Method and system for dynamic language display in network-based applications

#This invention relates to a method and system for efficiently and quickly displaying network web page information and performing operations across a network in multiple languages, and in particular to a method and system for efficiently transmitting web page code strings dynamically composed during transmission to include textual information in a preselected language and for efficiently performing cross network functions via applets in multiple languages.

#A problem with efficiency for Internet and other network web pages exists relating to the fact that two concepts or two abstract portions must be addressed on a web page. One portion is the logic, which governs how the page works, and a second portion is the information displayed. For example, for a simple application for a given web page, the logic portion may indicate, for example, that on Sundays a picture of a sun is to be displayed, and on Mondays, a picture of a scene containing rainfall is to be displayed. For most web page applications, the logic portion, which is highly complex, must address such a display using code containing text and graphics, along with logic linked to input or read information, such as the system clock.

#Further, typical web pages contain displayed language content that must be linked or tied to the logic portion. However, tying the language content to the logic portion presents a problem in many applications. For example, the logic may indicate that on December 25, the web page is to display “Merry Christmas.” The logic therefore generally is “if day equals December 25, print this statement: ‘Merry Christmas.’” A problem, however, is that “Merry Christmas” is in English, and there typically is no simple and efficient method for displaying the same information in another language, if the user so prefers.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 depicts an overview diagram of the components and users in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the server elements of an embodiment of the present invention;

#The present invention operates in typical network environments that include one or more servers coupled, such as by wired, wireless, or fiberoptic links, to one or more terminals. One or more users access web information from the servers via the terminals and couplings. Web information is viewed using, for example, a web browser that displays the information to each user. The displayed web information is composed for display as web pages, typically via lines of text code.

#The present invention comprises a method and system for efficiently and quickly displaying network web page information and performing cross-network functions, such as applets, in multiple languages, in which web page code strings to be transmitted are dynamically composed to include textual information in a preselected language. In an embodiment of the present invention, as the web page information is transmitted to the user for display, the information is dynamically built using template information common to all users, regardless of language, and appropriately inserted information for text in the language selected.

#In an embodiment of the present invention, the proper language text insertion occurs by virtue of special tags within the template for the page selected. A previously determined language selection, which occurs by user input or automatic determination, results in the text file for the selected language being loaded into the server memory supporting the web page to be transmitted. The processor at the server inserts the parsed portions of the textual information at appropriate locations within the web page code prior to the code being transmitted to the user's browser for display. As a result, multiple languages are supported in a manner that is efficient for transmission to the user and that simplifies and reduces redundancy and error in code modification.