User Interface Language Options for Accurate Error Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users running software in a non-primary language face difficulties in searching for help online due to inaccurate translations and the need to be proficient in the primary language, limiting their ability to find relevant solutions for error messages.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that provides user interface language options by identifying a request event for a text string, inspecting the user value area to obtain a resource bundle name and key, and adding a menu option to retrieve language equivalents from the resource bundle, allowing users to copy text strings in alternative languages for more accurate online searches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users run software in their native language (e.g., German), then the user interface is more accessible and easier to understand, but online search results for error messages become unavailable or inaccurate because web content is primarily in English
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation service that translates user-selected text from the localized UI (e.g., German error messages) into English, enabling users to search English-language online resources while maintaining their preferred UI language. This mediator bridges the gap between the user's native language interface and the English-dominated online help resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to copy text strings from the localized user interface and use them for searching, or copy translated versions of the same text. This copying mechanism allows users to leverage the exact error messages from their localized interface while also accessing translated versions for broader online search compatibility.
2Loss of information
If users translate error messages using online translation services, then they can search in English, but translation errors occur that reduce search accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs translations in advance during the software localization process, creating pre-translated resource bundles that contain accurate translations of all UI text strings into multiple languages. This preliminary translation action ensures that when users need to search online, they can access pre-translated versions of their UI text with guaranteed accuracy, rather than relying on ad-hoc online translation services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides a feedback mechanism where users can select from multiple translation options and the system learns from user preferences and corrections. This feedback loop continuously improves translation accuracy by incorporating user preferences and actual usage patterns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all text strings are externalized into resource bundles for localization, then multiple language options are available, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal resource bundle system where a single infrastructure supports multiple languages and translation scenarios. The same resource bundle mechanism that provides localized UI text also serves as the source for online search translations, eliminating the need for separate translation systems and reducing overall complexity despite supporting multiple languages.
Data Source
AI summary
User interface (UI) language options are provided. A request event of a visible text string for a UI element is identified. A user value area of a control of the UI element is inspected to obtain a resource bundle name and key for one or more language equivalents of the text string of the UI element. A menu option is added to the request event by retrieving the language equivalent of the text string in one or more languages from a resource bundle of the application using the resource bundle name and key.