Translation provision management system and translation provision management method

Abstract

To provide a translation provision management system and a translation provision management method that can provide translations suited to translation provision situations. [Solution] The translation group comprises a management terminal 11 that has requested the opening of a chat room, a first terminal 211 that has received invitation information from the management terminal 11 for performing chat room participation processing, and a second terminal 212. The management system 50 is configured to be able to generate invitation information with mutually different participation processing methods, and issues invitation information to the management terminal 11 in response to the issuance request of the management terminal 11 so that the participation processing method using the invitation information issued to the management terminal 11 corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal 11.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a translation provision management system and a translation provision management method for managing translation provision. [Background technology]

[0002] Translation, which converts one language into another, facilitates communication between people who express themselves in different languages. Translation provision management systems handle conversions such as converting speech in a first language into speech in a second language, converting speech in a first language into characters in a second language, and converting characters in a first language into speech in a second language (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-124695 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The expressions converted by the translation service management system are provided by the first language user to the second language user. In this case, the distance between the first language user and the second language user varies depending on the context in which the translation service management system is used. The relationship between the first language user and the second language user also varies depending on the context in which the translation service management system is used.

[0005] For example, in a sightseeing tour, when a tour guide's speech is conveyed to tour participants, the tour guide, who is a user of the first language, is located near the tour participants, who are users of the second language. The distance between the first language user and the second language user is large enough that the users can mutually determine whether the translation is correct or not.

[0006] On the other hand, when conveying the administrator's speech to parents at a parent-teacher meeting, the second language users may include not only parents who are gathered at the meeting venue, but also parents who are unable to gather at the meeting venue. As a result, the distance between the first language users and the second language users varies from being next to each other to being unable to determine the accuracy of the translation provided by the users themselves. Furthermore, the parents who are unable to gather at the meeting venue may include not only parents who are acquainted with the administrator of the parent-teacher meeting, but also parents who are not acquainted with the administrator. As a result, the relationship between the first language users and the second language users varies from being acquainted with each other to being unable to determine the accuracy of the translation provided by the users themselves.

[0007] Furthermore, the credibility that the translated language expression will be provided to the appropriate user is high when users are sitting next to each other, but low when users cannot determine the accuracy of the translation regarding its recipient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A translation provision management system for solving the above problem includes a registration management unit that registers multiple terminals that can participate in a chat room, and a translation management unit that performs translation by converting a language expression entered by a first terminal into a language expression specified by a second terminal and transmitting the translation result to the second terminal within the chat room. The multiple terminals include a management terminal that requested the opening of the chat room, and participating terminals that have received invitation information from the management terminal for participating in the chat room. The registration management unit is configured to be able to generate invitation information that has different participation processing methods, and issues the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request from the management terminal so that the method used in the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request from the management terminal.

[0009] A translation provision management method for solving the above problem is a method of supporting translation provision using a translation provision management system including a registration management unit that registers multiple terminals that can participate in a chat room, and a translation management unit that performs translation by converting a language expression entered by a first terminal into a language expression specified by a second terminal and transmitting the translation result to the second terminal within the chat room. The multiple terminals include a management terminal that requested the opening of the chat room, and participating terminals that have received invitation information from the management terminal for participating in the chat room. The registration management unit is configured to be able to generate invitation information that has different participation processing methods, and issues the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request from the management terminal so that the method used in the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request from the management terminal.

[0010] According to the above configurations, the management terminal that requests the opening of a chat room receives invitation information that specifies the chat room joining method. This allows the user of the management terminal to specify a joining method that minimizes the number of joining steps, for example, when users are located next to each other. Alternatively, the user of the management terminal can specify a joining method that minimizes the time required to join the chat room.

[0011] On the other hand, in a scenario where users cannot mutually determine whether a translation is correct, the user of the management terminal can specify a participation method that requires more steps to join, or that requires more time to join a chat room.

[0012] In this way, the management terminal can invite terminals facing different situations to a chat room in a manner suitable for the usage situation of the translation provision management system. As a result, translation provision can be supported in a manner suitable for the usage situation of the translation provision management system.

[0013] In the above-described translation provision management system, the registration management unit may issue character string information as the invitation information in response to a first issuance request from the management terminal, and may issue a two-dimensional code that can be analyzed by the participating terminal as the invitation information to the management terminal in response to a second issuance request from the management terminal.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when the management terminal transmits a first issuance request, character string information is issued to the management terminal as invitation information. When the management terminal transmits a second issuance request, a two-dimensional code is issued to the management terminal as invitation information.

[0015] The two-dimensional code allows the device that reads the two-dimensional code to analyze information necessary to proceed with the chat room participation process. In other words, it saves the user of the device the trouble of having to enter numerous characters into the device to proceed with the participation process. Here, whether it is text information or a two-dimensional code, the user of the management device that provides the invitation information can determine the credibility of the device receiving the invitation information as a suitable translation destination. Using a two-dimensional code as invitation information saves the user the trouble of having to enter the two-dimensional code, making it suitable for use in scenarios where the credibility is considered high from the perspective of the user of the management device. For example, using a two-dimensional code as invitation information is suitable for use in scenarios where users are located next to each other.

[0016] The string information requires the user of the terminal that obtains the string information to disclose personal information, such as an email address for sending the string information. The user of the terminal is also required to receive the string information sent from the management terminal and to input the string information into the terminal. Therefore, using string information as invitation information is suitable for use cases where the credibility is low from the perspective of the user of the management terminal. For example, using string information as invitation information is suitable for use cases where users cannot mutually determine the accuracy of the translation destination.

[0017] The character string information and two-dimensional code are then issued in response to separate requests from the management terminal. Therefore, the management terminal that requested the opening of a chat room can provide each terminal with invitation information according to the credibility of the invitation. Ultimately, the translation provision management system can support translation provision in a manner that is more suited to the usage scenario of the translation provision management system.

[0018] In the above-mentioned translation providing management system, the difference in the participation processing method may be whether or not permission is required to participate in the chat room. According to the above configuration, the management terminal can separately request invitation information that does not require permission to join the chat room and invitation information that does require permission to join the chat room. If the configuration allows whether permission is required to be changed for each terminal, the translation provision management system can support translation provision in a manner that is more suited to the usage situation of the translation provision management system.

[0019] For example, invitation information that does not require permission to join a chat room can shorten the time required to join the chat room. Also, invitation information that does not require permission to join a chat room can reduce the load required for chat room joining processing. Therefore, providing invitation information that does not require permission can more effectively support translation provision in situations where users are located next to each other.

[0020] Conversely, invitation information that requires permission to join a chat room can increase the time it takes to join the chat room. Furthermore, invitation information that requires permission to join a chat room increases the credibility of the terminals participating in the chat room. Therefore, invitation information that requires permission can more effectively support translation provision in situations where users cannot mutually determine the accuracy of the translation provided.

[0021] In the above-described translation provision management system, the registration management unit may issue, in response to a first issuance request from the management terminal, character string information as the invitation information that can be used to request permission to participate in the chat room on the terminal that received the invitation information, and may issue, in response to a second issuance request from the management terminal, a two-dimensional code as the invitation information that does not require permission to participate in the chat room on the terminal that received the invitation information.

[0022] According to the above configuration, a device that reads a two-dimensional code can register the device as a device that can participate in a chat room. Being able to participate in a chat room by reading a two-dimensional code eliminates the need to determine whether the device that read the two-dimensional code is appropriate as a translation destination. Therefore, using a two-dimensional code as invitation information is suitable for use in situations where the credibility is high from the perspective of the user of the management terminal. For example, using the two-dimensional code as invitation information is suitable for use in situations where users are located next to each other.

[0023] Furthermore, a participating terminal that reads the character string information can request permission to join the chat room. The ability to request permission to join by receiving character string information increases the credibility that the terminal that requested permission is appropriate as a translation destination. Therefore, using character string information as invitation information is even more suitable when the credibility is low. For example, using the character string information as invitation information is suitable for use in situations where users cannot determine whether the translation destination is correct.

[0024] In the above-described translation providing management system, the registration management unit registers one of the management terminals and one or more of the participating terminals as one translation group, and waits for the participating terminal that has made the permission request to register in the translation group until the application to join the chat room is permitted by the management terminal.Furthermore, when the application to join the chat room is permitted by the management terminal, the registration management unit may register the terminal that made the request in the translation group.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the management terminal that requested the opening of a chat room determines whether or not to register other terminals in the translation group, so that only terminals suitable for participating in the chat room, i.e., terminals suitable for providing translations, can participate in the chat room.

[0026] In the above translation provision management system, the registration management unit may stop registering new terminals in the translation group in response to a stop request from the terminals belonging to the translation group.

[0027] If confidentiality is required for the content communicated from a user of the first language to a user of the second language, the translation provision management system is required to limit the terminals participating in the chat room. In this regard, with the above configuration, terminals participating in the chat room can prevent new terminals from joining the chat room. This increases the confidentiality of the translation results provided in the chat room from terminals other than those participating in the chat room.

[0028] In the above-mentioned translation provision management system, the difference in the participation processing method is whether or not permission is required to join the chat room, and the registration management unit may register one management terminal and one or more participating terminals as one translation group, and may stop registering new terminals to the translation group in response to a stop request from a terminal belonging to the translation group.

[0029] A configuration that does not require permission to participate in a chat room requires a particularly high level of confidentiality for the translation results provided in the chat room. In this regard, the difference between the participation processing methods in the above configurations is whether permission is required to participate in the chat room. In other words, the invitation information provided to a terminal may include invitation information that does not require permission to participate in the chat room. Here, the translation provision management system stops new registrations for participation in the chat room in response to a stop request from a terminal belonging to the translation group. Therefore, even in a situation where terminals that do not require permission can participate in the chat room, the terminals that can participate in the chat room can be fixed to the currently participating terminals. As a result, the effect of stopping the registration of new terminals in the translation group becomes more pronounced.

[0030] In the above-mentioned translation provision management system, the translation management unit may refer to attributes related to the user of the terminal and set the expression of the translation result to be sent to the terminal of the user based on the attributes of the user. With this configuration, it is possible to provide the user of the translation provision management system with a translation result that is suitable for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a translation provision management system together with terminals. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the translation provision management method. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a management screen displayed on the management terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a progress screen displayed on the management terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed screen displayed on the management terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a standby management screen displayed on the management terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a registration screen displayed on the participating terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a standby screen displayed on a participating terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a progress screen displayed on a participating terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a progress screen displayed on the management terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a progress screen displayed on a participating terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a progress screen displayed on a participating terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a progress screen displayed on the management terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a progress screen displayed on the management terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows a progress screen displayed on a participating terminal. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows a progress screen displayed on a participating terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The translation provision management system and the translation provision management method will be described below. [Multilingual communication system] 1, the multilingual communication system includes a management terminal 11, participant terminals 21, a language management server 30, and a translation system 40. A translation providing management system 50 includes the language management server 30 and the translation system 40.

[0033] The multilingual communication system creates translation groups. One translation group consists of one management terminal 11 and one or more participating terminals 21. The multilingual communication system opens one chat room for each translation group. The multilingual communication system provides translations within the chat rooms. The multilingual communication system executes the following processes (i) to (iv). (a) Chat room opening process (b) Chat room invitation process (c) Chat room participation process (D) Fixed processing of translation groups

[0034] (a) Opening process The translation provision management system 50 receives a chat room opening request from one pre-registered terminal. The translation provision management system 50 opens one chat room in response to the opening request from one pre-registered terminal. The translation provision management system 50 registers the terminals that can participate in the opened chat room as one translation group. The translation provision management system 50 first registers the one terminal that sent the opening request in the management terminal 11 of the translation group.

[0035] (b) Invitation processing The translation providing management system 50 receives a request to issue invitation information from the management terminal 11. The translation providing management system 50 issues invitation information in response to the issuance request from the management terminal 11. The invitation information is information for allowing terminals other than the management terminal 11 to participate in a chat room opened by the management terminal 11. The translation providing management system 50 generates multiple pieces of invitation information with different participation processing methods. The translation providing management system 50 issues the invitation information so that the participation processing method according to the invitation information is as specified by the management terminal 11. The invitation information is, for example, a URL, which is character string information, or a two-dimensional code.

[0036] (c) Participation processing The translation provision management system 50 receives a request to start chat room participation processing from a pre-registered terminal that has received the invitation information. The invitation information is information in which the chat room identification information and the password set for the chat room are embedded. The pre-registered terminal that has received the invitation information acquires, for example, the chat room identification information or the password set for the chat room through the provision of the invitation information, and continues the chat room participation processing. Embedding the chat room identification information and the password set for the chat room in the invitation information makes it easier for the pre-registered terminal that has received the invitation information to input this information in the participation processing, thereby improving the convenience of the translation provision management system 50. The translation provision management system 50 registers the pre-registered terminal that has received the invitation information in the translation group as a participating terminal 21, and completes the participation processing by the pre-registered terminal that has received the invitation information.

[0037] (d) Fixation The translation provision management system 50 receives a request from a terminal registered in the translation group to stop the process of participation in the chat room by a new terminal. The translation provision management system 50 receives the request to stop the process of participation by the new terminal and fixes the translation group for the chat room for which the request to stop is made.

[0038] Of the above-mentioned processes executed by the multilingual communication system, the processes executed by the terminals 11 and 21 may be executed by a web application. Alternatively, of the above-mentioned processes executed by the multilingual communication system, the processes executed by the terminals 11 and 21 may be executed by a native application installed on the terminals 11 and 21.

[0039] The terminals 11 and 21 have a communication function, a display function, and a language input function. The language input function inputs a user's language expression. The language expression is input by voice or text. The terminals 11 and 21 may also have a photographing function. Examples of the terminals 11 and 21 are smartphones, tablet terminals, wearable terminals, or personal computers.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 1, the multilingual communication system includes multiple participant terminals 21. The multiple participant terminals 21 include terminals that use different language expressions. For example, when the multilingual communication system is used for a parent-teacher meeting, the management terminal 11 is an administrator terminal carried by the administrator of the parent-teacher meeting. The participant terminals 21 are parent terminals carried by the parents attending the parent-teacher meeting.

[0041] [Translation Delivery Management System 50] The translation provision management system 50 is composed of a language management server 30 and a translation system 40. The language management server 30 is connected to terminals 11 and 21 via a network. The language management server 30 transmits data to the terminals 11 and 21 via the network, and receives data from the terminals 11 and 21. The language management server 30 is connected to the translation system 40 via the network. The language management server 30 transmits data to the translation system 40 via the network, and receives data from the translation system 40 via the network. The network connecting the language management server 30 to the terminals 11 and 21 and the network connecting the language management server 30 to the translation system 40 may each be a general-purpose communication line such as the Internet, or a dedicated communication line prepared for communication between devices.

[0042] The language management server 30 combines one management terminal 11 with one or more participating terminals 21. The language management server 30 manages the combinations of management terminals 11 and participating terminals 21. One management terminal 11 and one or more participating terminals 21 combined with that management terminal 11 make up one translation group. There is one management terminal 11 for each translation group. There is one or more participating terminals 21 for each translation group.

[0043] The language management server 30 manages language expressions provided to the terminals 11, 21 from the translation provision management system 50. The language management server 30 transmits the translation results of a language expression input to one terminal 11, 21 in one translation group to the other terminals 11, 21 that make up that one translation group. The language expressions transmitted by the language management server 30 to the terminals 11, 21 are the language expressions specified by the terminal before registration when the translation group was registered.

[0044] The language management server 30 includes a communication unit 31 , a control unit 32 , and a storage unit 33 . The communication unit 31 connects the terminals 11 and 21 to the language management server 30 via the network. The communication unit 31 connects the translation system 40 to the language management server 30 via the network. The communication unit 31 transmits data to the connected destination and receives data from the connected destination. The communication unit 31 transmits and receives data requested by the control unit 32.

[0045] The control unit 32 includes a central processing unit and a volatile memory. The control unit 32 reads out a translation provision management program stored in the storage unit 33. The control unit 32 reads out data stored in the storage unit 33. The control unit 32 uses the read out data to interpret and execute the translation provision management program. The control unit 32 stores data generated by the execution of the translation provision management program in the storage unit 33. The control unit 32 executes the translation provision management program to perform various processes constituting the translation provision management method.

[0046] The control unit 32 includes a component that processes various processes using software. The control unit 32 may also include dedicated hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that executes at least some of the various processes. The control unit 32 may also be configured as a circuit that includes one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC, one or more processors that operate according to a computer program, or a combination of these. In the following, an example will be described in which the control unit 32 stores a translation provision management and provision support program in an analyzable readable medium, reads out and executes the translation provision management and provision support program stored in the readable medium, and performs various processes.

[0047] [Group Management Department 32a] The control unit 32 functions as a group management unit 32a, which is an example of a registration management unit. The control unit 32 also functions as a translation management unit 32b. The group management unit 32a manages translation groups. One translation group is made up of one management terminal 11 and one or more participating terminals 21.

[0048] Management terminal 11 is the terminal that requested the opening of a chat room. There is one management terminal 11 for each chat room. Management terminal 11 is a terminal that invites terminals other than the management terminal 11 to the chat room that the management terminal 11 has requested to be opened. An invitation by management terminal 11 means that management terminal 11 provides invitation information.

[0049] A participating terminal 21 is a terminal that can participate in a chat room. There is one or more participating terminals 21 in each chat room. A participating terminal 21 is a terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal 11. One translation group is made up of one management terminal 11 and one or more participating terminals 21 that have received invitation information from the management terminal 11. The group management unit 32a registers one translation group in each chat room.

[0050] Group management unit 32a receives one opening request from a pre-registered terminal and opens one chat room. Group management unit 32a registers the pre-registered terminal that issued the opening request as management terminal 11 so that it can participate in the chat room opened by the opening request.

[0051] Group management unit 32a receives an issuance request from management terminal 11, opens a chat room, and generates chat room identification information and a password for joining the chat room. Group management unit 32a receives an issuance request from management terminal 11, and issues invitation information to one chat room specified by management terminal 11.

[0052] The group management unit 32a is specified the language expression to be provided to the terminal from the unregistered terminal that sent the opening request. The group management unit 32a registers the unregistered terminal that sent the opening request as a management terminal 11, and associates the language expression specified by the terminal with the management terminal 11. The group management unit 32a refers to the language expression specified by the management terminal 11, and provides the language expression specified by the management terminal 11 to the management terminal 11.

[0053] Group management unit 32a registers the unregistered terminal that has proceeded with the participation process using the invitation information as participating terminal 21 so that it can participate in the chat room specified by the invitation information. The group management unit 32a receives a specification of a language expression to be provided to the terminal from the unregistered terminal that is the target of the joining process. The group management unit 32a registers the unregistered terminal that is the target of the joining process as a participating terminal 21, and associates the language expression specified by the terminal with the participating terminal 21. The group management unit 32a references the language expression specified by the participating terminal 21, and provides the participating terminal 21 with the language expression specified by the participating terminal 21.

[0054] A chat room is a communication session conducted by the terminals 11 and 21. There is one chat room for each translation group. The linguistic expressions sent by the terminals 11 and 21 include identification information for the communication session. The identification information for the call session is the identification information for the chat room. The group management unit 32a collects linguistic expressions that share the same chat room identification information, and provides one chat room so that the collected linguistic expressions can be presented on a single screen.

[0055] The group management unit 32a is assigned two or more language expressions for each translation group. The group management unit 32a registers multiple terminals 21 that have specified different language expressions into one translation group. The group management unit 32a enables communication between different languages ​​between the terminals 21 registered in one translation group. Note that the group management unit 32a may also register multiple terminals 21 that specify a common language expression into one translation group. In the example shown in FIG. 1, one translation group includes, in addition to the management terminal 11, a terminal group 2G that is composed of two terminals 2U, 2C, and 2K that have specified a common language expression.

[0056] For example, terminal 2U registered by group management unit 32a is terminal 21 that has specified an English expression as a language expression to be provided. Terminal 2C registered by group management unit 32a is terminal 21 that has specified a Chinese expression as a language expression to be provided. Terminal 2K registered by group management unit 32a is terminal 21 that has specified a Korean expression as a language expression to be provided.

[0057] For example, when the translation providing management system 50 is used for a parent-teacher meeting, one translation group is made up of an administrator terminal that functions as the management terminal 11 and parent terminals that function as participant terminals 21. The participant terminals 21 include a first terminal 211 (see FIG. 2) carried by parents who are gathered at the parent-teacher meeting venue, and a second terminal 212 (see FIG. 2) carried by parents who cannot gather at the parent-teacher meeting venue.

[0058] For example, the administrator of a parent-teacher association starts the process of opening a chat room from the administrator terminal that the administrator carries with them. The administrator of the parent-teacher association starts the process of inviting users from the administrator terminal that the administrator carries with them. The invitation information used to join the chat room is provided to the parent terminal that the parent carries with them from the administrator terminal that functions as management terminal 11. The parent uses the invitation information provided to the parent terminal that the parent carries with them to start the process of joining the chat room from the parent terminal that the parent carries with them.

[0059] For example, a parent or guardian designates the language expression they will use from the parent or guardian terminal they carry during the process of joining a chat room. A translation group for a parent or guardian meeting includes multiple parent or guardian terminals that have different language expressions designated. For example, the translation group for a parent or guardian meeting includes a terminal carried by a parent who has designated an English expression, a terminal carried by a parent who has designated a Chinese expression, and a terminal carried by a parent who has designated a Korean expression.

[0060] The group management unit 32a may set one validity period for each translation group. The group management unit 32a registers the translation group in the language management server 30 for the period that satisfies the validity period, and provides translation results to the terminals 11 and 21 that make up the translation group. When the validity period has elapsed, the group management unit 32a deletes the translation group from the language management server 30 and stops providing translations to the terminals 11 and 21 that make up the translation group.

[0061] The translation management unit 32b receives language expressions from the terminals 11 and 21 in the chat room. The translation management unit 32b instructs the translation system 40 to translate the language expressions received from the terminals 11 and 21. The translation management unit 32b receives translation results from the translation system 40. The translation management unit 32b transmits the translation results of the language expressions specified by the terminals 11 and 21 to the terminals 11 and 21, for the translation results received from the translation system 40.

[0062] The storage unit 33 includes a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 33 stores various programs and data used to execute the programs. The data stored in the storage unit 33 includes group data 33a and translation history data 33b.

[0063] The group data 33a includes identification information of the terminals 11 and 21. The identification information of the terminals 11 and 21 may be a device ID that is unique to each of the terminals 11 and 21 and is assigned to each of the terminals 11 and 21 by the language management server 30. The identification information of the terminals 11 and 21 may also be a device token that is assigned to each of the terminals 11 and 21.

[0064] The group data 33a includes identification information of a translation group. The identification information of a translation group is used by the language management server 30 to identify the translation group. The group data 33a includes identification information of a language group. The identification information of a language group is used by the language management server 30 to identify the language group.

[0065] The group data 33a associates the identification information of a translation group with the identification information of the management terminals 11 that make up the translation group. The group data 33a associates the identification information of a language group with the identification information of the management terminals 11 that make up the language group. The identification information of one management terminal 11 is associated with one translation group. The identification information of one management terminal 11 is associated with one language group. The identification information of the management terminal 11 is associated with one translation group for each chat room that the management terminal 11 has proceeded with the opening process for.

[0066] The group data 33a associates the identification information of a translation group with the identification information of the participating terminals 21 that make up the translation group. The group data 33a associates the identification information of a language group with the identification information of the participating terminals 21 that make up the language group. The identification information of one participating terminal 21 is associated with one translation group. The identification information of one participating terminal 21 is associated with one language group. For chat rooms in which the participating terminal 21 has progressed the joining process, the participating terminal 21 is associated with one translation group per chat room.

[0067] The group data 33a associates the identification information of a translation group with the identification information of a chat room that the translation group can participate in. The group data 33a associates the identification information of a translation group with the password of a chat room that the translation group can participate in.

[0068] The group data 33a includes a designated language expression. The designated language expression is a language expression designated for the terminal 11, 21. The language expression includes a written expression and a spoken expression. The designated language expressions include Japanese, English, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Filipino, Khmer, and Nepali. The identification information of the terminal 11, 21 is associated with one designated language expression. The designated language expression associated with the identification information of the terminal 11, 21 is the identification information of the terminal 11, 21 that designated the designated language expression. The designation of a language expression by the terminal 11, 21 is performed when the terminal 11, 21 is registered in a translation group.

[0069] The translation history data 33b includes a history of translation results. The translation history data 33b associates a history of translation results with a translation group. The history of translation results associated with a translation group is a history of translation results provided in chat rooms in which the translation group participated. The translation history data 33b includes text data of language expressions input by the terminals 11 and 21, and text data that is the translation result of that text data.

[0070] The translation system 40 includes a speech recognition server 41, a translation server 42, and a speech synthesis server 43. The translation system 40 converts a linguistic expression input by one terminal 11, 21 into a linguistic expression specified by the other terminal 11, 21.

[0071] The speech recognition server 41 converts a speech expression in a first language input by one of the terminals 11 and 21 into a sentence expression in the first language. The translation server 42 converts the sentence expression in the first language converted by the speech recognition server 41 into a sentence expression in a second language. The translation server 42 also converts the sentence expression in the first language input by one of the terminals 11 and 21 into a sentence expression in the second language. The speech synthesis server 43 converts the sentence expression in the second language converted by the translation server 42 into a speech expression in the second language.

[0072] [Invitation information] The group management unit 32a is configured to be able to generate invitation information upon receiving an issuance request from the management terminal 11. The group management unit 32a issues the generated invitation information to the management terminal 11 that requested the issuance of the invitation information. The management terminal 11 provides the invitation information to terminals other than the management terminal 11 that have not yet been registered, thereby determining the terminals to be invited by the invitation information.

[0073] Group management unit 32a includes chat room identification information in the invitation information. The chat room identification information included in the invitation information is the identification information of the chat room opened by management terminal 11 that requested the issuance of the invitation information.

[0074] Group management unit 32a includes a chat room password in the invitation information. The chat room password included in the invitation information is the password for the chat room opened by management terminal 11 that requested the issuance of the invitation information.

[0075] The group management unit 32a sets the [A] application and [B] procedure that constitute the participation processing method. The [A] application setting in the participation processing is a setting related to the input of invitation information at a pre-registered terminal in the participation processing method. The [B] procedure setting in the participation processing is a setting related to permission for a pre-registered terminal to participate in a chat room in the participation processing method.

[0076] The management terminal 11 includes in the issuance request a specification of the joining processing method that differs from one another. The joining processing method specification is a specification for changing the joining processing method based on the invitation information. The joining processing method specification includes at least one of [A] an application specification and [B] a procedure specification, which constitute the joining processing method. The joining processing method specification is specified, for example, by operating the management screen for making the issuance request. The method specification included in one issuance request may be a specification of one type of method, or may be a specification of two or more mutually different types of methods.

[0077] The group management unit 32a issues invitation information so that the participation processing method specified by the method specification in the issuance request matches the participation processing method specified by the invitation information. If one issuance request includes one method specification, the group management unit 32a issues one piece of invitation information. If one issuance request includes two method specifications, the group management unit 32a issues two or more types of invitation information.

[0078] The group management unit 32a may associate one of the [A] applications in the participation processing with one of the [B] procedures in the participation processing. For example, the group management unit 32a may associate a two-dimensional code, which is an example of the [A] application, with a registration procedure that does not require permission, which is an example of the [B] procedure. The registration procedure that does not require permission is a registration procedure that does not require permission from the management terminal 11 to participate in the chat room. Furthermore, the group management unit 32a may associate, for example, character string information, which is an example of the [A] application, with a registration procedure that requires permission, which is an example of the [B] procedure. The registration procedure that requires permission is a registration procedure that requires permission from the management terminal 11 to participate in the chat room.

[0079] For example, when the translation providing management system 50 is used for a parent-teacher meeting, the invitation information required to participate in the chat room is requested from the administrator terminal, which is the management terminal 11. The administrator terminal specifies the participation processing method based on the invitation information for the invitation information to be provided to the parent terminal carried by the parent.

[0080] At this time, the operator terminal specifies character string information in the issuance request as the method of participation processing, and thereby specifies input of character string information as an [A] application for participation processing. Group management unit 32a receives the issuance request from the operator terminal, which is an example of a first issuance request, and issues character string information in which the chat room identification information and password are embedded in a URL specifying a site for participation processing. Note that if an expiration date is set for the chat room, the expiration date is embedded in the URL specifying the site for participation processing.

[0081] The organizer provides the issued character string information to parents who are unable to attend the parent-teacher meeting venue. The group management unit 32a then receives a participation application based on the character string information from the parent terminal that has entered the character string information. The group management unit 32a references procedure [B] associated with the participation application based on the character string information, and requests the organizer terminal carried by the organizer to permit the parent terminal that has submitted the participation application to participate, for example, as a registration procedure that requires permission.

[0082] Furthermore, the operator terminal also specifies a two-dimensional code in the issuance request as the participation processing method, thereby specifying reading of the two-dimensional code as the [A] application for the participation processing. The group management unit 32a receives the issuance request from the operator terminal, which is an example of a second issuance request, and issues a two-dimensional code embedded with a URL specifying a site for the participation processing, chat room identification information, and a password. The operator proceeds to provide the issued two-dimensional code to parents gathered at the parent-teacher meeting venue. The group management unit 32a also receives a participation application based on the two-dimensional code from the parent terminal that interpreted the two-dimensional code. The group management unit 32a references the [B] procedure associated with the participation application based on the two-dimensional code and begins registration of the parent terminal that made the participation application, for example, as a registration procedure that does not require permission.

[0083] [A]Application The application for participation processing may be an input operation on terminal 21 when starting the participation processing. The application for participation processing may be an input operation on terminal 21 when continuing the participation processing. The application for participation processing may be an input operation on terminal 21 when starting the participation processing and an input operation on terminal 21 when continuing the participation processing.

[0084] The input operation when starting the participation process is to input information for starting the participation process into terminal 21. The information for starting the participation process includes identification information for the chat room. The input operation when continuing the participation process is to input information for continuing the participation process into terminal 21. The information for continuing the participation process includes the password set for the chat room.

[0085] The first example of an application for participation processing is the input operation of character string information [A1]. The second example of an application for participation processing is the operation of reading a two-dimensional code [A2]. The character string information is generated by the group management unit 32a. The character string information may be character string information for starting the participation process. The character string information for starting the participation process may be information specifying a site for the participation process, or may be identification information for the chat room. The site specified by the character string information may be a site for a registration procedure that requires permission, or may be a site for a registration procedure that does not require permission. The character string information may be character string information for continuing the participation process. The character string information for continuing the participation process may be a password set for the chat room.

[0086] The character string information may be, for example, the URL of a site for a registration procedure requiring permission and identification information for a chat room. The character string information may be a URL in which the identification information for a chat room is incorporated into the URL of a site for a registration procedure requiring permission. The character string information may be a URL in which the identification information for a chat room and a password are incorporated into the URL of a site for a registration procedure requiring permission.

[0087] The two-dimensional code is generated by the group management unit 32a. The two-dimensional code has the above-mentioned character string information embedded therein. The character string information embedded in the two-dimensional code may be character string information for starting the joining process. The character string information embedded in the two-dimensional code may be character string information for continuing the joining process.

[0088] The request to issue the character string information as invitation information specifies the above-mentioned input operation of the character string information as the participation processing method. The group management unit 32a receives the request to issue the character string information and issues the character string information to the management terminal 11 as invitation information.

[0089] The request to issue a two-dimensional code as invitation information specifies the above-mentioned two-dimensional code reading operation as the participation processing method. The group management unit 32a receives the request to issue a two-dimensional code and issues the two-dimensional code to the management terminal 11 as invitation information.

[0090] Here, whether the invitation information is character string information or a two-dimensional code, the user of the management terminal 11 providing the invitation information can determine the credibility of the suitability of the terminal 21 receiving the invitation information as a translation destination. For example, in a situation where users are next to each other, the credibility can be determined by visual confirmation by the user of the management terminal 11. For example, in a situation where the user of the management terminal 11 cannot visually confirm the user of the terminal 21, the credibility can be determined by the user of the management terminal 11 obtaining personal information related to the user of the terminal 21. For example, in a situation where the users cannot mutually determine the accuracy of the translation destination, the user of the management terminal 11 can determine that the credibility is relatively low.

[0091] [A1] The character string information requests the user of the terminal that acquires the character string information to disclose personal information such as an email address to which the character string information is to be sent in advance. The user of the terminal is also requested to perform an operation to receive the character string information sent from the management terminal 11 and to input the character string information into the terminal.

[0092] From this perspective, using character string information as invitation information is suitable for use situations where the reliability of the judgment of the user of the management terminal 11 is low. For example, using character string information as invitation information is suitable for use situations where users cannot judge the accuracy of the translation destination.

[0093] [A2] Compared to inputting character string information, two-dimensional codes enable faster reading, higher information density, and more accurate error correction. The two-dimensional code allows the terminal to read information specifying the site for participating. The two-dimensional code allows the terminal to read the chat room identification information and the password set for the chat room. Using two-dimensional codes as invitation information saves the terminal user the input of character string information. Using two-dimensional codes as invitation information saves the terminal user the operation of correcting input characters.

[0094] From this perspective, using a two-dimensional code as invitation information is suitable for use in situations where the reliability of the user's identification of the management terminal 11 is high. For example, using a two-dimensional code as invitation information is suitable for use in situations where users can mutually determine whether the translation is correct or not.

[0095] [B] Procedure The procedure of the joining process indicates the difficulty of the processes required to continue the joining process. The series of processes required for the joining process includes a registration procedure that does not require permission or a registration procedure that requires permission.

[0096] In a registration procedure that does not require permission, the pre-registration terminal accesses a registration application site, or executes a program to start the registration procedure. The pre-registration terminal includes terminal information, user information, chat room identification information, and a password in the registration application and sends the registration application to the language management server 30.

[0097] The language management server 30 associates the chat room identification information transmitted from the pre-registration terminal with the terminal information and user information transmitted from the pre-registration terminal, and registers the terminal that transmitted the registration request in the group data 33a as a participating terminal 21. In this way, the language management server 30 allows the terminal that transmitted the registration request to participate as a participating terminal 21 in the chat room identified by the chat room identification information.

[0098] In a registration procedure requiring permission, the pre-registered terminal accesses a permission application site. Alternatively, the pre-registered terminal executes a program to start the registration procedure requiring permission. The pre-registered terminal includes terminal information, user information, chat room identification information, and a password in the permission application and sends the permission application to the language management server 30.

[0099] The language management server 30 requests the management terminal 11 to determine whether or not registration is permitted based on the information transmitted from the terminal. The language management server 30 monitors whether or not permission is granted to a permission request from the management terminal 11, and upon receiving permission from the management terminal 11, associates the chat room identification information transmitted from the pre-registration terminal with the terminal information and user information transmitted from the pre-registration terminal. The language management server 30 then registers the terminal that transmitted the permission request as a participating terminal 21 in the group data 33a. As a result, the language management server 30 allows the terminal that transmitted the permission request to participate as a participating terminal 21 in the chat room identified by the chat room identification information. The management terminal 11 can collectively process the registration permission determinations requested by the language management server 30 for multiple different terminals. When the language management server 30 receives the registration permission determinations processed collectively by the management terminal 11, the language management server 30 associates the chat room identification information transmitted from the terminal with the terminal information and user information transmitted from the terminal for the multiple pre-registration terminals processed collectively. The language management server 30 then collectively registers the multiple terminals that have sent permission requests in the group data 33a as participating terminals 21. This reduces the effort required for the management terminal 11 to determine whether or not to allow registration, thereby improving the convenience of the translation provision management system 50.

[0100] Meanwhile, the language management server 30 monitors whether the permission request made by the management terminal 11 has been granted, and suspends the participation process for the terminal that sent the permission request until permission is received from the management terminal 11. Such a registration procedure that requires permission is also a process that takes time until permission is granted.

[0101] The terminal information includes identification information of the terminals 11 and 21. The user information includes the language expressions used by the terminals 11 and 21, the user's nickname in the chat room, the user's name, and the user's gender. The language management server 30 uses the gender included in the user information of the terminals 11 and 21 to select the language expressions to be provided to the terminals 11 and 21. The language management server 30 uses the translation system 40 to translate one language expression separately for men and women. The language management server 30 provides the terminals 11 and 21 with the translation results corresponding to the gender included in the user information of the terminals 11 and 21.

[0102] The user information may include personal information related to the user of the terminal 21. User information for a registration application does not include personal information, while user information for a permission application may include personal information. Personal information includes the user's name, age, address, telephone number, and email address to identify the user of the terminal 21. Entering personal information increases the credibility that the terminal 21 receiving the invitation information is an appropriate destination for translation. The language management server 30 may use the above-mentioned gender, age, address, and other user attributes as user attributes, and generate translation results of language expressions by attribute from a single language expression to be translated. The language management server 30 provides the terminals 11 and 21 with translation results that correspond to the attributes included in the user information of the terminals 11 and 21.

[0103] A first example of a participation processing procedure is [B1] a registration procedure that does not require permission. A second example of a participation processing procedure is the [B2] permission-required registration procedure. [B1] Invitation information specifying a registration procedure that does not require permission may be character string information or a two-dimensional code with the character string information embedded. Invitation information specifying a registration procedure that does not require permission may be set to have the same level of application operation as invitation information specifying a registration procedure that requires permission. Invitation information specifying a registration procedure that does not require permission may be set to have an application operation that is even less burdensome than invitation information specifying a registration procedure that requires permission.

[0104] Invitation information specifying a registration procedure that does not require permission can shorten the time required to join a chat room. Therefore, invitation information specifying a registration procedure that does not require permission can reduce the load required for chat room participation processing. Furthermore, providing invitation information specifying a registration procedure for participation processing can more effectively support the provision of translations in situations where users are located next to each other.

[0105] [B2] Invitation information specifying a registration procedure requiring permission may be character string information or a two-dimensional code with the character string information embedded. Invitation information specifying a registration procedure requiring permission may have the same level of application operations as invitation information specifying a registration procedure not requiring permission. Invitation information specifying a registration procedure requiring permission may have an application operation that is even more demanding than invitation information specifying a registration procedure requiring permission.

[0106] Invitation information specifying a registration procedure that requires permission can increase the time it takes to join a chat room. Invitation information specifying a registration procedure that requires permission increases the credibility of the terminal participating in the chat room by the amount of time it takes to determine whether or not participation is possible. Therefore, providing invitation information specifying a registration procedure that requires permission for participation processing can more effectively support translation provision in situations where users cannot mutually determine the accuracy of the translation destination.

[0107] [Participation process] The group management unit 32a sets the participation processing method to be set in the invitation information to the method specified in the issuance request. The group management unit 32a imposes the method specified by the management terminal 11 on unregistered terminals that start participation processing using the invitation information.

[0108] If the issuance request specifies the [A1] character string information, the group management unit 32a issues the character string information as invitation information. Then, the group management unit 32a requires a terminal that starts a participation process using the invitation information to input the character string information as part of the participation process.

[0109] If the issuance request specifies [B2] a registration procedure requiring permission, the group management unit 32a issues invitation information for starting the registration procedure requiring permission. Then, the group management unit 32a imposes the following participation process on a terminal that starts the participation process using the invitation information: a registration application, a permission application, and permission from the management terminal 11.

[0110] If the issuance request specifies [A1] character string information and [B2] a registration procedure requiring permission, the group management unit 32a issues the character string information for starting the registration procedure requiring permission as invitation information.The group management unit 32a then requires a terminal that starts the participation process using the invitation information to apply for permission by inputting the character string information as the participation process, and to obtain permission from the management terminal 11.

[0111] For example, if the translation providing management system 50 is used by a parent-teacher association, the administrator of the parent-teacher association requests the issuance of a two-dimensional code at an administrator terminal functioning as the management terminal 11. In requesting the issuance of the two-dimensional code, the administrator terminal specifies a URL specifying a site for registration applications, chat room identification information, and an encoded version of the chat room password. The group management unit 32a issues the specified two-dimensional code to the administrator terminal.

[0112] Parents who have gathered at the parent-teacher meeting venue receive a two-dimensional code from the operator terminal on the parent-teacher terminal they carry with them. Parents who have gathered at the parent-teacher meeting venue read the two-dimensional code on the parent-teacher terminal they carry with them and send the chat room identification information, password, terminal information, and user information via the registration application site. The group management unit 32a receives the information from the parent-teacher terminal via the registration application site and registers the parent-teacher terminal in the translation group as a participating terminal 21.

[0113] For example, if the translation providing management system 50 is used by a parent-teacher association, the administrator of the parent-teacher association requests the issuance of character string information at an administrator terminal functioning as management terminal 11. In response to the request for character string information, the administrator terminal specifies character string information including a URL specifying a site for permission applications, chat room identification information, and a chat room password. The group management unit 32a issues the specified character string information to the administrator terminal.

[0114] A parent who cannot attend the parent-teacher meeting venue receives character string information from the operator terminal via email or the like on the parent-teacher terminal carried by the parent. A parent who cannot attend the parent-teacher meeting venue inputs character string information on the parent-teacher terminal carried by the parent, and transmits chat room identification information, password, terminal information, and user information via a permission application site. The group management unit 32a receives information from the parent terminal via the permission application site and requests the management terminal 11 to determine whether or not to allow the parent to attend based on the received information. Upon receiving permission from the management terminal 11, the group management unit 32a registers the parent terminal carried by the parent in the translation group as a participating terminal 21. Alternatively, upon receiving a rejection from the management terminal 11, the group management unit 32a suspends the registration of the parent terminal carried by the parent.

[0115] [Fixation Processing] As described above, the translation providing management system 50 receives a request from the terminals 11 and 21 belonging to the translation group to stop the process of joining a chat room by a new terminal. The group management unit 32a receives the request to stop the process of joining by the new terminal and identifies the chat room specified by the terminal 11 or 21 that requested the stop. The group management unit 32a fixes the translation group that can join the identified chat room so that new terminals are not registered after receiving the stop request.

[0116] For example, if the translation provision management system 50 is used for a parent-teacher association, the administrator of the parent-teacher association checks the participating terminals 21 participating in the chat group on an administrator terminal that functions as the management terminal 11. When the administrator of the parent-teacher association determines that all parents who had previously submitted their desire to participate in the parent-teacher association are participating, the administrator sends a stop request from the administrator terminal to the translation provision management system 50. Upon receiving the request to stop the participation process by new terminals, the translation provision management system 50 identifies the translation group of the parent-teacher association as the target of fixation. The translation provision management system 50 fixes the translation group of the parent-teacher association specified by the administrator terminal so that new terminals are not registered.

[0117] [Translation Delivery Management System 50 Operation] The operation of the translation provision management system 50 will be described below using an example in which the translation provision management system 50 is used at a parents' meeting. An example will be shown in which the administrator of the parents' meeting carries an administrator terminal that serves as the management terminal 11, parents who are gathered at the parents' meeting venue carry a first terminal 211 as a parents' terminal, and parents who cannot gather at the parents' meeting venue carry a second terminal 212 as a parents' terminal. An example will be shown in which the first terminal 211 specifies the two-dimensional code [A2] and the registration procedure [B1] in the request to issue invitation information, and the second terminal 212 specifies the character string information [A1] and the registration procedure requiring permission [B2] in the request to issue invitation information.

[0118] First, the administrator of the parent-teacher association starts the application software for using the translation service on the administrator terminal that he or she carries with him or her. The administrator of the parent-teacher association sends the terminal information of the administrator terminal to the translation service management system 50 from the login screen for using the translation service. The translation service management system 50 checks the terminal information of the administrator terminal and authorizes the administrator terminal to use the translation service. As a result, the administrator of the parent-teacher association receives authentication to use the translation service on the administrator terminal that he or she carries with him or her.

[0119] [Management screen] As shown in Figure 2, the administrator of the parents' association displays the management screen for providing translations on the administrator terminal that he or she carries with him or her. The administrator of the parents' association taps the "Create Room" button on the management screen, causing the administrator terminal to request the opening of a chat room for the parents' association. At this time, the administrator of the parents' association checks the "Code Designation 1D1" (see Figure 3) on the management screen, causing the administrator terminal to request the issuance of character string information and a two-dimensional code (step S11).

[0120] The translation providing management system 50 opens a parent-teacher association chat room in response to the opening request, and registers the operator terminal as the management terminal 11. The translation providing management system 50 issues invitation information in response to the opening request (step S51). The translation providing management system 50 transmits the identification information, password, character string information, and two-dimensional code of the parent-teacher association chat room to the operator terminal to indicate that opening is complete.

[0121] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the administrator of a parents' association displays an administration screen on screen 11D of the administrator terminal. The administrator operates code designation 1D1 displayed on screen 11D to instruct the administrator terminal to issue a two-dimensional code. The administrator taps the room issue button (shaded area in FIG. 3) to request the administrator terminal to open a parents' association chat room and to issue invitation information. Screen 11D of the administrator terminal displays identification information for the parents' association chat room in identification information display section 1D3, indicating that the room has been opened, and displays the password for the parents' association chat room in password display section 1D5. Screen 11D of the administrator terminal also displays a message in character string information display section 1D2 indicating that the room has been opened and that character string information can be copied as invitation information.

[0122] The management screen is an interface that allows the operator to open a chat room for parents in the translation provision management system 50. The management screen is an interface that allows the operator to generate invitation information in the translation provision management system 50. The management screen is an interface that allows the operator to check the invitation information.

[0123] The management screen includes a room creation button for sending a request to open a room, a procedure specification 1D0, a code specification 1D1, a character string information display section 1D2, an identification information display section 1D3, a name input section 1D4, and a password display section 1D5.

[0124] The procedure specification 1D0 is an interface for specifying a registration procedure that requires permission as a [B] procedure. The code specification 1D1 is an interface for issuing a two-dimensional code as invitation information. The character string information display section 1D2 displays character string information issued as invitation information. The identification information display section 1D3 displays the identification information of the parent-teacher association chat room.

[0125] The name input section 1D4 is an interface for inputting the name of the administrator who uses the administrator terminal. The password display section 1D5 displays the password set for the parent-teacher association chat room.

[0126] The two-dimensional code that is issued by tapping the room issue button after specifying the code 1D1 has embedded therein the URL specifying the site for registration application, the identification information of the parent-teacher association chat room, and the password.

[0127] The URL to be embedded in the two-dimensional code may be specified by operating a setting screen displayed on the administrator terminal. The URL to be embedded in the two-dimensional code may be, for example, either a URL specifying a site for registration applications or a URL specifying a site for permission applications. Whether to embed the identification information of the parent-teacher association chat room in the two-dimensional code or whether to embed a password in the two-dimensional code may also be specified by operating a setting screen displayed on the administrator terminal.

[0128] The string information issued by tapping the room issue button after specifying procedure specification 1D0 is information that incorporates the identification information and password of the parent-teacher association chat room into the URL specifying the site for permission applications.

[0129] The URL to be incorporated into the character string information may be specified by operating a setting screen displayed on the operator terminal. The URL to be incorporated into the character string information may be, for example, either a URL specifying a site for registration application or a URL specifying a site for permission application. Whether to embed the identification information of the parent-teacher association chat room in the character string information or whether to embed a password in the character string information may also be specified by operating a setting screen displayed on the operator terminal.

[0130] [Progress screen] Returning to FIG. 2, the administrator of the parents' association displays a progress screen for providing translation on the administrator terminal carried by the administrator. On the progress screen, the administrator of the parents' association taps the Provide String button 4D1 (see FIG. 5) to send the string information as invitation information to the administrator terminal. On the progress screen, the administrator of the parents' association taps the Provide Code button 4D2 (see FIG. 5) to display a two-dimensional code as invitation information on the administrator terminal (step S12).

[0131] The parents who are gathered at the parent-teacher meeting venue have first terminal 211, which is a parent-teacher terminal that they carry with them, read the two-dimensional code displayed by the operator terminal. The parent carrying first terminal 211 performs a reading operation on first terminal 211, causing first terminal 211 to access a site for registration applications that do not require permission. Then, the parent carrying first terminal 211 enters user information related to themselves and causes first terminal 211 to send the registration application (step S21).

[0132] A parent who cannot gather at the parent-teacher meeting venue receives the character string information sent from the operator terminal on second terminal 212, which is a parent-teacher terminal carried by the parent-teacher. The parent carrying second terminal 212 inputs the character string information on second terminal 212, causing second terminal 212 to access a registration application site that requires permission. The parent carrying second terminal 212 inputs user information related to the parent and causes second terminal 212 to send a registration application and a permission application (steps S31 and S32). Having sent the registration application and permission application, second terminal 212 waits until registration of second terminal 212 is permitted (step S33).

[0133] The translation provision management system 50 receives the registration request from the first terminal 211 and registers the terminal information and user information included in the registration request in the group data 33a. This allows the parent carrying the first terminal 211 to use the translation provision in the parent chat room (step S22). Then, the screen of the first terminal 211 transitions to a progress screen for the parent chat room.

[0134] Meanwhile, the translation provision management system 50 receives the registration application and permission application for the second terminal 212, and requests the operator terminal to determine whether or not to register the second terminal 212 based on the terminal information and user information included in the application (step S52).

[0135] The administrator of the parent-teacher association recognizes the participant icons displayed on the progress screen and confirms that the parents who have been provided with the QR code can use the parent-teacher association chat room. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the administrator displays a progress screen on the screen 11D of the administrator terminal. The progress screen is an interface through which the administrator is provided with the participation status of the parent-teacher association chat room from the translation provision management system 50. The progress screen displays the terminals participating in the parent-teacher association chat room as icons. The progress screen is an interface through which the administrator and parents receive translations of language expressions from the translation provision management system 50.

[0136] The menu on the progress screen includes a waiting room icon 2D3, a details icon 2D4, a settings icon 2D5, and an exit icon 2D6. The progress screen also includes a text input area 2D1 and a microphone icon 2D2. The administrator can check the participants attending the parent-teacher meeting by viewing the icon 4D5 (see Figure 5).

[0137] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the administrator taps the details icon 2D4 displayed on the progress screen to display a text string providing button 4D1, a code providing button 4D2, a fix button 4D3, and a save button 4D4.

[0138] The administrator taps the string providing button 4D1 to display a screen for sending string information on the administrator terminal. On the screen for sending string information, the administrator includes the string information issued as invitation information in the string to be sent. On the screen for sending invitation information, the administrator specifies a pre-stored address that can be received by second terminal 212, and sends the string information as invitation information to second terminal 212, which is the parent terminal.

[0139] The administrator taps the code provision button 4D2 to display a two-dimensional code as invitation information on the administrator terminal, and then has the first terminal 211, which is the parent terminal, read the two-dimensional code as invitation information.

[0140] The fix button 4D3 is an interface for requesting the suspension of a translation group. The administrator taps the fix button 4D3 to send a request to the administrator terminal to stop the translation group. The administrator terminal includes the identification information of the parent-teacher association chat room in the suspension request. In response to the suspension request, the translation provision management system 50 performs a suspension process on the translation group associated with the chat room identification information. This fixes the translation group for the parent-teacher association chat room so that new terminals cannot join after the suspension request.

[0141] The save button 4D4 is an interface for saving the translation results. The administrator taps the save button 4D4 to send a save request to the administrator terminal. The administrator terminal includes the identification information of the parent-teacher association chat room in the save request. In response to the save request, the translation providing management system 50 saves the history of translation results associated with the translation group associated with the identification information of the parent-teacher association chat room. This identifies, for the parent-teacher association chat room, the translation group to which the management terminal 11 belongs and the translation group that can participate in the parent-teacher association chat room currently being output by the management terminal 11 through the progress screen.

[0142] [Standby management screen] 2, the administrator of the parent-teacher association taps the waiting room icon 2D3 (see FIG. 5) displayed on the progress screen and confirms on the waiting management screen that the parent who received the character string information has submitted a permission request. The administrator of the parent-teacher association confirms that the permission request displayed on the waiting management screen is the recipient of the character string information from the user name and language used displayed on the waiting management screen, and approves the registration of the second terminal 212 (step S13).

[0143] The translation provision management system 50 keeps the second terminal 212 on standby until it receives permission related to the permission request from the second terminal 212 (step S33). The translation provision management system 50 receives permission related to the permission request from the second terminal 212 and registers the terminal information and user information included in the permission request in the group data 33a (step S53). This allows parents who carry the second terminal 212 to also use the translation provision in the parents' chat room (step S34). Then, the screen of the second terminal 212 transitions to a progress screen for the parents' chat room.

[0144] On the other hand, the administrator of the parents' association checks the user name and the language used on the standby management screen to confirm that the permission request displayed on the standby management screen is not the recipient of the character string information, and rejects the permission request. When the administrator of the parents' association determines that all parents who had previously submitted their desire to attend the parents' association are participating, the administrator sends a stop request from the administrator's terminal to the translation provision management system 50 and holds the parents' association (step S14).

[0145] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the administrator taps the waiting room icon 2D3 (see FIG. 5) displayed on the progress screen to display the waiting management screen. The waiting management screen is an interface that allows the administrator to approve or reject permission requests. The waiting management screen includes a waiting list display section 3D1, a waiting person language display section 3D2, and a decision button 3D3.

[0146] The waiting list display section 3D1 displays the user information included in the permission request for each terminal. The waiting user language display section 3D2 displays the language expression used by the user of the terminal that sent the permission request. The language expression displayed by the waiting user language display section 3D2 is generated by the translation provision management system 50 from the user information included in the permission request. The decision button 3D3 inputs whether to allow or deny the permission request. At this time, permission or denial can be entered individually for multiple terminals selected in the waiting list display section 3D1, or can be entered all at once.

[0147] The administrator determines that the permission request is from a prospective participant of the parent-teacher meeting based on the user name displayed in the waiting list display area 3D1 and the language displayed in the waiting participant language display area 3D2. If the administrator determines that the permission request is from a prospective participant, the administrator taps "Approve" on the decision button 3D3 and approves the permission request. Conversely, if the administrator determines that the permission request is not from a prospective participant, the administrator taps "Reject" on the decision button 3D3 and rejects the permission request.

[0148] 7, the parent carrying first terminal 211 has first terminal 211 read the two-dimensional code from the operator terminal and display a registration application screen on screen 21S of first terminal 211. The parent carrying first terminal 211 enters user information on the registration application screen and includes the entered user information, terminal information, identification information for the parents' association chat room included in the introduction information, and a password in the registration application. The parent carrying first terminal 211 then has first terminal 211 send the registration application.

[0149] The registration application screen comprises a language selection section 1S1, a name input section 1S2, a gender input section 1S3, and a registration application section 1S4. The language selection section 1S1 displays selectable language expressions used on the first terminal 211. The languages ​​displayed by the language selection section 1S1 are languages ​​for which the translation provision management system 50 can provide translations. The name input section 1S2 is an interface for inputting the name of the guardian who carries the first terminal 211. The gender input section 1S3 is an interface for inputting the gender of the guardian who carries the first terminal 211. The registration application section 1S4 is an interface for sending a registration application to the translation provision management system 50.

[0150] Furthermore, the parent carrying second terminal 212 uses the character string information sent from the operator terminal to display a permission request screen similar to the above-mentioned registration request screen on the screen of second terminal 212. The parent carrying second terminal 212 enters user information on the permission request screen, and includes the entered user information, terminal information, and identification information for the parent-teacher association chat room included in the introduction information, and the password, in the registration request and permission request. The parent carrying second terminal 212 then causes second terminal 212 to send the registration request and permission request.

[0151] 8, second terminal 212 that has sent the permission request displays standby screen 2SW until permission is granted by the administrator terminal. The guardian carrying second terminal 212 knows that the permission request has been accepted and that permission has not yet been granted, when second terminal 212 displays standby screen 2SW.

[0152] As shown in Figure 9, a parent who has completed the registration application or whose permission application has been approved displays a progress screen for providing translation on the parent terminal they carry. The menu of the progress screen displayed on the parent terminal includes a details icon 2S4, a settings icon 2S5, an exit icon 2S6, a text input section 2S1, and a microphone icon 2S2.

[0153] Parents participating in the parent-teacher meeting can check the participants in the meeting on the progress screen by viewing the icon 4S5, just like the administrator carrying the administrator terminal. Parents participating in the parent-teacher meeting can also tap the details icon 2S4 and then the lock button 4S3 to send a request to the parent terminal to stop the translation group. The parent terminal includes identification information for the parent-teacher meeting chat room in the stop request. In response to the stop request, the translation provision management system 50 locks the translation group for the parent-teacher meeting chat room so that new terminals cannot join after the stop request. Parents participating in the parent-teacher meeting can tap the exit icon 2S6 to exit the parent-teacher meeting chat room.

[0154] [Translation provided by] As shown in Figure 10, when the scheduled time for the parents' meeting arrives, the organizer of the parents' meeting inputs an opening greeting from the progress screen. At this time, the organizer taps the microphone icon 2D2 on the progress screen to send the opening greeting in spoken form to be translated. The organizer of the parents' meeting may also send the opening greeting in written form to be translated from the text input section 2D1 on the progress screen.

[0155] The opening greeting entered into the operator terminal is sent from the operator terminal to the language management server 30. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and determines that the language expression specified by the operator terminal is a Japanese expression. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and determines the translation group to which the operator terminal belongs. The language management server 30 determines a language expression other than a Japanese expression from among the language expressions specified by each terminal in the determined translation group. The language management server 30 determines, for example, that an English expression has been specified as a language expression other than a Japanese expression. The language management server 30 then sends an instruction to the translation system 40 to translate the opening greeting into an English expression.

[0156] The translation system 40 converts the opening greeting, which is a Japanese phonetic expression, into a Japanese text expression, and then converts the Japanese text expression into an English text expression. The translation system 40 converts the English text expression into an English phonetic expression. The translation system 40 includes the Japanese text expression, the English text expression, and the English phonetic expression in the translation result.

[0157] The translation system 40 transmits the translation results to the language management server 30. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and transmits the translation results to the parent / guardian terminal that specified English. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and transmits the Japanese text representation to the administrator terminal that entered the opening greeting. The administrator terminal that receives the Japanese text representation displays the received Japanese text representation as text in a message 11M that appears from the administrator terminal's own icon. If the distance between users is so great that the users cannot visually recognize the destination of the translation, the users cannot perceive the reaction of the user to the translated text representation. Therefore, in addition to the low reliability of the translated text representation being provided to the appropriate user, there is also the potential problem of the user having difficulty determining whether the translated text representation is what the user intended. In this regard, displaying the Japanese text representation on the administrator terminal that entered the opening greeting allows the administrator of the parent / guardian association who sent the opening greeting to confirm that the opening greeting was properly translated.

[0158] 11, the parent terminal that receives the translation of the opening greeting displays the received English text expression as text in message 21T that appears from the icon on the administrator terminal. Also, the parent terminal that receives the translation of the opening greeting plays back the received English audio expression.

[0159] As shown in Figure 12, a parent carrying a parent terminal receives the output of the English text and audio, and inputs a reply to the manager's opening greeting on the progress screen. At this time, the parent who inputs the reply taps the microphone icon 2S2 on the progress screen to send the audio reply. The parent may also send the reply in text form from the text input section 2S1 on the progress screen.

[0160] The reply greeting entered into the parent terminal is sent from the parent terminal to the language management server 30. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and determines that the language expression specified by the parent terminal is an English expression. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and determines the translation group to which the parent terminal belongs. The language management server 30 determines a language expression other than an English expression from among the language expressions specified by each terminal in the determined translation group. The language management server 30 determines, for example, that a Japanese expression has been specified as a language expression other than an English expression. The language management server 30 then transmits an instruction to the translation system 40 to translate the reply greeting into a Japanese expression.

[0161] The translation system 40 converts the reply greeting, which is an English phonetic expression, into an English text expression, and converts the English text expression into a Japanese text expression. The translation system 40 converts the Japanese text expression into a Japanese phonetic expression. The translation system 40 includes the English text expression, the Japanese text expression, and the Japanese phonetic expression in the translation result.

[0162] The translation system 40 sends the translation result to the language management server 30. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and sends the translation result to the terminal that specified the Japanese expression. The language management server 30 references the group data 33a and sends the English text expression to the parent terminal that entered the reply greeting. The parent terminal that receives the English text expression displays the received English text expression as text in a message 21M that appears from the parent terminal's own icon. Again, the fact that the English expression is displayed on the parent terminal that entered the reply greeting allows the parent who sent the reply greeting to confirm that the reply greeting has been appropriately translated.

[0163] 13, the operator terminal that receives the translation result of the reply greeting displays the received Japanese text expression as text in a message 11T that appears from the icon of the parent terminal. Also, the operator terminal that receives the translation result of the reply greeting plays back the received Japanese audio expression.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 14, when the scheduled time to end the parent-teacher meeting arrives, the administrator of the parent-teacher association taps the exit icon 2D6 on the progress screen, causing a message 11M to be displayed on the administrator terminal, including a confirmation of whether or not to exit the parent-teacher meeting chat room. The administrator of the parent-teacher association checks the message 11M and taps the option to exit. This causes the administrator terminal to send a cancellation request to the translation provision management system 50. The translation provision management system 50 references the group data 33a, identifies the translation group to which the administrator terminal that sent the cancellation request belongs, and cancels the registration of the administrator terminal from the identified translation group.

[0165] 15, when it is time to leave the parent-teacher meeting, a parent attending the meeting taps the exit icon 2S6 on the progress screen, causing a message 21M to be displayed on the parent terminal asking whether or not to leave the parent-teacher meeting chat room. This causes the parent terminal to send a cancellation request to the translation provision management system 50. The translation provision management system 50 references the group data 33a, identifies the translation group to which the parent terminal that sent the cancellation request belongs, and cancels the registration of the parent terminal from the identified translation group.

[0166] As shown in Figure 16, when the translation provision management system 50 cancels the registration of an operator terminal, it refers to the group data 33a and sends a message 21M to the terminals of the translation group to which the operator terminal belonged, indicating that the operator terminal has been canceled.

[0167] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Management terminal 11, which has requested the opening of a chat room, receives invitation information that includes a method for joining the chat room that management terminal 11 has designated. As a result, in a scenario where users are located next to each other, the user of management terminal 11 can designate a method for joining the chat room that minimizes the number of steps required for joining. Alternatively, the user of management terminal 11 can designate a method for joining the chat room that minimizes the time required for joining the chat room.

[0168] (2) On the other hand, in a usage scenario where users cannot mutually determine whether the translation destination is correct, the user of the management terminal 11 can specify a participation processing method, for example, so that the number of participation processing procedures is large. Alternatively, the user of the management terminal 11 can specify a participation processing method so that the time required for chat room participation processing is long. Therefore, the management terminal 11 can invite terminals 21 facing different situations to the chat room in a manner appropriate for the usage scenario of the translation provision management system 50. As a result, translation provision can be supported in a manner appropriate for the usage scenario of the translation provision management system 50.

[0169] (3) When the management terminal 11 sends an issuance request, a two-dimensional code is issued to the management terminal 11 as invitation information. Using a two-dimensional code as invitation information saves time and effort on the terminal that received the two-dimensional code. Therefore, using a two-dimensional code as invitation information is suitable for use in situations where the user of the management terminal 11 can be said to have a high degree of confidence that the terminal before registration is appropriate as a translation destination.

[0170] (4) When management terminal 11 sends an issuance request, character string information is issued to management terminal 11 as invitation information. Using character string information as invitation information requires the user of the terminal obtaining the character string information to disclose personal information such as an email address to which the character string information is sent. The user of the terminal is also required to receive the character string information sent from management terminal 11 and to input the character string information into the terminal. For this reason, using character string information as invitation information is suitable for use in situations where the user of management terminal 11 has low confidence that the terminal before registration is appropriate as a translation destination.

[0171] (5) The management terminal 11 can separately request invitation information that does not require permission to join a chat room and invitation information that requires permission to join a chat room. If the configuration allows the need for permission to vary for each terminal, the translation provision management system 50 can support translation provision in a manner that is more suited to the situation in which the translation provision management system 50 is used.

[0172] (6) The management terminal 11 that requested the opening of a chat room determines whether or not to register a terminal that has not yet been registered in the translation group. Therefore, terminals that are suitable for participating in the chat room, i.e., terminals that are suitable for providing translations, can participate in the chat room.

[0173] (7) Terminals 11 and 21 participating in a chat room can block new terminals from joining the chat room. This increases the confidentiality of translation results provided in the chat room from terminals other than terminals 11 and 21 participating in the chat room.

[0174] (8) A terminal that has received invitation information may provide the invitation information to other terminals. In this case, the other terminals that have received the invitation information can participate in the chat room using a method that does not require permission, even though participation in the chat room would normally require permission. Therefore, from the perspective of increasing the confidentiality of linguistic expressions in the chat room, when invitation information specifying a method that does not require permission is used, it is preferable to be able to fix the terminals that can participate in the chat room to the terminal currently participating. This makes the effect equivalent to (7) more pronounced.

[0175] (9) The expressions of the translation results to be provided are determined based on the attributes of the users of the terminals belonging to the translation group. This allows the translation results to be provided to the users of the translation provision management system 50 in a way that is suitable for them.

[0176] (Variation) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: In addition, each modified example may be combined with each other.

[0177] The translation provision management system 50 may receive one issuance request from one management terminal 11 for three or more types of invitation information specified in different formats, and issue three or more types of invitation information for one issuance request. That is, the translation provision management system 50 may receive an issuance request specified in three or more formats. For example, the management terminal 11 may specify at least one of [A1] character string information and [A2] two-dimensional code, and either [B1] registration request or [B2] registration request and permission request for each type of invitation information. The management terminal 11 may be configured to select one of a total of eight formats, (a) to (h), as follows: The translation provision management system 50 may receive an issuance request in one of the eight formats and issue invitation information to one management terminal 11 in one of the eight formats. (a) Specify [A1] and [B1] (b) Specify [A1] and [B2] (c) Specify [A2] and [B1] (d) Specify [A2] and [B2] (e) Combination of (a) and (c) (f) Combination of (a) and (d) (g) Combination of (b) and (c) (h) Combination of (b) and (d)

[0178] Even in situations where users are located adjacent to each other, there are situations where the users are acquainted with each other and situations where the users are not. In such cases, when the users are acquainted with each other, the issuance of invitation information specifying the [A2] two-dimensional code and the [B1] registration request can be requested. Furthermore, when the users are not acquainted with each other, the issuance of invitation information specifying the [A2] two-dimensional code and the [B2] permission request can be requested. This reduces the burden of the participation process by providing a two-dimensional code when users are located adjacent to each other, while also making it possible to compensate for the low credibility caused by users not being acquainted with each other by confirming user information on the standby management screen. Furthermore, when the users are far enough apart that they cannot determine the accuracy of the translation destination, the issuance of invitation information specifying the [A1] character string information and the [B2] permission request can be requested. This allows translation provision support to be tailored to the usage scenario of the translation provision management system 50.

[0179] The participating terminal 21 may be provided with an interface for saving translation results in the translation provision management system 50. The translation provision management system 50 may receive a saving request from the participating terminal 21, refer to the chat room identification information included in the saving request, and save the history of translation results associated with the translation group. In this case, the translation provision management system 50 may save, for one translation target in a first language expression, a written expression in the first language expression, a spoken expression in the first language expression, a written expression in the second language expression, and a spoken expression in the second language expression.

[0180] When a speech expression in a first language expression is to be translated, if a mistranslation occurs in the text expression in the first language expression into which the speech expression is converted, the translation result in the second language expression will include a mistranslation. The more language expressions exchanged in the chat room and the faster the speed at which the language expressions are exchanged in the chat room, the more likely it is that the above-mentioned mistranslation will be overlooked. In this regard, if the text expression in the first language expression is saved in response to a save request from the participating terminal 21, the overlooked mistranslation of the language expression can be reconfirmed on the participating terminal 21. Furthermore, the translation providing management system 50 transmits the character representation of the translation target generated during the translation process to the terminal that input the translation target, thereby preventing erroneous conversions from being overlooked. Alternatively, the translation providing management system 50 may reverse convert the translation result of the translation target into a linguistic representation of the translation target and transmit the reverse conversion result to the terminal that input the translation target. This also prevents erroneous conversions from being overlooked.

[0181] The control unit 32 manages the registration of the management terminal 11 and the participating terminals 21, but may omit the function of registering one management terminal 11 and one or more participating terminals 21 in one translation group from the functions of the group management unit 32a. Even with this configuration, the translation provision management system 50 can issue invitation information to the management terminal 11 so that the participation processing method based on the invitation information issued to the management terminal 11 corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal 11. Furthermore, a terminal that receives the invitation information can join a chat room guided by the management terminal 11 and receive translation provided. The translation provision management system 50 may omit the fixed process of stopping the process of new terminals participating in the chat room from the terminals registered in the translation group.

[0182] The translation system 40 may be omitted from the translation provision management system 50, and the translation provision management system 50 may use an external general-purpose translation engine other than the translation provision management system 50 as the translation system 40. In this case, the external general-purpose translation engine converts the language expression input by the first terminal into the language expression specified by the second terminal. The language management server 30 inputs the language expression input by the first terminal and the language expression specified by the second terminal into the external general-purpose translation engine, and obtains the translation result of the language expression input by the first terminal. The language management server 30 may then transmit the translation result obtained from the external general-purpose translation engine to the second terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0183] 11...Administrative terminal 21...Participating device 30...Language management server 31…Communications Department 32...Control unit 32a...Group Management Department 32b…Translation Management Department 33...Storage section 40...Translation system 41...Speech recognition server 42...Translation server 43...Speech synthesis server 50...Translation provision management system

Claims

1. a registration management unit that registers multiple terminals that can participate in a chat room; a translation manager that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression designated by a second terminal, and that performs, in the chat room, transmitting the result of the translation to the second terminal; A translation provision management system comprising: The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room, and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of participating in the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; The translation providing management system receives a request from the management terminal or the participating terminal and stores a history of the translation results. Translation delivery management system.

2. a registration management unit that registers multiple terminals that can participate in a chat room; a translation manager that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression designated by a second terminal, and that performs, in the chat room, transmitting the result of the translation to the second terminal; A translation provision management system comprising: The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room, and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of participating in the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; The registration management unit further registers one of the management terminals and one or more of the participating terminals as one translation group, and sets a validity period for the translation group; The translation result is provided to the terminals belonging to the translation group for the period that satisfies the validity period. Translation delivery management system.

3. a registration management unit that registers multiple terminals that can participate in a chat room; a translation manager that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression designated by a second terminal, and that performs, in the chat room, transmitting the result of the translation to the second terminal; A translation provision management system comprising: The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room, and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of participating in the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; The registration management unit further registers one of the management terminals and one or more of the participating terminals as one translation group, and stops registering new terminals to the translation group in response to a stop request from the terminals belonging to the translation group. Translation delivery management system.

4. a registration management unit that registers multiple terminals that can participate in a chat room; a translation manager that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression designated by a second terminal, and that performs, in the chat room, transmitting the result of the translation to the second terminal; A translation provision management system comprising: The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room, and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of participating in the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; Issuing the invitation information includes: In response to a first issuing request from the management terminal, issuing, as the invitation information, character string information that allows the terminal that received the invitation information to apply for permission to participate in the chat room; In response to a second issuance request from the management terminal, issuing, as the invitation information, character string information that does not require permission to participate in the chat room on the terminal that received the invitation information. Translation delivery management system.

5. The registration management unit issuing character string information as the invitation information in response to a first issuing request from the management terminal; In response to a second issuing request from the management terminal, a two-dimensional code that can be analyzed by the participating terminal is issued to the management terminal as the invitation information. The translation provision management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The difference in the joining process is whether or not permission is required to join the chat room. The translation provision management system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The registration management unit In response to the first issuing request from the management terminal, issue, as the invitation information, character string information that allows the terminal that received the invitation information to apply for permission to participate in the chat room; In response to a second issuing request from the management terminal, a two-dimensional code is issued as the invitation information, which does not require permission to participate in the chat room on the terminal that received the invitation information. The translation provision management system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The registration management unit One of the management terminals and one or more of the participating terminals are registered as one translation group; waiting for the terminal that has made the request to join the chat room to register with the translation group until the request to join the chat room is approved by the management terminal; When the application to participate in the chat room is approved by the management terminal, the terminal that made the application is registered in the translation group. The translation provision management system according to claim 7 .

9. The registration management unit In response to a stop request from the terminal belonging to the translation group, registration of new terminals to the translation group is stopped. The translation provision management system according to claim 8 .

10. The difference in the joining process is whether permission is required to join the chat room, The registration management unit One of the management terminals and one or more of the participating terminals are registered as one translation group; In response to a stop request from the terminal belonging to the translation group, registration of new terminals to the translation group is stopped. The translation provision management system according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The translation management unit: The attributes of the user of the terminal are referenced, and the expression of the translation result to be sent to the terminal of the user is set based on the attributes of the user. The translation provision management system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for supporting translation provision using a translation provision management system including: a registration management unit that registers a plurality of terminals that can participate in a chat room; and a translation management unit that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression specified by a second terminal, and transmits the result of the translation to the second terminal within the chat room, The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room; and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of joining the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; The translation providing management system receives a request from the management terminal or the participating terminal and stores a history of the translation results. How to manage translation delivery.

13. A method for supporting translation provision using a translation provision management system including: a registration management unit that registers a plurality of terminals that can participate in a chat room; and a translation management unit that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression specified by a second terminal, and transmits the result of the translation to the second terminal within the chat room, The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room; and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of joining the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; The registration management unit further registers one of the management terminals and one or more of the participating terminals as one translation group, and sets a validity period for the translation group; The translation result is provided to the terminals belonging to the translation group for the period that satisfies the validity period. How to manage translation delivery.

14. A method for supporting translation provision using a translation provision management system including: a registration management unit that registers a plurality of terminals that can participate in a chat room; and a translation management unit that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression specified by a second terminal, and transmits the result of the translation to the second terminal within the chat room, The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room; and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of joining the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; The registration management unit further registers one of the management terminals and one or more of the participating terminals as one translation group, and stops registering new terminals to the translation group in response to a stop request from the terminals belonging to the translation group. How to manage translation delivery.

15. A method for supporting translation provision using a translation provision management system including: a registration management unit that registers a plurality of terminals that can participate in a chat room; and a translation management unit that converts a language expression input by a first terminal into a language expression specified by a second terminal, and transmits the result of the translation to the second terminal within the chat room, The plurality of terminals include: a management terminal that has requested the opening of the chat room; and a participating terminal that has received invitation information from the management terminal for performing a process of joining the chat room, The registration management unit The invitation information is configured to be able to be generated so that the participation processing methods are different from each other, issuing the invitation information to the management terminal in response to the issuance request of the management terminal so that the method according to the invitation information issued to the management terminal corresponds to the method specified in the issuance request of the management terminal; Issuing the invitation information includes: In response to a first issuing request from the management terminal, issuing, as the invitation information, character string information that allows the terminal that received the invitation information to apply for permission to participate in the chat room; In response to a second issuance request from the management terminal, issuing, as the invitation information, character string information that does not require permission to participate in the chat room on the terminal that received the invitation information. How to manage translation delivery.

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