Localized Resource Compression Using Cross-Language Dictionaries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data compression techniques are inefficient for compressing short text strings like resource strings used in software applications, particularly when multiple languages are involved, leading to large resource files that consume significant storage space and hinder deployment efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A translational similarity compression technique that uses resources in a first language, such as English, as a base for compressing and decompressing resources in other languages, leveraging a generic translation dictionary to significantly reduce the size of localized software application resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional compression techniques are used for resource strings, then compression is applied, but the compression ratio is low and file size reduction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource file sizeVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dictionary from the default language resource strings and uses this dictionary to encode localized strings. Instead of compressing each localized string independently, the system copies the structure and vocabulary patterns from the default language dictionary, enabling highly efficient encoding of localized resources with minimal storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the representation of resource strings by changing from storing complete localized strings to storing compact references to dictionary entries. This parameter change in data representation enables achieving 95-99.5% size reduction while maintaining the ability to retrieve original strings when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If resource files are compressed to reduce size, then storage space is saved, but decompression and retrieval time may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoiddecompression time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-processes the default language resource strings into a dictionary structure during application build or initialization. This preliminary action creates an optimized lookup structure that enables rapid decoding of localized strings at runtime, eliminating the need for complex decompression operations and reducing retrieval time to simple dictionary lookups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If language localization is supported for multiple languages, then application versatility is improved, but resource file size increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelanguage supportVSAvoidresource file size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal dictionary structure from the default language that can serve as the basis for encoding multiple localized languages. This single dictionary-based approach enables supporting numerous languages simultaneously while maintaining a compact resource footprint, as each localized string is encoded as references to the universal dictionary rather than storing complete translations for all languages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4022432B1Efficient storage and retrieval of resource data
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4022432B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4022432B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4022432B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method of and system of for compressing and decompressing a localized software resource is disclosed. The method may include receiving a software resource, the software resource being in a first language, receiving a localized software resource for compression, where the software resource in the first language is a counterpart of the localized software resource in the second language. Upon receiving the software resources creating a first local dictionary for the localized software resource based at least in part on one or more first language words in the software resource and on data from a global dictionary, and compressing the localized software resource based on the local dictionary.