JP7780917B2 - Translation system, translation method, server device, and program - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act On October 5, 2021, some of the functions of the system related to the invention were published on the website https://www.dlsite.com/home/guide/circle/trans.

This invention relates to technology that realizes a platform that, with the permission of the author, recruits translators, requests them to translate books such as manga, edits the books using the translations, and makes various translated versions of the books available to the public in various languages.

Various proposals have been made to centrally manage the entire process from book submission to publication and efficiently handle the publishing process.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a publishing method. This publishing method is a method for publishing literary works using an electronic communications network, and includes a submission process in which the content of literary works submitted in response to a call for submissions is analyzed according to predetermined criteria and work information related to the literary works is registered in a work database, and a publishing process in which a publisher is selected to publish the literary work based on the work information registered in the work database. It also includes a translation process in which translator information related to translators pre-registered in a translator database is compared with the work information registered in the work database to select a translator to translate the literary work.

Furthermore, for books, particularly manga, technology has been proposed to electronically distribute translated manga.

For example, Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic comic distribution server equipped with a translated electronic comic transmission means that, in response to a request from a client terminal for distribution of a translated electronic comic, transmits via the communications network original electronic comic data, mask data indicating a mask sheet to be displayed on a mask layer above the original electronic comic layer on which the original electronic comic indicated by the original electronic comic data is displayed, and translation data indicating a translation character description sheet to be displayed on a translation character layer above the mask layer on which the mask sheet indicated by the mask data is displayed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-156638 JP 2008-84286 A

However, the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not disclose how to make various translated manga in different languages available to the public as different works, receive feedback from general users, and evaluate the translators of the translated manga.

The present invention was made in light of these issues, and its purpose is to make a variety of translated manga works by various translators in various languages available to the public as different works, and to receive feedback from general users to evaluate the translators of the translated manga.

In order to solve the above problems, the server device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: a reception unit that receives at least a request from an author to register a translation object, an entry request from a translator, and completed translation data; a registration unit that registers a translation object and a translator based on the registration request for the translation object and the entry request from the translator; a permission unit that grants permission for the registered translator to translate the translation object; a management unit that manages at least the progress of the translation of the translation object by the translator; an editing unit that edits the translation object based on the completed translation data; a publication unit that publishes the edited translation object; a payment unit that electronically pays at least the translator a fee for translation, the author a fee for publication, and the cost of user viewing; and an evaluation unit that receives feedback from the users who have viewed the translation and evaluates the translator's translation , and when registering the translation object, the registration unit also registers the allocation of the wholesale price selected by the author.

A translation system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a translation system comprising a translator's information terminal, an author's information terminal, an information terminal of a browsing user, and a server device, wherein the server device comprises: a reception unit that receives at least a request to register a translation object from the author's information terminal, an entry request from the translator's information terminal, and completed translation data from the translator's information terminal; a registration unit that registers a translation object and a translator based on the registration request for the translation object and the entry request by the translator; an authorization unit that grants permission for the registered translator to translate the translation object; a management unit that manages at least the progress of the translation of the translation object by the translator; an editing unit that edits the translation object based on the completed translation data; a publication unit that publishes the edited translation object; a payment unit that electronically pays at least a translation fee to the translator, a publication fee to the author, and costs related to user viewing; and an evaluation unit that receives feedback after viewing from the browsing user's information terminal and evaluates the translation by the translator, and when registering the translation object, the registration unit also registers the allocation of the wholesale price selected by the author.

A translation method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a translation method using a translation system comprising a translator's information terminal, an author's information terminal, a browsing user's information terminal, and a server device, wherein in the server device, a reception unit receives at least a registration request for a translation object from the author's information terminal, an entry request from the translator's information terminal, and completed translation data from the translator's information terminal, a registration unit registers the translation object and a translator based on the registration request for the translation object and the entry request by the translator, and a permission unit grants permission to translate the translation object for the registered translator. The translation is approved by the management department, which at least manages the progress of the translation of the translation object by the translator, the editing department edits the translation object based on the completed translation data, the publication department publishes the edited translation object, the settlement department electronically settles at least the translation fee to the translator, the publication fee to the author, and the cost of viewing by users, the evaluation department receives feedback from the viewing user's information terminal after viewing and evaluates the translator's translation, and the registration department also registers the allocation of the wholesale price selected by the author when registering the translation object.

A program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as: a reception unit that receives at least a request from an author to register a translation target, an entry request from a translator, and completed translation data; a registration unit that registers a translation target and a translator based on the registration request for the translation target and the entry request from the translator; a permission unit that grants permission for the registered translator to translate the translation target; a management unit that manages at least the progress of the translation of the translation target by the translator; an editing unit that edits the translation target based on the completed translation data; a publication unit that publishes the edited translation target; a payment unit that electronically pays at least the translation fee to the translator, the publication fee to the author, and the costs associated with user viewing; and an evaluation unit that receives feedback from the users who have viewed the target and evaluates the translator's translation ; and when registering the translation target, the registration unit also registers the allocation of the wholesale price selected by the author.

This invention provides a technology that makes a variety of translated manga works by various translators in various languages available to the public as different works, receives feedback from general users, and evaluates the translators of the translated manga.

1 is a configuration diagram of a translation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a server device in the system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing detailed configurations of various tables. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information terminal in the system. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of a translation registration application by the system. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing relating to a translation entry by the system. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of publishing a translated version by the system. 10 is a configuration example of a translation permission screen by an author. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration related to translator selection and status management. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration related to translator selection and status management.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows and explains the configuration of a translation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the diagram, the translation system is composed of a server device 1, a translator's information terminal 2, an author's information terminal 3, and a user's information device 4, all connected wirelessly or via a communication network 5 such as the Internet. Terminal devices 2, 3, and 4 can be a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablet devices, laptop personal computers, and desktop personal computers.

In this configuration, the server device 1 at least accepts a request to register a translation subject from the author's information terminal 3, a translation entry request from the translator's information terminal 2, and completed translation data from the translator's information terminal 2, and registers the translation subject and translator based on the translation subject registration request and the translator's entry request. Then, when the registered translator is permitted to translate the translation subject, the server device 1 at least manages the translator's progress in translating the translation subject.

When the completed translation data is sent from the translator's information terminal 2, it is accepted, the translation target is edited based on the completed translation data, and the edited translation target is made available to users on the platform for a fee. The translator is then paid for the translation, the author is paid for the publication, and the user's viewing costs are paid electronically. In addition, the translator's translation is evaluated based on feedback from users who have viewed the work.

Figure 2 shows and explains the configuration of the server device of the translation system.

As shown in the diagram, the server device 1 has a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a memory unit 13. The control unit 11, communication unit 12, and memory unit 13 are communicatively connected via a bus line. In addition to these components, the server device 1 may also have input units such as a keyboard and mouse, and a display unit such as an LCD display that displays various information.

The communication unit 12 is realized, for example, by a network interface card (NIC) or the like, and is a communication interface that is connected to a communication network 5 such as the Internet via a wired or wireless connection and communicates with terminal devices 2, 3, 4, etc.

The memory unit 13 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or an optical disk device, and pre-stores the programs executed by the control unit 11. The memory unit 13 also has a translator information DB 14, an author information DB 15, a copyrighted work information DB 16, an evaluation DB 17, and a product information DB 18. However, it is not limited to these.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(a), user information DB 14 stores attribute information such as name and email address, translation performance information, and payment information, all linked to translator IDs. As shown in FIG. 3(b), author information DB 15 stores attribute information such as name and email address, copyrighted work information, registration history information, and payment information, all linked to author IDs. As shown in FIG. 3(c), copyrighted work information DB 16 stores work titles (e.g., titles), authors, registration history information, translation history information, and other information, all linked to copyrighted work IDs. As shown in FIG. 3(d), evaluation DB 17 stores evaluation information, all linked to translator IDs. And product information DB 18 stores copyrighted work information, author information, translator information, translation language, price, and other information, all linked to product IDs, as shown in FIG. 3(e). However, this is just one example and is not limiting.

The control unit 11 is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and by executing programs stored in the memory unit 13, it functions as a reception unit 11a, registration unit 11b, permission unit 11c, management unit 11d, editing unit 11e, publication unit 11f, generation unit 11g, settlement unit 11h, evaluation unit 11i, and transmission unit 11j. The control unit 11 may also be configured as an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Array).

In this configuration, the reception unit 11a receives at least a request to register a translation subject from the author's information terminal 3, a translation entry request from the translator's information terminal 2, and completed translation data from the translator's information terminal 2. The registration unit 11b registers the translation subject and translator in the storage unit 13 based on the translation subject registration request and the translator's entry request. More specifically, the registration history information in the copyrighted work information DB 16 and the translation performance information in the translator information DB 14 are updated. Note that the translation performance information in the translator information DB 14 also stores the entered performance.

The permission unit 11c, with permission from the author or administrator, grants permission to the registered translator to translate the translation subject. With this permission, the translation performance information in the translator information DB 14 is updated from an entry to a translation performance record. The management unit 11d at least manages the progress of the translator's translation of the translation subject, while referencing the various DBs 14 to 18 in the memory unit 13.

The editing unit 11e edits the translation target based on the completed translation data. Specifically, if the translation target is a manga, for example, the editing unit replaces the original language notation in the speech bubbles of each frame with translation data and edits the text to lay it out appropriately. The publishing unit 11f publishes this edited translation target to the user. When publishing, the generation unit 11g generates screen data in HTML format or similar for the edited translation target.

The settlement unit 11h electronically settles at least the translation fee paid to the translator, the fee paid to the author for publication, and the costs associated with user viewing. This is done by referencing the settlement information in the translator information DB 14 and author information DB 15. The evaluation unit 11i then receives feedback from the users who have viewed the work and evaluates the translator's translation. Based on this evaluation, the evaluation unit 11i updates the contents of the evaluation DB 17. The transmission unit 11j sends a notification to the information terminals 2 and 3 when, for example, the translation is approved.

Figure 4 shows and explains the configuration of the information terminal. Note that while the configuration of information terminal 2 is shown here as an example, information terminals 3 and 4 have a similar configuration.

As shown in the diagram, the information terminal 2 has a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a memory unit 25. The units 21 to 25 are connected to each other via a bus line for free communication. The communication unit 22 is implemented, for example, by a NIC or the like, and is connected to a communication network 4 such as the Internet via a wired or wireless connection, serving as a communication interface for communicating with the server device 1 or the like. The operation unit 23 is implemented, for example, by a mouse or keyboard, and accepts various operational inputs from the user. The display unit 24 is implemented, for example, by an LCD display, and displays various information. Note that if the terminal devices 2, 3, and 4 are smartphones or tablet devices, the operation unit 23 and display unit 24 may be integrated into a touch panel. The memory unit 25 is implemented, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, a HDD, or an optical disk device, and stores the program executed by the control unit 21.

The control unit 21 is realized, for example, by a CPU or MPU, and functions as a main control unit 21a, a browser unit 21b, a display control unit 21c, a transmission unit 21d, and a reception unit 21e by executing programs stored in the storage unit 25. The control unit 21 may also be configured as an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

In this configuration, the main control unit 21a is responsible for controlling the entire terminal. The browser unit 21b enables browsing based on data in HTML format or the like sent from the server device 1. At that time, the display by the display unit 24 is controlled under the control of the display control unit 21c. The transmission unit 21d sends, for example, a translation entry request in the case of information terminal 2, or a request to register a copyrighted work as a translation target in the case of information terminal 3. The reception unit 21e receives data in HTML format or the like sent from the server device 1.

The following explains the process for registering translation targets by authors using the translation system, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5.

When this process begins, a screen like the one shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the author's information terminal 3. This screen allows the author to select the wholesale price allocation. In this example, the desired allocation can be selected from 20%, 50%, or 80%. The author operates the operation unit 23 of the information terminal 3 to select the desired allocation on the screen, confirm the details, and then apply for registration. The transmission unit 21d of the author's information terminal 3 then transmits a request for registration to the server device 1 (S1). In the server device 1, the reception unit 11a receives the application to register the translation target (S2), the registration unit 11b updates (registers) the registration history information in the copyrighted work information DB 16 in the storage unit 13 (S3), the generation unit 11g updates the content of the translator recruitment page to recruit translators, and the publication unit 11f publishes the recruitment site (S4). This completes the process for registering translation compatibility by translators.

The following explains the processing flow related to translator entry and registration by the translation system, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 6.

When this process begins, the sending unit 21d of the translator's information terminal 2 sends a request to enter as a translator (S11). In the server device 1, the receiving unit 11a receives this request (S12), and the registration unit 13 updates (registers) the contents of the translator information DB 14 in the memory unit 13 (S13). Specifically, the translation performance information in the translator information DB 14 is updated (registered). Next, when the permission unit 11c gives permission for the translation (branching S14 to Yes), the sending unit 11j sends an email or the like to the translator's information terminal 2 notifying the permission (S15).

The receiving unit 21e of the translator's information terminal 2 receives the email (S16) and, under the control of the display control unit 21c, displays it on the display unit 24 (S17). Upon receiving permission, the server device 1 updates the contents of the translator information DB 14 and copyrighted work information DB 16 in the storage unit 13 (S18), and the publishing unit 11f publishes the translation acceptance status (S18). From this point on, the management unit 11b then manages the progress of the translation work by the translator (S19). This completes the series of processes.

Permission can be granted by selecting the permission button on a screen such as that shown in Figure 9, which also displays the translation target, wholesale price allocation, etc. Also, permission can be revoked after it has been granted on a screen such as that shown in Figure 10, so permission can be revoked if the translation progress is slow.

The following explains the process leading up to the publication of a translated version by the translation system, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7.

When this process begins and the sending unit 21d of the translator's information terminal 2 sends translation data (S21), the receiving unit 11a of the server device 1 receives the translation data (S22), and the editing unit 11e performs editing (S23). Specifically, for example, if the translation target is a manga, the original language notation in the speech bubbles of each frame is replaced with translation data, and editing is performed to properly layout the characters. Next, the publishing unit 11f publishes this edited translation target to the user (S24). Note that when publishing, the generating unit 11g generates screen data in HTML format or the like for the edited translation target.

The settlement unit 11h electronically settles at least the translator's fee for translation, the author's fee for publication, and the user's viewing costs (S25). The settlement information in the translator information DB 14 and author information DB 15 is referenced during this process. The evaluation unit 11i then receives feedback from the users who have viewed the work and evaluates the translator's translation (S26). Based on this evaluation, the evaluation unit 11i updates the contents of the evaluation DB 17. This completes the series of processes.

Note that feedback after viewing may be the receipt of data related to the selection of a rating button (e.g., a "Like" button) on the viewing user's information terminal 4. Additionally, the translator may be evaluated by summarizing the number of downloads, the number of views, and the results of text mining of user comments.

As explained above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solicit translations of copyrighted works such as manga into multiple languages, generate a variety of translated versions with fair compensation distribution, and make them available to the public, thereby realizing a platform that can easily provide manga and other works in a wide variety of languages and styles to the world.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this and various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, it would be possible to evaluate the translator or translated work based on a variety of factors in addition to the above-mentioned user feedback, and reflect this in the amount offered from the next time onwards.

1...server device, 2...translator's information terminal, 3...author's terminal device, 4...communications network, 11...control unit, 11a...reception unit, 11b...registration unit, 11c...permission unit, 11d...management unit, 11e...editing unit, 11f...publication unit, 11g...generation unit, 11h...settlement unit, 11i...evaluation unit, 11j...transmission unit, 12...communications unit, 13...storage unit, 14...translator information DB, 15...author information DB, 16...copyrighted work information DB, 17...evaluation DB, 18...product information DB, 21...control unit, 21a...main control unit, 21b...browser unit, 21c...display control unit, 21d...transmission unit, 21e...reception unit, 22...communications unit, 23...operation unit, 24...display unit, 25...storage unit.

Claims (5)

a reception unit that receives at least a request from an author to register a translation target, a request from a translator to enter a translation, and completed translation data;
a registration unit that registers the translation object and the translator based on the registration request for the translation object and the entry request by the translator;
a permission unit that grants permission for the registered translator to translate the translation subject;
a management unit that manages at least the progress of the translation of the translation subject by the translator;
an editing unit that edits the translation object based on the completed translation data;
a publishing unit that publishes the edited translation object;
a settlement unit that electronically settles at least the fees for translation paid to the translator, the fees for publication paid to the author, and the costs for browsing by users;
an evaluation unit that receives feedback from the user after viewing and evaluates the translation by the translator ;
The registration unit also registers the distribution of wholesale prices selected by the author when registering the translation subject.
Server device. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the feedback after the viewing is reception of data relating to selection of a rating button on an information terminal of the viewing user. In a translation system comprising a translator's information terminal, an author's information terminal, a browsing user's information terminal, and a server device,
The server device
a reception unit that receives at least a request to register a translation subject from the author's information terminal, an entry request from the translator's information terminal, and completed translation data from the translator's information terminal;
a registration unit that registers the translation object and the translator based on the registration request for the translation object and the entry request by the translator;
a permission unit that grants permission for the registered translator to translate the translation subject;
a management unit that manages at least the progress of the translation of the translation subject by the translator;
an editing unit that edits the translation object based on the completed translation data;
a publishing unit that publishes the edited translation object;
a settlement unit that electronically settles at least the fees for translation paid to the translator, the fees for publication paid to the author, and the costs for browsing by users;
an evaluation unit that receives feedback from the viewing user's information terminal after viewing and evaluates the translation by the translator ;
The registration unit also registers the distribution of wholesale prices selected by the author when registering the translation subject.
Translation system. A translation method using a translation system comprising a translator's information terminal, an author's information terminal, a browsing user's information terminal, and a server device,
In the server device,
a receiving unit that receives at least a request to register a translation subject from the information terminal of the author, an entry request from the information terminal of the translator, and completed translation data from the information terminal of the translator;
A registration unit registers the translation subject and the translator based on the registration request of the translation subject and the entry request by the translator,
A permission unit permits the registered translator to translate the translation subject,
A management department manages at least the progress of the translation of the translation subject by the translator,
The editing department edits the translation subject based on the completed translation data,
A publishing unit publishes the edited translation object;
a settlement unit that electronically settles at least the translation fee to the translator, the fee for publication to the author, and the cost of browsing by the user;
an evaluation unit receives feedback from the viewing user's information terminal after viewing and evaluates the translation by the translator ;
The registration unit also registers the distribution of wholesale prices selected by the author when registering the translation subject.
Translation methods. Computer,
a reception unit that receives at least a request from an author to register a translation subject, a request from a translator to enter the translation subject, and completed translation data;
a registration unit that registers the translation object and the translator based on the registration request for the translation object and the entry request by the translator;
a permission unit that grants permission for the registered translator to translate the translation subject;
a management unit that manages at least the progress of the translation of the translation subject by the translator;
an editing unit that edits the translation object based on the completed translation data;
a publishing unit that publishes the edited translation object;
a payment unit that electronically pays at least the translator's fee for translation, the author's fee for publication, and the user's cost for viewing; and an evaluation unit that receives feedback from the users after viewing and evaluates the translator's translation ,
The registration unit also registers the distribution of wholesale prices selected by the author when registering the translation subject.
program.