Abstract:
A system and method for electronic document translation filtering includes an input that receives electronic document data and instruction data corresponding to at least one document processing operation to be performed on the electronic document data. A computer includes a processor and associated memory identifies a language associated with the electronic document data and receives a translation instruction corresponding to at least one target language. The computer applies language filter data specified by the translation instruction to the electronic document data to generate translated electronic document data. A translated electronic document resultant from application of the language filter data to the electronic document data is stored and an output communicates the translated electronic document data to a document processing engine.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This application relates generally to document processing via device filters. The application relates more particularly to management and application of document processing device operations to accomplish translation by employing filters during document processing operations. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFPs are understood to comprise printers, alone or in combination with other of the afore-noted functions. It is further understood that any suitable document processing device can be used. 
         [0003]    Users may send document processing jobs, such as a print request, to one or more networked devices. In a typical shared device setting, one or more workstations are connected via a network. When a user wants to print a document, an electronic copy of that document is sent to a document processing device via the network. The user may select a particular device when several are available. The user then walks to the selected device and picks up their job or waits for the printed document to be output. If multiple users send their requests to the same device, the jobs are queued and outputted sequentially. 
         [0004]    User devices have become increasingly mobile. Often times users interact with MFPs via portable notebook computers, or via handheld devices such as tablet computers, smartphones, or the like. A user may install a driver on their device to allow for printing of documents on available devices. Electronic documents for printing may be comprised of formats such as a Microsoft Word file, a portable document format “PDF” file, a Tagged Information Format File (TIFF) file, or any other suitable text, vector or image file format. A print driver is a piece of software that converts such data to a form specific to a particular printer. This allows applications to print files without having to be customized for any particular printer type. A print driver functions to accurately translate an electronic document so that it is reproduced accurately on the rendering device. An optimal driver will generate, for example, a paper rendering that is identical to a corresponding image on a display terminal. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, a system and method for electronic document translation filtering includes an input that receives electronic document data and instruction data corresponding to at least one document processing operation to be performed on the electronic document data. A computer includes a processor and associated memory identifies a language associated with the electronic document data and receives a translation instruction corresponding to at least one target language. The computer applies language filter data specified by the translation instruction to the electronic document data to generate translated electronic document data. A translated electronic document resultant from application of the language filter data to the electronic document data is stored and an output communicates the translated electronic document data to a document processing engine. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  an example embodiment of a networked document rendering system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an example embodiment of a document rendering system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an example embodiment of a digital device system; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an example embodiment of a filter system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an example embodiment of a flowchart; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an example embodiment of an electronic document rendering. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. 
         [0014]    Printing of documents from computing devices, including portable computers, tablet computers and smartphones, is ubiquitous. In many instances, a person need only download and install the appropriate driver for a particular printing device, or family of printing devices. The user then selects a particular printer/driver and sends the document for printing. The user may then go the destination printer and retrieve a printout. The electronic document that is printed is suitably disposed on the user&#39;s device. However, the document may also exist on a networked device such as a file server, workstation or cloud storage. In these instances, a document is suitably retrieved and passed through a driver on the user&#39;s device on the way to one or more designated printers. In each instance, the rendered document will accurately mirror the precise text of the original electronic document. 
         [0015]    More recently, widespread adoption of the global Internet has given individuals ready access to documents around the world. Online searching of topics of interest may turn up websites in many different languages. Online tools are available that facilitate machine translation of websites. While these are typically less-than-perfect translations, they may be sufficiently accurate to allow one to determine whether a particular site is of interest. A user may happen across a relevant site that is itself a repository for downloadable documents that are also relevant. If a user prints out one of these documents, it would still be incumbent on them to find a way to translate the printed document. This is but one example of situations when it may be desirable to print out an electronic document in a translated language. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the subject application,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a networked document rendering system  100  that addresses the areas noted above. More particularly, the illustrated example provides a system  100  for quickly and efficiently generating rendered documents that are automatically translated during a printing operation. Network  104  is suitably comprised of a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or the global Internet, alone or in combination. Digital devices such as smartphone  108 , workstation  112  or tablet computer  116  are in wired or wireless data communication with network  104 . It will be appreciated that any suitable digital device can be used, such as a notebook computer, laptop computer, embedded computer or the like. 
         [0017]    In the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , networked cloud-based or server-based storage  120  facilitates online storage and retrieve of textual, image, graphic or other encoded electronic documents, as well as any other suitable digital file including application programs. Storage  120  may comprise online software repositories for download, which download may be at no charge or for a fee. Suitable examples include the Apple App Store, Apple iTunes or Google Play. Suitably stored in storage  120  are downloadable language translation filters which can be downloaded into a user&#39;s digital device, suitably on demand. Translation filters are suitably associated with a printer drive for a corresponding user device document rendering operation. 
         [0018]    Also in data communication with network  104  is one or more document processing devices such as MFPs  124  and  128 , suitably implemented for rendering of electronic documents such as those that may be found on a user&#39;s digital data device or other online or networked storage. In an example embodiment, a user device may include a print driver. In the example, a user wishes to print an electronic document that is in a foreign language. The user accesses an application store and selects a filter corresponding to a source language of the electronic document and a target language familiar to the user. Once installed on the user&#39;s device and selected for use, the filter works in concert with a print driver. When a printer and its associated driver is selected and one or more electronic documents are sent for printing, the filter intercepts foreign language components of the electronic file and generates a translated counterpart which is routed to the associated printer. The tangible document that is printed is then machine translated into the target language of the filter. 
         [0019]    Suitable filters may be supplied from different sources. By way of example, one company may provide filters for Apple products while others provide filters for Windows or Android products. Also, multiple competitors may offer different filter options. Accordingly, filters are suitably provided with watermark data indicative of a filter author, filter source or other suitable information. The watermark is suitably rendered in conjunction with a printed document. Thus, a user may associate quality levels with watermarks corresponding to a particular filter product. A watermark may also be used to provide marketing value to a filter provider. By way of further example, a watermark may result from use of filters that were downloaded and installed free of charge. If a user pays a fee, the watermark may be suspended or modified for future document renderings. 
         [0020]    A user suitably has one or more filters available to them for each of one or more source languages and one or more target languages. While a user may select a particular filter, in another example, the filter includes sufficient intelligence to detect words, word patterns, font characteristics or other digital indicia to either automatically engage in a filtering to a target language from an identified source language. This is suitably automatic with a default target language being applied, or by preselection or by a prompted selection by the user. 
         [0021]    In a further example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , one or more web service company, such as web service company A,  132  and web service company B,  134  are also in data communication with network  104 . Web service company A,  132  comprises a server system  138  including local storage  142  storing one or more filters. A user suitably sends one or more electronic documents to a web service company, or alternatively directs a web service company to retrieve a document from a commonly accessible source. In this alternative, a filter is applied by the web company, and the document is either rendered directly by the web company or translated document printed at one or more targeted printers, such as MFP  124  or  126 . As discussed above, each web service company suitably has one or more associated watermarks that may be embodied in a rendered document. A watermark may identify a web service company. Alternatively, a watermark may comprise paid advertising as a revenue source for the web service company. This may subsidize all or a portion of the translation and rendering services from the web service company. 
         [0022]    Web service company B,  134 , analogously to that detailed above, includes a server  148  and data storage  152 . In the illustrated example, web service company A,  132  and web service company B,  134  provide translation solutions for different languages. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is an example of a document rendering system  200  suitably comprised within an MFP, such as with MFPs  124  and  128  of  FIG. 1 . Included in controller  201  are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  202 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM  204 , and random access memory (RAM)  206 , via a data bus  212 . 
         [0024]    Processor  202  is also in data communication with a storage interface  208  for reading or writing to a storage  216 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0025]    Processor  202  is also in data communication with a network interface  210  which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC)  214 , which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection  218 , or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface  220 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Lightning, telephone line, or the like. NIC  214  and wireless network interface  218  suitably provide for connection to an associated network (not shown). 
         [0026]    Processor  202  can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Also in data communication with data bus  212  is a document processor interface  222  suitable for data communication with MFP functional units  250 . In the illustrated example, these units include copy hardware  240 , scan hardware  242 , print hardware  244  and fax hardware  246  which together comprise MFP functional units  250 . It will be understood that MFP functional units  250  are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is an example of a digital device system  300  suitably comprising personal or portable data devices, such as user devices  108 ,  112  or  116 , as well as network storage  120  or servers  138  or  148 . Included are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  304 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM)  310  and random access memory (RAM)  312 , via a data bus  314 . 
         [0028]    Processor  304  is also in data communication with a storage interface  316  for reading or writing to a data storage system  318 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0029]    Processor  304  is also in data communication with a network interface controller (NIC)  330 , which provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection via physical network interface  334 , or to any suitable wireless data connection via wireless network interface  338 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), telephone line, or the like. 
         [0030]    Processor  304  is also in data communication with a user input/output (I/O) interface  340  which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as display  344 , Bluetooth interface  350 , or near-field communication interface  360 , as well as keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
         [0031]    Referring next to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a filter system  400  for language translation, suitably configured for use with a data device such as smartphone  402 . An original electronic document is comprised of image data  404  in English. Onboard filter  408  functions to increase contrast of an image represented by the image data file  404 . The image file is suitably subject to optical character recognition which may be more accurately accomplished with an image with enhanced contrast. Next a web filter  412  is applied to the electronic document. This is suitably done on the data device itself with an installed filter, or completed by a web service as detailed above. Next, a personal watermark may be applied to the translated electronic document at filter  416  resulting in a final, translated image data file  420  in Japanese. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an example embodiment of flowchart  500  for completing a filtered translation operation. The operation commences at block  504  and electronic document input is received at block  508 . A determination is made at block  512  as to whether a translation is desired. If not, the document is output or rendered at block  516  and the process ends at block  520 . If a translation is requested, a language selection is received at block  524  and a determination is made at block  528  as to whether a filter for the selected language is available. If so, the filter is applied at block  530  and a corresponding watermark is applied at block  536 . The translated electronic document is output or rendered at block  540 . A determination is made at block  544  as to whether an additional language translation is desired. If not, the process ends at block  520 . If so, the process returns to block  524 . 
         [0033]    If a determination is made at block  528  that a language filter is not available, a determination is made at block  548  as to whether a web filter, either a downloadable filter or a web filter service, is available. If so, the corresponding filter is applied to the electronic document at block  552  and the process proceeds to block  536 . If not, the process progresses to block  544  and then proceeds as discussed above. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is example embodiment of an electronic document rendering  600  such as a result of application of a translation filter. Translated text  604  is provided on page  610 . Watermark  620 , such as watermarking described above, is suitably superimposed over text  604 . It will be appreciated that any suitable watermark  620  may be used, such as a trademark, tradename, fanciful designation, image, logo and the like. Also, placement is suitably accomplished at any position and orientation on one or more pages of a rendered, translated document. 
         [0035]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.