Pitfalls of AI Translation and Our Solutions

For Reliable Patent Translation

Created:

Updated:

01

AI Translation Looks Good

Because the produced sentences are:

  1. plain,
  2. error free in grammar, and
  3. easy to read.

However, AI translation has pitfalls in produced contents.
We must know the pitfalls to properly utilize AI translation.

02

Pitfalls of AI Translation

1. Lack of One-to-One Correspondence

The same English word must be translated into the same Japanese word, and different English words must be translated into different Japanese words.

Because each English word correctly corresponds to multiple different Japanese words, AI translation and memory-based translation lack one-to-one correspondence.

2. AI makes up fault explanations

AI makes up fault explanations due to a lack of technological understanding.

AI does not actually understand the technology. AI adjusts the language for clarity and fluency, which inadvertently distorts the technical accuracy.

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Case Study: Translation of "机"

In patent translation, assigning the same English term every time is not enough. You must also examine how claim terms map onto the specification and how neighboring elements are distinguished within the same application.

Case 1

"One-to-Many" Issue

Inconsistent Translation

In Claims: "机" is translated as "desk".

In Specification: "机" is translated as "desk" and "table".

In Claims

"a mount fixed to an edge of a desk"

In Specification

"The device is fixed to the desk via a clamp mount."

"The sensor detects vibration transmitted through the table"

In principle, the court interprets different terms as representing distinct elements. Therefore, the term "desk" in the claims is, as a general rule, construed solely based on the description of "desk" within the specification. The descriptions in the sections translated as "table" may be disregarded. This can change the scope of rights.

Case 2

"Many-to-One" Issue

Narrow Construction

In Claims: "机" is translated as "desk".

In Specification: "机" and "デスク" are translated as "desk".

In Claims

"the desk is used for placing heavy objects..."

In Specification

"the desk provides a workspace"

"Desk" may be narrowly construed by the descriptions of both "机" and "デスク."

Translation using Translation Memory has a risk as below:

Past Case: "机" was translated as "desk", which was appropriate in the past case.

Present Case: Besides "机", "デスク" appears as an element distinct from "机."

The necessary measure is to assign "desk" to "デスク" and a different term such as "table" to "机."

Terms should be assigned in light of other elements in the application, by holistic assessment on a case-by-case basis.

03

Lack of One-to-One Correspondence: Inconsistent Translation

Original 1

集光部は、おもて面に対して垂直に入射する光を集光する光学要素である。

AI Output 1

The light-collecting unit is an optical element that collects light incident perpendicular to the front surface.

Original 2

集光機構により、入射光を検出素子上に高効率で集束させる。

AI Output 2

The light-condensing mechanism efficiently focuses incident light onto the detector.

Explanation

In Originals 1 and 2, "集光" referred to the same phenomenon, focusing input light. However, they were translated into different words, "collect" and "condense." The PTO and the courts may interpret that they have different meanings.

Solution: Translators must revise the translation and assure the consistency of the translation by understanding its significance in patent translations.

04

AI Makes Up Fault Explanations: Morphological Error

Original

左右配列におけるコーナーセンサーによって隣接するパネル10間の位置ずれがリアルタイムで検知される。

AI Output

A corner sensor in a lateral array detects, in real time, a misalignment between adjacent panels 10.

Revised

Corner sensors in right and left arrays detect, in real time, a misalignment between adjacent panels 10.

Explanation

"左右配列" does NOT refer to a single array arranged laterally, but refers to two arrays respectively arranged on the right and left peripheries of the panel 10.

Because Japanese does not have singular and plural forms of nouns, one cannot determine whether a noun is singular or plural by its form.

Solution: Translators must check and correct singular/plural usage throughout the entire text based on technical understanding.

Figure

Left Array Right Array 10 10 10 10
05

AI Makes Up Fault Explanations: Syntactic Error 1

Original

ブリッジ10は、2つの平坦部材を備え、上流側を昇降自在に構成し、下流側を固定して水平に配置されている。

AI Output

The bridge 10 includes two flat members, wherein the upstream side is configured to be liftable, and the downstream side is fixed and arranged horizontally.

Revised

The bridge 10 includes two flat members and is arranged horizontally, wherein the upstream side is configured to be liftable and the downstream side is fixed.

Explanation

The subject of "arranged horizontally" is "The bridge 10" as revised, but not "the downstream side."

Solution: Translators must understand the invention in view of the drawings to correct this.

06

AI Makes Up Fault Explanations: Syntactic Error 2

Original

レーザは、X軸に対して傾斜するように投光されてもよく、

AI Output

The laser may be emitted to be inclined with respect to the X-axis.

i.e.,

"Laser may be inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction by (or after) being emitted."

Revised

The laser may be emitted at an angle with respect to the X-axis.

i.e.,

"Laser may be emitted in a direction inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction."

Explanation

The laser (orange) emitted from the left side of the drawing enters the optical element on the right side along the X-axis.

Solution: Translators must understand the invention in view of the drawings to correct this error.

Figure

X-axis ↓
07

AI Makes Up Fault Explanations: Syntactic Error 3

Original

搬送装置は、物品がY方向にコンベアから受け取られるように設けられた受取位置を有する受取部を備え

AI Output

the conveying apparatus includes the receiving section provided such that an article is received from the conveyor in the Y direction and having the receiving position

Revised

the conveying apparatus includes the receiving section having the receiving position provided such that an article is received from the conveyor in the Y direction

Explanation

The green part modifies "the receiving position", but not "the receiving section" as in AI Output.

Solution: Because the Japanese sentence may mean either translation, translators must verify and align the dependency based on technical understanding.

08

Our Solutions

AI Patent Trans Inc. provides fast and high-quality translation by leveraging the state-of-the-art technologies with thorough quality review by human experts.

We assure this by our traditional “human” management.

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