Method and apparatus for facilitating contextual language translation within an interactive software application

• US 5,251,130 A
• Filed: 04/18/1991
• Issued: 10/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Andrews, Gregory P., Schloss, Phillip C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hazard, Jennifer L.
• Application Number:
  US07/687,257
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 364/419, 395/155, 395/157
• US Class Current: 704/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/47 Machine-assisted translation, e.g. using translation memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/58 Use of machine translation, e.g. for multi-lingual retrieval, for server-side translation for client devices or for real-time translation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for facilitating the contextual translation of textual entries within an interactive software application which is executable within a data processing system. A contextual translation procedure is created and inserted into a selected interactive software application. During execution of the selected interactive software application, display screens containing textual entries are typically generated. Upon encountering a screen requiring translation an operator may invoke the contextual translation procedure, causing a translation viewport to be displayed. Individual translate phrases within the display screen are then selected and displayed within the translation viewport. A contextual translation may then be entered into the translation viewport by a translator and displayed therein in proximity to the selected translatable phrase. Upon completion of translation of a selected phrase, the newly created translation is substituted for the existing phrase within the display screen, automatically altering the display area, if necessary, and a subsequent translatable phrase may be selected. In this manner, translation may occur during actual execution of an interactive software application, permitting contextual variations to be observed and compensated for.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating contextual translation of textual entries within an interactive software application executable within a data processor having a video output display and an operator input device, said textual entries displayed within a defined display area within said video output display, said method comprising steps of:

loading a contextual translation procedure into said interactive software application;

executing said interactive software application within said data processor;

displaying within said video output display at least one textual entry within a defined display area during the execution of said interactive software application;

invoking said contextual translation procedure utilizing said operator input device;

utilizing said contextual translation procedure to permit an operator to input a translation of said at least one textual entry;

displaying said input translation within said video output display in proximity to said at least one textual entry;

determining if said input translation may be displayed within said defined display area utilizing said data processor;

automatically altering an area within said defined display area to accommodate said input translation, if required; and

substituting said input translation for said at least one textual entry within said interactive software application.

2. The method for facilitating contextual translation of textual entries within an interactive software application according to claim 1, wherein said step of invoking said contextual translation procedure utilizing said operator input device includes the step of displaying an input translation viewport within said video output device.

3. The method for facilitating contextual translation of textual entries within, an interactive software application according to claim 2, wherein said step of displaying said input translation within said video output display in proximity to said at least one textual entry comprises displaying said input translation within said input translation viewport.

4. The method for facilitating contextual translation of textual entries within an interactive software application according to claim 1, further including the step of storing a copy of said at least one textual entry prior to substituting said input translation.

5. The method for facilitating contextual translation of textual entries within an interactive software application according to claim 1, wherein said step of displaying within said video output display at least one textual entry within a defined display area comprises the step of displaying a plurality of textual entries and wherein invocation of said contextual translation procedure permits an operator to input a translation of each of said plurality of textual entries in sequential order.

6. A data processing system for facilitating contextual translation of textual entries displayed within a defined display area within an interactive software application executable within said data processing system, said data processing system comprising:

means for loading a contextual translation procedure into said interactive software application;

processor means within said data processing system for executing said interactive software application;

video output display means coupled to said processor means for displaying at least one textual entry within a defined display area during execution of said interactive software application;

operator input means coupled to said processor means for invoking said contextual translation procedure and for permitting an operator to input a translation of said at least one textual entry;

display means coupled to said operator input means for displaying said input translation within said video output display in proximity to said at least one textual entry;

display control means coupled to said display means for determining if said input translation may be displayed within said defined display area and for automatically altering an area within said defined display area to accommodate said input translation, if required; and

substitution means coupled to said processor means for substituting said input translation for said at least one textual entry within said interactive software application.

7. The data processing system for facilitating contextual translation of textual entries within an interactive software application according to claim 6, further including means for storing a copy of said at least one textual entry prior to substituting said input translation.