Data compression in electronic communications

• US 20050044158A1
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Malik, Dale W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and systems for compressing data communicated in an electronic message. Files attached to an electronic communication are compressed based on an examination of the file type; and an identification of an alternative compressed file type. Accordingly, the first (original) file type is compressed into a second preferred, compressed file type for the purpose of streamlining the package to be delivered in the communication.

Claims

1. A method for compressing data in a communication transmitted in an electronic messaging system, comprising the steps of:

examining the content of a communication received from a sender; and

compressing the content of the communication based on the type of content, wherein the compressed communication is sent to at least one recipient.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of examining the content of the communication comprises examining file types of attachments within the communication.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of examining the content of the communication comprises comparing file types of attachments within the communication with a listing of compressible file types.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of compressing the content of the communication comprises compressing an original attachment file from a first file type into a compressed attachment file of a second file type.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising creating a communication that replaces the original attachment file with the compressed attachment file for transmission to the recipient.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication is an e-mail.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication is an instant message.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sender is prompted to accept or decline compression prior to transmission.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted communication contains an indication to the recipient that the attachment files are compressed from their original content.

18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a compressible file type iCable for maintaining a listing of compressible file types and a listing of their respective compressed file types.

10. A machine-readable medium, having stored thereon data and instructions for:

examining the content of a communication received from a sender; and

compressing the content of the communication based on the type of content, wherein the compressed communication is transmitted to at least one recipient.

11. The machine-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein examining the content of the communication comprises examining file types of attachments within the communication.

12. The machine-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein examining the content of the communication comprises comparing file types of attachments within the communication with a listing of compressible file types.

13. The machine-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein compressing the content of the communication comprises compressing an original attachment file from a first file type into a compressed attachment file of a second file type.

14. The machine-readable medium according to claim 10, further comprising instructions for creating a communication that replaces the original attachment file with the compressed attachment file for transmission to the recipient.

15. The machine-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the communication is an e-mail.

16. The machine-readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the communication is an instant message.

17. A device for compressing data in a communication transmitted in an electronic messaging system, comprising:

a module for examining the content of a received communication; and

a compression module for compressing the content of the communication based on the type of content, wherein the compressed communication is transmitted to at least one recipient.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the compression module is included in a communication device.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the communication device is a wireless device or a wireline device.