DESC:SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSLATION OF EMAILS AND ITS ATTACHMENTS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to information technology and more particularly, to a system and a method for translation of emails and its attachments.

Background of the invention

As the amount of international communication by electronic means increases, the problem of users of the communication system having different natural languages becomes increasingly more significant. The need for an effective automatic language translation service is therefore becoming increasingly important.

Solutions to the problems of providing automatic translation of electronic messages have been provided so far. However, these systems and methods are limited to translation of emails or electronic messages send by one user in his native language to other user who is no conversant with the first user native language.

Further, there are various tools available for translation of data provided in one language to other language. Reference may be made to KR20160016531A that discloses a method, apparatus and system for providing translated contents. The device for providing translated content to a receiver comprises a storage unit storing address book information including receiver identification information on the receiver; a user input unit receiving the receiver identification information on the receiver and content to be transmitted to the receiver inputted by a user; a control unit determining a language matched to the receiver corresponding to the receiver identification information based on the address book information; and a communications unit requesting a server to translate the content in the determined language. However, this invention requires some data to be stored on a sender side in address book thereby creating dependency on particular email client. Further, the system disclosed in this invention is deployed for particular sender and receiver which mean that it has some deployment dependency and does not mention about cloud deployment. Furthermore, this invention does not mention about the languages and file formats that are supported.

US2010138212A1 discloses an architecture that facilitates language conversion and previewing of a message attachment in multiple different languages. The architecture can be employed in a messaging application or a personal information manager program, for example, such that the message attachment can be selected and designated for conversion into a different language, and then previewed in the different language. However, in this invention the system is deployed for receiver which means that it has some deployment dependency. Further, the invention mentions that email client like outlook may be required. Furthermore, this invention does not mention about the languages and file formats that are supported.

Further, these systems are slow and do not provide translations of all types of file formats. Furthermore, when user opt for translation using the conventional available translation system, many times the format provided by the user gets disturbed.

Accordingly, there exist a need for a system and method for providing automatic translation of the emails and its attachments which overcomes abovementioned drawbacks.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide quick translation of email and its attachment in a desired language.
Another object of the present invention is to provide translation through email without having to login to the database.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for translation of emails and its attachments. The system works in conjunction with an email system configured on a communication device. The system comprises a server, an email translation module and a translation platform.

The server hosts an email id thereon. A user sends an email and attachments to be translated to the email id hosted on the server. The email translation module is configured to send a translated email and/or attachment files and an error message, if any to an original sender of the email and to all recipients present in Cc addresses. The email translation module includes a checking unit for checking presence of any new emails and polling of the new email from the email id of the server, a receiving unit configured to receive the email in a predefined format and an extracting unit configured to extract subject, body and attachments from the email received from the receiving unit and to convert subject and body of the email into an accepted format.

The translation platform is operably connected to the email translation module for receiving the email and attachments therefrom and sending translated emails and attachments thereto. The translation platform includes a translation module to be accessed by the user through a web interface. The translation module includes an upload unit, a file converter unit, a parser unit, a segmentation unit, a translation engine, a tag file unit, a memory and a database. The upload unit is used by the user for uploading the documents to be translated. The file converter unit is configured to check the format of the uploaded documents and to convert the documents in a supported format for processing. The parser unit is configured to apply a parser for each input type of file and for extracting text of the file. The segmentation unit receives the extracted text from the parser unit and breaks the text into segments. Specifically, the segmentation unit uses Segmentation Rules Exchange file to apply the rules to break the text into segments. The translation engine translates the segments into a target language using any one of a translation logic implemented and configured to get executed from the memory and/or a third party translation engine. The translated files and files to be translated are stored in the memory of the translation module. The tag file unit applies tag to the extracted segment. The database stores the extracted segments and translated segments therein. The system provides automatic translation of the emails and its attachments.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for translation of emails and its attachments.

Brief description of the drawings

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system for translation of emails and its attachments, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a working of an email translation module, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a working of a translation platform, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a file translation, in accordance with the present invention.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flowcharts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished, and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiments.

The embodiments herein provide a system and a method for translation of emails and its attachments. Further the embodiments may be easily implemented in data, information communication and management structures. Embodiments may also be implemented as one or more applications performed by stand alone or embedded systems.

The systems and methods described herein are explained using examples with specific details for better understanding. However, the disclosed embodiments can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of these specific details.

Throughout this application, with respect to all reasonable derivatives of such terms, and unless otherwise specified (and/or unless the particular context clearly dictates otherwise), each usage of:
“a” or “an” is meant to read as “at least one.”
“the” is meant to be read as “the at least one.”

References in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail. For clarity of the description, known constructions and functions will be omitted.

Parts of the description may be presented in terms of operations performed by at least one electrical / electronic circuit, a computer system, using terms such as data, state, link, fault, packet, and the like, consistent with the manner commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, these quantities take the form of data stored/transferred in the form of non-transitory, computer-readable electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, and otherwise manipulated through mechanical and electrical components of the computer system; and the term computer system includes general purpose as well as special purpose data processing machines, switches, and the like, that are standalone, adjunct or embedded. For instance, some embodiments may be implemented by a processing system that executes program instructions so as to cause the processing system to perform operations involved in one or more of the methods described herein. The program instructions may be computer-readable code, such as compiled or non-compiled program logic and/or machine code, stored in a data storage that takes the form of a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic, optical, and/or flash data storage medium. Moreover, such processing system and/or data storage may be implemented using a single computer system or may be distributed across multiple computer systems (e.g., servers) that are communicatively linked through a network to allow the computer systems to operate in a coordinated manner.

The present invention provides a system and a method for translation of emails and its attachments. The system works in conjunction with email system configured on any communication device such as desktop, laptop and the like. In the context of the present invention, “from address” is a sender email address which is sending the email for translation. The system allows the sender to send email from any address and using any email client. “To address” is an address which is preconfigured by the system. This address is customizable based on client’s need. “Cc address” are email addresses added by the sender if he/she also wants to send the translated email to these addresses.

The present invention is now illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figure 1, a system (100) for translation of emails and its attachments in accordance with the present invention is shown. The system (100) is hosted on a cloud and works in conjunction with email system configured on any communication device such as desktop, laptop and the like. The communication device includes a processor unit (not shown), a memory unit (not shown), an input and output unit (not shown).

The system (100) is accessed by a user using login credentials. The system (100) comprises an email translation module (20), a translation platform (70) and a server (80). The server (80) hosts an email id thereon. The email id is specific for the system (100) and a user needs to send an email to be translated to the email id hosted on the server (80).

The email translation module (20) is configured to send a translated email and/or attachment files as well as an error message, if any to an original sender of the email or the registered user as well as to all recipients present in Cc addresses. The email translation module (20) includes a checking unit (4), a receiving unit (8) and an extracting unit (12). The checking unit (4) checks if there are any new emails received and performs polling of the new email from the email id of the server (80). Specifically, the checking unit (4) performs the check at a predefined regular interval, for example every 30 seconds. The receiving unit (8) is configured to receive the email in a predefined format. In case, the email for translation is not in a predefined format, the receiving unit (8) sends an error email to the user. Following table provides the various file formats generally supported by the email translation module (20):

Table:
File Type File Extension
Excel .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .xlsb
PowerPoint .ppt, .pptx
Word .doc, .docx, .docm
Plain Text .txt
Rich Text Format .rtf
HTML .html, .htm
XML .xml
PDF .pdf
XLIFF .sdlxliff
Adobe Illustrator .ai
Subtitle .srt, .vtt, .sub, .sbv
JSON .json
Images .bmp, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .png

However, it is understood here that the email translation module (20) can be configured to accept any other file format other than the above-mentioned formats in other alternative embodiments of the present invention.

The extracting unit (12) is configured to extract subject, body and attachments from the email received from the receiving unit (8). The extracting unit (8) after extraction converts the subject to text file while body of the email is converted into html file. However, it is understood here that the subject and body of the email can be converted into any acceptable/suitable format for translation in other alternative embodiments of the present invention. The extracting unit (8) then sends all the files including the subject, body and attachment files to the translation platform (70) one by one along with source and target language information provided by the user.

In an implementation according to an embodiment of the present invention the email translation module (20) comprises at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one memory unit, the at least one processor configured to embed the checking unit (4), the receiving unit (8) and the extracting unit (12).

The translation platform (70) is operably connected to the email translation module (20). The translation platform (70) includes a web interface (24) implemented through at least one processor unit and a translation module (60). The web interface (24) is accessed by the registered user using login credentials. The web interface (24) allows the user to access the translation module (60) and also allows downloading of the previously translated files.

The translation module (60) includes an upload unit (28), a file converter unit (32), a parser unit (36), a segmentation unit (40), a translation engine (44), a tag file unit (48), a memory (52) and a database (56).

In an implementation according to an embodiment of the present invention the translation module (60) comprises at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one memory unit, the at least one processor configured to embed the upload unit (28), the file converter unit (32), the parser unit (36), the segmentation unit (40), the translation engine (44), and the tag file unit (48). The at least one memory unit communicatively coupled to the processor is configured to embed the at least one memory (52) and the database (56).

The upload unit (28) is used by the user to upload the documents to be translated. The system (100) allows the user to use different interfaces available for uploading the files. The file converter unit (32) is configured to check whether the source file is uploaded in a supported format and whether the file is required to be converted. The file converter unit (32) converts the uploaded files in a supportable format for processing. The file converter unit (32) does not convert the file if the file is in non-supported formats. Specifically, the file converter unit (32) generates an error message if the file is in any of password protected file format and secured PDF file format. Following table provides examples of category of files that are supported by the file converter unit (32) and formats of files that are converted into new formats:
Table:
Category Original Format New Format
Excel .xls .xlsx
PowerPoint .ppt .pptx
Word .doc .docx
Rich Text Format .rtf .docx
PDF .pdf .docx
Adobe Illustrator .ai .pdf (further converted to .docx)
Images .bmp, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .png .docx

The conversion is not required for files that in are in supported format. The supported files/converted files are sent to the parser unit (36) by the file converter unit (32). The parser unit (36) is configured to apply a parser for each input type of file and for extracting text of the file. The parser unit (36) opens the file and reads the text inside therein and extracts text of the file. The segmentation unit (40) receives the extracted text from the parser unit (36) and breaks the text into segments. Specifically, the segmentation unit (40) uses Segmentation Rules Exchange (SRX) file to apply the rules to break the text into segments.

The translation engine (44) comprising at least one memory and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to perform the associative function of the translation engine (44), translates the segments into the target language either from a translation logic implemented and configured to get executed from the memory (52) or through a third party translation engine like Google Translate. The system (100) also allows the user to translate the segments manually using a CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) tool. The translation engine (44) requires sender email id, files which need to be translated and details of source and target language. The translated segments are stored back into the database (56). The database (56) also stores all the extracted segments. To be translated and translated files are stored in the memory (52). Following table provides details of languages generally supported by the translation platform (70):
Table:
Name Short Code Name Short Code Name Short Code
Arabic ar Bulgarian bg Bengali bn
Czech cs Danish da German de
Greek el English en Spanish es
Estonian et Finnish fi French fr
Irish ga Gujarati gu Hindi hi
Croatian hr Hungarian hu Indonesian id
Italian it Hebrew iw Japanese ja
Kannada kn Korean ko Lithuanian lt
Latvian lv Malayalam ml Marathi mr
Malay ms Maltese mt Nepali ne
Dutch nl Punjabi pa Polish pl
Portuguese pt Romanian ro Russian ru
Sinhala si Slovak sk Slovenian sl
Swedish sv Tamil ta Telugu te
Thai th Turkish tr Urdu ur
Vietnamese vi Chinese (Simplified) zh-CN Chinese (Traditional) zh-TW

However, it is understood here that the translation platform (70) can be configured to support any other languages in other alternative embodiments of the present invention.

The tag file unit (48) comprising at least one processor configured to perform the associative function of the tag file unit (48), applies tag to the extracted segment. Wherever the segment is extracted, the tag file unit (48) puts the tags in place of those segments to put the translation text back at the same place in later stage. Both original file and tag files are saved into file storage. The translation platform (70) sends back the translated file to the email translation module (20). In a preferred embodiment, the translated text is formatted as reply to the email translation module (20) i.e. subject, body and attachments. The email translation module (20) then sends reply to the original sender of the email as well as reply to all recipients present in Cc addresses.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for translation of emails and its attachments. Specifically, the method is described herein below in conjunction with the system (100) of figure 1.

In a first step, the method involves accessing any one of the email translation module (20) and the translation platform (70) of the system (100) by the user.

Figure 2 shows a detailed flowchart of the working of the email translation module (20) when accessed by the registered user according to the method of the present invention. The user sends the email to be translated to the email id hosted on the server (80). The sender needs to send the details of source and target languages in the subject line of the email in a predefined format, for example [English-Japanese] or [en-ja]. Alternatively, the sender can send a blank email to the email id hosted on the server (80) to receive instructions on how to use the system (100). In the context of the present invention, the email can contain subject, body or attachment however, it is not mandatory to have any of these elements.

The checking unit (4) checks if there are any new emails received from the email id of the server (80) and performs polling of the new email. Specifically, the checking unit (4) performs the check at a predefined regular interval, for example every 30 seconds. The new email to be translated is then transferred to the receiving unit (8) by the checking unit (4). The receiving unit (8) checks whether the new mail is in a predefined format. In case, the email for translation is not in a predefined format, the receiving unit (8) creates and sends an error email to the email id of the user as well as to all recipients present in Cc address. If the format of the email is predefined then the receiving unit (8) sends the email along with attachments thereof to the extracting unit (12).

As illustrated in figure 2 according to the method of the present invention the extracting unit (12) reads the email and extracts subject, body and attachments from the email received from the receiving unit (8) to create a file. The extracting unit (12) after extraction converts the subject to text file while body of the email is converted into html file. However, it is understood here that the subject and body of the email can be converted into any suitable format for translation in other alternative embodiments of the present invention. The extracting unit (12) then sends all the files including the subject, body and attachment files to the translation platform (70) one by one along with source and target language information provided by the user.

The working of the translation platform (70) according to the method of the present invention is explained in detail in the description of figures 3 and 4 below and not described herein again for the sake of the brevity of the invention. The translation platform (70) sends back the translated file to the email translation module (20). In a preferred embodiment, the translated text is formatted as reply to the email translation module (20) i.e. subject, body and attachments. The email translation module (20) then sends reply to the original sender of the email as well as to all recipients present in Cc addresses.

Figures 3-4 show a detailed flowchart of the working of the translation platform (70) when accessed by the registered user according to the method of the present invention. By using login credentials the user accesses the web interface (24) of the translation platform (70). In order to perform the translation, the translation module (60) requires information of sender email id, files to be translated and details of source and target language. The sender email id is used to create an account of the user on the translation platform (70). If account with the email already exists, then this account is used along with any memory. The source and target languages are used to create a project with these languages within the translation platform (70).

Once the user account is created, the user then uploads the files to be translated using the upload unit (28). The system (100) allows the user to use different interfaces available for uploading the files. All the files uploaded by the user are added into the created project. The file converter unit (32) then checks whether the source file is in a supported format and if the file is required to be converted. The file converter unit (32) does not convert the file if the file is in non-supported formats. Specifically, the file converter unit (32) generates an error message if the file is in any of password protected file format and secured PDF file format. The conversion is not required for files that are in supported format. The supported files/converted files are then sent to the parser unit (36). The parser unit (36) applies a parser for each input type of file like word, excel, ppt and like. The parser unit (36) opens the file programmatically and reads the text inside therein and extracts text of the file.

According to the method of the present invention the segmentation unit (40) receives the extracted text from the parser unit (36) and breaks the text into segments. In the context of the present invention, segments are nothing but the sentences and each language has certain rules as how to break the text into segments. The segmentation unit (40) uses Segmentation Rules Exchange (SRX) file to apply the rules to break the text into segments. However, it is understood here that the segmentation unit (40) can be customized to apply any other type of files for segmentation in other alternative embodiments of the present invention. Wherever the segment is extracted, the tag file unit (48) puts the tags in place of those segments to put the translation text back at the same place in later stage. Both original file and tag files are saved into file storage. The tag file ensures that the input and output format remain the same. So, wherever there is full formatting in text, those are preserved in the output file also. Only in case of partial formatting, the care needs to be taken by the user. However, it is understood here that while generating documents through a machine, the partial formatting is not preserved.

According to the method of the present invention all the extracted segments are inserted in the database (56) and all further processes are performed on the segments saved in the database (56). The translation engine (44) translates the segments into the target language by using any one of the translation logic implemented and configured to get executed from the memory (52) and/or through a third party translation engine like Google Translate. However, it is understood here that the memory (52) is applied to all files before referring to Google Translate. The system (100) also allows the user to translate the segments manually using a CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) tool. The translated segments are stored back into the database (56).

Once all segments are translated, the segments are put back into the tag file unit (48). This ensures the place of the source and target segment remains the same. At this time, the font of the file/segment is also changed based on the target language. Thereafter, the output file is converted back to an original input file as uploaded by the user. The translation platform (70) sends back the translated file to the email translation module (20). In a preferred embodiment, the translated text is formatted as reply to the email translation module (20) i.e. subject, body and attachments. The email translation module (20) then sends reply to the original sender of the email as well as reply to all recipients present in Cc addresses.

Advantages of the invention

1. The system (100) and the method provide automatic email translation and do not require any online translation tool for translation.
2. The system (100) and the method provide fast response and don’t involve hassle of copy/paste of text/file to online translation tool.
3. The system (100) and the method facilitate transfer of translated email and files to registered user as well as recipients present in Cc addresses.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A system (100) for translation of emails and its attachments, the system (100) being capable of working in conjunction with an email system configured on a communication device, the system (100) comprising:
a server (80) hosting an email id thereon, wherein a user sends an email and attachments to be translated to the email id hosted on the server (80);
an email translation module (20) configured to send a translated email and/or attachment files and an error message, if any to an original sender of the email and to all recipients present in Cc addresses, the email translation module (20) having,
a checking unit (4) for checking presence of any new emails and polling of the new email from the email id of the server (80),
a receiving unit (8) configured to receive the email in a predefined format, and
an extracting unit (12) configured to extract subject, body and attachments from the email received from the receiving unit (8) and to convert subject and body of the email into an accepted format; and
a translation platform (70) operably connected to the email translation module (20) for receiving the email and attachments therefrom and sending translated emails and attachments thereto, the translation platform (70) having a translation module (60) to be accessed by the user through a web interface (24), the translation module (60) having,
an upload unit (28) to be used by the user for uploading the documents to be translated,
a file converter unit (32) configured to check the format of the uploaded documents and for converting the documents in a supported format for processing,
a parser unit (36) for applying a parser for each input type of file and for extracting text of the file,
a segmentation unit (40) for receiving the extracted text from the parser unit (36) and for breaking the text into segments,
a translation engine (44) for translating the segments into a target language using any one of a translation logic implemented and configured to get executed from a memory (52) and/or a third party translation engine,
a tag file unit (48) for applying tag to the extracted segment, and
a database (56) for storing the extracted segments and translated segments therein.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the translated files and files to be translated are stored in the memory (52) of the translation module (60).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the segmentation unit (40) uses Segmentation Rules Exchange file to apply the rules to break the text into segments.

4. A method for translation of emails and its attachments, the method comprising the steps of:
accessing a web interface (24) of a translation platform (70) by a user using login credentials, wherein user is required to provide email id, files to be translated and details of source and target language;
uploading the files to be translated by the user using an upload unit (28) of a translation module (60);
checking the format of the uploaded files and converting the files into supporting format by a file converter unit (32);
applying a parser for each input type of file and extracting the text of the file by a parser unit (36);
breaking the text received from the parser unit (36) into segments by a segmentation unit (40) and applying tag to the extracted segments by a tag file unit (48);
translating the segments into a target language by a translation engine (44) using any one of a translation logic implemented and configured to get executed from a memory (52) and/or a third party translation engine, wherein the extracted segments and translated segments are stored in a database (56);
changing font of the file/segment based on the target language and converting an output file to an original input file as uploaded by the user;
sending the translated file by the translation platform (70) to an email translation module (20), wherein the translated text is formatted as reply to the email translation module (20) that is subject, body and attachments; and
sending the translated email and/or attachment files by the email translation module (20) to an original sender of the email and to all recipients present in Cc addresses.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein for the translation of the email, the user sends an email to an email id hosted on a server (80) that is then polled by a checking unit (4) of the email translation module (20) and transferred by the an extracting unit (12) after extraction of subject, body and attachments to the translation platform (70) one by one along with source and target language information provided by the user.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the translated files and files to be translated are stored in the memory (52) of the translation module (60).

7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein checking the format of the files includes step of generating an error message if the file is in any one of password protected format and secured PDF file format.