OS-Level Translation Tables for Software Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Many software applications are not translated into multiple languages due to high localization costs and a lack of necessary translation skills, resulting in users being unable to access applications in their native language, with existing translation methods producing poor quality translations and requiring additional resources.

Innovation Solution

The use of operating system-level translation tables, which can be used alone or in conjunction with application-specific and community translation tables, to provide robust translations of messages and user interface elements, intercepting and redirecting text data for accurate and contextually relevant translations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated machine translation dictionaries are used to translate text in real-time, then translation speed is improved, but translation quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetranslation speedVSAvoidtranslation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces translation tables as an intermediary component between the application and the display. These tables store pre-computed translations of specific terms and phrases, acting as a mediator that provides both speed and quality by retrieving pre-validated translations rather than performing real-time machine translation. The translation table serves as a cached reference that balances translation speed with accuracy for commonly used terms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-translating and storing common terms and phrases in translation tables before the application runs. This allows the system to retrieve pre-computed translations quickly during operation rather than performing translation in real-time. The preliminary translation of frequently used terms enables both fast response and maintained quality through pre-validated translations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If application translation resources are provided with the application, then translation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetranslation capabilityVSAvoidapplication structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the translation table universal by implementing it at the operating system level rather than within individual applications. This single translation table can serve multiple applications across different languages, eliminating the need for each application to maintain its own translation resources. The translation table becomes a shared, multi-functional component that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining broad translation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges translation functionality from multiple applications into a single centralized translation table managed by the operating system. Instead of each application carrying its own translation resources, the translation table consolidates all translation data in one location, reducing redundancy and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to translate multiple applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional localization tools are used to translate applications, then translation accuracy is improved, but development time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetranslation accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables applications to translate themselves by providing them with access to the operating system's translation table. Instead of requiring external localization tools and manual intervention, applications can autonomously retrieve translations for their text strings using standard API calls. This self-service approach maintains translation accuracy through the centralized translation table while dramatically reducing development time by eliminating the need for manual localization processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If applications are translated into multiple languages, then user accessibility is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanguage supportVSAvoidtranslation resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal translation table that serves all applications across all languages rather than maintaining separate translation resources for each application-language combination. This single translation table can be queried by any application for any language, providing multi-functional support that reduces the total quantity of translation resources needed while maintaining broad language accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7721271B2Language localization and intercepting data using translation tables

Publication Date: 2010.05.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system for providing translations of applications for operation in a non-native language. The translation makes use of associated tables either existing within the operating system or at locations outside of the operating system. The translation system makes use of application based translations tables that may also interrelate with core translation tables and community translation tables, prior to sending the data to a graphical interface.