilingual dictionary, Japanese / Chinese bilingual corpus, etc.), and the input speech “reading” (character string) as the recognition result is appropriately sorted and converted to Japanese phrases, clauses, sentences, etc. Then, the Chinese corresponding to the conversion result is extracted, rearranged according to the Chinese grammar, and converted into natural Chinese phrases, clauses, sentences, and the like. As described above, the processor 21 also functions as a “translation unit” that translates the content of the input speech into the content of the second language (Chinese) different from the first language (Japanese). It also functions as a “translation server”. If the input voice is not correctly recognized, the voice can be re-input (not shown). Further, the processor 21 can also store those Japanese and Chinese phrases, clauses, sentences, and the like in the storage resource 23.

  Further, during the translation process, the processor 11 of the information terminal 10 displays a translation process in progress screen shown in FIG. In this translation processing in progress screen, Japanese text T9 and Chinese text T10 indicating that translation processing is in progress, and a part of an arc for indicating that translation processing is in progress rotate. The displayed circular design 34 is also displayed. Furthermore, the cancel button B1 is also displayed on this translation processing screen, and when this is tapped, the application is terminated, or the voice input standby screen (FIG. 3B) is returned to perform voice input again. Can do.

  Next, when the multilingual translation processing is completed, the processor 21 proceeds to speech synthesis processing (step SJ6). At this time, the processor 21 calls the necessary module L20, database D20, and model M20 (speech synthesis module, Chinese speech corpus, acoustic model, language model, etc.) from the storage resource 23, and the translation result of Chinese. Convert phrases, clauses, sentences, etc. to natural speech. As described above, the processor 21 also functions as a “speech synthesis unit”, and the server 20 also functions as a “speech synthesis server” as a whole.

  Next, the processor 21 generates a text signal for text display based on the translation result in Chinese (or a corresponding Chinese conversation corpus), and transmits the text signal to the information terminal 10. The processor 11 which has received the text signal displays the Japanese text T11 indicating the content of the input speech that has been speech-recognized, and the translation result (translation) text T12 in Chinese as a translation result display shown in FIG. Display on the screen.

  In addition, on this translation result display screen, a Japanese input button 32a and a Chinese input button 32b, which are designed microphones also displayed on the home screen of FIG. 3B, are displayed, and in the vicinity thereof. , Texts T13 and T14 indicating Japanese and Chinese, respectively, are displayed.

  Furthermore, the processor 21 generates a voice signal for voice output based on the synthesized voice, and transmits the voice signal to the information terminal 10. The processor 11 that has received the speech signal outputs (reads out) the speech of the content of the Chinese text T12 using the speech input / output device 13 (output unit) together with the display of the texts T13 and T14 (step SJ7). .

  Further, a text input button B5 for inputting text instead of voice input is displayed near the text T11, and a check button B6 for returning to the home screen in FIG. Then, a mistranslation notification button B7 for reporting an error in the translation result is displayed. Furthermore, a display button B8 for displaying emotion characters or emotion symbols (hereinafter collectively referred to as “emotional characters”) for expressing the emotions of the users (speakers and listeners) is also displayed on this translation result display screen. The

  Here, when the text input button B5 is tapped, a text input screen shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. On this text input screen, the Japanese text T11 displayed in FIG. 4A is displayed in a light gray scale. When text input is started from the Japanese keyboard K, the text T11 is erased and the content of the newly input text is displayed at that location. Further, an erase button B9 for canceling and erasing the input text is displayed at the top of the text input screen, and a translation button B10 for translating the input text is displayed immediately above the keyboard K. . When this translation button B10 is tapped, the above translation process and speech synthesis process are performed, and a screen similar to the translation result display screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed.

  Thereafter, when the listener answers, when the Chinese input button 32b displayed on the translation result display screen of FIG. 4A is tapped and the Chinese voice input is selected, the utterance content in the listener's Chinese is accepted. The voice input screen is displayed (FIG. 4C). When this voice input screen is displayed, a voice input from the voice input / output device 13 is possible as in the voice input screen shown in FIG. In addition, this voice input screen is designed with a Chinese text T15 that prompts the user to input voice into the microphone of the information terminal 10, a Japanese text T16 indicating that the other party is inputting voice, and a microphone. The input button 32b and the multiple circular design 33 surrounding the input button 32b are displayed.

  Further, a cancel button B1 is also displayed on this voice input screen, and when this is tapped, the application can be terminated, or the voice input standby screen (FIG. 3B) can be returned to perform voice input again. it can. Further, in the vicinity of the input button 32b, Chinese text T17 for performing speech recognition processing and multilingual translation processing described later is displayed after the speech input is completed.

  In this state, when the listener speaks an answer item to the speaker (step SU2), voice input is performed through the voice input / output device 13 (step SJ3). The processor 11 of the information terminal 10 generates an audio signal based on the audio input, and transmits the audio signal to the server 20 through the communication interface 14 and the network N. Then, when the utterance is finished and the Chinese text T14 is tapped (touched), the processor 11 finishes accepting the utterance content. The processor 11 of the information terminal 10 generates an audio signal based on the audio input, and transmits the audio signal to the server 20 through the communication interface 14 and the network N.

  Next, the processor 21 of the server 20 receives the voice signal through the communication interface 22 and performs voice recognition processing (step SJ4). At this time, the processor 21 calls the necessary module L20, database D20, and model M20 (speech recognition module, Chinese speech corpus, acoustic model, language model, etc.) from the storage resource 23, and obtains the “sound” of the input speech. Convert to "reading" (character). In addition, the processor 21 stores the recognized content in the storage resource 23 (in an appropriate database as necessary) as voice input history data.

  Subsequently, the processor 21 proceeds to multilingual translation processing for translating the recognized “reading” (characters) of the recognized speech into a plurality of other languages (step SJ5). The processor 21 receives the necessary module L20 and database D20 from the storage resource 23 (translation module, Chinese character corpus, Chinese dictionary, Japanese dictionary, Chinese / Japanese bilingual dictionary, Chinese / Japanese bilingual corpus, etc.) , And appropriately sort the “reading” (character string) of the input speech that is the recognition result to convert it into Chinese phrases, clauses, sentences, etc., extract the Japanese corresponding to the conversion result, and extract them Rearrange according to Japanese grammar and convert to natural Japanese phrases, clauses, sentences, etc. If the input voice is not correctly recognized, the voice can be re-input (not shown). Further, the processor 21 can also store those Chinese and Japanese phrases, clauses, sentences and the like in the storage resource 23.

  Further, during the translation process, the processor 11 of the information terminal 10 displays a translation process in progress screen shown in FIG. On this translation processing screen, Japanese text T9 and Chinese text T10 indicating that translation processing is in progress, and a part of an arc that rotates to indicate that translation processing is in progress are displayed. An annular design 34 is also displayed. Furthermore, the cancel button B1 is also displayed on this translation processing screen, and when this is tapped, the application is terminated, or the voice input standby screen (FIG. 3B) is returned to perform voice input again. Can do.

  Next, when the multilingual translation processing is completed, the processor 21 proceeds to speech synthesis processing (step SJ6). At this time, the processor 21 calls the necessary module L20, database D20, and model M20 (speech synthesis module, Japanese speech corpus, acoustic model, language model, etc.) from the storage resource 23, and translates the Japanese translation result. Convert phrases, clauses, sentences, etc. to natural speech.

  Next, the processor 21 generates a text signal for text display based on the translation result in Japanese (or a corresponding Japanese conversation corpus), and transmits the text signal to the information terminal 10. The processor 11 that has received the text signal converts the Chinese text indicating the content of the input speech that has been voice-recognized and the text of the translation result (translation) in Japanese into the translation result display screen shown in FIG. Display in the same way.

(Conversation by speech translation considering user's emotions)
Next, in the case of conversation between users (speaker and listener) and / or conversation preparation, the user selects an emotion character or emotion symbol for expressing his / her emotion and performs speech translation in consideration of the emotion An example of processing operations and operations will be described below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of (part of) the processing flow in the speech translation apparatus 100. 6A and 6B are plan views showing an example of display screen transition in the information terminal. In the present embodiment, a conversation is assumed when the language of one speaker is Japanese and the language of the other speaker is English (however, the language and situation are not limited to this).

  The processing procedure here is expressed by selecting an emotion character (step SU3) and the selected emotion character between the multilingual translation (step SJ5) and the speech synthesis (step SJ6) shown in FIG. Except for performing multilingual translation in consideration of the user's emotions, that is, multilingual translation based on the contents of the input speech and emotion characters (step SJ50), the processing procedure in “conversation by normal speech translation” shown in FIG. It is the same.

  That is, the user (speaker) activates the application (step SU1), and displays a language selection screen for selecting the user (listener) language (FIG. 3A; step SJ1). A language is selected and a voice input standby screen in Japanese and English is displayed on the display device 16 (similar to FIG. 3B; step SJ2). Then, after the speaker taps the Japanese input button 32a to utter a matter to be transmitted to the listener (step SU2), performs speech input (step SJ3), and performs speech recognition processing of the input speech (Step SJ4) Once, multilingual translation processing is executed (Step SJ5).

  Here, as an example, unlike the phrase shown in FIG. 4 (A), FIG. 6 (A) shows the result of translation into English when the listener speaks the phrase “You are really stupid”. FIG. 6A is a translation result display screen similar to that in FIG. 4A. A Japanese text T18 indicating the content of the input speech that has been voice-recognized, and a text T19 of the translation result (translation) in English are shown. Is displayed. The other various buttons B5, B6, B7, and B8 on this translation result display screen are the same as those displayed on the translation result display screen in FIG.

  At this time, as the Japanese text T18 displayed on the translation result display screen in FIG. 6A, the spoken content “You are really stupid” is displayed, and the translation result text in English In T19, for example, “You are so stubid.” Is displayed as the original phrase. By the way, the speaker may use the expression “you are really stupid” as a way of saying something rude, with the familiarity of the listener. If translated as “You are so stubid.”, The true intention and true intention of the speaker may not be transmitted to the listener, and communication may be hindered by misunderstanding.

  Therefore, in such a case, the speaker taps the display button B8 for displaying the emotion character expressing the user's emotion displayed on the translation result display screen shown in FIG. ) Can be displayed. When the display button B8 is tapped, the processors 11 and 21 display the emotion character keyboard E at the bottom of the emotion character input / output screen, and display pictograms, emoticons, ASCII art, etc. of various genres (here, only the pictograms are displayed). Are presented in a list display that the user (speaker) can select as appropriate. As described above, the processors 11 and 21 function as a “presentation unit”. The user (speaker) can switch the list display by tapping tabs of various genres, and can select and input desired emotion characters. For example, when the speaker selects the face mark E1 having a heart-shaped eye in a sense that the speaker is familiar, the Japanese text T18 that is the recognition content of the input voice is displayed above the emotion character keyboard E (“You are really idiot. And the selected face mark E1 is displayed.

  Here, the storage resource 23 of the server 20 stores (stores) a combination of each of a plurality of predetermined Japanese phrases and emotion characters, and further, for each of the combinations of these phrases and emotion characters, Corresponding English content is associated and stored.

  In the example of the present embodiment, for example, with respect to the phrase “fool / da”, the face mark E1 shown in FIG. 6B and a face mark including a heart-shaped figure of the same type as the face mark E1, For various combinations with laughing face marks, memorize translations such as “cute” and “lovely” that have the opposite meaning of “stupid” which is the original meaning of “stupid” deep. On the other hand, with respect to the phrase “baka-da”, various combinations of frown face, crying facial expression mark, and angry facial expression facial mark E1, as shown in FIG. For example, the original meaning of “stupid” or “silly” is stored.

  Then, when an emotion character is input from the emotion character keyboard E (step SU3), the processor 21 of the server 20 analyzes the input speech and recognizes the phrase (“idiot / da” included in the content of the speech recognized. It is determined whether or not the combination of “)” and the emotional character is stored in the storage resource 23. In the above example, when the speaker selects and inputs the face mark E1 together with the voice input “You are really stupid”, the processor 21 is one of the combinations of phrases included in the voice “Idiot” It is determined that the combination of the face mark E1 is stored in the storage resource 23 in advance. In this case, the processor 21 uses the English phrase, assuming that “cut” or “lovely” stored in association with the combination of “fool / da” and the face mark E1 is a translation intended by the speaker. The contents of the voice input “You are really stupid” are translated as “You are so cut!” As shown in the English text T20 in FIG. 6B (step SJ50).

  Next, when the multilingual translation processing is completed, the processor 21 proceeds to speech synthesis processing (step SJ6), and from the storage resource 23, the necessary module L20, database D20, and model M20 (speech synthesis module, English speech corpus). , Acoustic model, language model, etc.) and translate English phrases, clauses, sentences, etc., which are the translation results, into natural speech.

  Then, the processor 21 generates a text signal for text display based on the translation result in English (or a corresponding English conversation corpus), and transmits the text signal to the processor 11. The processor 11 that has received the text signal, along with the Japanese text T18 and the face mark E1 indicating the content of the input speech that has been voice-recognized on the emotion character input / output screen shown in FIG. (Translation) text T20 is displayed. In this case, the face mark E1 selected by the speaker may be displayed near the English text T20.

  According to the speech translation apparatus 100 configured as described above, the speech translation method using the speech translation device, and the speech translation program, the face mark for expressing the user's emotions together with the speech input by the user (speaker or listener) An emotion character such as E1 is selected, and the recognized speech content is translated into a different language content based on the emotion character selected together with the recognized input speech content and output. That is, by executing the translation process in consideration of the user's emotions, it is possible to convey the speaker's real intention and true intention to the listener, and as a result, it becomes possible to improve communication between the users (speaker and listener). .

  In addition, a combination of a predetermined phrase and an emotion character and the content of a different language for each of the combinations are associated with each other and stored in advance in the storage resource 23, and the input speech includes the predetermined phrase and the emotion character. Is selected, it is determined whether or not the combination is included in the storage resource 23. When the combination is stored, translation is performed using the contents of different languages stored in association with the combination. Therefore, the speed of translation processing can be improved.

  Note that, as described above, each of the above embodiments is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiment. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, those skilled in the art can replace the resources (hardware resources or software resources) described in the embodiments with equivalents, and such replacements are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Further, the following processing may be performed after the combination of a predetermined phrase and emotion character and the contents of different languages corresponding to each combination are stored in the storage resource 23 in association with each other. That is, when a phrase included in the input speech (in the above example, “idiot / da”) is included in the stored predetermined phrase, the predetermined phrase and emotion character (in the above example, the face mark E1). , E2, etc.) may be displayed so that the user can select them, and translation processing may be performed using the contents of different languages stored in association with the combinations selected by the user.

  Moreover, although the example which performs each process, such as speech recognition, translation, speech synthesis, by server 20, was described, you may comprise so that these processes may be performed in the information terminal 10. FIG. In this case, the module L20 used for these processes may be stored in the storage resource 12 of the information terminal 10 or may be stored in the storage resource 23 of the server 20. Furthermore, the database D20 that is a voice database and / or a model M20 such as an acoustic model may be stored in the storage resource 12 of the information terminal 10 or may be stored in the storage resource 23 of the server 20. . As described above, the speech translation apparatus may not include the network N and the server 20.

  Of course, a gateway server for converting a communication protocol between the information terminal 10 and the network N may be interposed. The information terminal 10 is not limited to a portable device, and may be a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, a tablet personal computer, a laptop personal computer, or the like.

  According to the present invention, by executing the translation processing in consideration of the user's emotions, it is possible to convey the speaker's true intention and true intention to the listener, and as a result, the communication between the users (speaker and listener) is improved. Therefore, it can be widely used for activities such as design, manufacture, provision, and sales of programs, devices, systems, and methods in the field of providing services related to conversations between people who cannot understand each other's languages.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information terminal, 11 ... Processor, 12 ... Storage resource, 13 ... Voice input / output device, 14 ... Communication interface, 15 ... Input device, 16 ... Display device, 17 ... Camera, 20 ... Server, 21 ... Processor, 22 ... Communication interface, 23 ... Memory resource, 31 ... Language button, 32a, 32b ... Input button, 33 ... Multiple circular design, 34 ... Circular design, 100 ... Speech translation device, B1 ... Cancel button, B2 ... Registered phrase button, B3 ... Text input button, B4 ... Setting button, B5 ... Text input button, B6 ... Check button, B7 ... Mistranslation notification button, B8 ... Display button, B9 ... Erase button, B10 ... Translation button, D20 ... Database, E ... Emotion character keyboard , E1, E2 ... face mark, K ... keyboard, L20 ... module, M2 ... model, N ... network, P10, P20 ... program, SJ1~SJ7, SJ50, SU1~SU3 ... step, T1~T20 ... text.

Claims (7)

An input unit for inputting the user's voice;
A recognition unit for recognizing the input voice;
A presentation unit for presenting emotion characters or emotion symbols for expressing the emotion of the user so that the user can select the user before, during or after inputting the voice; ,
A translating unit for translating the recognized speech content into different language content based on the recognized speech content and the selected emotion character or emotion symbol;
An output unit for outputting the content translated into the different languages in audio and / or text;
A speech translation apparatus comprising: The output unit displays a button for displaying the emotion character or the emotion symbol on a screen on which the recognition result of the input voice is displayed.
The speech translation apparatus according to claim 1. The output unit displays the selected emotion character or emotion symbol on a screen on which content translated into the different language is displayed.
The speech translation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A storage unit that stores a combination of a predetermined phrase and the emotion character or the emotion symbol and the content of the different language for each of the combinations;
Whether the translation unit stores a combination of a phrase included in the input speech and the emotion character or the emotion symbol in the storage unit when the emotion character or the emotion symbol is input And when the combination is stored, the translation is performed using the contents of the different languages stored in association with the combination.
The speech translation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A storage unit that stores a combination of a predetermined phrase and the emotion character or the emotion symbol and the content of the different language for each of the combinations;
The output unit allows the user to select a list of combinations of the predetermined phrase and the emotion character or the emotion symbol when a phrase included in the input voice is included in the predetermined phrase Display
The translation unit performs the translation using the contents of the different languages stored in association with the selected combination.
The speech translation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Using a speech translation device including an input unit, a recognition unit, a presentation unit, a translation unit, and an output unit,
The input unit inputs a user's voice;
The recognition unit recognizing the input voice;
The presenting unit is configured so that the user can select emotion characters or emotion symbols for expressing the user's emotions before, during or after the user inputs the voice. Presenting steps;
The translating unit translating the recognized speech content into different language content based on the recognized speech content and the selected emotion character or emotion symbol;
The output unit outputting the content translated into the different languages in voice and / or text;
Speech translation method including Computer
An input unit for inputting the user's voice;
A recognition unit for recognizing the input voice;
A presentation unit for presenting emotion characters or emotion symbols for expressing the emotion of the user so that the user can select the user before, during or after inputting the voice; ,
A translating unit for translating the recognized speech content into different language content based on the recognized speech content and the selected emotion character or emotion symbol;
An output unit for outputting the content translated into the different languages in audio and / or text;
A speech translation program that makes it work.