Method and system for determining the location for performing file-format conversions of electronics message attachments
First Claim
1. A method of providing message exchange capability for a plurality of users comprising steps of:
- receiving electronic messages at a server that supports message access by said users, including receiving first electronic messages having attachments in file formats that are each specific to one of a plurality of applications;
identifying capabilities of client devices with respect to accessing said attachments without conversion from an original file format to a second file format;
determining whether said attachments are accessible without conversion by specific client devices to which said attachments are transferred;
converting first attachments from original file formats to selected second file formats at said server in response to determinations that said first attachments of said first electronic messages are inaccessible without conversion by said specific client devices to which said first attachments are transferred, including selecting said second file formats based upon said capabilities of said specific client devices; and
selectively transferring said electronic messages to said client devices, including transferring said first attachments to said specific client devices in said selected second file formats.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for exchanging electronic messages, such as email messages, include isolating personal computers and other client devices from the process of converting a message attachment from one file format to a second file format. File-format conversions are out-tasked to enhance file accessibility, free computer resources, and conserve a user'"'"'s time. The access requirements of each attachment to electronic messages are compared to the capabilities of a target client device. If it is determined that a file-format conversion is required, the conversion operation is assigned to a server that supports the process of reformatting the attachments. In an email environment, the server is substantially equivalent to the conventional email server, but includes enhanced conversion capabilities. In one embodiment, the determination of whether an attachment is accessible without conversion occurs at the server level. In another embodiment, the determination is implemented at the client device level. Preferably, if a local email server is incapable of reformatting the attachment, a request is transmitted to a remote server to perform the conversion. Typically, the remote server is the email server that supports message exchanges for the person who originated the message.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing message exchange capability for a plurality of users comprising steps of:
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receiving electronic messages at a server that supports message access by said users, including receiving first electronic messages having attachments in file formats that are each specific to one of a plurality of applications; identifying capabilities of client devices with respect to accessing said attachments without conversion from an original file format to a second file format; determining whether said attachments are accessible without conversion by specific client devices to which said attachments are transferred; converting first attachments from original file formats to selected second file formats at said server in response to determinations that said first attachments of said first electronic messages are inaccessible without conversion by said specific client devices to which said first attachments are transferred, including selecting said second file formats based upon said capabilities of said specific client devices; and selectively transferring said electronic messages to said client devices, including transferring said first attachments to said specific client devices in said selected second file formats. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of accessing email attachments comprising steps of:
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receiving an email message at a local server, said email message having an attachment having an original application-specific file format, said email message further having a text portion in a file format different than said attachment; comparing access requirements of said attachment in said application-specific file format to format capabilities of a client device to which said email message is directed for access by a user, said format capabilities being indicative of an ability to access said attachment in said original application-specific file format; converting said attachment to a second application-specific file format in response to determining that said attachment is inaccessible at said client device while in said original application-specific file format, said converting being implemented at a site remote from said client device; leaving said attachment in said original application-specific file format in response to determining that said attachment is accessible at said client device while in said original application-specific file format; and transferring said attachment from said local server to said client device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An email delivery system comprising:
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a local email server connected to a network to receive email messages, including first email messages having attachments in original file formats that are each specific to one of a plurality of applications, said local email server having memory for storing said email messages; a plurality of client devices connected to said local email server to selectively access said email messages; register means for identifying first attachments that are inaccessible by a specific one of said client devices in an absence of converting said first attachments from said original file format, said first attachments being discrete file attachments of said first email messages, said register means being connected to one of said local email server and said plurality of client devices; and converter means responsive to said register means and located at said local email server for converting each said first attachment to a second file format that is selected to accommodate access without conversion by said specific one of said client devices. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification