Title of Invention

MULTILINGUAL SYSTEM HAVING DYNAMIC LANGUAGE SELECTION

Abstract A multilingual system provides dynamic flipping of a displayed form from one language to another. The forms include a plurality of fields each of which includes properties that allow the form to be displayed in accordance with the conventions of the selected language. When switching from one language to another, the form field properties are modified to properly display the form in the new language.
Full Text MULTILINGUAL SYSTEM HAVING DYNAMIC LANGUAGE SELECTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly,
to computer systems having multilingual displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a variety of systems that can handle data in more than one language.
Such systems generally require a user to select an initial language for operation when the
system is started. Some systems can support data entry in multiple languages
simultaneously but have menus and help text in only one language. In general, these
systems do not allow dynamic switching between languages. For example, some systems
require a reboot of the system to allow a user to select a language for operation. Other
systems require that the particular application program be restarted to select a language for
operation. It will be appreciated that requiring a restart of a multilingual system is
cumbersome and inefficient particularly when the language change should happen quickly.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a system that allows dynamic switching
between different languages. It would further be desirable to provide a multilingual
system that can automatically display information in accordance with the conventions of
the selected language.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a multilingual system that allows an operator to
dynamically switch between languages. In general, one display supports multiple
languages by automatically positioning and configuring corresponding display fields in
accordance with the conventions of the selected language conventions. This arrangement
eliminates the need for designing multiple forms and manual positioning of fields in each
form to account for different language formats. While the invention is primarily shown
and described in conjunction with displaying available resources in a military
environment, it is understood that the invention is applicable to other systems having a
display in which it is desirable to switch between two or more languages.
In one aspect of the invention, a system includes a workstation and a display that
can dynamically flip between languages. A database is coupled to the workstation from
which data for display can be retrieved. The workstation can be connected to a network in

a conventional manner. The system displays forms and other information including maps
that provide information to the user with one form generally corresponding to one display
screen. Each form includes a plurality of fields, such as text boxes, command buttons and
the like. The properties for each field in each supported language are encapsulated within
the field as display objects.
With this arrangement, the field properties can be modified upon receiving a
change language command from the user. This eliminates the need for a form for each
supported language and fields for each language as in known systems. In addition to
improvements in form development and display efficiency, altering the field properties in
accordance with the present invention reduces the likelihood of errors since fewer fields
need to be managed.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method of flipping languages on a display
screen includes receiving a language swap request from a user and changing a display
language of a form having a plurality of fields from a first language to a second language.
The method further includes selecting field properties to display the form in accordance
with the conventions of the selected language. The display properties for each field for
each supported language are encapsulated. Thus, each field supports multilingual display
of the form for efficient swapping from one language to another.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for providing
dynamic multilingual display swapping, comprising receiving a form selection for
display, the form having a plurality of fields that contain information for each
supported language, querying a database, such as herein described, for data
corresponding to the fields contained in the form, wherein the data contain
information corresponding to a plurality of languages ; populating the form fields
with the data from the said database ; displaying the populated form in a
currently selected one of the plurality of languages based upon respective
display properties of the form field data ; and switching the displayed form from
the currently selected languages to a subsequent one of the plurality of
languages upon receiving a change language command that modifies the display
properties of the form field data.

The present invention also provides a system having dynamic language
display swapping, comprising a processor ; a database, such as herein
described, coupled to the processor ; and a screen, such as herein described,
for displaying a form having a plurality of fields, wherein data from the said
database for the plurality of fields have display properties defining display
characteristics of the form field data to enable dynamic swapping between a
plurality of languages in response to a change display language command.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multilingual system having dynamic display
language flipping in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a display screen of an exemplary form in English that can be displayed
by the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2B is a display screen of the form of FIG. 2A in Arabic;
FIG. 3A is a display screen of a further exemplary form in English that can be
displayed by the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3B is a display screen of the form of FIG. 3A in Arabic;
FIG. 4A is a display screen of another exemplary form in English that can be
displayed by the system of FIG. 1;
FIG.-4B is a display screen of the form of FIG. 4A in Arabic; ......

FIG. 5 is a graphical depiction showing various display objects corresponding to
form fields in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6A is a graphical depiction of certain properties associated with a text display
object that can be part of a form in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6B is a graphical depiction of certain properties associated with a label object
that can be part of a form in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a graphical depiction of tags that define the behavior of display objects
with in a form when flipping from one language to another language in accordance with
the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a pictorial representation showing a modification of display properties in
accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary sequence of steps for dynamically
flipping a display from one language to another language in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary multilingual system 100 having dynamic language
swapping or "flipping" in accordance with the present invention. In general, the system
allows a user to quickly and efficiently switch the language of a displayed form from a first
language, e.g., English, to a second language, e.g., Arabic. The displayed information can
include textual data and graphics. The system 100 automatically switches the text
language and graphics position to generate a display format in accordance with the
conventions of the newly selected language. For example, the system can automatically
move display objects and change text justification when the display is switched between
English and Arabic, which read in different directions.
The system 100 includes a display 102 coupled to a workstation 104. A keyboard
106 supporting multiple languages is coupled to the workstation for inputting data. The
workstation can include a database 108 from which data to be displayed can be stored and
retrieved. The workstation 104 can be connected to network 1 10 in a conventional
manner.
In one particular embodiment, the multilingual system 100 provides military
resource management functionality that can be displayed in a plurality of languages.
Exemplary data stored by the database includes base information, unit status, infrastructure
data, equipment information, personnel, and munitions data. It is understood that the
multilingual system of the present invention is well-suited for a wide range of applications

. in which dynamic multi-language display flipping is desirable. It is further understood that
many languages including symbolic languages, instead of or in addition to English and
Arabic, can be supported by a dynamic language flipping system in accordance with the
present invention.
FIG. 2A-B show respective top level display screens 150a,b for a multilingual
system having dynamic language flipping in accordance with the present invention, such
as the system 100 of FIG. 1. The information displayed by the system relates to a military
environment. FIG. 2A shows a display screen 150a in English, which reads left-to-right-,
and FIG. 2B shows a corresponding display screen 150b in Arabic, which reads right-to-
left.
The display screens 150 are generated from a form having a plurality of fields that
are displayed on the screen. As shown, exemplary fields include view resource type 152a,
equipment 152b, and share by category 152c. The field information is provided by
corresponding display objects that define the content and position of the fields. The
display object data is retrieved from a table generated from the database 108. As described
more fully below, in an exemplary embodiment the field data is retrieved from tables and
the field properties are defined by tags.
The display screens 150a,b include a "flipper" button 154a,b that changes the
display from one language to the other. More particularly, clicking on the flipper button
154a on the English display screen 150a changes the display to the Arabic screen display
150b. The flipper button 154 is displayed differently on the two screen displays 150a,b
and is based upon the selected display language. More particularly, in English the Arabic
Ain symbol is displayed and in Arabic the letter "L" is displayed.
FIG. 3A-B show respective display screens 200a,b in English and Arabic for a
units/forces form 202 having more detail than the displays 150 of FIGS. 2A-B. As can be
seen, there are numerous differences between the display screens 200a,b due to differences
between English and Arabic languages. Differences include the direction in which the
language (text and numbers) is read, the location of the individual fields on the form, the
justification (left or right), the number styles, and the digital character representations.
In an exemplar,' embodiment, the English and Arabic display screens 200a,b are
mirrored about a vertical axis 204. For example, the "Echelon Level" field 206a,b is
located on the left side of the English sereen 200a and is located on the right side of the
Arabic screen 200b. The "Readiness" field 208a is located on the right side of the English

screen and the corresponding field 208b is located on the left side of the Arabic screen. In
addition, the text in the 'Echelon" level field 206a is left justified in the English screen
200a and right justified in the Arabic screen 200b. Further differences between the
English and Arabic screens include the location of pull down arrows 210a,b and
adjustment arrows 212a,b. It should be noted that certain fields, such as the
latitude/longitude coordinates 214, can remain the same for the two screens.
FIGS. 4A-B show further English and Arabic display screens 250a,b for a
Units/Forces form showing the same information in accordance with the conventions of
the language in which they are displayed. In this particular embodiment. Arabic numbers
are used in both display screens.
In general, the information displayed by the forms is retrieved from a database,
such as the database 108 of FIG. 1. The operating system, such as Windows, miming on
the workstation 104 should support multiple languages. The database should also support
the required display languages. In one particular embodiment, a relational database, e.g.,
Oracle, is used. It is understood, however, that other relational databases, and object
oriented databases can be readily used.
The database should support a variety of information types that will be displayed
on the various screens. Since the automatic translation of free text is currently impractical,
the database provides separate storage locations for the free text portions in each supported
language. Numbers, such as quantities and coordinates, and dates are also stored in the
database. Typically, numeric information can be stored in one location and readily
converted for display in the selected language. Objects, such as programs, images and
sounds, are stored in the database in one location unless there are language dependencies.
For example, an image is language invariant.
The database should also support enumerated values, which can be used in
association with a variety of items. For example, a security classification can be contained
in many records (objects) within the database. The names used for the different levels of
security classification should be consistent in the supported languages each time it is
displayed.
In the present invention, enumerated values are stored in tables generated from the
database as described below. The table includes a column for a code (also called a primary
key), a column for the first language (English) and a column for the second or alternate
language (Arabic). Table 1 below shows an exemplary Table for yes/no.


Further tables arc created for enumerated values including security classification, service,
echelon, operational status, unit type, e.g., armor, country, runway surface, etc. In this
arrangement, the value of the code determines what is displayed such that yes and no and
the Arabic equivalent are consistent in each form.
As shown in FIG. 5, each form 350 can include various types of objects each of
which has specified data and display properties as described in more detail below. The
form 350 can include one or more label objects 352, text objects 354, combination objects
356, command button objects 358, and subform objects 360. It is understood that these
object types are illustrative and that further types of objects can be readily created.
As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, command buttons 358 enable a
user to direct the system to perform an action, such as change language or go to a different
form. A command button includes a symbol, icon, or text display that is changed as a
function of the currently selected display language. Command buttons can initiate many
different types of action. For example, the change language command button itself takes a
different action depending on the current and target languages.
Combination objects 356 refer to a form having a drop down list that when selected
displays a list of choices in the currently selected display language, and when not selected
displays the current choice in the currently selected display language. Combination objects
should change their list content as a function of the display language, as well as adjust the
orientation and location of the object itself. Text objects 354 are fields that display and/or
accept text entry in the currently selected display language. Text objects adjust their
display properties, the column from the database or other data source that they display, and
their location based on the currently selected display language. Label objects 352 are
associated with any of the above objects and provide identifying text indicating the nature
and purpose of the associated object. Label objects change their contents (e.g. the label),
as well as their position relative to their associated object, based on the currently selected
display language. Subforms 360 refer to forms, such as those described above, that are
included within a form. Subforms can include any or all of the above objects in various

combinations and permutations. In addition, the subform itself can be required to move
within a form based on the currently selected display language.
FIGS. 6 A, 6B show exemplary properties associated with a label object 400 and a
text box object 450 respectively. The properties includes a tag field 402,452 that specify
the behavior of the object in response to a change in language. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary
tag table 500 with the tags 502-51 8 each including commands to set the desired display
properties and data location for the associated object. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a
tag 452 of SNxAxS, where "x" signifies don't care, specifies that tags SOOOOO 504,
ONOOOO 508, OOAOOO 512, and OOOOOS 516,518 are applicable to this example
object.
The ONOOOO tag 508 sets the numeral shapes property of the object to Arabic
characters (1234456) in English mode and Hindi in Arabic mode . The
OOO AOO tag 512 right justifies the text for Arabic and left justifies text for English. The
OOOOOS tag 516,518 specifies the location in the associated table to find the associated
field content information depending upon the selected language. More particularly, for
English the table location is rowsource and for Arabic the table location is Alternate row
source (typically rowsourceA). This tag also places the scroll bar to the left or right of
the object based upon the selected language.
In one particular embodiment, the OOOOOS tag appends an "_A" to the end of the
control source property for text boxes (see Table 1) in the case where the alternate
language, e.g., Arabic, is selected. For example, if NAME is the control source in English
then NAME_A is the control source in Arabic. For combination boxes, this property
specifies that a different query associated with the alternate language should be used to
populate the list displayed by the box.
Further tags include a TOOOOO tag 502 that switches the locations of a label 550
and associated text box 552 as shown in FIG. 8. The label 550, which is located over the
text box 552, become right justified. The FOOOOO tag 506 moves display objects to the
opposite side of the form, i.e., from the left side to the right side or from the right side to
the left side. The OOKOOO tag 510 switches the language of the keyboard. And the
OOOOCO tag 514 sets the caption property to display the object caption, which can be for
a label, command button, toggle button, or checkbox, in the selected language. For other
languages, different kinds of movements can be required to accommodate normal reading
order preferences.

It is understood that the above-described tags provide one particular embodiment
of the invention. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a wide
variety of tag types and schemes can be used without departing from the present invention.
In addition, the term tags should be construed broadly to include devices in general that
modify display properties and the like.
In operation, a user selects a form for display, such as that shown in figure 3A-B,
that the workstation displays in the currently selected language. Each field in the form
corresponds to a display object that specifies the data location and display properties for
the field. As described above, the associated tables for enumerated value fields contain
entries for equivalent expressions in each supported language where applicable. The
system displays the form fields that contain the associated data.
When the operator activates a change language command, i.e., clicks on the flipper
button 154 (FIGS. 2A-B), the field data and display properties are modified, such as by the
tags described above, in accordance with the information in the display object. More
particularly, the language is swapped arid the graphics are changed by the tags to conform
to the selected language.
This arrangement enables a user to readily change the display from one language to
another supported language. Dynamic language flipping in accordance with the present
invention provides several advantages over known techniques. Some known systems (for
example certain multiple language web pages) include two forms each having fields that
access data and display the data in predetermined ways. When switching from one
language to the other, the system hides one form and displays the other form. However,
the lime required to switch forms can be significant and can require a relatively high level
of maintenance. In addition, the forms may not be entirely consistent since each form is
manually created. Other known systems utilize one form containing English and Arabic
fields. To switch the display from English to Arabic, for example, the English fields are
hidden and the Arabic fields are made visible. While this approach may work, it may be
less than optimal.
More particularly, each field (one for each language) should be created, configured,
and positioned. Each field should be consistent in position and meaning to the
corresponding field in the other language(s). And each field should be managed in code.
For example, English fields should be tuned on or off and and Arabic fields should also be

. turned on and off. The process to make changes is also burdensome. For example, to add
a new field to a form requires the following:
1) add English version of field to form and associated label
2) add Arabic version of field to form and associated label
3) change code to reveal/hide new English field when flipping
4) change code to reveal/hide new Arabic field when flipping
Thus, to create and modify forms requires significant duplication of effort that is obviated
by the present invention.
Dynamic language flipping in accordance with the present invention encapsulates
the behavior of each field. Field properties include displaying the selected language, text
justification, number style, visibility, location of the field itself and its associated label,
and the location of associated controls.
FIG. 9 shows an exemplary sequence of steps for providing dynamic language
flipping on a display screen in accordance with the present invention. In step 600, the
operator selects a form to be displayed by the system as well as a default language if one
has not been previously selected. Based upon the fields contained in the selected form, the
system queries the database in step 602. It is understood that one or more databases can be
queried as well as other types of data sources. The associated tables contain language-
equivalent expressions for each supported language. In step 604, the system displays the
form in the currently selected language.
In step 606, the system waits for a language swap command from the user, such as
a click on the flipper 154 button (FIG. 2A-B). Upon receiving a language flip command,
in step 608 the system applies the display object properties associated with the newly
selected language. Properties include data location, text justification and object position,
as described in detail above. In step 610, the system displays the form in the selected
language and awaits further commands from the user.
One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the
invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to
be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the
appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.

We Claim :
1. A method of providing dynamic multilingual display swapping, comprising :
receiving a selected form selection for display, the selected form having a
plurality of selected form fields ;
retrieving from a database field data and display properties corresponding
to the plurality of form fields, wherein the retrieved field data contain information
corresponding to a plurality of languages ;
populating the plurality of form fields with the retrieved field data and the
retrieved display properties ;
displaying a portion of the plurality of form fields with first field data from
the retrieved field data corresponding to a first one of the plurality of languages
and having a first display format in accordance with first display properties from
the retrieved display properties; and
switching the displayed form fields from the portion of form fields with first
field data corresponding to the first one of the plurality of languages to a second
different portion of the form fields with second field data from the retrieved field
data corresponding to a second one of the plurality of languages upon receiving
a change language command, the second one of the plurality of languages
having a second display format in accordance with second display properties
from the retrieved display properties, wherein the second display format is
different from the first display format.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the field data from the
database are placed into a table.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein respective table entries for the
field data are formed in two or more of the plurality of languages.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a table is generated from the
field data having a column for a code and associated columns for the plurality of
languages containing equivalent expressions for the code.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flipper mechanism is
provided for enabling a user to change the displayed field data from the first one
of the plurality of languages to the second one of the plurality of languages.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flipper icon is provided for
enabling a user to change the displayed field data from the first one of the
plurality of languages to the second one of the plurality of languages.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display properties
comprise one or more of a display of one of the plurality of languages, and a text
justification, a field location, a number style, a visibility, a label location, and a
control location associated with the one of the plurality of languages.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein tags are used to modify the
display properties in response to the switching of the displayed data.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display properties for the
form fields are encapsulated.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein free text for the plurality of
languages are stored in the database.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein enumerated values for the
plurality of languages are stored in the database.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the form has one or more of
label objects, text objects, combination objects, command button objects, and
sub form objects.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein information for a military
environment is provided by the form.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first display format
corresponds to left justification and the second display format corresponds to
right justification.
15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching involves
mirroring the displayed form fields about a central display axis.
16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching involves
mirroring the displayed form fields about a central display axis, and wherein the
first display format corresponds to left justification and the second display format
corresponds to right justification.
17. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display properties
comprise at least one display format tag and the first display format and the
second display format are selected in accordance with the at least one display
format tag.

18. A system having dynamic language display swapping, comprising :
a processor;
a database, such as herein described, coupled to the processor; and
a screen, such as herein described, to display a form having a plurality of
form fields and to display field data associated with data from the database as a
plurality of displayed form fields,
wherein data from the database for the plurality of displayed form fields
have display properties defining display characteristics of the displayed field data
to enable dynamic swapping between a plurality of languages and to enable
dynamic re-formatting of the displayed field data in response to a change display
language command.
19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the dynamic re-formatting of
the displayed form fields involves at least one of dynamic re-justification of the
displayed field data and mirroring of the displayed form fields about a central
display axis.

Documents:

538-kolnp-2003-abstract.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-assignment-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-assignment.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-claims.pdf

538-KOLNP-2003-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-correspondence-1.2.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-correspondence.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-description (complete).pdf

538-kolnp-2003-drawings.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-examination report-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-examination report.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 1-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 13-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 13.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 18-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 18.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 3-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 3.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 5-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-form 5.pdf

538-KOLNP-2003-FORM-27-1.pdf

538-KOLNP-2003-FORM-27.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-gpa-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-gpa.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-abstract.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-claims.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-description (complete).pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-drawings.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-form 1-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-form 1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-form 2.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-granted-specification.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-others.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-reply to examination report-1.1.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-reply to examination report.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-specification.pdf

538-kolnp-2003-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 247803
Indian Patent Application Number 538/KOLNP/2003
PG Journal Number 21/2011
Publication Date 27-May-2011
Grant Date 23-May-2011
Date of Filing 29-Apr-2003
Name of Patentee RAYTHEON COMPANY
Applicant Address 870 WINTER STREET, WALTHAM, MA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 AL-BAKR FAISAL TURKI P.O. BOX 90987, 11623 RIYADH
2 NOBEL WILLIAM B 2317 32ND STREET, SANTA MONICA, CA 90405
3 MOORE SHERI L 5020 VIA LUCIA, YORBA LINDA, CA 92886
PCT International Classification Number G06F 17/28
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2001/32322
PCT International Filing date 2001-10-18
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/242,856 2000-10-24 U.S.A.
2 09/981,113 2001-10-17 U.S.A.