JP4253762B2 - Subtitle creation management server and distributed caption program production system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a subtitle creation management server and a distributed subtitle program production system configured to share subtitle creation work in consideration of the work ability of a worker who creates subtitles.
[0002]
[Summary of Invention]
The present invention relates to an efficient subtitle creation management server and distributed subtitle program production system by distributing and collaborating subtitle production work, and a subtitle creation management server and client side which are host side systems for producing subtitle programs. The system is linked with the network, and each client shares subtitle data production including telecommuting, and the host side system processes the material TV program, sets the division work, organizes and previews the subtitle data produced by the client, etc. The system configuration is adopted.
[0003]
In particular, it is possible to produce the most efficient subtitles by setting appropriate assignments according to the characteristics of each client (workers' capabilities, equipment performance, network conditions, etc.). To do. By realizing an optimal distributed work environment with multiple work, subtitles can be shortened and the number of subtitle production workers including telecommuting can be expanded. A production management server and a distributed caption program production system are provided.
[0004]
[Prior art]
When a receiver uses a TV broadcast program with subtitles, it is important that the subtitles are easy to read and understand. For this reason, in the production of subtitle manuscripts in the production of subtitle programs, skilled manpower is used to produce subtitles that are easier to read and understand, taking much effort and time.
[0005]
The most popular subtitle program production format is a program tape that superimposes the time code into video and, if necessary, a program script as a material. A summary of the speech, 2) subtitle display image (according to the procedure for preparing subtitle manuscripts specified separately), and 3) the start / end time code are entered, and a subtitle manuscript is created. Based on this subtitle manuscript, the operator creates a text for electronic subtitles, and previews and corrects the final subtitles in the presence of the responsible subtitle production manager, manuscript creator, and electronic operator.
[0006]
The most time required for this work is to listen to the program speech of 1) and write and create a subtitle manuscript, which is mostly based on human intelligence and manual work.
[0007]
In a specific example of a program speech transcribe operation, a program tape is played and listened to by voice, and the tape is reproduced and listened from the speech start point in the voice, and written by a word processor or writing. Actually, in order to confirm the writing speed and contents of the writing operator, the writing operation is performed by repeating the cueing / playing operation of the recording tape for a single speech segment.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-118819 A
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the subtitle broadcasting that is expanding the application program field and the number of programs in the future, this type of subtitle program production system that requires a lot of labor and time is a big bottleneck in the production of subtitle programs. The improvement is urgent.
[0010]
In other words, transcription work is a burdensome task for human intelligence, such as complicated tape operations such as repeated cueing and replaying of tapes, listening confirmation of speech, and transcription. Appropriate support functions that can reduce the risk are necessary, and their development is desired.
[0011]
Therefore, conventionally, a “caption creation method and caption creation system” disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-118819 is known. In this conventional example, video and audio of a program are captured as continuous program data and stored in a database, and the continuous program data is supplied to a plurality of workers as caption creators via the Internet. The operator creates subtitle data while looking at the received series of program data and sends it to the program data supply destination. The supply destination that receives this subtitle data integrates the subtitle data received from multiple workers into the database. And memorize it.
[0012]
Thus, by transmitting one program data to a plurality of workers and subtitle data created by a plurality of people is integrated and stored in a database, the subtitle creation work is performed by a plurality of people such as home workers. It is possible to reduce the work effort per person and reduce the time required to create captions.
[0013]
However, in the above-described conventional example, the program data is distributed to a plurality of workers so that caption data is created, but there is a lack of concreteness about how the tasks are shared by a plurality of workers. Met. In addition, no consideration is given to the skills of operators such as those who are familiar with subtitle data input work and those who are unfamiliar, such as the work ability of the workers, the performance of the equipment used, or the network environment. Therefore, it has been desired to develop a distributed caption program production system that enables efficient caption program work.
[0014]
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention enables efficient subtitle creation by distributing and collaborating subtitle creation work while considering the work ability of the operator, for example, providing subtitles in a short time such as within the actual time of the target program The purpose is to provide a subtitle creation management server and a distributed subtitle program production system.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 specifies the worker with information on the work ability of the worker who creates the caption, the performance of the caption production equipment possessed by the worker, and the network status of the worker. a worker database stored for each operator as data, the data for specifying the operator stored in the operator database, real-time and program material to be subtitling target, the creation completion time of the caption data Calculation means for determining the work time and the number of workers per worker who creates subtitle text, and the material for dividing the program material based on the determined work time and the number of workers The dividing means and the divided program material are supplied to each worker, while the subtitle data completed based on the supplied program material is received and integrated subtitle data is created. It is characterized by comprising an editing unit.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the subtitle creation management server according to the first aspect, the operation time and the like calculating means calculates the total time required to create the subtitle text by writing the program audio. Based on the current knowledge that the calculation time of automatic synchronization and other total processing time required to give timing to the generated caption text is four times the program time, these operations are required for the program time. In order to complete the process, the work time per worker is obtained.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the closed caption creation management server according to the first or second aspect is connected to the closed caption creation management server via a network, and the divided program material is supplied via the network. And a worker terminal for creating subtitle text for the program material and adding timing to the created subtitle text and transmitting the completed subtitle data to the subtitle creation management server. It is characterized by.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, it is possible to efficiently create captions by distributing and coordinating caption creation work while considering the skills such as the work ability of the operator, and it is possible to assign captions within the actual time of the target program.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Technical background of the invention>
Prior to describing the embodiments, the technical background of the present invention will be described.
[0021]
As described in the section of the prior art, in the present invention, the host for caption program production and each client are linked through a network, each client shares the production of caption program material data, and the host processes the material television program. It is a system that performs setting of shared work according to the ability and working environment of the worker, organization and preview of subtitle data produced by each client.
[0022]
For this reason, the main concept of the system can be considered as follows.
[0023]
(1) Speed up writing by distributing it to multiple workers.
[0024]
(2) Use multiple computers to speed up automatic processing.
[0025]
(3) Enables writing work by telecommuters using networks such as the Internet.
[0026]
(4) Enables smooth sharing of video, audio and project information through network interconnection.
[0027]
(5) Provide a project management application that optimizes distributed work.
[0028]
As a result, the following effects can be expected. That is, subtitle production time can be greatly shortened, and for example, subtitles can be given within the actual time of the target program by dividing / sharing. In addition, it is possible to expand the subtitle production worker layer through the division of work contents and the assignment and execution of divided work according to work ability (skill). As a result, the cost reduction effect of caption production can be expected.
[0029]
"System configuration"
Here, the goal is to set a subtitle within a real time of the target program by distributed work by a plurality of workers. The system configuration that realizes this is based on the following recognition of the current situation.
[0030]
(1) The total time required for writing program audio is assumed to be four times the program time.
[0031]
(2) Assume that the calculation time of automatic synchronization and other total processing time are four times the program time.
[0032]
As described above, assuming the writing time and automatic synchronization processing time based on the current situation, in order to complete these work within the program time, 1/8 time, that is, distributed work divided into 8 is necessary. It becomes. For this purpose, eight writing / editing terminals (client machines) are required.
[0033]
On the other hand, since previewing / correcting a subtitle program usually takes 1.5 to 2 times the actual program time, the subtitle preview / correction terminal must be able to handle the full operation of eight types of transcription / editing terminals. Two sets are required.
[0034]
Further, it is configured to include at least one host server for network configuration, sharing of program video, audio, project information, project management optimized for distributed work, system overall control, and the like. The network is transmitted by a LAN such as the Internet or an intranet.
[0035]
<Description of Embodiment>
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a distributed subtitle program production system according to the present invention.
[0036]
As shown in the figure, this distributed subtitle program production system includes a project management terminal 10, a writing / editing terminal 40 connected to the project management terminal 10 via the Internet 20 or LAN 30, a project management terminal 10, It is composed of two connected subtitle preview / correction terminals 50A and 50B.
[0037]
The project management terminal 10 includes a plurality of VTRs 12 that reproduce the program tape 11, and a material encoding machine 13 that edits data for writing each TV program data reproduced by each VTR 12 to the writing / editing terminal 20. And a project management server 14 which is a subtitle creation management server.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 2, the project management server 14 includes a worker database 15 in which feature data relating to a writing worker is accumulated, an edit management unit 16, and a transmission / reception unit 17.
[0039]
The worker database 15 stores in advance data specifying the worker, such as the name, address (region), workable time zone, work capability, equipment performance, network environment, and the like of the worker engaged in the creation of captions. Here, in the “working ability” item, the ability of the operator to write captions is ranked and stored. In the item “equipment performance”, the performance of equipment such as a personal computer used by the worker is ranked and stored. In addition, the “network environment” item stores data such as whether the operator's network environment, for example, an environment in which a dedicated LAN can be used, an environment in which the Internet is used, or an environment in which high-speed optical cables can be used in the Internet. Has been.
[0040]
The editing management unit 16 obtains the working time and the number of workers for each worker who creates caption text based on the actual time of the program material to be captioned and the creation completion time of the caption data. Equal operation means, material dividing means for dividing the program material based on the obtained work time and the number of workers, and supplying the divided program material to each worker, while based on the supplied program material Editing means for receiving completed subtitle data and creating integrated subtitle data. The worker database 15 is referred to, the optimum worker corresponding to the skill is selected, and the working time of each worker is obtained.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the writing / editing terminal 40 includes eight client machines 41A to 41H. Each of the client machines 41A to 41H is connected to the project management server 14 via the Internet 20 or the LAN 30, and the divided program material is supplied via the Internet 20 or the LAN 30, and the subtitle text is supplied to the program data. Timing is assigned to the created subtitle text and the completed subtitle data is transmitted to the project management server 14.
[0042]
The caption preview / correction terminals 50A and 50B include caption preview / correction terminal apparatuses 51A and 51B with client machine caption signal superimposing devices, character broadcast tuners 52A and 52B, and monitor apparatuses 53A and 53B, respectively.
[0043]
FIG. 3A shows a processing procedure in the project management server 14, and FIG. 3B shows a processing procedure in each writing / editing terminal 40.
[0044]
When the editing management unit 16 of the project management server 14 receives the request for the production of the caption program, the editing management section 16 per person who creates the caption data based on the actual time of the target program material and the creation completion time of the caption data. The work time and the number of workers are obtained, and the program material is divided based on the obtained work time and the number of workers. At that time, when considering the skill of the worker, the worker is selected with reference to the worker database (step S1). The divided program material is supplied to the writing / editing terminal 40 of each worker via the transmission / reception unit 17, the Internet 20, or the LAN 30 (step S2). When the distribution of the program material to each worker is completed, the project management server 16 monitors whether or not the completed caption material data is transmitted from each writing / editing terminal 40, and the caption data is received. Then (step S3), it transmits to the caption preview / correction terminals 50A and 50B (step S4).
[0045]
On the other hand, when the program data is distributed from the project management server 14 (step S11), each worker starts writing by using his / her client machine (step S12). When the writing work is finished and the subtitle text is created, the synchronous editing work for adding timing to the subtitle text is started (steps S13 and S14). Thus, when timing is given to the subtitle text and the subtitle data is created (step S15), it is transmitted from each client machine to the project management server 14 via the Internet 20 or the LAN 30 (step S16).
[0046]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be specifically described.
[0047]
In the first embodiment, it is aimed to create caption data within “real time” of a target program by “distributed work by a plurality of workers” for “a program requiring urgent action”. However, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the worker's work ability and work environment are the same. The system configuration in this case is shown in FIG.
[0048]
As an example, in order to complete subtitle program data by writing program audio within the actual program time, executing automatic synchronization calculation, and other processes within the actual program time, as described above, 1/8 of the time, that is, the distributed work divided into eight is required. For this reason, the target program is divided into 8 sections of 7.5 minutes each. The writing of each divided program is completed in 30 minutes, four times the divided program. The automatic synchronization calculation of the transcription text of each divided program is completed in 30 minutes, which is four times the divided program time.
[0049]
Then, the subtitle program data that can be previewed in almost the real time of the program is completed by sequentially editing and synthesizing each transcription text that has been automatically line-breaked / paged and given timing.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 6, since previewing / correcting a subtitle program usually takes 1.5 to 2 times the actual program time, subtitles are assumed assuming that the writing / editing terminal is fully operational. A minimum of two preview / modification terminals are required.
[0051]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, how to proceed with the sharing work will be described. In the example of FIG. 4, it is assumed that three types of one-hour programs (programs A, B, and C) are shared by eight workers in parallel. In this case, the skills of the respective workers are the same, and each worker shares the one-hour program by 7.5 minutes. That is, the eight client machines 41A to 41H, which are terminals, each execute a program writing operation for 7.5 minutes. In the figure, the solid line indicates the program time, the thin broken line indicates the writing work time, the thick broken line indicates the work time for synchronous calculation, etc., and the one-dot chain line wave preview / correction time. As shown in the figure, the time required for writing is 30 minutes, and after the writing is finished, automatic synchronization calculation is performed to give each divided program a timing of 30 minutes (7.5 × 4). Etc. are executed.
[0052]
When the subtitle data of each divided program is created in one hour, which is the actual time of program A, the preview / correction operation by subtitle preview / correction terminal 50A is then performed on the subtitle data of program B. In parallel with this work, a writing work for the divided program of program B is executed. When the subtitle data of each divided program is created in one hour which is the actual time of the program B, the subtitle preview / correction terminal 50B performs a preview / correction operation on the subtitle data of the program B. In this way, the writing work up to the program C to the preview / correction work can be completed almost at the actual program time + the preview / correction time of the program C.
[0053]
<< Embodiment 2 >>
In the first embodiment, the work is divided equally and the subtitle data is created for “especially urgent programs” without considering the difference in the skill of the worker. Considering the case where there is a difference in skills, the program time to be shared is made to have a difference.
[0054]
For this reason, the work capability data, the equipment performance data, and the network environment data for each worker stored in the worker database 15 are taken into consideration, and the optimum allocation in the current situation is performed.
[0055]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the caption data production work time in which the program time to be shared in consideration of only the writing worker's writing skills is taken into consideration.
[0056]
The terminals 41A to 41F of the writing operators are assumed to be persons with standard writing skills, the terminal 41G is assumed to be a person with high writing skills, and the terminal 41H is assumed to be a person with writing skills and low skills. As shown in the figure, the operator of the terminal 41G shares the writing operation of the longest program, and the operator of the terminal 41H divides the writing operation of the shortest program, so that the synchronization calculation etc. The time when the caption data is completed and the caption data is completed is set to be almost the same time at each terminal.
[0057]
When the writing work is completed as described above and subtitle text is created, and timing is given to the subtitle text and the subtitle data is completed, the terminals 41A to 41H pass through the project management server 14. Then, it is transferred to the subtitle preview / correction terminal 50A to execute preview / correction work.
[0058]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the sharing amount is adjusted according to the skill of the worker, more efficient work sharing can be performed.
[0059]
<< Embodiment 3 >>
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is aimed at completing subtitle data within “four times the actual time of the target program” for a “program requiring urgent” by distributed work by a plurality of workers.
[0060]
In other words, in order to write within four times the actual program time and complete each timing assignment operation, it is necessary to perform a ½ time, that is, distributed operation in which the program is divided into two. For this reason, the transcription / editing terminal corresponds to one program in two sets. Each transcription / editing terminal 40A, 40B is configured to include four client machines 41A-41D, 41E-41H. The transcription / editing terminals 40A and 40B correspond one-to-one to the caption preview / correction terminals 50A and 50B.
[0061]
In the third embodiment, first, the target program is divided into two portions of 30 minutes, and is supplied to the writing / correcting terminals 41A and 41B. The writing of each divided program is completed in 120 minutes, which is four times the divided program time. Calculation of automatic synchronization of each divided program that has been written is completed in about 120 minutes, which is four times the divided program time. Subtitle data that can be previewed in approximately four times the actual program time can be completed by sequentially synthesizing each transcription text data with automatic line feed / page break and timing. In the third embodiment, four programs can be simultaneously handled.
[0062]
<< Embodiment 4 >>
FIG. 8 shows Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is an example in which a “normal program” is written / edited, and the writing / editing terminal corresponds to one set each. As described above, 4 times the program time is required for each of the operations such as synchronous calculation for writing and timing, and subtitles are added at 8 times the actual time of the target program. . According to this system, although the work time for one program becomes longer, it is possible to simultaneously work on eight programs.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently create subtitles by distributing and collaborating subtitle creation work while considering the work ability of the operator, and it is possible to provide subtitles within the real time of the target program It becomes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a distributed caption program production system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a project management server which is a subtitle creation management server according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the distributed caption program production system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of processing in a case where workers are assigned work equally.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of processing when work sharing is performed according to the skill of an operator.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a distributed caption program production system according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of a distributed caption program production system according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of a distributed caption program production system according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Project management terminal 11 Program tape 12 VTR
13 Material Encoding Machine 14 Project Management Server 15 Worker Database 16 Editing Management Unit 17 Transmission / Reception Unit 20 Internet 30 LAN
40, 40A, 40B Transcription / editing terminals 41A-41H Client machines 50A, 50B Subtitle preview / correction terminals 51A, 51B Subtitle preview / correction terminal devices 52A, 52B with client machine caption signal superimposing device Character broadcast tuners 53A, 53B Monitor

Claims (3)

A worker database that stores information on the work ability of the worker who creates captions, the performance of the equipment for creating captions owned by the worker, and the network status of the worker for each worker as data for identifying the worker;
And data identifying the operator stored in the operator database, real-time and program material to be subtitling target, on the basis of the creation completion time of the caption data, the operator per person creating the subtitle text Working time and other means for obtaining the working time and the number of workers,
Material dividing means for dividing the program material based on the obtained work time and the number of workers;
Editing means for supplying the divided program material to each worker, receiving subtitle data completed based on the supplied program material, and creating integrated subtitle data;
A subtitle creation management server characterized by comprising: In the subtitle creation management server according to claim 1,
The operation time calculation means requires four times as long as the program time to write the program audio and create the subtitle text, and automatically synchronizes the generated subtitle text with timing. Based on the current knowledge that the calculation time and other total processing time are required to be four times the program time, the work time per worker is obtained in order to complete these work within the program time.
A management server for creating captions. A management server for creating captions according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The subtitle creation management server is connected via a network, and the divided program material is supplied via the network, and the subtitle text is created for the program material, and the generated subtitle text is timed. And a terminal for a worker that transmits the completed caption data to the caption creation management server,
Distributed subtitle program production system characterized by having

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