IMAGE RESCALE BASED ON DEFINED CHARACTERISTICS

• US 20110066687A1
• Filed: 09/15/2009
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Danny Yen-Fu, Su, Chih-Wen, Lin, Ta-Wei, Wong, Meng Li
• Granted Patent: US 8,719,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5651 Reducing the amount or size of exchanged application data

Abstract

A system and method automatically rescales an electronic message having one or more associated content. When the electronic message is generated and the associated content connected to the message, an agent of the electronic message application checks predefined settings/configurations of the message client. The sender'"'"'s e-mail client checks a plurality of conditions, such as, the condition of the network, the type of network, the status or capacity of the receiving inbox of an intended recipient client, and the geographic destination of the message. Based on these dynamic content rescale settings, the sender'"'"'s client dynamically and optimally rescales the associated content before forwarding the electronic message with the rescaled content to the recipient client. Rescaling of the associated content may be performed by the message exchange server or the recipient client. The recipient client may later request and receive a copy of the associated content without rescaling.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

responsive to an inclusion of one or more associated content within an electronic message, wherein the one or more content has a first content size which may be rescaled;

a rescaling agent executing on a processor accessing one or more rescaling settings;

determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed;

in response to said determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed, the processor dynamically initiating a re-scaling of the associated content to change a transmission size of the associated content and modify an overall size of the electronic message, based on the rescaling settings; and

forwarding the electronic message with the associated content to a recipient electronic client account;

wherein, when the one or more current conditions and preset rescaling settings trigger the re-scaling of the associated content, a rescaled version of the associated content is forwarded rather than an original-sized version.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed, further comprises:

accessing relevant settings associated with the one or more pre-selected conditions, which relevant settings indicates one or more of;

(a) preset conditions under which rescaling of associated content is to be performed;

(b) a level of rescaling supported for the associated content based on one or more pre-established factors; and

(c) conditions under which no rescaling of associated content occurs; and

(d) a null setting indicating no conditions and no rescaling settings are present or pre-set;

automatically accessing pre-established file re-scaling parameters of an electronic client from which the electronic message originates; and

initiating the re-scaling based on the file re-scaling parameters and the relevant settings.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic message is an electronic mail (e-mail) and the e-mail is forwarded from one of a sender e-mail client or an e-mail server coupled via a network to a recipient e-mail client account;

a copy of the rescaling settings exists at one or both of the sender e-mail client and the e-mail server;

the condition is evaluated at one or both of the sender e-mail client and the e-mail server; and

when the e-mail server maintains a copy of the rescaling settings and the e-mail server evaluates that one or more conditions meet a pre-established condition for performing server-level rescaling of a received e-mail with associated content, the e-mail server performs the following functions;

retrieving information related to the rescaling settings of the sender e-mail client from which the received e-mail was transmitted; and

initiating a server-level rescale operation on the associated content based on the rescaling settings of the sender e-mail client.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing as a shadow file in a repository a copy of content of the original electronic message with an original-sized version of the associated content prior to a rescaling operation; and

in response to a request from a recipient client of the electronic message, sending a copy of the shadow file to the recipient client without rescaling the associated content.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic message is an electronic mail (e-mail) and sending of the copy of the shadow file is accomplished by:

storing as a shadow file in an e-mail server repository a non-rescaled copy of an original e-mail having the associated content; and

automatically forwarding a copy of the shadow file to an e-mail server repository, from which the shadow file is downloaded to a requesting recipient of the rescaled e-mail having a rescaled associated content.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the rescaling the associated content comprises one or more of:

performing the rescaling at a local sender client, wherein the associated content is rescaled prior to forwarding the electronic message when the local sender client is a sender of the electronic message;

performing the rescaling at a local recipient client, wherein the associated content is rescaled substantially concurrent with or after receiving the electronic message, when the local recipient client is a receiver of the electronic message;

performing the rescaling at a network-level server which routes the electronic message between the local sender client and the local recipient client, wherein the associated content is rescaled at least once at the network-level server.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the y rescaling is performed based on the rescaling settings and the current conditions, which rescaling settings are located at one or more of a local repository of the local sender client, a local repository of the local recipient client, and a server repository of the network-level server; and

when the server repository includes a copy of the rescaling settings, said method further comprising;

automatically populating the server repository with rescaling settings of at least one sender client or one recipient client by forwarding the rescaling settings of the at least one sender client or one recipient client to the network-level server when the rescaling settings are generated for the at least one sender client or one recipient client; and

automatically updating the rescaling settings at the server repository when an update is detected at the at least one sender client or one recipient client for which the rescaling settings exists on the server repository.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving rescaling settings of an intended recipient client to which the electronic message is being forwarded;

performing the dynamically rescaling based on the rescaling settings of the recipient client;

wherein the rescaling settings of the recipient client includes information about a capacity limit of the intended recipient client.

9. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

an electronic message application executing on the processor to perform the functionality of one or more of a sender client, a recipient client, and a message exchange server; and

a rescaling utility that executes on the processor and performs operations related to the electronic message application including;

responsive to an inclusion of one or more associated content within an electronic message, wherein the one or more content has a first content size which may be re-scaled;

triggering a rescaling agent executing on a processor to access one or more rescaling settings;

determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed;

in response to said determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed, the processor initiating a re-scaling of the associated content to change a transmission size of the associated content and modify an overall size of the electronic message, based on the rescaling settings; and

forwarding the electronic message with the associated content to a recipient electronic client account;

wherein, when the one or more current conditions and preset rescaling settings trigger the dynamic re-scaling of the associated content, a rescaled version of the associated content is forwarded rather than an original-sized version.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed, further comprises:

accessing relevant settings associated with the one or more pre-selected conditions, which relevant settings indicates one or more of;

(a) preset conditions under which rescaling of associated content is to be performed;

(b) a level of rescaling supported for the associated content based on one or more pre-established factors; and

(c) conditions under which no rescaling of associated content occurs; and

(d) a null setting indicating no conditions and no rescaling settings are present or pre-set;

automatically accessing pre-established file rescaling parameters of an electronic client from which the electronic message originates; and

initiating the rescaling based on the file rescaling parameters and the relevant settings.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein:

the electronic message is an electronic mail (e-mail) and the e-mail is forwarded from one of a sender e-mail client or an e-mail server coupled via a network to a recipient e-mail client account;

a copy of the rescaling settings exists at one or both of the sender e-mail client and the e-mail server;

the condition is evaluated at one or both of the sender e-mail client and the e-mail server; and

when the e-mail server maintains a copy of the rescaling settings and the e-mail server evaluates that one or more conditions meet a pre-established condition for performing server-level rescaling of a received e-mail with associated content, the e-mail server executes program code for performing the following functions;

retrieving information related to the rescaling settings of the sender e-mail client from which the received e-mail was transmitted; and

initiating a server-level rescale operation on the associated content based on the rescaling settings of the sender e-mail client.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said rescaling utility further provides the functions of:

storing as a shadow file in a repository a copy of content of the original electronic message with an original-sized version of the associated content prior to a rescaling operation; and

in response to a request from a recipient client of the electronic message, sending a copy of the shadow file to the recipient client without rescaling the associated content;

wherein when the electronic message is an electronic mail (e-mail), the sending of the copy of the shadow file is accomplished by;

storing as a shadow file in an e-mail server repository a non-rescaled copy of an original e-mail having the associated content; and

automatically forwarding a copy of the shadow file to an e-mail server repository, from which the shadow file is downloaded to a requesting recipient of the rescaled e-mail having a rescaled associated content.

13. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising:

a local client repository in which is stored the rescaling settings, including one or more conditions and other parameters utilized to determine when and how to rescale the associated content, when the electronic message application executes to provide one or more of a sender client or a recipient client;

wherein the local client repository further stores a shadow file having a non-rescaled copy of the original electronic message and original associated content; and

a server level repository assessable from a message exchange server and in which is stored a copy of the rescaling settings obtained from one or more of a sender client and a recipient client, said rescaling settings including one or more conditions and other parameters utilized to determine when and how to rescale the associated content at the message exchange server, when the electronic message application executes on the message exchange server, which is communicatively coupled to at least one client to receive the electronic message with associated content and the rescaling settings;

wherein the dynamically rescaling the associated content comprises one or more of;

performing the dynamically rescaling at a local sender client, wherein the associated content is rescaled prior to forwarding the electronic message when the local sender client is a sender of the electronic message;

performing the dynamically rescaling at a local recipient client, wherein the associated content is rescaled substantially concurrent with or after receiving the electronic message, when the local recipient client is a receiver of the electronic message;

performing the dynamically rescaling at a network-level server which routes the electronic message between the local sender client and the local recipient client, wherein the associated content is rescaled at least once at the network-level server;

wherein the dynamically rescaling is performed based on the rescaling settings and the current conditions, which rescaling settings are located at one or more of a local repository of the local sender client, a local repository of the local recipient client, and a server repository of the network-level server; and

when the server repository includes a copy of the rescaling settings;

automatically populating the server repository with rescaling settings of at least one sender client or one recipient client by forwarding the rescaling settings of the at least one sender client or one recipient client to the network-level server when the settings are generated for the at least one sender client or one recipient client; and

automatically updating the rescaling settings at the server repository when an update is detected at the at least one sender client or one recipient client for which the rescaling settings exists on the server repository.

14. The computer system of claim 9, said rescaling utility further providing the functions of:

receiving rescaling settings of an intended recipient client to which the electronic message is being forwarded;

performing the dynamically rescaling based on the rescaling settings of the recipient client;

wherein the rescaling settings of the recipient client includes information about a capacity limit of the intended recipient client.

15. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium; and

program code on the computer readable storage medium that when executed by a computer provides the functionality of;

responsive to an inclusion of one or more associated content within an electronic message, wherein the one or more content has a first content size which may be re-scaled;

triggering a rescaling agent executing on a processor to access one or more rescaling settings;

determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed;

in response to said determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed, the processor dynamically initiating a re-scaling of the associated content to change a transmission size of the associated content and modify an overall size of the electronic message, based on the rescaling settings; and

forwarding the electronic message with the associated content to a recipient electronic client account;

wherein, when the one or more current conditions and preset rescaling settings trigger the dynamic re-scaling of the associated content, a rescaled version of the associated content is forwarded rather than an original-sized version.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said program code for determining when one or more current conditions matches one or more pre-selected conditions under which a rescaling is to be performed, further comprises program code for:

accessing relevant settings associated with the one or more pre-selected conditions, which relevant settings indicates one or more of;

(a) preset conditions under which rescaling of associated content is to be performed;

(b) a level of rescaling supported for the associated content based on one or more pre-established factors; and

(c) conditions under which no rescaling of associated content occurs; and

(d) a null setting indicating no conditions and no rescaling settings are present or pre-set;

automatically accessing pre-established file re-scaling parameters of an electronic client from which the electronic message originates; and

initiating the re-scaling based on the file re-scaling parameters and the relevant settings.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein:

the electronic message is an electronic mail (e-mail) and the e-mail is forwarded from one of a sender e-mail client or an e-mail server coupled via a network to a recipient e-mail client account;

a copy of the rescaling settings exists at one or both of the sender e-mail client and the e-mail server;

the condition is evaluated at one or both of the sender e-mail client and the e-mail server; and

when the e-mail server maintains a copy of the rescaling settings and the e-mail server evaluates that one or more conditions meet a pre-established condition for performing server-level rescaling of a received e-mail with associated content, the e-mail server executes program code for performing the following functions;

retrieving information related to the rescaling settings of the sender e-mail client from which the received e-mail was transmitted; and

initiating a server-level rescale operation on the associated content based on the rescaling settings of the sender e-mail client.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said computer readable storage medium further comprises program code for:

storing as a shadow file in a repository a copy of content of the original electronic message with an original-sized version of the associated content prior to a rescaling operation; and

in response to a request from a recipient client of the electronic message, sending a copy of the shadow file to the recipient client without rescaling the associated content;

wherein when the electronic message is an electronic mail (e-mail), the sending of the copy of the shadow file is accomplished by;

storing as a shadow file in an e-mail server repository a non-rescaled copy of an original e-mail having the associated content; and

automatically forwarding a copy of the shadow file to an e-mail server repository, from which the shadow file is downloaded to a requesting recipient of the rescaled e-mail having a rescaled associated content.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, said program code further comprising code for:

establishing a local client repository in which is stored the rescaling settings, including one or more conditions and other parameters utilized to determine when and how to rescale the associated content, when the electronic message application executes to provide one or more of a sender client or a recipient client;

wherein the local client repository further stores a shadow file having a non-rescaled copy of the original electronic message and original associated content; and

establishing a server level repository assessable from a message exchange server and in which is stored a copy of the rescaling settings obtained from one or more of a sender client and a recipient client, said rescaling settings including one or more conditions and other parameters utilized to determine when and how to rescale the associated content at the message exchange server, when the electronic message application executes on the message exchange server, which is communicatively coupled to at least one client to receive the electronic message with associated content and the rescaling settings;

wherein the program code for dynamically rescaling the associated content comprises program code for completing one or more of;

performing the dynamically rescaling at a local sender client, wherein the associated content is rescaled prior to forwarding the electronic message when the local sender client is a sender of the electronic message;

performing the dynamically rescaling at a local recipient client, wherein the associated content is rescaled substantially concurrent with or after receiving the electronic message, when the local recipient client is a receiver of the electronic message;

performing the dynamically rescaling at a network-level server which routes the electronic message between the local sender client and the local recipient client, wherein the associated content is rescaled at least once at the network-level server;

wherein the dynamically rescaling is performed based on the rescaling settings and the current conditions, which rescaling settings are located at one or more of a local repository of the local sender client, a local repository of the local recipient client, and a server repository of the network-level server; and

when the server repository includes a copy of the rescaling settings;

automatically populating the server repository with rescaling settings of at least one sender client or one recipient client by forwarding the rescaling settings of the at least one sender client or one recipient client to the network-level server when the rescaling settings are generated for the at least one sender client or one recipient client; and

automatically updating the rescaling settings at the server repository when an update is detected at the at least one sender client or one recipient client for which the rescaling settings exists on the server repository.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, said computer readable storage medium further comprising program code for:

receiving rescaling settings of an intended recipient client to which the electronic message is being forwarded; and

performing the dynamically rescaling based on the rescaling settings of the recipient client;

wherein the rescaling settings of the recipient client includes information about a capacity limit of the intended recipient client.