Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Application
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-16
2001-02-20
Dorvil, Richemond (Department: 2761)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Application
C704S270000, C704S278000, C709S204000, C709S206000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192344
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to messaging servers. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for dynamically changing the language used by messaging servers. Typical messaging servers provide users audio and/or textual output and the like.
It has been said that the computer age has brought users of different nationalities throughout the world closer than ever before. However, this seems to only be true if the user speaks English. In reality, the majority of the people on this world read, write, and speak in different languages. Because of these language differences, products that are destined for international markets must speak the local language to be successful.
In the past, computer applications were written using English as the language for communicating with the user. For example, for textual output, for audio output, and the like. In order to modify the computer application to operate with another human language, the application had to first be re-written with user messages in the other language. Next, the application had to be re-compiled and tested.
Drawbacks to this method include that the company writing the computer program was required to re-compile the program for every language desired, and that they had to release specific versions of the program for each language. Another drawback was that the time-to-market for the computer program would suffer because re-compiling and re-testing was often a time consuming process.
In order to address the above problems, an alternative method was developed. In this method, user messages were written in as many different languages as possible and then computer program was compiled. As a result, a user of the computer program could switch back and forth from different languages without having different versions of the program. Typical source code of computer programs having the all-in-one approach could resemble the following code:
If (language=ENGLISH) then
Play_English_Prompt (“you have”)
Play_English_Number(<number>)
Play_English_Prompt(“e-mail messages”)
Else if (language=JAPANESE) then
Play_Japanese_Number(<number>)
Play_Japanese_Prompt(“e-mail messages”)
Play_Japanese_Prompt(“you have”)
Else if (language=German ) . . .
Drawbacks to this approach include that such all-in-one applications typically require excessive amounts of computer storage space. For example, because most users in the United States will only use the English language when running a computer program, the instruction codes and the capability to use other languages is never used. As a result, a great deal of RAM and Hard Disk requirements for a computer program is wasted. Yet another drawback is that if any new languages are to be added to the computer program, the entire computer program must still be recompiled. Another drawback to this approach was that it was very error prone, because minor changes meant updating all versions of the program.
In light of the above, what is needed are efficient methods for dynamically configuring messaging servers for different languages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for dynamically configuring languages for output from messaging servers. Further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and drawings.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for changing a spoken language for output generated by a messaging program running on a computer system having a memory, without re-compiling the messaging program, includes providing the messaging program to the computer system, the messaging program configured to generate an output message, providing a language server coupled to the messaging program to the computer system, the language server configured to receive the output message, to receive an ordered plurality of phrase references, to use phrase references from the ordered plurality of phrase references to identify a plurality of spoken phrases, and to output the plurality of spoken phrases, providing a first set of language configuration data coupled to the language server, in a first directory in the memory, the first set of language configuration data configured to specify a first ordered plurality of phrase references to the language server in response to the output message, and providing a first set of phrase files coupled to the language server, in the first directory in the memory, each phrase file in the first set having an associated phrase reference and configured to store a unique spoken phrase, the first set of language configuration data and the first set of phrase files both associated with a first spoken language. The method also includes configuring the language server to refer to the first directory in the memory and to use the first ordered plurality of phrase references as the ordered plurality of phrase references and to refer to the first set of phrase files for the plurality of spoken phrases. The steps of installing a second set of language configuration data coupled to the language server, in a second directory in the memory, the second set of language configuration data configured to specify a second ordered plurality of phrase references to the language server in response to the output message, and installing a second set of phrase files coupled to the language server, in the second directory in the memory, each phrase file in the second set having an associated phrase reference and configured to store a unique spoken phrase, the second set of language configuration data and the second set of phrase files both associated with a second spoken language, are also provided. The method also includes receiving a request in the messaging program to use a secondary spoken language for the messaging program, and configuring the language server to refer to the second directory in the memory and to use the second ordered plurality of phrase references as the ordered plurality of phrase references and to refer to the second set of phrase files for the plurality of spoken phrases, in response to the request.
According to another embodiment, a computer system, including an application program configured to output messages to a user in user-selectable languages without terminating the application program, includes a processor; and a computer readable memory: The computer-readable memory includes a first table for a first language, the first table indexed by the user messages, and indicating a first set of file references in response to a user message, a first set of files having associated file references for storing phrases in a first language, a second table for a second language, the second table indexed by the user messages, and indicating a second set of file references in response to the user message, and a second set of files having associated file references for storing phrases in a second language. The memory also stores code that directs the processor to receive an output message from the application program, code that directs the processor to receive a selection from a plurality of languages comprising the primary language and the secondary language, code that directs the processor to refer to the first table and to return the first set of file references in response to a selection of the primary language, and code that directs the processor to retrieve files from the first set of files in response to file references from the first set of file references, in response to the selection of the primary language. Code that directs the processor to refer to the second table and to return the second set of file references in response to a selection of the secondary language, code that directs the processor to retrieve files from the secondary set of files in response to file references from the secondary set of file references, in response to the selection of the secondary language, and code that directs the processor to output the files to the user are also provided.
Jen Chiaming
Lee Scott
Rajagopalan Thiagarajan
AltiGen Communications, Inc.
Dorvil Richemond
Nolan Daniel A.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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