Generic parser for electronic devices

• US 8,229,402 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kretz, Martin, Lööv, Gustaf
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, NATHAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/814,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20090131115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,364 Days
• Field of Search: 455/427, 455/419, 455/414.1, 707/1
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers

Abstract

Electronic device, comprising a memory for storing data files, and means for accessing information in a data file stored in the memory, including a computer system and computer program code means which, when loaded, makes the computer system execute the steps of: —determining file format for the data file; —accessing a meta descriptor language file adapted to the file format of the data file; —parsing the data file by means of a generic parser using said meta descriptor language file; —extracting meta data from the data file; —presenting information related to the data file from the extracted meta data.

Claims

1. A method for accessing information in a data file stored in a memory in an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

determining a file format for the data file;

detecting an attempt to execute the data file in the electronic device;

establishing that the electronic device holds no meta descriptor language file adapted to the file format;

downloading the meta descriptor language file to a file memory in the electronic device from storage means through a data communication network;

accessing the meta descriptor language file adapted to the file format of the data file;

parsing the data file by means of a generic parser using said meta descriptor language file;

extracting meta data from the data file;

presenting information related to the data file from the extracted meta data.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, prior to the step of downloading the meta descriptor language file, comprising the steps of:

presenting a selectable option to download the meta descriptor language file to a file memory in the electronic device from storage means through a data communication network;

initiating download responsive to detecting a user download command.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, prior to the step of accessing the meta descriptor language file, comprising the steps of:

detecting an attempt to execute the data file in the electronic device;

establishing that the electronic device holds no accessible application for handling the determined file format.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the meta descriptor language file comprises instructions for the generic parser how to binary parse a tag of a data file of the particular data format.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the step of extracting meta data from the data file comprises the step of:

locating and decoding fields in said data file, identified in said tag.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of presenting information comprises the step of:

presenting the information on a display of the electronic device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the file format is a media data format, and the extracted meta data of that file includes information on different media pieces of said data file.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the file format is a computer game data format, and the extracted meta data of that file includes information on different game characteristics of the game represented by said data file.

10. An electronic device, comprising a memory for storing data files, and means for accessing information in a data file stored in the memory, including a computer system and computer program code means which, when loaded, makes the computer system execute the steps of:

determining a file format for the data file;

detecting an attempt to execute the data file in the electronic device;

establishing that the electronic device holds no meta descriptor language file adapted to the file format;

downloading the meta descriptor language file to a file memory in the electronic device from storage means through a data communication network;

accessing the meta descriptor language file adapted to the file format of the data file;

parsing the data file by means of a generic parser using said meta descriptor language file;

extracting meta data from the data file;

presenting information related to the data file from the extracted meta data.

11. The electronic device as recited in claim 10, being a mobile phone.

12. The electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the meta descriptor language file comprises instructions for how to binary parse a tag of a data file of the particular data format.

13. The electronic device as recited in claim 10, comprising computer program code means which, when loaded, makes the computer system execute the step of:

locating and decoding fields in said data file, identified in said tag.

14. The electronic device as recited in claim 10, further comprising a display, and computer program code means which, when loaded, makes the computer system present the information on the display.

15. The electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the file format is a media data format, and the extracted meta data of that file includes information on different media pieces of said data file.

16. The electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the file format is a computer game data format, and the extracted meta data of that file includes information on different game modes of the game represented by said data file.