Methods, computer programs, and apparatus for performing format conversion of files attached to electronic messages

• US 8,126,978 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2009
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zellner, Samuel, Eason, Wendy, Liu, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Moise, Emmanuel L
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, EDWARD J
• Application Number:
  US12/607,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20100049816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 709204-207
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

Methods, computer programs, and apparatus for performing format conversion of a file attached to an electronic message. A message entered by a user is accepted. The user'"'"'s selection of a file is also accepted, and the file is copied for accompanying the message as a file attachment. The file attachment is in a first file format of a file category. The file attachment is converted from the first file format to a second file format of the file category. The message entered by the user is transmitted, and the transmitted message is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format of the file category.

Claims

1. A method for performing format conversion of a file attached to message, the method comprising:

accepting the message entered by a user through an input mechanism of a sending device;

accepting the user'"'"'s selection of a file to be copied for accompanying the message as a file attachment, wherein the file attachment is in a first file format of a file category;

prompting the user as to whether or not the file attachment should be converted from the first file format to a second file format in the file category, wherein converting the file attachment is not performed unless an input is received from the user indicating that the file attachment should be converted;

converting the file attachment from the first file format to a-the second file format of the file category in response to the input; and

transmitting the message entered by the user, wherein the transmitted message is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format of the file category;

wherein the second file format is selected based upon a size limitation applicable to a message recipient'"'"'s incoming electronic messages, a sending device sending a pre-message inquiry to a receiving device over the communication network to determine whether the electronic mailbox of the message recipient has the size limitation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second file format is selected by the user from a menu of file formats in the file category.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second file format is selected based upon one or more software programs that are installed in a-the receiving device for receiving the transmitted message.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitted message is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format and an unconverted file attachment in the first file format.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein, in addition to the transmitted message, a second message is transmitted including an unconverted file attachment in the first file format.

6. An apparatus for performing format conversion of a file attached to message, the apparatus comprising:

a memory for storing at least one file in a first file format of a file category;

an input mechanism capable of accepting the message entered by a user, and capable of accepting the user'"'"'s selection of the file to be copied from memory for accompanying the message as a file attachment, wherein the file attachment is in a first file format of a file category;

an output mechanism capable of prompting the user as to whether or not the file attachment should be converted from the first format to a second file format in the file category, wherein converting the file attachment is not performed unless an input is received at the input mechanism indicating [liar the file attachment should be converted;

a processing mechanism for converting the file attachment from the first file format to a second file format of the file category in response to the input; and

a communication mechanism for transmitting the message entered by the user over a communication network, wherein the transmitted message is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format of the file category;

wherein the second file format is selected based upon size limitation applicable to a message recipient'"'"'s incoming electronic messages, a sending device sending a pre-message inquiry to a receiving device over the communication network to determine whether the electronic mailbox of the message recipient has the size.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the output mechanism is capable of displaying a menu of file formats in the file category, and the input mechanism is capable of accepting a user'"'"'s selection of a format from the menu of file formats, wherein the selected format is adopted as the second file format.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the communication mechanism is capable of communicating with a-the receiving device over the communication network, and the processing mechanism is capable of selecting the second file format based upon one or more software programs that are installed in the receiving device as determined by the communication mechanism engaging in a pre-message communication with the receiving device.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transmitted message is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format and an unconverted file attachment in the first file format.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein, in addition to the transmitted message, a second message is transmitted including an unconverted file attachment in the first file format.

11. A computer program product for performing format conversion of a file attached to a message, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for facilitating a method comprising;

accepting the message entered by a user;

accepting the user'"'"'s selection of a file to be copied for accompanying the message as a file attachment, wherein the file attachment is in a first file format of a file category;

prompting the user as to whether or not the file attachment should be converted from the first file format to a second file format in the file category, wherein converting the file attachment is not performed unless an input is received from tile user indicating that tile file attachment should be converted;

converting the file attachment from the first file format to the second file format of the file category in response to the input; and

transmitting the message entered by the user, wherein the transmitted message is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format of the file category;

wherein the second file format is selected based upon size limitation applicable to a message recipient'"'"'s incoming electronic messages, a sending device sending a pre-message inquiry to a receiving device over the communication network to determine whether the electronic mailbox of the message recipient has the size limitation.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 11 further including instructions for generating a menu of file formats in the file category, thus permitting the second file format to be selected by the user from the menu of file formats.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 11 further including instructions for generating a menu of file formats from which the second file format is selected by determining one or more software applications that are installed in the receiving device for receiving the transmitted message.

14. The computer program product of claim 11 further including instructions for performing at least one of:

(a) transmitting the message that is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format and an unconverted file attachment in the first file format;

or (b) in addition to transmitting the message that is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format, transmitting a second message including an unconverted file attachment in the first file format.