US 6859820 B1
Using a server in a distributed computer network to provide an application to a client in the client's preferred language through the use of software modules that translate the application. A client accesses an application on a server and provides a preferred language for the application. Software modules on the server take the content of the application and convert it into the language desired by the client. The translated application is then sent to the client. This approach eliminates the need to create separate applications for each language and allows the client to change languages instantaneously.
1. A method for receiving an application in a desired language from a server comprising the steps of:
using a client to access the application on the server;
determining a language preference for the client;
converting the content of the application to the client's language preference by using a selected one of the language pack software modules on the server corresponding to the language preference, wherein the converting further comprises:
assigning a unique identifier to each string of content in the application:
calling a local string object with an indication of strings of content to be converted based on the unique identifier for each string;
mapping each string to be converted to the selected language pack;
searching the selected language pack using the unique identifiers of the strings to be converted to locate corresponding localized strings;
retrieving the localized strings from the selected language pack; and
passing the localized strings to an ASP Engine.
2. The method of
inserting the localized strings into HTML with an ASP Engine at the server; and
sending the application content with the localized strings from the server to a client browser.
3. A system for providing localized application content from a server to a client, the server comprising:
a local string software module residing on the server and operable for determining a client's language preference wherein the local string software module is further operable for assigning a unique identifier to each string of content in the application; and
a plurality of language pack software modules residing on the server, each corresponding to a language and operable to convert the content of the application into a different language wherein an Active Server Page Engine is further operable for calling to the local string software module with the strings of content to be converted based on the unique identifier assigned to each string.
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The present invention is generally directed to providing application content in a distributed computing environment in a variety of different languages. More specifically, the present invention supports a server-based translation of content of an application without altering the code for the application and without reproducing separate versions of the application in desired languages.
The Internet has quickly become a popular means for transmitting information because of the world-wide access it provides to information resources. The information on the Internet is available in a variety of formats and it can have educational, entertainment, or business purposes. The World Wide Web (the “Web”) is one of the largest and most popular distributed computing networks that make-up the Internet. The Web comprises interconnected computers from around the world. A computer connected to the Internet can download digital information from Web server computers. The Web comprises resources and clients that communicate digital information and instructions typically using a format known as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). These instructions can include information for formatting text, linking to digital data, and receiving digital data.
One of the assets of the Web, world-wide interconnectivity, can also be an obstacle in that people around the world speak different languages. The information generated by Web server computers is typically in one language. This limits the usefulness and value of the Web server computer on a global scale.
The conventional approach to solving this problem is to design a single Web page in one language that permits a client to choose a language from a limited list of languages supported by the site. Copies of the Web applications are reproduced in the languages supported by the site. Once the client makes a language selection, it is directed to one set of the Web applications in the chosen language.
There are limitations with the conventional approach. First, this is a labor-intensive solution in that separate sets of Web applications must be created for each language. Any time the Web application is changed or updated, each version of the Web application must be changed to make that language's version current. Maintaining a separate version of the Web application for each language is time consuming and limits the practical ability to support many different languages. The conventional approach also does not allow a client to change languages in the midst of using a Web application, but requires the client to return to the beginning of the Web application. The client then chooses the alternate language and proceeds from the beginning of that version of the Web application.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a method and system which will allow Web applications to support many different languages. Specifically, there is a need for Web applications to provide content in various languages without separate versions of the application for each language. There is a further need to change Web applications and keep them current without having to alter the same element in each language version of a Web application. Finally, a need exists in the art for a client to change languages at any point in using a Web application without having to return to the beginning of the Web application and repeat steps in another language.
The present invention is generally directed to software modules operating in a distributed computing environment. Specifically, the invention is designed to operate on a wide area network such as the World Wide Web (the “Web”). The Web comprises Web pages or Web applications that reside on computer servers in a network and that can be accessed by clients.
The present invention can provide the content of a Web application in different languages, called localization, by using language packs maintained at the server. The invention enables the conversion of the elements that make-up the content of the application into various languages without altering the underlying code of the application.
The present invention operates in a distributed computing environment with at least one server and clients connected to the server. To enable the client to receive an application in a desired language, the server determines the client's language preference. Using the appropriate language pack, the server can convert the application content to the client's preferred language. Upon completing the translation, the server can send the localized content to the client.
Existing Web applications do not permit efficient conversion of content into many languages. The conventional approach involves creating a homepage in one language and then providing links from the homepage to duplicate sets of Web pages. Each duplicate set is translated into a different language. In contrast, the present invention requires only, one set of Web pages for the specific Web application. The single application contains elements that make-up the content of the application and are encoded as strings. The localization process at the server takes these string elements and replaces them with the content of a specific language. Localization is accomplished with software modules, called language packs, residing on a server. Language packs can convert the content of the Web pages into the desired language and render the translated content for the Web client. This approach permits the Web client to choose a new language whenever it desires and eliminates the need to create duplicate sets of Web pages for each language. The invention also facilitates updating the Web application in that changes in the computer code only need to be made once instead of in each language version.
The present invention allows for the server-based translation of content for an application into a variety of different languages. Instead of having to create a different version of a particular application for every desired language, only one version is maintained on a server computer. Also residing on the server are files called language packs. Language packs contain the data for translating the application content into a desired language. When a client accesses an application residing on a server, it can choose a language for the application content to be displayed in. The data contained in the language packs is used to translate the application content. The translation is then sent to the client. The client can also choose to change the language translation while using the application without having to exit and return to the beginning of the application.
Although the exemplary embodiments will be generally described in the context of software modules running in a distributed computing environment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention also can be implemented in conjunction with other program modules for other types of computers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be physically located in different local and remote memory storage devices. Execution of the program modules may occur locally in a stand-alone manner or remotely in a client/server manner. Examples of such distributed computing environments include local area networks of an office, enterprise-wide computer networks, and the global Internet.
The detailed description which follows is represented largely in terms of processes and symbolic representations of operations in a distributed computing environment by conventional computer components, including remote file servers, remote computer servers, remote memory storage devices, a central processing unit (CPU), memory storage devices for the CPU, display devices and input devices. Each of these conventional distributed computing components is accessible by the CPU via a communications network.
The processes and operations performed by the computer include the manipulation of signals by a CPU or remote server and the maintenance of these signals within data structures resident in one or more of the local or remote memory storage devices. Such data structures impose a physical organization upon the collection of data stored within a memory storage device and represent specific electrical or magnetic elements. These symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled in the art of computer programming and computer construction to most effectively convey teachings and discoveries to others skilled in the art.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, aspects of the present invention and the preferred operating environment will be described.
The personal computer 10 includes a CPU 14, such as “PENTIUM” microprocessors manufactured by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. The personal computer also includes system memory 15, including read only memory (ROM) 16 and random access memory (RAM) 17, which is connected to the CPU 14 by a system bus 18. The preferred computer 10 utilizes a BIOS 19, which is stored in ROM 16. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the BIOS 19 is a set of basic routines that helps to transfer information between elements within the personal computer 10. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the present invention may be implemented on computers having other architectures, such as computers that do not use a BIOS, and those that utilize other microprocessors.
Within the personal computer 10, a local hard disk drive 20 is connected to the system bus 18 via a hard disk drive interface 21. A floppy disk drive 22, which is used to read or write a floppy disk 23, is connected to the system bus 18 via a floppy disk drive interface 24. A CD-ROM or DVD drive 25, which is used to read a CD-ROM or DVD disk 26, is connected to the system bus 18 via a CD-ROM or DVD interface 27. A user enters commands and information into the personal computer 10 by using input devices, such as a keyboard 28 and/or pointing device, such as a mouse 29, which are connected to the system bus 18 via a serial port interface 30. Other types of pointing devices (not shown in
The remote server 225 in this networked environment is connected to a remote memory storage device 33. This remote memory storage device 33 is typically a large capacity device such as a hard disk drive, CD-ROM or DVD drive, magneto-optical drive or the like. Those skilled in the art will understand that program modules such as an application 230 and a language conversion function 233 are provided to the remote server 225 via computer-readable media. The personal computer 10 is connected to the remote server 225 by a network interface 34, which is used to communicate over the local area network 12.
As shown in
Although other internal components of the personal computer 10 are not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such components and the interconnection between them are well known. Accordingly, additional details concerning the internal construction of the personal computer 10 need not be disclosed in connection with the present invention.
Those skilled in the art will understand that program modules such as an operating system 36, browser 213, other software modules 38, and data are provided to the personal computer 10 via computer-readable media. In the preferred computer, the computer-readable media include the local or remote memory storage devices, which may include the local hard disk drive 20, floppy disk 23, CD-ROM or DVD 26, RAM 17, ROM 16, and the remote memory storage device 33. In the preferred personal computer 10, the local hard disk drive 20 is used to store data and programs, including the operating system and programs.
Referring now to
Using the browser 213, client 1 210 can access an application 230 on the server 225. The local string object 235 determines the language the application 230 will be converted into based upon a client language preference. A language pack 240 a is selected that matches the language selected by the local string object 235. The language pack 240 a provides a translation for the content of the application 230. The translated content for the application 230 is then sent to the client 210 by the Active Server Page Engine 245 in a form that can be understood by the client.
If there is a supporting language pack, the “Yes” branch is followed from step 445 to step 470. The local string object 235 in step 470 sets a language variable to the client's language preference. If in step 445 there is no matching language pack, the “No” branch is followed to step 450 where the local string object 235 determines whether the browser 213 has transmitted other explicit language preferences for client 1 210. If client 1 210 has made other explicit language preferences, the “Yes” branch is followed back to step 445 and this loop continues until either an explicit language preference is matched to a language pack or client 1's preferences are exhausted. When the explicit language preferences are exhausted in step 450, the “No” branch is followed to step 455.
If step 455 is reached, client 1 210 does not have explicit language preferences and, consequently, the browser 213 transmits the operating system language of the client 1 210 to the server 225. The local string object 235 determines whether there is a language pack that matches the client 1 operating system language. If there is a language pack matching the operating system language, the “Yes” branch is followed to step 465 and the language variable is set to correspond with the client 1 operating system language. If there is no language pack that matches the client 1 operating system language, the “No” branch is followed to step 460 and the local string object 235 sets the language variable to a default setting predetermined by the server.
In step 475 the local string object 235 looks at a list of the language packs on the server 3 and selects the language pack 240 a corresponding to the language variable. This language pack 240 a will be used to convert, or localize, the string elements in the application into a particular language. Each language pack on the server contains the string conversions for a language.
The steps represented in task 330 are set out in greater detail in FIG. 6.
Client 1 210 now has the application 230 in a language it can understand. At the same time, another client 215 may retrieve the application 230 in a different language. While they are using the application 230, the clients 210 and 215 may change the language in which they are viewing the application by changing their language preference. A language pack 240 n for the newly selected language translates the application 230 and then sends the newly translated version to the client. Only one version of the application 230 exists on the server 225 to facilitate any changes that need to be made. The variety of languages into which the application can be translated is controlled by the various language packs installed on the server.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention has a wide range of applications beyond the environment of the World Wide Web. This method of language localization could be utilized in other types of distributed computing networks where there is a need to express content in varying languages. This method can also be used in a situation where the application resides on a personal computer and localization occurs either on the personal computer or on another logically connected computer.
It will be appreciated that the present invention fulfills the needs of the prior art described herein and meets the above-stated objects. While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and equivalence thereof.