JP6758907B2 - Translation providing equipment and programs - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a translation providing device, a user terminal device, and a program.

The travel support device according to the prior art has provided a means for a traveler to specify a language to be translated into travel information and machine-translate the travel information. However, travel information also includes information based on specialized knowledge about history and culture, and machine translation may not be sufficient in translation quality.
In the prior art, information on how to read Chinese characters in the note data included in the map was stored, and an attempt was made to accurately translate proper nouns and the like. However, this technique may not improve the quality of translation except for how to read Kanji.
In the prior art, there has been a system in which an image taken by a camera function of a mobile terminal is transmitted to the center side, and information related to characters included in the image is returned from the center side to the mobile terminal. However, with this technique, only the information registered in the dictionary or the like in advance is transmitted to the mobile terminal, and there is a possibility that it is not possible to sufficiently deal with unknown information.
Further, in the prior art, there has been a system for translating an image in real time using a mobile information terminal. However, the system targets information in languages of at most a few words, and there is a possibility that long sentences cannot be translated with high quality.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-006293 JP-A-2010-123139 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-061830 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-243177 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/090253

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a translation providing device, a user terminal device, and a program capable of providing a high-quality translation of a sentence (explanatory sentence) described on an explanation board or the like. Is.

The translation text providing device of the embodiment includes an explanation board information storage unit, a translation text storage unit, a machine translation processing unit, and a translation request processing unit. The explanation board information storage unit stores the position information of the explanation board and the image of the explanation board for each explanation board on which the explanation is written. The translation sentence storage unit stores the translation sentence in the language of the explanation sentence written on the explanation board for each explanation board and for each language. The machine translation processing unit performs machine translation processing of sentences. The translation request processing unit receives a translation request message including position information and an image and information representing a desired language from the user terminal device, and receives the position information, the received image, and the explanation board information. The explanation board is specified based on the position information and the image stored in the storage unit, and the translated sentence in the desired language of the specified explanation board is referred to by referring to the translation sentence storage unit. Is performed to determine whether or not the translated sentence storage unit stores the above, and the translated sentence storage unit stores the translated sentence in the desired language of the specified explanation board as a result of the discrimination process. If so, the translated text is returned to the user terminal device, and the translated text storage unit does not store the translated text in the desired language of the specified explanation board as a result of the discrimination process. Returns the translated text obtained as a result of the machine translation processing unit machine-translating the specified explanatory text of the explanatory board into the desired language to the user terminal device.

The block diagram which shows the schematic functional structure of the translation text providing server apparatus of embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the image (photograph) of the explanation board which the translation text providing server apparatus of embodiment receives from a user terminal apparatus. The image is a perspective view of the explanation board. Schematic diagram showing the data structure of the explanation board information storage unit held by the translation text providing server device of the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the translation sentence storage part held by the translation sentence providing server apparatus of embodiment. A flowchart showing a procedure of a process in which the translation text providing server device of the embodiment provides a translated text. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process for the translation recommendation server apparatus of embodiment generate and output the translation recommendation message. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process for the translation sentence providing server apparatus of embodiment to acquire the translation sentence by a translator. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the service image which applied the technique of embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the service image which applied the technique of embodiment.

Hereinafter, the translation providing device, the user terminal device, and the program of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

The present embodiment is a translation text providing server device for providing a translation text of the explanatory text described on an explanatory board or the like. Facilities such as historic sites, tourist spots, and parks are often provided with explanation boards that describe the facilities. There are many such explanation boards nationwide, which can be a factor in increasing the number of fans and repeaters in the area. However, in many cases, the explanation board only contains explanations in the local language (for example, Japanese). The translation of the explanation may be written together on the explanation board, but it is limited to the translation in the main language (for example, English or Chinese). By implementing this embodiment, it can be expected that visitors who do not understand those languages will deepen their understanding of the facilities and areas.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a translated text providing server device (translated text providing device) according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the translation request processing unit 11, the image recognition processing unit 21, the character recognition processing unit 22, the machine translation processing unit 23, the database 30, the facility manager interface unit, and the translation request processing unit 1 41 and a translator interface unit 42 are included. Further, the translated text providing server device 1 is configured to be able to communicate with an external device via a communication line such as the Internet. Specifically, the translation text providing server device 1 can communicate with each of the user terminal device 61, the facility manager terminal device 62, and the translator terminal device 63. The translation request processing unit 11 communicates with the user terminal device 61 via the Internet. The facility manager interface unit 41 communicates with the facility manager terminal device 62 via the Internet. The translator interface unit 42 communicates with the translator terminal device 63 via the Internet.
The translated text providing server device 1, the user terminal device 61, the facility manager terminal device 62, and the translator terminal device 63 are realized as an information processing device using an electronic circuit. The translation providing server device 1 may be realized by using a computer server device and a program running on the computer.
A plurality of user terminal devices 61, facility manager terminal devices 62, and translator terminal devices 63 may exist, but only one is shown in the figure.

Hereinafter, the functions of each part of the translated text providing server device 1 will be described.
The translation request processing unit 11 performs processing corresponding to the request for the translated text from the user terminal device 61. Specifically, the translation request processing unit 11 receives a translation request message including position information, an image, and information representing a desired translation language from the user terminal device 61. Further, the translation request processing unit 11 identifies the explanation board based on the received position information and the received image, and the position information and the image stored in the explanation board information storage unit 31. Further, the translation request processing unit 11 determines whether or not the translated sentence storage unit 32 stores the translated sentence in the desired language of the specified explanation board by referring to the translated sentence storage unit 32. Perform processing. Further, in the translation request processing unit 11, when the translation sentence storage unit 32 stores the translation sentence in the desired language of the explanation board specified as a result of the determination process, the translation sentence storage unit 32 stores the translation sentence storage unit 32. The translated text is returned to the user terminal device 61. Further, when the translation request processing unit 11 does not store the translated sentence in the desired language of the specified explanation board as a result of the determination process, the machine translation processing unit 23 is specified. The translated text obtained as a result of machine-translating the explanatory text of the explanatory board into the desired language is returned to the user terminal device 61.
Further, the translation request processing unit 11 returns information indicating whether or not the translation is a translated sentence obtained as a result of the machine translation processing to the user terminal device 61 according to the result of the above discrimination processing.

The image recognition processing unit 21 has a function of recognizing an image and extracting an explanation board or the like in the image. In addition, the image recognition processing unit 21 performs a process of extracting the feature amount of the image.
The character recognition processing unit 22 performs character recognition processing based on a request from the translation request processing unit 11 and the like. Specifically, the character recognition processing unit 22 receives image data including a character string, and cuts out an area in which characters are described from the image. Then, the character recognition processing unit 22 performs character recognition processing on each character included in the cut out area, and returns the data of the character string obtained as a result to the function unit of the request source. The character recognition process itself can be performed using existing technology. The character recognition processing unit 22 performs recognition processing by preserving the characteristics of each character as an image and comparing the characteristics with the characteristics extracted from the characters to be recognized.

The machine translation processing unit 23 performs machine translation processing of sentences. The machine translation process itself of sentences in natural language is performed by using existing technology. The machine translation processing unit 23 internally stores dictionary information in each language and information on a translation model for machine translation processing.

The database 30 holds information about the explanation board and data of translated sentences of sentences described on the explanation board. The database 30 includes an explanation board information storage unit 31 and a translated sentence storage unit 32. The information held by each of the explanation board information storage unit 31 and the translated text storage unit 32 will be described later with reference to the drawings. The database 30 can be accessed from each functional unit in the translated text providing server device 1 to read or write data.

The explanation board information storage unit 31 stores the position information of the explanation board and the image of the explanation board for each explanation board on which the explanation is written.
The translated sentence storage unit 32 stores the translated sentence in the language of the explanatory sentence written on the explanatory board for each explanation board and for each language. Further, the translated sentence storage unit 32 stores the access history, which is the history information in which the translation request processing unit 11 returns the translated sentence to the user terminal device 61 for each explanation board and for each language.
The details of the explanation board information storage unit 31 and the translated text storage unit 32 will be further described later with reference to the drawings.

The facility manager interface unit 41 has a function of an interface to the facility manager terminal device 62. As one of the processes, the facility manager interface unit 41 translates the combination of the explanation board and the language into the facility manager who manages the explanation board when the translated sentence storage unit 32 does not memorize the translated sentence. A recommendation message is generated, and the generated translation recommendation message is transmitted to the facility manager terminal device 62. The facility manager interface unit 41 holds the location information of the explanation board, the geographical range of the facility, and the correspondence information of the facility manager. In addition, the facility manager interface unit 41 has a function of obtaining approval of the translated text created by the translator from the facility manager.
When generating the above translation recommendation message, the facility manager interface unit 41 selects a combination of the explanation board and the language based on the access history stored in the translated sentence storage unit 32. Specifically, the facility manager interface unit 41 gives higher priority to the combination of the explanation board and the language in which the translation request message sent from the user terminal device 61 has a high frequency (that is, the translation has been sent frequently). To select. That is, the facility manager interface unit 41 gives priority to the combination of the explanation board and the language that are frequently accessed, and generates and transmits the translation recommendation message.

The translator interface unit 42 has a function of an interface to the translator terminal device 63 for the translator and the translation approver. Specifically, the translator interface unit 42 transmits a translation request message to the translator terminal device 63 for the translator. In addition, the translator interface unit 42 receives the created translated text from the translator terminal device 63. In addition, the translator interface unit 42 transmits a message requesting approval of the translated text to the translator terminal device 63 of the translation approver. In addition, the translator interface unit 42 receives a message of approval of the translated text from the translator terminal device 63 of the translation approver. The translator interface unit 42 holds information on translators suitable for the region or field by region of the explanation board and by fields such as history and geography.

The user terminal device 61 is a terminal device used by a user who uses information on an explanation board at a tourist spot or the like. The user terminal device 61 has a camera function for taking a digital photograph.
Further, the facility manager terminal device 62 is a terminal device used by a management worker such as an organization that manages an explanation board.
Further, the translator terminal device 63 is a terminal device used by a translator who undertakes translation of a sentence written in natural language. A translator terminal device 63 for a translator who actually performs translation work and a translator terminal device 63 for a translation approver who is responsible for approving the translation result by the translation worker are separately provided. You may.

The user terminal device 61, the facility manager terminal device 62, and the translator terminal device 63 are all realized by using technology such as a computer. Each of the user terminal device 61, the facility manager terminal device 62, and the translator terminal device 63 is an information device such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, a smartphone (smartphone), or a wearable terminal. The user terminal device 61, the facility manager terminal device 62, and the translator terminal device 63 have a processing device (CPU or the like) for processing data, input / output means such as a display, a touch panel, and a keyboard, and an external device, respectively. It is equipped with a communication means for communicating.

The user terminal device 61 cooperates with the translation text providing server device 1 to acquire the translated text of the explanation board and display it on the screen. Then, for example, the function for the processing is installed in the user terminal device 61 as an application (application program) in advance.
More specifically, the user terminal device 61 transmits a translation request message including the position information of the explanation board, the image of the explanation board, and the information representing the desired language to the translation provision server device 1. Then, the user terminal device 61 obtains a translated sentence in a desired language and information indicating whether or not the translated sentence is a translated sentence obtained as a result of the machine translation process from the translated sentence providing server device 1. Receive. Then, the user terminal device 61 displays the received translated text on the screen, and also displays on the screen information indicating whether or not the translated text is a translated text obtained as a result of the machine translation process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of an image of an explanation board received from the user terminal device by the translated text providing server device according to the present embodiment. The image shown in the figure is an explanation board explaining the tree sea set up in a national park in Japan. In many cases, such explanation boards are installed by government agencies (including prefectures and municipalities that are local governments) and their outer organizations (tourist associations for each municipality, etc.). An image taken by a tourist or the like who visited the place of the explanation board using the camera function of the user terminal device 61 is an image shown in the figure.

The user terminal device 61 translates the captured image of the explanation board (image including the character string of the explanation) and the desired language type (for example, English, Chinese, Spanish, etc.) into the translation providing server device 1. Can be sent to. When the user terminal device 61 has a GPS function, the user terminal device 61 may also transmit its own position information acquired by GPS to the translated text providing server device 1. "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. The position information that can be acquired by GPS is latitude and longitude information having an accuracy of about several meters. Then, the translation text providing server device 1 transmits the translation text in the designated language to the user terminal device 61 of the request source.
In the illustrated example, the explanation board has an explanation in Japanese, but the explanation may be written in another language.

Next, the structure of the main data held by the database 30 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the data structure of the explanation board information storage unit held by the database in the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the explanation board information storage unit 31 is tabular data. The explanation board information storage unit 31 is realized as, for example, one table of a relational database or an object-oriented database. The table of the explanation board information storage unit 31 has explanation board IDs, positions, title characters, image features, and columns of images (also referred to as "columns" or "items"). Each row in this table corresponds to one explanatory board. The primary key of this table is the explanation board ID. Hereinafter, each data item will be described.

The explanation board ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the explanation board. "ID" is an abbreviation for "identifier" or "identification". The explanation board ID is assigned to each explanation board based on the rules set by the operation manager of this system. Alternatively, the explanation board ID may be automatically assigned by this system.
The position is information indicating the position where the explanation board exists. The position information held in this item is represented by, for example, latitude and longitude, and is information having an accuracy enough to identify the explanation board. The location information is given, for example, by the facility manager terminal device 62. Alternatively, the position information is estimated based on the position information transmitted from the plurality of user terminal devices 61.
The title character is character information that can be a heading of an explanation board. In the case of the explanation board illustrated in FIG. 2, the title character is "○○○ Jukai". The information of the title character is given from, for example, the facility manager terminal device 62. Alternatively, the title character information can be obtained by performing character recognition processing based on the image sent from the user terminal device 61.

The image feature is information representing the feature of the image on the explanation board. As the image features, various feature quantities based on the existing technology can be used. For example, the LBP feature amount can be used as the image feature amount, but other feature amounts may be used. In addition, "LBP" is an abbreviation for Local Binary Pattern. The image feature amount is calculated based on the image in which the explanation board is shown. Further, when the image is updated or added, the image feature amount may be recalculated and this data item may be stored again as data. The image feature amount may be stored for each image, or the image feature amount common to a plurality of images may be stored.

The image is image data of a photograph showing an explanation board. It is also possible to hold a plurality of images for one explanation board. The explanation board information storage unit 31 holds a single or a plurality of images transmitted from the user terminal device 61.

In the present embodiment, the explanation board information storage unit 31 stores the image feature data, but the explanation board information storage unit 31 may not hold the image feature. Even in that case, the image feature can be calculated each time the image feature is required, based on the image stored in the explanation board information storage unit 31.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the data structure of the translated sentence storage unit held by the database in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the translated sentence storage unit 32 is tabular data. The translated sentence storage unit 32 is realized as, for example, one table of a relational database or an object-oriented database. The table of the translated sentence storage unit 32 has each column (also referred to as "column" or "item") of the explanation board ID, the language ID, the status, the translated sentence, and the access history. The primary key of this table is a composite key of the explanation board ID and the language ID. Hereinafter, each data item will be described.

The explanation board ID is information for uniquely identifying the explanation board. Using this explanation board ID as a key, the explanation board information storage unit 31 and the translated sentence storage unit 32 are associated with each other.
The language ID is information for identifying the language type. For example, the English language ID is "EN", the Chinese language ID is "CN", and the Spanish language ID is "ES". However, other language ID body types may be used.
The status is information indicating whether or not a translated sentence is stored in the translated sentence storage unit 32 for the combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID. When the status is "with translated text", the translated text storage unit 32 holds the explanation board ID and the translated text of the language ID. When the status is "no translation", the translation storage unit 32 does not hold the explanation board ID and the translation of the language ID. Even in the case of "no translation", there may be a record for holding the access history.
The translated text retains the translated text created by the translator (person) for the combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID.
The access history holds information representing the history of translation request requests from the user terminal device 61 for the combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID. For example, in this access history column, all information on the date and time when the translation text request from the user terminal device 61 was made is stored. Alternatively, in this access history column, information on the frequency with which the translated text is requested is stored at predetermined intervals. Here, the frequency information is a value obtained by counting the number of translation request requests from the user terminal device 61 for each predetermined period such as daily, weekly, or monthly.

In the present embodiment, only the translated text created by the translator is stored in the translated text column, but the translated text which is the machine translation result may be stored. In that case, the information in the status column distinguishes whether the translation by the translator is stored or the translation by machine translation is stored.

Next, the processing procedure in the translation providing server device will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the process of providing the translated text by the translated text providing server device according to the present embodiment.
As a premise that the translation text providing server device 1 performs the processing of this flowchart, the user terminal device 61 transmits a translation text request message for requesting the translation text to the translation text providing server device 1. At this time, at least one of the image data of the explanation board and the position information acquired by the user terminal device 61 using the GPS function is attached to the translated text request message. In addition, both the image data and the position information may be attached. In addition, the translation request message is accompanied by information that identifies the language type to be requested. In the user terminal device 61, the language type can be selected by the operation of the user. Alternatively, the information of the language type desired by the user may be set in advance in the memory in the user terminal device 61. Here, the language type means different languages such as English, Chinese, French, and Spanish. The translation text providing server device 1 is waiting for a translation text request message from the user terminal device 61.

Hereinafter, the description will be given according to this flowchart.
In step S1, the translation request processing unit 11 receives the translation request message transmitted from the user terminal device 61. Then, the translation request processing unit 11 acquires information for specifying the explanation board from the translation request message. The information for specifying the explanation board is an image of the explanation board and the position information of the user terminal device 61 that is the request source. Further, the translation request processing unit 11 acquires a language ID representing the language type of the requested translation from the translation request message.

Next, in step S2, the translation request processing unit 11 searches the explanation board information storage unit 31 and identifies the explanation board ID of the explanation board requested from the user terminal device 61 side. When performing this search, the translation request processing unit 11 uses the position information, the image feature, and the title character string as the search key. The translation request processing unit 11 may use only a part of the position information, the image feature, and the title character string as a search key, or may use a search key in which all of them are combined.
The position information used as the search key is the position information of the user terminal device 61. The search condition is satisfied when the distance between the position of the user terminal device 61 and the position of the explanation board stored in the explanation board information storage unit 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
The image feature used as the search key is an image feature calculated by the image recognition processing unit 21 with respect to the image received by the translation request processing unit 11 from the user terminal device 61 side. The search conditions are matched when the degree of similarity between the image features calculated by the image recognition processing unit 21 and the image features stored in the explanation board information storage unit 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.
The title character string used as the search key is obtained as a result of the character recognition processing unit 22 performing character recognition processing on the image received by the translation request processing unit 11 from the user terminal device 61 side. The character recognition processing unit 22 performs character recognition processing on the area most likely to be the title character string in the given image.
When a plurality of explanation boards are extracted as candidates in the search in this step, the explanation board with the highest likelihood is selected based on the position information and the image feature.

Next, in step S3, the translation request processing unit 11 determines whether or not the corresponding explanation board exists as a result of the search in step S2 above. If the information of the corresponding explanation board exists in the explanation board information storage unit 31 (step S3: YES), the corresponding explanation board ID is acquired and the process of step S5 is performed. If the information of the corresponding explanation board does not exist in the explanation board information storage unit 31 (step S3: NO), the process proceeds to the next step S4.

Next, when the process proceeds to step S4, in the same step, the translation request processing unit 11 additionally registers a new record in the table of the explanation board information storage unit 31. At this time, the translation request processing unit 11 appropriately assigns a new explanation board ID. Further, the translation request processing unit 11 registers the position information obtained from the user terminal device 61. Further, the translation request processing unit 11 registers as the title character the title character obtained as a result of the character recognition processing based on the image received from the user terminal device 61. Further, the translation request processing unit 11 registers an image obtained from the user terminal device 61 and information on image features calculated based on the image.
By the process of this step, it becomes possible to provide the translated text even for the new explanation board that has not been registered in the database.
The explanation board information registered in this step may be modified later from the facility manager terminal device 62.

Next, in step S5, the translation request processing unit 11 searches the table of the translated sentence storage unit 32 using the explanation board ID and the language ID as keys. At this time, the explanation board ID used as the search key is the explanation board ID hit in the search process in step S2 or the explanation board ID newly registered in step S4. The language ID used as the search key is the language ID sent from the user terminal device 61 together with the translation request message. In this step, a search is performed based on the AND condition of matching the explanation board ID and matching the language ID. By the search in this step, a translated sentence in a desired language of the target explanation board is searched for in the translated sentence storage unit 32.

Next, in step S6, the translation request processing unit 11 determines whether or not the corresponding translated sentence exists as a result of the search in step S5 above. If the corresponding translated sentence exists in the translated sentence storage unit 32 (step S6: YES), the corresponding translated sentence is acquired and the process of step S8 is performed. If the corresponding translated sentence does not exist in the translated sentence storage unit 32 (step S6: NO), the process proceeds to the next step S7.

Next, when the process proceeds to step S7, the translation request processing unit 11 performs machine translation processing of the explanatory text in the same step. Specifically, the translation request processing unit 11 requests the character recognition processing unit 22 to perform character recognition processing based on the image attached to the translated text request message from the user terminal device 61. Then, the translation request processing unit 11 receives the data of the character string of the recognition result from the character recognition processing unit 22. Then, the translation request processing unit 11 requests the machine translation processing unit 23 to translate the character string into the language identified by the language ID.
Then, when the machine translation process is completed, the translation request processing unit 11 acquires the obtained translated sentence from the machine translation processing unit 23.

Next, in step S8, the translation request processing unit 11 returns a response including the obtained translated text to the user terminal device 61. If the translated sentence exists in the translated sentence storage unit 32 (when the determination result in step S6 is YES), the translation request processing unit 11 reads the translated sentence read from the translated sentence storage unit 32. Return to the user terminal device 61. If the translated text does not exist in the translated text storage unit 32 (when the determination result in step S6 is NO), the translation request processing unit 11 uses the translated text obtained by the machine translation process. Return to the user terminal device 61.
Further, the translation request processing unit 11 updates the access history column in the translation text storage unit 32 as necessary at the timing of returning the translated text to the user terminal device 61.
When returning the processing result by machine translation to the user terminal device 61, the translation request processing unit 11 attaches data indicating that it is a machine translation result. Further, when the translation request processing unit 11 returns the translation result by the translator (person) to the user terminal device 61, data indicating that the translation is performed by the translator may be added.
Then, when the process of step S8 is completed, the translated text providing server device 1 ends the process of the entire flowchart.

By performing the series of processing procedures described above, the translated text providing server device 1 holds or does not hold the translated text created by the translator, and the user terminal device 61 A translation of the explanation board can be provided for. Further, when the translated text providing server device 1 holds the translated text created by the translator in advance, the translated text providing server device 1 provides the user terminal device 61 with a translated text having a higher quality than the translated text by machine translation. can do. Further, the translated text providing server device 1 can provide a translated text of the explanatory text even for an unknown explanatory board that has not been registered in advance.

Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described.
As mentioned above, the matters described on the explanation board often presuppose various cultural backgrounds. Therefore, there may be a difference in quality between the translated text by machine translation and the translated text by the translator (person). In general, it can be said that the quality of the translated text by the translator is higher than the quality of the translated text by machine translation. In the present embodiment, the translated sentence by the translator can be stored in the translated sentence storage unit 32. Then, the facility manager can request the translator to perform the translation work. However, when the translation work is carried out for a fee, it may be difficult for the facility manager to know whether or not the translation work should be requested at a high cost. In addition, it may be difficult for the facility manager to understand which explanation board should be requested for translation work. Therefore, in this modification, in order to promote highly effective translation work, the facility manager interface unit 41 selects an explanation board to be translated and recommends it to the facility manager.

In this embodiment, data (not shown) that associates the installation position of the explanation board with the facility manager is retained. A facility manager is a government agency (including local governments), its affiliated organizations, or a person in charge within those agencies.
As an example, this system assigns an ID to the facility manager and holds a table in which the explanation board ID and the facility manager ID are associated with each other. From such data, it is possible to grasp which facility manager is responsible for managing which explanation board.
Further, as another example, this system holds data in which a range of a park or the like (a geographical range represented by longitude and latitude) and a facility manager ID are associated with each other. As a result, the facility manager of a certain park and the explanation board included in the range of the park can be associated and grasped.
In this way, in the situation where the facility manager and the explanation board are associated with each other, the facility manager interface unit 41 generates and outputs a translation recommendation message for the facility manager.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the translation recommendation server device to generate and output a translation recommendation message. Hereinafter, the processing procedure will be described with reference to this flowchart.
In step S21, the facility manager interface unit 41 identifies the facility and the manager to be processed. Here, the facility manager interface unit 41 determines the facility and the manager to be processed based on the input from the outside.

Next, in step S22, the facility manager interface unit 41 specifies the geographical range of the facility (park or the like) to be processed. Here, the geographical range is represented, for example, as a polygon on a map. At this time, the geographical range of the facility can be determined by designating the latitude and longitude of each vertex of the polygon.

Next, in step S23, the facility manager interface unit 41 extracts all the explanation boards included in the geographical range specified in step S22 by searching the table of the explanation board information storage unit 31. Whether or not an explanation board is included in a specific geographical range is determined by the position (latitude and mildness) of the explanation board and the definition of the geographical range.

Next, in step S24, the facility manager interface unit 41 extracts the explanation board ID and the language ID to be the translation recommendation target from the explanation boards extracted in step S23 based on the predetermined translation recommendation conditions. Here, an example of the translation recommendation condition is the following conditions (1) and (2).
(1) The explanation board is registered in the table of the explanation board information storage unit 31.
(2) In the table of the translated sentence storage unit 32, there is an access history for the combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID, but the status in the combination is recorded as "no translated sentence". That is, the facility manager interface unit 41 extracts a combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID that satisfy both the above conditions (1) and (2) as a translation recommendation target.

When there are a plurality of combinations of the explanation board ID and the language ID that satisfy the above conditions (1) and (2), the facility manager interface unit 41 stores the access history data of the translated text storage unit 32. Refer to it and give priority to the combination with high access frequency. That is, the combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID, which is the highest number of frequently accessed combinations, is extracted as the translation recommendation target.

The facility manager interface unit 41 may extract the combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID of the translation recommendation target based on the conditions other than the above (1) and (2).

Next, in step S25, the facility manager interface unit 41 generates a translation recommendation message for each of the combinations of the explanation board ID and the language ID selected in step S24. The translation recommendation message includes, for example, the position (latitude and longitude) of the explanation board, the title character, and information on the language type for which translation is recommended. In addition, the translation recommendation message may further include access history information. Further, the translation recommendation message may further include an image of the explanation board. The information included in the translation recommendation message can be obtained from the explanation board information storage unit 31 and the translation text storage unit 32.

Next, in step S26, the facility manager interface unit 41 outputs the generated translation recommendation message. Specifically, the facility manager interface unit 41 sends the translation recommendation message as document data in text format, HTML format, PDF format, etc. to the facility manager terminal device 62. HTML is an abbreviation for Hyper-text Markup Language. PDF is an abbreviation for Portable Document Format. Further, the facility manager interface unit 41 may print out the translation recommendation message from a printer or the like.

In the process shown in this flow chart, the explanation board that is a candidate for translation recommendation is selected by identifying the administrator and the facility, but the explanation board that is a candidate for translation recommendation by another method. You may try to determine the set.

Next, a method of acquiring the translated text created by the translator by the translated text providing server device will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the translation text providing server device according to the present embodiment to acquire the translation text by the translator. The premise that the processing of this flowchart is executed is that the translation request message is transmitted from the facility manager terminal device 62 to the translation text providing server device 1. The translation request message includes information that identifies the explanation board (for example, the explanation board ID) and information that specifies the language type of the translation destination (for example, the language ID). The translation text providing server device 1 waits in advance for a translation request message from the facility manager terminal device 62.
Hereinafter, the processing procedure will be described with reference to this flowchart.

In step S41, the facility manager interface unit 41 receives the translation request message. Then, the facility manager interface unit 41 acquires the explanation board ID and the language ID from the translation request message and passes them to the translator interface unit 42.

Next, in step S42, the translator interface unit 42 selects a translator based on the explanation board ID and the language ID received from the facility manager interface unit 41. The method of selecting a translator is arbitrary, but for example, the selection can be made by the following method. For example, the translation skill data for each translator and each language is stored in advance, and the translator interface unit 42 selects a translator with high translation skill based on the acquired language ID. Further, for example, the knowledge level data of the target field for each translator is stored in advance, and the translator interface unit 42 selects a translator with a high knowledge level based on the explanation board ID. Here, the target field is the area where the explanation board is installed and the genre (history, geography, natural science, etc.) of the content explained by the explanation board. Further, the translator interface unit 42 may select a translator who can perform the translation work on a predetermined delivery date by holding the data of the operational status (schedule) of each translator in advance. Further, the translator interface unit 42 may select a translator based on a plurality of criteria. Further, the translator interface unit 42 may select a translator according to the information input from the person in charge of operating the translation text providing server device 1.
Next, in step S43, the translator interface unit 42 reads out the image of the explanation board to be translated from the explanation board information storage unit 31 based on the received explanation board ID. At this time, if a plurality of images exist for the corresponding explanation board, the translator interface unit 42 may read out the plurality of images.

Next, in step S44, the translator interface unit 42 transmits the translation request message to the translator terminal device 63 of the corresponding translator. The translator interface unit 42 attaches the image read in step S43 to the translation request message to be transmitted. The translator interface unit 42 may attach the text data of the explanatory text provided by the facility manager to the translation request message.

Next, in step S45, the translator interface unit 42 waits for the completed translated text to be transmitted from the translator terminal device 63 of the requested translator.

Next, when the translated text from the requested translator terminal device 63 is received, in step S46, the translator interface unit 42 transmits the translated text to the translator terminal device 63 of the translation approver. At this time, the translator interface unit 42 also transmits a message requesting the translation approver to approve the translated text.

Next, in step S47, the translator interface unit 42 waits for data indicating approval of the translated text to be transmitted from the translator terminal device 63 of the translation approver.

Next, when the approval data from the translator terminal device 63 of the translation approver is received, in step S48, the facility manager interface unit 41 requests the facility manager terminal device 62 to approve the translated text. To send. At this time, the facility manager interface unit 41 attaches the translated text and data indicating that the translated text has been approved by the translation approver.

Next, in step S49, the facility manager interface unit 41 waits for data indicating approval of the translated text to be transmitted from the facility manager terminal device 62.

Then, the facility manager interface unit 41 receives data indicating approval of the translated text from the facility manager terminal device 62. At this stage, all necessary approvals have been obtained for the translated text produced by the translator.
Then, in step S50, the translator interface unit 42 writes the approved translated sentence in the table of the translated sentence storage unit 32. At this time, if the combination of the corresponding explanation board ID and language ID does not exist in the table of the translated sentence storage unit 32, the translator interface unit 42 inserts the record according to the combination into the table. If a record of the combination of the corresponding explanation board ID and language ID already exists in the table of the translated text storage unit 32, the translator interface unit 42 updates the translated text column of the record. In either case, the translator interface unit 42 updates the status column to "with translated text" when writing the translated text to the translated text storage unit 32.

In the processing of this flowchart, it was decided to wait for a response from the terminal device side in each of steps S45, S47, and S49, but the processing may be terminated once in each step. In that case, when the response from the terminal device arrives, the processing from the next step is restarted.

Next, an outline of the service provided by using the translated text providing server device according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of a service image to which the technique of the present embodiment is applied. The figure shows a scene in which a translated sentence is provided to a user who uses the user terminal device 61. In the figure, the explanation board translation platform, the user side function, the administrator side function, the image recognition engine, the character recognition engine, the machine translation engine, and the translation result database for each language of the explanation board are translated sentences. Corresponds to the provided server device. The user (“foreigner visiting Japan” in the figure) regarding the explanation board of the “hanging eyes tumulus”, the location information by GPS, the image information of the signboard (explanation board), and the desired translation language (for example, English). The information is sent to the translation providing server device. In response to this, the translation providing server device returns the translation result to the user side. In addition, the explanation board installer / related person updates the information as necessary by using the terminal device (facility manager terminal device 62 shown in FIG. 1). Specifically, the explanation board installer / related person calls the self-management explanation board and corrects / updates the explanation while utilizing the machine translation result.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of a service image to which the technique of the present embodiment is applied. The figure shows other scenes in addition to the scene described in FIG. In the illustrated example, a service using a translation provision server device is maintained and operated by using a cloud service and a crowdsourcing mechanism.
The translation text providing server device sorts by automatic processing. Here, the distribution is a process of distributing the processing for each explanation board to the explanation board installation manager.
The translation text providing server device automatically distributes the captured image to the explanation board installation manager based on the GPS information and the image recognition result. For example, the processing related to the explanation board in the national park is distributed to the Ministry of the Environment, and the processing related to the explanation board in the national park is distributed to the prefectures.
If this automatic sorting is not possible, the sorting manager is notified to that effect.
The explanation board installation manager decides whether or not to translate the corresponding explanation board, and when translating, instructs the system to "request for a fee". The system then automatically assigns it to the appropriate cloud worker (translator). When the processing of the signboard (explanatory board) that is not in charge of the own organization is distributed, the explanation board installation manager returns the processing to the distribution manager.

The cloud worker (translator) translates the text. After that, the system distributes to appropriate approvers according to the language and the field of the contents of the explanation board.
The cloud worker (approver) views the translation results and confirms that there are no problems.
The explanation board installation manager finally confirms that there is no problem with the translation result approved by the approver. Then, the confirmed translation is registered in the translation result database.

In the above embodiment, the translated text providing server device has the function of the facility manager interface unit, but the translated text providing server device may be configured by omitting the facility manager interface unit.
Further, in the above embodiment, the translation text providing server device has the function of the translator interface unit, but the translator interface unit may be omitted to configure the translation text providing server device.

According to at least one embodiment described above, whether or not the translated text request message is received and the translated text corresponding to the requested combination of the explanation board ID and the language ID is stored in the translated text storage unit. If it is stored, the translated text is read and the read translated text is returned to the requesting terminal device. If it is not stored, the machine translation process of the explanation board is performed by the machine translation process. By having a translation request processing unit that requests a department and returns the translated text that is the result of the machine translation processing to the terminal device of the requesting source, if there is a translated text translated by the translator (person), its high level. It is possible to provide a high-quality translation, and even if there is no translation translated by the translator (person), a translation by machine translation can be provided.

Further, when there is no explanation board corresponding to the explanation board information storage unit 31, a record corresponding to the explanation board is newly inserted, so that a new explanation board or a new explanation board or a new explanation board can be used without having to bother to initially register the explanation board. It is possible to deal with an explanation board that was unknown.
In addition, since the facility manager interface unit 41 creates a translation recommendation message according to the access frequency, it is possible to preferentially prepare translations by translators (people) for languages with high demand for explanation boards that are in high demand. it can.

In addition, a computer may realize a part or all of the functions of the translated text providing server device, the user terminal device, the facility manager terminal device, and the translator terminal device in the embodiment. In that case, a program for realizing these functions may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read by a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a communication line for transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and dynamically holds the program for a short period of time. It may also include a program that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or a client in that case. Further, the above-mentioned program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be further realized by combining the above-mentioned functions with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention as well as the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Translation text providing server device (translation text providing device), 11 ... Translation request processing unit, 21 ... Image recognition processing unit, 22 ... Character recognition processing unit, 23 ... Machine translation processing unit, 30 ... Database, 31 ... Explanation board Information storage unit, 32 ... Translated text storage unit, 41 ... Facility manager interface unit, 42 ... Translator interface unit, 61 ... User terminal device, 62 ... Facility manager terminal device, 63 ... Translator terminal device

Claims (4)

For each explanation board on which the explanation is described, an explanation board information storage unit that stores the position information of the explanation board and the image of the explanation board, and
A translation sentence storage unit for storing a translation of the explanation in the language described on the explanation board for each explanation board and for each language.
A machine translation processing department that performs machine translation processing of sentences,
A translation request message including position information and an image and information representing a desired language is received from the user terminal device, and is stored in the received position information, the received image, and the explanation board information storage unit. By specifying the explanation board based on the position information and the image and referring to the translation sentence storage unit, the translation sentence storage unit can obtain a translation of the specified explanation board in the desired language. A discrimination process for determining whether or not the text is stored is performed, and when the translated text storage unit stores the translated text in the desired language of the specified explanatory board as a result of the discrimination process, the translation is performed. When the sentence is returned to the user terminal device and the translated sentence storage unit does not store the translated sentence in the desired language of the specified explanation board as a result of the discrimination process, the machine translation processing unit A translation request processing unit that returns the translated text obtained as a result of machine-translating the specified explanatory text of the explanatory board into the desired language to the user terminal device.
Regarding the combination of the explanation board and the language, when the translation sentence storage unit does not store the translation sentence, a translation recommendation message for the facility manager who manages the explanation board is generated, and the generated translation recommendation message is generated. To the facility manager interface unit that sends the message to the facility manager terminal device,
Translated text providing device. The translated sentence storage unit stores an access history, which is information on the history in which the translation request processing unit returns the translated sentence to the user terminal device for each explanation board and for each language.
Based on the access history stored in the translated text storage unit, the facility manager interface unit gives priority to the combination of the explanatory board and the language having a high frequency of the translated text request message sent from the user terminal device. And send the translation recommendation message,
The translated text providing device according to claim 1. The translation request processing unit returns information indicating whether or not the translation is a translation obtained as a result of the machine translation processing to the user terminal device according to the result of the discrimination processing.
The translated text providing device according to claim 1 or 2 . Computer,
For each explanation board on which the explanation is described, an explanation board information storage unit that stores the position information of the explanation board and the image of the explanation board, and
A translation sentence storage unit for storing a translation of the explanation in the language described on the explanation board for each explanation board and for each language.
A machine translation processing department that performs machine translation processing of sentences,
A translation request message including position information and an image and information representing a desired language is received from the user terminal device, and is stored in the received position information, the received image, and the explanation board information storage unit. By specifying the explanation board based on the position information and the image and referring to the translation sentence storage unit, the translation sentence storage unit can obtain a translation of the specified explanation board in the desired language. A discrimination process for determining whether or not the text is stored is performed, and when the translated text storage unit stores the translated text in the desired language of the specified explanatory board as a result of the discrimination process, the translation is performed. When the sentence is returned to the user terminal device and the translated sentence storage unit does not store the translated sentence in the desired language of the specified explanation board as a result of the discrimination process, the machine translation processing unit A translation request processing unit that returns the translated text obtained as a result of machine-translating the specified explanatory text of the explanatory board into the desired language to the user terminal device.
Regarding the combination of the explanation board and the language, when the translation sentence storage unit does not store the translation sentence, a translation recommendation message for the facility manager who manages the explanation board is generated, and the generated translation recommendation message is generated. To the facility manager interface unit that sends the message to the facility manager terminal device,
A program for functioning as a translation providing device.