JP2003036304A - Global network interpreting service-providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multilingual-interpreting service which is available at any time, at any place and to any one at a reasonable price, which is lower than usual ones, and used instantly and for a required period of time, and also provide in many are as of the world a multilingual-interpreting service of low price using cellular phones, personal digital assistants and other communication terminals which all receive and send voice only or the voice and images via the Internet. SOLUTION: A host computer connected with a wire and/or wireless communication network allocates and calls one or more staff interpreters from waiting staff interpreters under the conditions that they can be called through the communication network when a request for interpretation is made through the communication network and automatically connects the communication line of a interpretation-requesting person with the communication line of the staff interpreter. The allocation is made based on a high priority to priority-allocated data on the number of combinations of the items comprising the presence or absence of the designation of the first interpretation language, the second interpretation language, a special field, the level of interpretation and the need of an urgent interpretation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interpreter service providing system, and more particularly to an earth network type interpreter service providing system that enables an interpreter request and an interpreter service in all regions of the world.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-32893.
There was an interpreting service using a mobile phone, as described in the publication. In such an interpreting service, the price of the service is high, the service cannot be used easily for a long time, and there are problems in each of the following situations in which an interpreter is required.

(1) Public Institution (1-1) Municipal Office Even if a resident who does not understand Japanese needs resident registration and explanation about public services, the staff cannot usually handle it. Since there is a limit to the expansion of employment of staff who can interpret, in such cases, the user will accompany acquaintances and friends who can interpret and come out or reserve the date and time, and the government office will request an interpreter. I was asked to support volunteers.

However, it is difficult to set up a system for requesting an interpreter at every office. In particular, it is difficult to find an interpreter who can provide a service in a language other than English in a rural area, and the dispatch service of an interpreter is usually over 100,000 yen per day, so it was not possible to use it frequently. A telephone interpreter service provided by an interpreter can be used in both rural areas and infrequently used languages, but the cost is correspondingly high and the documents submitted to the public office cannot be seen by the interpreter. , There was a problem in accurate interpretation.

Due to the regular patrol system of volunteers and interpreters, when a plurality of government offices are available, it is difficult to adjust the schedule and it is not possible to respond to urgent matters.

(1-2) General hospitals, emergency hospitals, clinics Patients who do not understand Japanese cannot give a delicate explanation of the medical condition, such as what kind of pain and what kind of course it is. , The receptionist, nurses and doctors
It is difficult to explain the name of the disease, how to take the prescription drug, and precautions.

[0007] In particular, a communication disorder in a hospital may cause a serious situation, and a patient who does not understand Japanese and a doctor who corresponds to the hospital may be under serious pressure and may cause a medical error. there were.

Even if an English-speaking doctor provides medical treatment and treatment, a patient who has a problem in detailed explanation or cannot understand only another language cannot communicate. In addition, there is a limit to assigning interpreters who can interpret. Or the placement of interpretable doctors,
Even if it can be done at a large general hospital, it cannot be done at a small specialty clinic or a regional hospital due to the problem of burden costs, difficulty of arrangement, and limitation of employment expansion, as mentioned above.

Therefore, the only method for a patient who does not understand Japanese is to find out acquaintances and friends who can translate and accompany them.

(2) Emergency (2-1) Communication with police station, police box, patrol police officers At the scene of violent crimes such as robbery and murder, suspects, victims and witnesses who cannot speak Japanese To ensure that police officers understand the scene, including securing,
We have to wait for the arrival of an interpretable officer dispatched from the competent police station. In this case, if the grasp of the site, including securing of evidence, is delayed, it may seriously hinder the police's initial investigation, and it may be difficult to resolve the case promptly.

Some police stations have interpreters who work as interpreters, but it is difficult to deal with them 24 hours a day, and if they are not on standby at the police station at night, Japanese cannot be understood. , Interviews with people who seem to be involved in the case will be delayed until at least the daytime of the next day. In addition, in the case of detention due to the arrest of a current offender, or in the case of voluntary accompaniment to the police station in charge, it was not possible to explain the content of the suspicion, which could lead to human rights violations of the suspect or diplomatic problems.

[0012] Similar to the above, it was difficult to arrange for a person who does not understand English.

(2-2) Communication with firefighters and rescue teams, protection of foreign victims who do not understand Japanese, evacuation instructions, evacuation advice at the site of natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes. Including firefighters and rescue personnel, when performing fire extinguishing and rescue activities, they waited for an interpretable firefighter to arrive from the local fire department. However, if the understanding of the disaster situation is delayed, there is a danger that fire extinguishing activities and rescue activities will be seriously hindered, which may cause secondary disasters.

As much as possible, there are firefighters who can interpret, but when the firefighters are not on standby at the police station at night, etc., they do not understand Japanese,
Interviews with people believed to be involved in the case will be delayed until at least the following day. In the case of a fire, it is an urgent matter to judge whether there is a criminal property, and delay in grasping the situation often causes serious trouble in solving the case.

Further, if the injured person does not understand Japanese, there were the same problems as the above-mentioned problems in the medical field.

In the fire fighting system, similarly to the above, due to the problem of burdened cost, difficulty in arrangement, limitation of employment expansion, etc., it was not possible to deal with it at all in that it was not possible to prepare in advance.

(3) Overseas (3-1) Intensive language education before the dispatch of JOCVs and JOCVs depends on their efforts and before they acquire sufficient conversation ability. In most cases, they were dispatched locally.

[0018] In the short-term training, there was a problem that the original contribution activities could not be sufficiently performed due to lack of communication.

In particular, due to the lack of conversational skills at the time of dispatch, the setback of dispatched personnel, a lot of labor until the start of local contribution activities, and wasted time and cost were problems.

(3-2) Overseas Dispatch For major companies, etc., it is possible to prepare a support system for senior employees and local staff before overseas dispatch and at overseas destinations, so there are few problems, but for small and medium-sized enterprises, overseas dispatch is possible. Employees' local communication begins their lives, relying on personal support and advice from friends and acquaintances.

Although there are few problems in daily life, in the event of sudden illness or accident, communication with the locals becomes essential, and in countries other than Western developed countries, troubles were sometimes left unresolved. .

(3-3) Overseas Travel A rental company for overseas travel goods in Japan is engaged in the business of renting a mobile phone with an interpreter service that can be used overseas, but the service charge is high, and it is easy and long-term. It was not available.

In most of the overseas travel tour packs, an interpreting service is provided by an accompanying tour operator as a guide and interpreter. However, we cannot request all of our free time, and being able to communicate more freely with the locals while traveling makes our overseas travel more meaningful. Therefore, there was no convenient interpreter service.

Therefore, in a small group of 3 to 4 persons, a family, a couple, a couple, or an individual traveling abroad, the language ability of the individual must be totally relied upon. Even in such a case, the trouble caused by the language was extremely serious.

[0025] In general, airline companies sometimes use the toll-free Japanese service to introduce overseas hospitals and pharmacies to hotels and restaurants on behalf of users of their services. However, it was a service in Japanese for a specific purpose, not an interpreter service.

(4) Activities of foreigners in Japan (4-1) Daily life of foreigners and their families living in Japan A family of foreigners who live in Japan and do not understand Japanese,
Sometimes I couldn't answer the phone, which is a part of my daily life, and communication was lacking. Especially, in public elementary and junior high schools, in interviews with teachers and teachers, conversations in languages other than Japanese are attended by staff members of the Board of Education, parents, etc., and sometimes the children, students, students Had an interpreter.

It has been almost difficult for schools and boards of education to always hire and arrange staff who can interpret, due to cost problems and difficulty in arrangement.

(4-2) Communication with foreign tourists Generally speaking, foreigners who come to Japan and stay for a short period of time cannot understand Japanese, so the airport, station, bus station (public vehicle) (Including the inside of the car), inside the taxi, tourist attractions, famous places,
At historic sites, shrines, temples, department stores, and shopping centers, some taxi company interpreting services and standing signs, leaflets, and pamphlets are not available for directions, boarding, culture, history, stores, and product information. ,
I couldn't get enough explanation. In particular, the situation is almost non-English except English. In contrast to other developed countries, environments for personal information gathering and for satisfying the intellectual curiosity of foreigners are rarely established.

[0029] Foreign travelers who do not understand Japanese may not be able to obtain information from announcements such as changes in operation plans of public vehicles, restoration prospects for accidents and disasters, and road closure cancellation prospects due to traffic accidents. There were many problems that the anxiety could not be resolved over a long period of time.

Even in such a case, similarly to the above, it is difficult to prepare an interpreting service due to the problem of burdened cost, difficulty of arrangement, limitation of employment expansion, and the like. One of the reasons for the imbalance in the number of foreign travelers entering and leaving Japan is that foreign languages such as English are difficult to communicate in Japan.

(4-3) Meetings, Businesses, Business Talks At business meetings and business talks, request a specialized interpreter,
The mainstream is to send an interpreter.

Although large companies can expand the employment of employees who can interpret, it has been difficult for small and medium-sized companies because of the low frequency of use and the large burden cost.

In particular, it was difficult to deal with unplanned meetings and sudden visits by foreigners.

(5) Current state of language learning in Japan and overseas (5-1) Practical English conversation for elementary school teachers of elementary school English conversation learning Beginning in 2002, English and English conversation will be compulsory education at elementary schools. I will be newly in charge of English and English conversation education.

At present, in order to teach English to elementary school teachers who are not good at English again, English instructors including volunteers are invited from outside to provide English instruction to elementary school teachers while visiting each elementary school.

The teaching of incomplete English and English conversation by elementary school teachers, who are not good at English, to elementary school students is also said to be counterproductive in the language education of children, where the early stage is most important. Is being questioned.

There is also a problem that the number of English instructors is limited and sufficient instruction cannot be given.

(5-2) Language learning for Japanese students and working adults In order to become familiar with English conversation, when attending an English conversation school, due to the cost, most of the students focus on group learning and are familiar topics. However, there was a problem of lack of realism and urgency of conversation, and there was a problem that progress was delayed when low level people became a group. It is also possible to learn with commercially available learning materials and interactive TV with audio and video at home, but there are few practical conversation learnings.

[0039]

In view of the above problems, the present invention can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime, anywhere instantly and for a required time at a lower price than before and at an appropriate price. The purpose is to be able to provide multilingual interpreting services.

Further, only the voice and / or the voice and the video are transmitted and received using the Internet (the voice is transmitted and received, the voice and the video are transmitted and received, or the voice and the voice and the video are selected and transmitted and received). )
The purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to provide inexpensive multilingual interpreter services using mobile phones, mobile information communication terminals, and other information communication terminals in many regions of the world.

[0041]

In the earth network type interpreter service system of the present invention, a host computer connected to a communication line network can call from the communication line network in response to an interpretation application by the communication line network. Assign one or more interpreter employees from the waiting interpreter employees to call and automatically connect to the interpreter's communication line to the interpreter's communication line.

It is preferable that the communication network is a wired and / or wireless telephone communication network, and the host computer has two or more telephone numbers that differ at least for each automatic response voice language.

The host computer asks the interpreter a question by automatic voice, and at least the first interpreter language, the second interpreter language, the designation or presence / absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence / absence of the interpreter level, and the necessity of the emergency interpreter. From the top of the allocation priority data of the number of combinations of the above-mentioned items in which waiting interpreter employees are arranged in priority order,
It is desirable to assign interpreter employees by selecting interpreter employees who have passed a certain time since the end of the latest interpreter work.

The following procedures (1) to (5) and procedures (6) to (10) are repeatedly executed at regular intervals.

(1) From the medium-term demand forecast database,
A procedure in which the host computer automatically calculates the medium-term demand forecast for a certain period.

(2) In the farthest time period of the above-mentioned medium-term demand forecast, the number of interpreters who have a high evaluation score in the comprehensive evaluation score data are selected in consideration of workable conditions. A procedure for performing a standby notification and a standby confirmation for the selected interpreting employee by the host computer automatically transmitting the standby schedule to the interpreting employee's computer and the interpreting employee receiving the standby schedule replying to the host computer. .

In the waiting schedule, a time zone for waiting is designated.

(3) In each of the other time zones of the medium-term demand forecast, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is greater than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting,
The difference is the total evaluation score data, the evaluation score is high, the interpreter employee with the condition that can be worked is selected, and the host computer automatically sends the waiting schedule to the interpreter employee's computer to the selected interpreter employee Then, the interpreting employee who has received the waiting schedule sends a reply to the host computer to notify the waiting and confirm the waiting.

(4) In each of the other time zones of the above-mentioned medium-term demand forecast, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is greater than the number of interpreter employees who can wait, the number of additional interpreter employees required to be hired Procedure to calculate.

(5) In each of the other time zones of the above-mentioned medium-term demand forecast, when the number of interpreting employees who need to wait is less than the number of interpreting employees who have already confirmed waiting, the difference is the waiting time. From the confirmed interpreting staff, the interpreting staff with a low evaluation score in the comprehensive evaluation score data is selected, and the host computer automatically transmits the waiting schedule to the interpreting staff's computer to the selected interpreting staff. The interpreting employee who receives the reply sends a reply to the host computer to notify the release of the standby and confirm the release of the standby.

(6) From the short-term demand forecast database,
A procedure in which the host computer automatically calculates short-term demand forecasts for a certain period of time that are more accurate than medium-term demand forecasts.

(7) In each of the short-term demand forecast time zones, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is greater than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting, the difference is the time zone. The interpreter employees who are scheduled to turn off the job are listed in the priority order. To the computer, the host computer automatically sends a waiting schedule, and the interpreting employee who receives the waiting schedule sends a reply to the host computer to perform waiting notification and waiting confirmation.

(8) In each of the short-term demand forecast time zones, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is less than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting, the difference is the time zone. The interpreter employees who are scheduled to wait are selected by the interpreter employees in the lower order of the priority interpreter employee allocation priority data, and the selected interpreter employees are assigned to the interpreter employee's computer and the host computer sets the wait schedule. A procedure in which an interpreting employee who automatically transmits and receives the standby schedule sends a standby release notification and a standby release confirmation by replying to the host computer.

(9) Based on the interpreter employee comprehensive database,
At least the first interpreting language, the second interpreting language, the designation or presence / absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence / absence of the interpreter level, and the necessity of the emergency interpreter for the comprehensive evaluation score data in which all the interpreting employees are arranged in the order of the evaluation scores. The procedure to create the number of combinations of items that are not valid.

The interpreter employee comprehensive database includes basic items,
It is divided into comprehensive evaluation score items.

As basic items, the first interpreting language, the second interpreting language, the interpreting level, the specialized field, the availability of emergency interpreter support,
There are countries and locations.

The comprehensive evaluation score items include basic language ability evaluation, vocabulary ability evaluation, general social common sense evaluation, presence / absence of specialized fields and interpreter level evaluation, availability of emergency interpreter support and interpreter level, simultaneous interpreter level evaluation, interpersonal impression and Clarity evaluation, responsibility performance evaluation, number of call delays, customer satisfaction survey score, new interpreter referral score, emergency support score, proposal system score, social contribution evaluation score, etc.

(10) In addition to the comprehensive evaluation score data, additional data for determining the interpreter employee allocation priority order, which is an adjustment item for reducing the disparity of monthly income between interpreter employees, is added in each short-term time period. , At least the first interpreter language, the second interpreter language, the designation or presence / absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence / absence of the interpreter level, and the emergency interpreter of the emergency interpreter. A procedure to create as many combinations of items as necessary or not.

As the additional data for interpreter employee allocation priority determination, the latest interpreter end time, operating rate result, operating time and paid monthly salary result, expected income for the next month and excess / deficiency amount against desired amount, standby and desired There are time zones, days of the week, desired monthly income and required working hours.

In the medium-term demand forecast, the number of customers is classified by the customer cluster, and the medium-term demand forecast database in which the medium-term irregularity factor data is added based on the medium-term forecast related factor time series data is used for the time-series multivariate analysis model. Obtained by finding the solution of.

In the short-term demand forecast, the number of customers is classified by customer cluster, the medium-term demand forecast database and the short-term demand forecast database in which short-term irregular factor data is added based on the short-term forecast-related factor time series data. By obtaining the solution of the time series multivariate analysis model.

The time series multivariate analysis model is the predicted number of interpreter applicants for each customer cluster and each time zone.

The customer cluster is first aid / emergency, first
It is preferable that the items are classified by one or more items selected from the group consisting of an interpreting language, a second interpreting language, a place of use, a specialized field, and an interpreting level.

The time-series data relating to the medium-term forecast related factors are the contract trend record trend, the interpreter user count trend,
Interpretation average usage time actual trend, incoming call waiting time actual trend, number of overseas travelers by country of departure, trend of foreign tourists departure and arrival, trend of sales of major international hotels, actual trend of Japanese yen exchange rate, international aviation Company passenger traffic volume trend, 50 major travel agency overseas travel handling performance trend, market research result trend regarding general consumer's awareness and desire to use, price change trend of competing similar interpreter services, user satisfaction survey It is preferably composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of the result trend and the trend of the number of foreign crimes.

The contract registrant actual result trend is a transition of the number of contract registrants when a membership contract or the like is registered among interpreter applicants.

The interpreter user number actual trend is data in which the interpreter implementation status time series trend is aggregated for each time zone.

The interpreter average utilization time actual trend is data in which the average utilization time is aggregated for each time zone from the interpreter implementation status time series trend.

The incoming call waiting time result trend is data in which the average of required times from incoming call to response for each time zone is tabulated from the interpreter implementation status time series trend.

The number of overseas travelers by country of departure shows a trend of overseas travelers by country of departure announced by public institutions.

The trend of entry / exit of foreign tourists is the trend by country of entry / exit of overseas travelers announced by public institutions.

The sales performance trend of major international hotels is, for example, sales performance data disclosed in a financial report every half year.

The actual trend of the Japanese yen exchange rate is a change in the daily exchange rate of the Japanese yen with respect to the major national currency.

The information on the trends in the amount of passenger transportation by international airlines and the trends in the results of handling overseas travel by 50 major travel companies are, for example, results data published monthly by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The market research result trend regarding the general consumer's awareness and the desire to use the interpreting service, the price change trend of similar competing interpreting services, and the user satisfaction survey result trend are analyzed by the market, It is the data of the obtained results.

The trend of the number of crimes by foreigners is data such as white papers on crime.

The above-mentioned medium-term irregularity factor data comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of irregularly increasing / decreasing impact factors of the number of foreign tourists and foreign tourists, and the difference data between the interpreter order record and the predicted value. It is preferable.

Irregular increase / decrease in the number of foreign tourists and the number of foreign tourists The impact factor is data on the type and scale of international events.

The difference data between the interpreter order record and the predicted value is
This is the transition of the difference in the number of interpreter applicants from the final demand forecast.

The short-term prediction-related factor time series data is selected from the group consisting of contract registrant actual result data, interpreter user actual result data, interpreter occupancy actual result data, and incoming call waiting time actual result data 1 It is preferable to consist of the above.

The contract registrant actual data is data of increase / decrease of contract registrants that are accepted in order to simplify the procedure when repeatedly used.

The interpreter user number actual data is data of the total number of times of interpreter use.

The interpreter operation rate actual result data of the interpreter employees is the ratio of the interpreter implementation time to the waiting time of the interpreter employees who are waiting for each customer cluster and each time zone.

The above-mentioned short-term irregularity factor data shows a sudden large-scale advertising / sales promotion expenditure plan, a sudden large-scale contract registrant addition and cancellation prospect, a rapid change in the Japanese yen exchange rate,
It is preferable that one or more selected from the group consisting of a sudden random fluctuation factor of a war, a natural disaster or an incident, and a parameter input waiting time allowable value.

The sudden large-scale advertising / sales promotion expense spending plan is data obtained by converting the large-scale sudden advertising / sales promotion activities that affect the social climate into costs.

The unexpected large-scale contract registrant addition and cancellation prospect is data when it is assumed that the contract registrant suddenly adds or cancels.

The rapid change in the Japanese yen exchange rate is data when there is a rapid change that causes serious unrest in the economies of the countries of the world.

The factors causing sudden irregular fluctuations are natural disasters, the outbreak of regional wars, travel prohibition, and the like.

The incoming call waiting time allowable value entered as a parameter is an allowable value of the time that the interpreting applicant can wait until the start of interpretation.

The interpreter and the interlocutor select either voice and / or voice and video, that is, voice and voice, voice and video, or voice and voice and video. Using the same telephone communication terminal equipment for transmitting and receiving by using an interpreter dedicated attachment unit equipped with at least one speaker and a listening means that can be used for each, It is preferable to provide a speech interruption lamp and a speech start lamp capable of identifying, sensing and blinking at least two tone signals emitted by an employee operating a telephone terminal device.

The earth network type interpreter service providing system of the present invention transmits / receives only audio and / or audio / video connectable to the host computer capable of Internet communication, that is, audio transmission / reception or audio And a fixed, tabletop or portable interpreter supply side terminal and a portable interpreter receiving side information terminal that transmit and receive video or select and transmit voice and audio and video are connected by a communication line. The host computer is provided with an interpreter request reception screening means, an interpreter selection means, an interpreter execution means, a billing means, an interpreter evaluation collection means, and an interpreter database, and the contents of the interpreter database are It will be revised from time to time based on the medium-term and short-term forecasts for waiting for employees.

[0091]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an interpreting service of the present invention.

In the earth network type interpreter service system of the present invention, a host computer connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line network or a communication line network such as the Internet, responds to an interpretation application through the communication line network.
Allocating one or more interpreting staff from the waiting interpreting staff ready to call from the communication network,
Interpreter's communication line is automatically connected to the interpreter's communication line. When the communication line network is a telephone line network, it is desirable that the host computer has at least two telephone numbers that differ for each automatic response voice language.

Interpreters work at homes around the world,
Stand by so that the interpreting work can be started immediately on landlines, mobile phones, mobile information communication terminals, and other information communication terminals. The interpreter applicant owns a mobile phone, a mobile information communication terminal, and other information communication terminals, and carries out procedures for receiving the interpretation service. The interpreter who is the interpreter
The same mobile phone, mobile information communication terminal, or other information communication terminal as the interpreter may be used (No. 1 in FIG. 1).
However, an interpreter-dedicated accessory unit to be described later may be used (No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 in FIG. 1). Also,
The interpreter and the interlocutor may use personal computers capable of Internet communication by connecting to the respective communication lines (No. 4 and No. 5 in FIG. 1). further,
It can also be used for conference interpreters (No. 3 and No. 5 in FIG. 1) and individual learning of foreign languages (No. 6 in FIG. 1).

A mobile phone, a mobile information communication terminal, and other information communication terminals that realize the present invention will be described below.

The interpreting applicant may be a fixed telephone, a mobile telephone, or a mobile telephone equipped with an interpreter-dedicated accessory unit equipped with a loudspeaker and a sound collecting microphone for the mobile telephone,
A mobile information communication terminal and other information communication terminals can be used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an interpreter dedicated attachment unit.

The interpreter-specific accessory unit 1 has two microphones 1c and one speaker 1b arranged at two positions. The microphones 1c and 1b have strong directivity, and their orientation angles are set so that howling does not easily occur. Are placed apart from each other so that they do not approach each other. Further, it is preferable to have a volume control 1d and a noise countermeasure function 1h (when using in a place with a lot of noise, changing the voice of an interpreting employee into an output frequency characteristic that is easy to hear even at the same volume).

The interpreter-dedicated accessory unit 1 may be provided with one red speech interruption lamp 1g and one blue speech start lamp 1f. When the speech interruption lamp 1g is lit, it means that the interpreter employee is speaking, and when the speech start lamp 1f is lit, the interpreter employee is on standby.
It means that the user may speak. The speech interruption lamp 1g is preferably red or orange based in addition to red, and the speech start lamp 1f is preferably blue or green based in addition to blue.

The utterance interruption lamp 1g and the utterance start lamp 1f are built in the interpreter dedicated accessory unit 1 by emitting tone signals of at least two different frequencies by operating the telephone terminal equipment being used by the interpreter employee. It is made to blink by means for detecting a specific frequency.

The interpreting staff must select the tone signal of the mobile phone, the portable information communication terminal, or any other information communication terminal to emit the speech interruption lamp 1g and the speech start lamp 1f provided in the interpreter dedicated accessory unit 1, respectively. To blink. As a result, it is possible to avoid a head-on collision in the conversation between the interpreter applicant and the interpreter employee, which enables smooth interpreting and shortens the interpreting time.

Characters "STOP" and similar characters are displayed on the speech interruption lamp 1g, and characters "OK" and similar characters are displayed on the speech start lamp 1f. Is preferred.

Although not shown, a mobile phone, a mobile information communication terminal, and other information communication terminals are connected to one mobile phone, mobile information by connecting an earphone / microphone unit capable of wired connection or wireless connection. Communication terminal,
Other information communication terminals can be used by two or more people at the same time.

Mobile phones, mobile information communication terminals, and other information communication terminals include PDAs capable of transmitting and receiving images,
A mobile phone with a camera, a mobile information communication terminal, other information communication terminals, or a camera with a communication function is included. As a result, translation of text information such as sentences and advertising billboards can be added to the interpretation service. By providing the interpreting staff with images of the user's surroundings at the same time, a more accurate interpreting service can be provided.

Further, when a mobile phone with a camera, a mobile information communication terminal such as a PDA, other information communication terminals, or a camera with a communication function is used, translation and explanation of visual information such as figures and symbols not limited to characters can be performed. It will be possible.

It is also effective to connect the interpreter attachment unit to a fixed telephone.

[0106] The interpreter dedicated accessory unit, earphones,
A commercially available microphone unit and a small communication device with a camera can be used.

In the case where the mobile phone alone does not have an interpreter-dedicated accessory unit or earphone / microphone unit, one mobile phone, a mobile information communication terminal, and other information communication terminals are alternately used to realize the present invention. Interpreter service is available.

Alternatively, a mobile phone, a mobile information communication terminal,
In addition to other information communication terminals and fixed telephones, all telephone terminal devices connectable to the telephone network can be used. These include police phones, private phones for businesses, extension phones, interactive TVs, portable PCs, PDAs, home video game machines, portable video game machines, and the like.

An embodiment of waiting for an interpreting employee according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 3 and 4
3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment for waiting for an interpreting employee.

The following procedures (1) to (5) and procedures (6-1) to (10) are repeatedly executed at regular intervals.

(1) From the medium-term demand forecast database,
The host computer automatically calculates the medium-term demand forecast for a certain period.

(2-1) In the furthest time zone of the above-mentioned medium-term demand forecast, the number of interpreters who have a high evaluation score in the comprehensive evaluation score data is added to the workable conditions by the number necessary to wait. select.

(2-2) For the selected interpreting employee, the host computer automatically transmits a standby schedule to the computer of the interpreting employee, and the interpreting employee who receives the standby schedule returns to the host computer to wait. Notify and confirm waiting.

(3-1) In each of the other time zones of the medium-term demand forecast, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is greater than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting, only the difference is obtained. , The evaluation score is high with the comprehensive evaluation score data,
Select an interpreting employee who has the conditions for working.

(3-2) For the selected interpreting employee, the host computer automatically transmits a standby schedule to the computer of the interpreting employee, and the interpreting employee who receives the standby schedule returns to the host computer to wait. Notify and confirm waiting.

(4) In each of the other time zones of the medium-term demand forecast, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is greater than the number of interpreter employees who can wait, the additional number of interpreter employees required to be hired To calculate.

(5-1) In each of the other time zones of the medium-term demand forecast, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is less than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting, only the difference is provided. From the interpreter employees who have confirmed the waiting, select the interpreter employee with a low evaluation score in the comprehensive evaluation score data.

(5-2) For the selected interpreter employee, the host computer automatically transmits a standby schedule to the computer of the interpreter employee, and the interpreter employee who receives the standby schedule sends a reply to the host computer to wait. Release notice and confirmation of standby release.

(6) From the short-term demand forecast database,
The host computer automatically calculates a short-term demand forecast for a certain period of time that is more accurate than the medium-term demand forecast.

(7-1) In each of the short-term demand forecast time zones, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is greater than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting,
By the difference, the interpreter employees who have the workable condition are selected in the higher rank of the non-translator interpreter employee assignment priority data in which the interpreter employees who are scheduled to be off duty are arranged in the priority order.

(7-2) For the selected interpreting employee, the host computer automatically transmits a waiting schedule to the computer of the interpreting employee, and the interpreting employee who receives the waiting schedule sends a reply to the host computer to wait. Notify and confirm waiting.

(8-1) In each of the short-term demand forecast time zones, when the number of interpreter employees who need to wait is less than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting, the difference is calculated. The interpreter employees scheduled to wait during the time zone are listed in priority order.

(8-2) For the selected interpreting employee, the host computer automatically transmits a standby schedule to the computer of the interpreting employee, and the interpreting employee who receives the standby schedule returns by replying to the host computer, thereby waiting. Release notice and confirmation of standby release.

(9) Based on the interpreter employee comprehensive database,
At least the first interpreting language, the second interpreting language, the designation or presence / absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence / absence of the interpreter level, and the necessity of the emergency interpreter for the comprehensive evaluation score data in which all the interpreting employees are arranged in the order of the evaluation scores. Create only the number of combinations of items that are not valid.

(10) In addition to the comprehensive evaluation score data, additional data for determining interpreter employee allocation priority, which is an adjustment item for reducing the disparity in monthly income between interpreting employees, is added in each short-term time zone. , At least the first interpreter language, the second interpreter language, the designation or presence / absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence / absence of the interpreter level, and the emergency interpreter of the emergency interpreter. Create as many combinations as required.

In the present invention, the specialized fields are humanities,
It is good to include classifications such as natural sciences, medical sites, emergency sites, disaster sites, international cooperation, overseas travel from Japan, overseas travel to Japan, business, business negotiations, and English learning.

An embodiment of the interpreting service of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the interpreting work. In the present embodiment, the case where the interpreter applicant uses the telephone line network is shown. Even when using the Internet network, similar processing is performed in the procedure flow.

(1) The interpreter makes a call by selecting one of the telephone numbers of the host computer set in the language used. Alternatively, the interpreter may transmit the language used to the host computer. The telephone number may be set in addition to the interpreter's native language, such as by using a plurality of telephones, whether or not to accept a reservation, and for new registration application.

(2) The host computer that receives the power input uses the automatic response voice to specify the items of the first interpreting language, the second interpreting language, the specialized field, the interpreting level, and the necessity of the emergency interpreter of the telephone device. Accept with a tone signal.

At this time, the host computer may use an automatic response voice to inquire as to whether or not the applicant has been registered as an interpreter application, and may explain the charging system, or enter the type of payment method for the usage fee and the card number. You may let me. Also, different processing may be performed when there is a payment delay due to previous use. To charge the usage fee, a prepaid card, a credit card, a bank transfer, a convenience store transfer, a telephone company collection service, etc. may be selected.

(3) Addition of the ratio of operating time to waiting time (operating ratio), the time difference between the location of the interpreting staff on standby and the region of the applicant for interpretation, and the time from the end of the latest interpretation The interpreter employee with the highest priority described in the employee allocation priority data is called.

(4) When the assigned interpreter employee does not answer the telephone within a certain number of times of calling, the interpreter employee who is on standby next to the priority is called.

The interpreter employees who are waiting are connected to the host computer via the Internet at all times, and a plurality of interpreter employees with a higher priority order are selected for one interpreter application, and the selected interpreter employees are selected. You may make it possible to assign an interpreter employee who responds quickly by calling to the Internet.

In any case, when the host computer calls up one interpreter employee by telephone, the interpreter employee's interpreter work is started and the contract is concluded.

[0135] The interpreter who responds to the call is notified of the information of the items designated by the interpreter by automatic voice, and then the line of the interpreter and the line of the interlocutor, if necessary, are connected. To do. Since the interpreter employee is the first person to talk with the interpreter applicant, the interpreter applicants who are about to panic in an emergency etc. will be polite, easy to understand, and calm the other person, Started interpreting business. The start of the contract with the interpreter applicant will be clearly stated in words by the interpreter employee.

(5) At the end of the interpreting, the interpreting staff gives a termination signal to the host computer using the tone signal of the mobile phone, the mobile information communication terminal, or other information communication terminals. The host computer disconnects the line connection between the interpreting employee and the interpreting applicant, and the contract with the interpreting applicant ends. Furthermore, the host computer refuses that the price is not included in the price by automatic voice response, conducts a satisfaction survey on the interpreter applicant, and disconnects the line with the interpreter applicant.

As a result, the interpreting work is completed.

After that, the business operator collects money from a prepaid card, a credit card, a bank transfer, a convenience store transfer, a telephone company collection service, etc. according to the usage fee charging method selected by the interpreter applicant.

Hiring interpreters according to the present invention is performed as follows.

Interpreting employees are fluent in more than two languages,
Local residents who are familiar with the local circumstances of residence and who are accustomed to local pronunciation and intonation are desirable. By assigning interpreter employees who live nearby according to the location of the applicant for the interpreter, a high-quality interpreter service can be provided, and emergency response can be performed more smoothly.

When recruiting and hiring interpreters, first open a website and make a notification using the mass media, hire core interpreters in each country, and select an area employee who is familiar with local circumstances from among them. Select. Employees in charge of the area will make the website known and expand the number of interpreting staff through advertising activities and acquaintance introduction systems.

The selection of interpreting staff is made a first candidate by checking the necessary items by the host computer and listening to the dialogue by the area staff.

[0143] The first candidate, the selection manager, and the area staff member, for example, have a telephone interview with a conversational form. It is evaluated by basic tests such as common sense, expertise in specialized fields, and clarity. From the evaluation results, the recruitment and rank are decided, and the initial reward is calculated. Employment contracts may be made online.

(1) User satisfaction survey, (2) Response delay, cancellation count, (3) Improvement bulletin board application count,
Ranks should be reviewed regularly based on (4) interpreter staff introduction scores, (5) regular basic test interviews, and (6) call monitor evaluation. Contracts will be canceled for ranks below a certain level.

As described above, an interpreter employee can receive a human resource development program as an employee of a virtual company formed across a space despite working from home, and is not limited to improving interpreter skills. You will continue to enjoy wide training.

[0146]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The earth network type interpreting service provided by the present invention is highly convenient in that it can interpret almost all languages at any time, 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the world, immediately and at a low price. .

Depending on the situation, an interpreting service using a portable terminal device with audio and video is possible, and a written document can be translated at the same time, and an explanation thereof can be made.

[0148] Also, since an interpreter living overseas works as an interpreter, it is possible to communicate with the interlocutor using the native original pronunciation and accent, and to understand the circumstances of each country.
A personalized interpreting service is available.

As described above, the earth network type interpreter service that can be provided by the present invention is not limited to daily life, but also medical sites, emergency sites, disaster sites, international cooperation, overseas travel from Japan, overseas travel to Japan, By designating specialized fields such as business, business negotiations, and learning English, we can respond to any field or urgent need, and contribute significantly to improving public services in Japan, revitalizing local tourism, and enhancing the social security system. , It can contribute to the improvement of the quality of the Japanese as an international person, the enhancement of mutual trust at the individual level, and contribute greatly to world peace and ethnic reconciliation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an interpreter dedicated attachment unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment for waiting for an interpreting employee of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment for waiting for an interpreting employee of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an interpreting service of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 interpreter dedicated unit 1a, 2a voice communication signal terminal 1b speaker 1c microphone 1d volume 1e DC power input terminal 1f Speech start lamp 1g Speech interruption lamp 1h Equalizer button for audio adjustment 1j Modular jack terminal for fixed telephone 2 mobile phones 3 Voice call signal terminal connection cable

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Seita Seita             53, 200 Higashidawara, Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Akio Sawao             16 21-21 Iwana, Noda City, Chiba Prefecture (72) Inventor Koichi Imamura             6-4 Kurihara, Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A host computer, which is connected to a wired and / or wireless communication line network, receives an interpreter application from the communication line network from an interpreter employee waiting in a callable state from the communication line network. A global network type interpreter service providing system that assigns one or more interpreter employees to call and automatically connects the interpreter's communication line to the interpreter's communication line. 2. The host computer asks the interpreter a question by automatic voice, and at least the first interpreter language and the second interpreter language are used.
The number of combinations of each of the above items in which waiting interpreter employees are arranged in priority order, after the items including the interpreter language, the designation or presence or absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence or absence of the interpreter level, and the necessity of the emergency interpreter are obtained. 2. The earth network type interpreter according to claim 1, wherein the interpreter employees are assigned by selecting an interpreter employee who has passed a certain time from the end of the latest interpreter work from the top of the assignment priority data of Service provision system. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein each of the following procedures (1) to (5) and (6) to (10) is repeatedly executed at regular intervals. Earth network type interpreter service providing system; (1) Procedure for the host computer to automatically calculate the medium-term demand forecast for a certain period from the medium-term demand forecast database, (2) In the farthest time zone of the medium-term demand forecast,
The number of interpreters who have a high evaluation score in the comprehensive evaluation score data is selected in consideration of the workable conditions, and the selected interpreter employee has the computer of the interpreter employee a host computer. Automatically transmits a waiting schedule, and an interpreting employee who receives the waiting schedule sends a reply to the host computer to perform waiting notification and waiting confirmation, (3) Waiting in each of the other time periods of the medium-term demand forecast When the number of interpreting employees who need to do is greater than the number of interpreting employees who have already confirmed waiting, the difference is the high evaluation score in the comprehensive evaluation score data,
Select an interpreter employee who has a workable condition, to the selected interpreter employee, the host computer automatically sends a standby schedule to the computer of the interpreter employee, and the interpreter employee who receives the standby schedule transfers it to the host computer. (4) The number of interpreter employees who need to wait in each of the other time zones of the medium-term demand forecast is greater than the number of interpreter employees who can wait If there are a large number of interpreters, the procedure for calculating the required number of additional hires for interpreters, (5) In each of the other time zones of the medium-term demand forecast, the number of interpreters who need to wait is the number of interpreters who have already confirmed waiting. When the number is less than the number, the interpreter who has a low evaluation score in the comprehensive evaluation score data is selected from the interpreters who confirmed the waiting by the difference. (6), a procedure in which the host computer automatically transmits a waiting schedule to the computer of the interpreting employee, and the interpreting employee who receives the waiting schedule sends a reply to the host computer to perform a waiting release notification and a waiting release confirmation. A procedure in which the host computer automatically calculates a short-term demand forecast for a certain period of time that is more accurate than the medium-term demand forecast from the short-term demand forecast database. (7) It is necessary to wait in each of the short-term demand forecast time zones. When the number of interpreter employees is greater than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting, the difference in the number of interpreter employee assignment priority data in which interpreter employees who are not scheduled to turn are arranged in priority during the time zone. Select an interpreter employee who has a workable condition at the upper level, and the selected interpreter employee is stored in the computer of the interpreter employee. The computer automatically transmits the waiting schedule, and the interpreting employee who receives the waiting schedule sends a reply to the host computer to notify the waiting and confirm the waiting. (8) Standby in each of the short-term demand forecast time zones When the number of interpreter employees who need to be confirmed is less than the number of interpreter employees who have already confirmed waiting, the interpreter employees who are scheduled to wait during that time are arranged in order of priority by that difference The host computer automatically sends a waiting schedule to the interpreting employee's computer, and the interpreting employee who receives the waiting schedule sends a reply to the host computer. Based on the comprehensive database of interpreter employees, All of the interpreting staff are arranged in the order of the evaluation score, and at least the first evaluation language, the second interpretation language, the designation or presence / absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence / absence of the interpretation level, and the necessity of the emergency interpretation (10) Add additional data for determining the priority order of interpreter employee allocation to the total evaluation score data and add the priority data for assigning standby interpreter employees in each short time period. And the non-translated interpreter employee allocation priority data, at least the first interpreting language, the second interpreting language, the designation or presence / absence of the specialized field, the designation or presence / absence of the interpretation level,
And a procedure to create as many combinations of items as to whether or not an emergency interpreter is required. 4. The medium-term demand forecast is made by classifying the number of customers in a customer cluster, and adding the medium-term irregularity factor data based on the medium-term forecast related factor time series data to the medium-term demand forecast database. The earth network type interpreter service providing system according to claim 3, wherein the interpreter service is obtained by obtaining a solution of the analysis model. 5. The short-term demand forecast, in which the number of customers is classified by a customer cluster, and the short-term irregularity factor data is added based on the medium-term demand forecast database and short-term forecast related factor time series data. The earth network type interpreter service providing system according to claim 4, wherein the interpreter service providing system is obtained by obtaining a solution of a time series multivariate analysis model using a database for use. 6. The customer cluster is classified by one or more items selected from the group consisting of emergency / emergency, first interpreting language, second interpreting language, place of use, specialized field and interpreting level. The earth network type interpreter service providing system according to claim 4 or 5. 7. The medium-term prediction-related factor time-series data,
Contract trend record trend, interpreter user record trend, interpreter average usage time record trend, incoming call waiting time record trend, number of overseas travelers record trend by departure destination,
Foreign tourist entry / exit performance trends, major international hotel sales performance trends, Japanese yen exchange rate performance trends,
International Airline Passenger Transport Volume Trends, Major Travel Agents 5
0 companies overseas travel handling performance trend, market research result trend regarding general consumer awareness and desire to use, price change trend of competing similar interpreting services, user satisfaction survey result trend, and trend of foreign crimes The medium-term irregularity factor data is one or more selected from the group consisting of: 5. The earth network type interpreter service providing system according to claim 4, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of difference data with. 8. The short-term prediction-related factor time-series data is,
It consists of one or more selected from the group consisting of contract registrant actual data, interpreter user actual data, interpreter occupancy actual result data, and incoming call waiting time actual result data, and the short-term irregularity factor data suddenly emerges. Large-scale advertising and promotional expenses spending plan, unexpected addition and cancellation of large-scale contract registrants, abrupt fluctuations in the Japanese yen exchange rate, factors causing sudden irregular fluctuations in war, natural disasters, or incidents, and incoming parameters input The earth network type interpreter service providing system according to claim 5, wherein the system comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of waiting time tolerance values. 9. The interpreter and the interlocutor use the same telephone communication terminal equipment for transmitting and receiving only audio and / or audio and video, and are provided with at least one speaker and listening means that can be used by each speaker. At least 2 when an interpreting employee who is using an interpreter operates a telephone terminal device using the interpreter dedicated accessory unit.
9. The earth network type interpreter service providing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a speech interruption lamp and a speech start lamp capable of identifying, sensing, and blinking the tone signal of. 10. A host computer capable of Internet communication, and a fixed-type, desk-top or portable interpreter supply side terminal and portable interpreter-receiver which transmits / receives only voice and / or voice and video connectable to the host computer. The information terminal is connected by a communication line, and the host computer is provided with an interpreter request reception screening means, an interpreter selecting means, an interpreter executing means, a charging means, an interpreter evaluation collecting means, and an interpreter database. An earth network type interpreter service providing system, characterized in that the contents of the interpreter database are modified at any time by the medium-term forecast and the short-term forecast of the interpreter waiting.