Computer implemented method and apparatus for fulfilling a request for information content with a user-selectable version of a file containing that information content
First Claim
1. A method for communicating between computers interconnected by a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving, at a deriving computer, a request from a client computer for transmission to the client of a user-selected version of a target file, the target file having particular informational content independent of its embodiment in a particular version;
(b) responsive to receiving the request in step (a), transmitting from the deriving computer to a server computer distinct from the deriving computer a request for transmission to the deriving computer of a materialized parent file from which the user-selected version may be derived by conversion, the materialized parent file being stored on the server computer;
(c) at the deriving computer, deriving by conversion the user-selected version from the materialized file, the materialized file having a first file format, the user-selected version derived by conversion having a second file format different from the first file format; and
(d) transmitting, from the deriving computer to the client computer, the user-selected version.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of fulfilling a request for information content with a user-selectable version of a file containing that information content. Selection of a hyperlink to information content results in generation of a menu of versions of files containing that information content. The menu displays options for versions which are derivable therefrom by a computer program for converting files from one version to another version. Selection of an option for a materialized version results in transmission of the materialized version. Selection of an option for a version which is not materialized results in derivation of the user-selected version from either a materialized version or any other version from which the user-selected version may be derived. Apparatuses for carrying out the inventive method are also provided.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for communicating between computers interconnected by a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving, at a deriving computer, a request from a client computer for transmission to the client of a user-selected version of a target file, the target file having particular informational content independent of its embodiment in a particular version; (b) responsive to receiving the request in step (a), transmitting from the deriving computer to a server computer distinct from the deriving computer a request for transmission to the deriving computer of a materialized parent file from which the user-selected version may be derived by conversion, the materialized parent file being stored on the server computer; (c) at the deriving computer, deriving by conversion the user-selected version from the materialized file, the materialized file having a first file format, the user-selected version derived by conversion having a second file format different from the first file format; and (d) transmitting, from the deriving computer to the client computer, the user-selected version. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A proxy computer for satisfying a request for a user-selected version of a target file, the proxy computer comprising:
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a memory cache; a first program for requesting from a server computer a materialized parent version of the target file from which the user-selected version can be derived if such a version is not stored on the proxy computer; a second program for deriving the user-selected version from the parent version by conversion; a third program for transmitting the user-selected version to a client computer in response to the request; a fourth program for determining whether the user-selected version is derivable from a parent version resident in the proxy computer'"'"'s cache; and a fifth program for deriving the user-selected version from a parent version resident in the cache. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method for communicating between a client and a server interconnected to the client by a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving, at a proxy computer between the client and the server, a client'"'"'s request for transfer of a file having particular informational content; (b) identifying a parent file embodying the informational content, the parent file being stored at the server; (c) deriving at the proxy computer, by conversion of the parent file, a derived version of the parent file, the derived version being a predetermined low resolution version that is established as a default setting for delivery of files before receipt of the client'"'"'s request for the parent file; and (d) transmitting the derived version to the client in response to the request. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for communicating between computers interconnected by a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a request for transmission to a client of a file, the file having particular informational content, resolution, and format;
automatically deriving, by conversion of a materialized file having the particular informational content, a derived version of the file, the derived version of the file having the particular informational content at a lower resolution than the materialized file, the resolution and format of the derived version being determined by a predetermined default setting for delivery of files that is established before receipt of the request for the parent file; and transmitting, from the deriving computer to the client, the derived version; whereby the file requested has a particular resolution and format, and the request is satisfied by transmitting the derived version to the client, the derived version having a different resolution or format as determined by the default setting. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
- receiving a request for transmission to a client of a file, the file having particular informational content, resolution, and format;
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20. A method for communicating between client and server computers interconnected by a communications network, the method comprising:
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responsive to a user'"'"'s selection of a hyperlink to a target file having particular informational content, receiving a request for transmission of the target file to a client, the hyperlink being independent of any version of the target file; transmitting to a server, responsive to receiving the request for transmission of the target file, a request for transmission of a materialized parent file from which another version may be derived by conversion; deriving, in accordance with a predetermined default setting, a derived version of the materialized file embodying the particular informational content, the derived version embodying the particular informational content but having a resolution lower than the materialized file; and transmitting, to the client, the derived version. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for communicating between computers interconnected by a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving from a server, at a proxy computer for relaying a communication between a sender and a receiver, a materialized file having particular informational content, resolution and format, the materialized file being received at the proxy responsive to a request for the materialized file; deriving by conversion of the materialized file, at the proxy computer, a derived version embodying the particular informational content but having a resolution and format determined by a predetermined default setting; and transmitting, from the proxy computer to a client computer, the derived version to satisfy the request. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification