DE19936314A1 - Conversion process for document data that is communicated over the Internet uses data base of conversion preferences - Google Patents

Abstract

The conversion process (10) has the original document data transmitted over a network (12) and can be in various forms, e.g. hypertext. The data is received by a proxy server (14) and this is connected to a contents conversion unit (16) that receives preferences from a data base (18). The data is then communicated over the Internet (20) to other users.

Description

COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION

Contains part of the disclosure of these application documents Material that is protected by copyright. The owner of copyright does not object to the reproduction Approval of the registration documents by third parties, provided that these are in Files or records of the Patent and Trademark Office appear but reserves all copyrights, of whatever kind.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to computer networks. Especially be it meets a method and system for converting the Content of electronic data for a desired network device which uses conversion preferences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Internet is a global network or network of both other and interconnected computers. The World Wide Web is an information system on the Internet that is used for electronics document exchange is trained. Electronic documentation elements on the World Wide Web are typically stored in files what text, hypertext, references to graphics, ani tion, audio, video and other electronic data sen. The structure of hypertext documents is Document languages ("document markup languages"), such as play the so-called Standard Generalized Markup Language ("SGML"), Hyper Text Markup Language ("HTML"), eXtensible Mar kup Language ("XML"), Virtual Reality Markup Language ("VRML") and others, defined.

As is well known, a hypertext document includes Mar kup codes, so-called "tags" or labels. Tags define the structure of a hypertext document and typically include at least one "initial" tag name  or an initial identifier that is reversed by a separator ben, and often an "End" tag name or an end identifier character surrounded by a separator. For example denotes the markup tag or markup "<H1 <den Start of a Hyper Text Markup Language first level header or a Hyper Text Markup Language first level header and denotes the markup tag or markup "</ H1 < the end of a Hyper Text Markup Language first-level header or a Hyper Text Markup Language first level start blockes. However, the Hyper Text Markup Language ends Image tag or Hyper Text Markup Language image identifier "<IMG ... <" with the (final) day separator or Label separator "<" and does not use an end day or End identifier in the format "<\ IMG <". Other markup languages have similar or comparable tags or labels or IDs that are used to create hypertext documents create.

Markup languages allow references to an additional one Content in addition to text that includes graphics, animation, audio, Includes video and other electronic data. The hypertext Markup Language allows the use of graphic images in a hypertext document with a tag or image identifier characters "<IMG <". For example, an exemplary Hy pertext markup language picture tag <IMG SRC = "logo.jpg" <a gra phical image logo, which is part of a Joint Pictures Expert Group File or a Joint Pictures Expert Group file "logo.jpg" is saved to be displayed.

Hypertext documents from the World Wide Web are typical for a user with a software application, a so-called called "browsers", such as Internet Explorer from Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, or the Net scape Navigator from Netscape Communications, Mountain View, California, and others. A browser analyzes syntactically (parses) a hypertext document and converted the hypertext including markup tags or markup  Features in a visual text, graphics, animation, au dio, video display etc. for displaying on a device, like a monitor or screen of a personal computer.

Additional content is found in a hypertext document sources that contain "hyperlink" references in hypertext Use documents, accessed. For example, one looks at playful Hyper Text Markup Language hyperlink tag "<A HREF = "http://www.spyglass.com/logo.mov" <"a film file or a hyperlink of a film file "logo.mov". If a user enters the link (for example with a mouse click) a hypertext document, the film file "lo go.mov "localized by using a Uniform Resource Locator ("URL") from the location "www.spyglass.com" becomes. A Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (for example "HTTP") is used as the transmission protocol.

Transmission protocols, such as the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"), File Transfer Protocol ("FTP"), Gopher and others, represent a facility to hypertext documents or to additional content from other locations in the World Wide Broadcast web. The Hyper Text Transfer Protocol is a Primary protocol that is used to store information in the World Broadcast web. The Hyper Text Transfer Protocol is a protocol that allows users to connect to a server to connect, a hypertext request or hypertext (off) Make question or hypertext request, an answer to it hold and then disconnect from the server. The file Transfer Protocol is a protocol that provides access to data or files in remote systems. By using the File Transfer Protocol a user logs on to a Sy stem logs in or logs in, searches for a directory structure ("directory structure") and loads a file or File down or on. Gopher is a protocol that the File Transfer Protocol is similar. Gopher presents a number of Menus are available that are associated with files which contain a current hypertext.  

Content provider or content provider or content provider in World Wide Web provide content to a customer or client available in the attributes of markup language tags or Markup language marks are used. For example around the Hyper Text Markup Language tag IMG summarizes the following At tribute: ISMAP, a selectable image image; SRC, a university form resource locator source of an image; OLD, one instead text string used in an image; ALIGN, for alignment nes picture (for example left, center, right); VSPACE, the (Gap) space between an image and the text above and below that; HSPACE, the space between a picture and the text left or right; WIDTH, the width in pi xeln or pixels of an image; HEIGHT, the height in pixels or pixels of an image; and some other attributes, that depend on the browser that is used (for example play BORDER and LOWSRC in a Netscape browser). In addition other content attributes can be modified, like that some of the 256 colors (for example TEXT = "blue" or TEXT = "0xa6caf0" for sky blue), font design (for the game FONT FACE = "Times Roman"), letter formatting (for Example <B <text </ B <for bold) etc.

Most of the electronic documents required for the World Wide Web created or developed require that Be user the content of the electronic document on a Desktop computer screen with a standard resolution "Su perVGA "(for example 800 × 600 pixel or pixel resolution solution with 256 or more available colors). A Be user can view a selected electronic do Change document content by changing the attributes of a browser (for example text color, text size) can be changed. The ver changeable content is however by (changeable) changeable attribute limited in a browser that is used.

There are a variety of problems using electronic documents created for the World Wide Web  or are developed, which are based on the requirement of a Be based on a "SuperVGA" standard resolution. On User of a portable computer, a so-called staff Digital Assistant ("PDA") or other portable pre direction, such as a wireless phone or Han dy, may wish to have electronic data from the world wide To look at web. However, most portable ones Devices a display device with a resolution, which is smaller than SuperVGA (for example smaller than 800 × 600 pixel or pixel resolution and less than 256 far ben) and typically do not support color. Therefore the content of electronic documents is not accurate or in peculiar design appear and can become difficult to put this on the original hypertext Consider content based.

One solution is to have different versions of an elek tronic document for different devices chern. This does, however, manage the electronics documents very difficult. Multiple copies of electro African documents also require a huge amount of Storage space on electronic document servers in the world Wide web. The dynamic nature of the World Wide Web also indicates that new types of content are being introduced all the time the. Multiple copies of existing electronic documents must constantly be manipulated, processed or edited be tested.

Another solution is to use content conversion applications plans to convert electronic documents, to the properties or capabilities of a device or customize a user's preferences. A suggestion for Converting electronic documents is Benut to provide information in a format which differs from that which is characterized by the pro vider of an original or initial electronic Document is provided. Examples include a scale  Ren images for a specific device with one small display device or converting text to Language for a visually impaired user. Most in Stop conversion applications depend on a user direction to display the electronic document enable. As a result, each portable device must have one Have a copy of a desired content conversion application sen.

Attempts have been made to convert content for electronic documents on the World Wide Web to provide. QuickWeb Technology from Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California, analyzes a hypertext document for graphic images and then compresses bits of image data, so that the images are more quickly attached to a device zers can be transferred. Quick Web Technology stores ("caches") also images in a buffer. After a first one Requirement or (query) or request from a user an image saved by QuickWeb Technology. Subsequent Requests or questions about the same picture are saved from the buffer-stored source instead of a Fer content server. QuickWeb Technology is on one Converting images is limited and can currently be a Conversion of other content information not possible chen.

TranSend from the University of California at Berkeley, Kali fornien, provides a conversion proxy that Images in an electronic document by reducing the Image quality converted. Although the resulting ones Images of lower quality can also be an original picture can be recovered. The TranSend proxy is created or distilled images for faster electronic do document display from the World Wide Web. TranSend limited User configurations for switching the proxy on and off to reduce image quality for faster transfer supply. TranSend is currently also limited to that out  eventual conversion of images and does not allow Conversion of other information.

Therefore, it is necessary to have a content conversion application to have what other aspects of electronic documents besides Converts images for display on a desired device animals. The content conversion application should be a converter allow an electronic document that is based on the Properties or capabilities of a device, display prep a user's, job-specific or location specific properties of an electronic document sender verse or other merits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present Er Finding some problems with a content converter tation of electronic data are eliminated. A method and system for content conversion from electronic data that use conversion preferences is provided. The procedure and the system allow a content conversion of an original electronic document including text, hypertext, images and other electronic document content based on one or based on multiple sets of conversion preferences.

A method of content conversion for a preferred one Embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver a request or (query) or request for a original electronic document on a second network device (for example, a content conversion device tung) in a first computer network from a first network work device (for example, a portable device) in the first computer network. Conversion information who subtracted from the request. One or more conversions The conversion key is derived from the converted conversion information mations created to access one or more of a lot  fold conversion preferences stored in a database stores are preserved. One or more of the many con vertical preference (s) will be obtained from the database by verifying one or more conversion keys is / will be applied. A conversion instruction or converter tation directive is generated by a conversion pre rang is used to create an original electronic document to convert to a converted electronic document. The conversion instruction includes a list of converts preferences and uses a conversion priority, which shows an order in which conversion check apply to an original electronic document are.

The conversion instruction can consist of a variety of ver different conversion preferences are generated, where ei a variety of different conversion permutations be provided. The conversion preferences include User conversion preferences, device conversion preferences, job-specific or site-specific Conversion preferences or other conversion preferences zen to convert an original electronic document tes into a converted electronic document that is show on a portable or hand-held device or other desired device is suitable. The converters Instructions can also be stored in a permanent memory (for database) for later use (saved) saved or filed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention The conversion instruction is used to avoid the most original electronic documents to convert the for displaying on or on a display device or a Display with a SuperVGA resolution in converted electro African documents based on one or more converts based on, are determined. A converted one electronic document represents a suitable format for a  portable device or other device to be on or on a display device with a resolution smaller to be displayed as SuperVGA. However, this can be conver electronic document also for use in a pre direction with a display device with a SuperVGA Resolution to be converted.

A content conversion system for a preferred implementation Form of the present invention includes a content con vertierungseinrichtung, a database, a proxy server and a content conversion instruction or content conversion directive. The content conversion facility conver converts an original electronic document into a electronic document for a desired device based on a content conversion instruction. The database stores many or multiple conversions preferences used for content conversion the. The proxy server communicates with a variety of networks work devices, the requirements or (queries) questions or to make questions for the original electronic documents, communicates with a context conversion facility and with a variety of content servers on a computer network work that provides original electronic documents poses. The content conversion statement with a converter Priority is given to one or more of the many accounts verticalization preferences generated from the database and conver converts an original electronic document into a electronic document. The components mentioned or components of the content conversion system can also in additional components separated or in fewer components be combined to provide content conversion and also several or fewer system components can ver be applied.

The method and system for content conversion are possible Chen user conversion preferences, device converters tation preferences, job-specific or location-specific  conversion preferences and / or other conversion preferences preferences to be selected to suit a customer or converted electronic document set that for a display device on or on a portable device or other devices is suitable. Allow the method and system for content conversion a conversion of text, hypertext, images as well as to additional electronic document content (e.g. Gra phik, audio, video etc.) for most original electro African documents from electronic document servers in the Anyone can get World Wide Web on the Internet or an intranet the.

The foregoing and other features as well as advantages before Preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed hand the following detailed description with reference on the attached drawings light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is with reference to the following drawings ben, where:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating in general a system for content conversion;

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method for content conversion;

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system for content conversion.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are a flow chart that represents a drive Ver Content Conversion which uses the system for content conversion of Figure 3 ver.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating components of a Inhaltskon vertierungseinrichtung;

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a content conversion method with the content conversion device shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a content conversion method using conversion preferences; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B are block diagrams illustrating holding Conversion display devices, the exemplary In.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Content conversion system

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 Inhaltskonvertie approximately. The content conversion system 10 includes multiple components. A first network device 12 requests original electronic documents. The first network device 12 includes a display device of a lower resolution than a per per VGA resolution (ie less than 800 × 600 pixel or pixel resolution or less than 256 colors). However, a preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be operated with a first network device which has a display device or a display with SuperVGA resolution.

As known from the prior art and described above is, an electronic document includes text, hypertext, graphic data or references or references to graphic  Data images, audio, video and other content. A hypertext Document includes markup codes, so-called "tags" or "identifiers" chen "or" identifiers ". The structure of hypertext documents is through markup document languages, like the standard genera lized Markup Language ("SGML"), Hyper Text Markup Language ("HTML"), eXtensible Markup Language ("XML"), Virtual Reality Markup Language ("VRML") and others. Markup Languages also allow references or references to additional ones content in addition to the text, the graphic, animation, Au includes audio, video, and other electronic data.

It is also described above that electronic documents are typi for a user with a software application, ei a so-called "browser". A browser in a portable or hand-held device can be a part device or signal converter or modem or subset of a larger browser and to display a complete content of a requested or requested requested electronic document, as in an electroni stored document server, may not be suitable. On Browser typically reads an electronic document and brings the electronic document content into a visual one Display from text, graphics, animation, audio, video etc. for Ads on or to a facility, such as a Personal Com turkey. Most created or developed electronic Documents require users to know the contents of the electro document with a browser on a desktop Computer monitor with a standardized "SuperVGA" - Resolution (for example 800 × 600 pixel or pixel resolution solution with 256 or more available colors). A Be User can display a (selected) content by (Change) changing browser attributes. The customer content for a user, however, is due to changeable attributes limited in the browser to be used.

Returning to FIG. 1, a proxy server 14 requests or queries electronic documents from the first network device 12 and sends converted electronic documents back to the first network device 12 . A content conversion device 16 converts a content of an electronic document into a format which can be used on or on the first network device 12 (for example a device with a smaller display device). A database 18 stores conversion preferences. Fig. 1 shows a single database 18. However, just as many or multiple database components can be used. A computer network 20 provides one or more electronic document servers for the delivery of electronic documents.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, computer network 20 is the World Wide Web on the Internet. As is known from the prior art, the Internet is a worldwide network of interconnected or interconnected computers. The World Wide Web is an information system on the Internet that is designed and intended for electronic document exchange. However, other computer networks with electronic document servers can also be used (for example an intranet).

Fig. 1 shows the content conversion device 16 as an individual component or an individual component. However, the content conversion device 16 can also be formed integrally with the proxy server 14 (not shown in FIG. 1). A preferred embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the network components shown in the content conversion system 10 . To this extent, more or fewer network components or network components can be used. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the proxy server 14 and the content conversion device 16 are software components or software components. In addition, the functionality of components or components from FIG. 1 can also be provided by a combination of hardware and software components or hardware components.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the functionality of the components from FIG. 1 is provided with software that uses object-oriented programming techniques and the C ++ programming language. However, object-oriented programming languages other than the C ++ programming language can also be used. In addition, the functionality of components of FIG. 1 can also be provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention with non-object-oriented programming languages (for example the C programming language).

As is known from the prior art, an object oriented programming used to make computer software develop that includes object oriented objects, which easy to create, cost effective to modify and how which are usable. Object-oriented objects include "Object data" and "Object services" or "Ob object services "." Object services ". Object services are provided through "object procedures" ("object methods ") (also so-called" object operations "(" object opera tion ") or" object functions ") hen. Object procedures typically work on private data ten, such as "case data" or "case example data" ("instance da ta ") or" object state data ", which one Inhabit object. A collection of objects is as one "Object class", sometimes referred to as an "object type" is designated. An object class acts as a template that sows the behavior describes objects. An implementation of an object tes is typically encapsulated and public Hidden view. On private property case data can only by Object procedures of an object class can be accessed. On public public property case data can be through a public "object Interface "or a public" object interface "(" whether ject interface ") can be accessed.  

An operating environment for components of the content conversion system 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a processing system with at least one high-speed central processing unit or a high-speed central processor ("CPU") and a storage system. In accordance with the practice of those skilled in the art of programming, the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to measures and symbolic representations of operations performed by the processing system, unless otherwise referred to. Such measures and operations or procedures are referred to as "computer-executed" or "CPU-executed"("CPUexecuted"). Alternatively, although described with one CPU, many CPUs can be used for a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The storage system may include a main storage and a secondary storage. The main memory is a high speed random access memory ("RAN"). Main memory may include any additional or alternative high speed storage device or circuitry. The secondary storage takes the form of a long-term storage such as a read only memory ("ROM"), optical or magnetic disks, an organic storage or any other volatile or non-volatile mass storage system. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the storage system can include a variety and / or combination of alternative components.

Measures and symbolic operations include the manipulation of electrical signals by the CPU. The electrical signals call a transformation of data bits or useful bits. The maintenance or the Festhal data bits at locations in a storage system reconfigures or otherwise changes operations  the CPU. The locations where data bits are maintained hold, are physical or real places, which special electrical, magnetic, optical or organic Have properties corresponding to the data bits.

The data bits can also be stored on a computer-readable medium, including magnetic disks, optical disks, organi disks and any other volatile or non-volatile mass storage system that reads by the CPU cash is (maintained) or held (held). The computer readable medium includes a co-operating or un computer-readable measurement which is connected to one another or to one another dium that exists only in the processing system or among many connected to each other Processing systems that are local or remote to the processing processing system can be distributed.

Components of the content conversion system 10 allow content conversion based on one or more sets of conversion preferences. An electronic document that is converted by the content conversion system 10 is suitable for display on a device with a smaller display device and a lower resolution than the SuperVGA resolution or on or on a display device with a SuperVGA resolution .

Content conversion

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 22 for content conversion. In step 24 , the content conversion device 16 receives a request for an original electronic document from the first network device 12 via the proxy server 14 . In step 26 , the content converter 16 consults the database 18 to convert conversion preferences (for example, conversion preferences to convert the original electronic document requested by the first network device 12 to a converted electronic document for the first network device 12 ) receive. The conversion preferences may include user conversion preferences, device conversion preferences, site-specific conversion preferences, or other content conversion preferences. In step 28 , the content conversion device 16 returns the request for the original electronic document to the proxy server 14 . The proxy server 14 sends the request to a suitable electronic document server in the computer network 20 to obtain the desired original electronic document.

In step 30 , the content converter 16 receives the desired original electronic document from the proxy server 14 . In step 32 , the content converter 16 converts the desired original electronic document into a converted electronic document based on the conversion preferences (for example, using a conversion instruction or use a content conversion script) obtained in step 26 . Text, image, and other hypertext content (for example, audio, video, etc.) are converted based on one or more sets of preferences. In step 34 , the content conversion device 16 sends a converted electronic document to the proxy server 14 . The proxy server 14 sends the converted electronic document to the first network device 12 in response to the request, which is followed by the first network device 12 for the original electronic document. The first network device 12 receives a converted electronic document based on one or more conversion preferences. The method 22 can also be performed with the content converter 16 , which is integrally formed with the proxy server 14 .

Method 22 allows a network device to obtain a converted electronic document that is based on user conversion preferences, device conversion preferences, site-specific conversion preferences, or other preferences. The method 22 allows a so-called personal digital assistant (portable digital assistant), a portable computer, a wireless telephone or cell phone or other small or portable devices to receive a converted electronic document. The converted electronic document is suitable for viewing on or on a smaller display device or a smaller display with a lower resolution, even if the retrieved original electronic document is written for a display device or a display in a higher resolution SuperVGA format has been. The method 22 can also be used to provide a converted electronic document for a display device or display with a SuperVGA resolution (for example, by (changing) changing display characteristics based on one or more sets of conversion preferences ).

Example of a content conversion system

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the functionality of one or more components of the content conversion system 10 is divided into many component modules and may include additional optional component modules (e.g. administrative modules, filter modules). Such an exemplary preferred embodiment is used to distribute functionality and provide additional conversion functionality to content conversion system 10 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example content conversion system 36 for a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the invention is not limited to the components shown in FIG. 3. In this respect, more or fewer components can also be used in the exemplary content conversion system. The original components of the content conversion system 10 from FIG. 1 are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3. The original connections from FIG. 1 are not shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the conversion components can be divided into several component modules or combined in fewer component modules.

An optional administrative interface 38 is used by system administrators with a second network device 40 to configure the conversion system 36 and to maintain the database 18 . An optional administrative server 42 is a server that is used to modify configuration files or configuration files that are used by the proxy server 14 and the database 18 . A transaction manager 44 queries database 18 for user conversion preferences, device conversion preferences, site-specific or location-specific conversion preferences, and other preferences during a transaction request or transaction (query) or transaction request.

A conversion device 46 communicates with customer components or client components 48 , the content conversion device 16 and a cache memory 50 , which depend on the content type of an electronic document to be converted. The converter 46 may also include a document production module (not shown in FIG. 3). The document production module can be used to support the conversion device 46 , an electronic document that converts or converts a metadata object and a data pipeline object or data tube object into a converted electronic document .

The customer components or client components 48 comprise network components which retrieve the electronic document content from the computer network 20 . The cache memory 50 stores uniform resource locators ("URLs"), request headers or request interception blocks, response headers or response headers, converted data, unconverted data and / or a conversion identification code or conversion signature for request transactions. As is known in the art, a URL is used to locate an electronic document on the World Wide Web. A content conversion functionality, which is provided by the proxy server 14 and the content conversion device 16 ( FIG. 1), is distributed among additional component modules in the content conversion system 36 ( FIG. 3). A preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, can be operated without distributing a conversion functionality among the many modules shown in FIG. 3.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the functionality of component modules from FIG. 3 is implemented in software that uses object-oriented programming techniques and the C ++ programming language. However, other object-oriented programming languages and other non-object-oriented programming languages can also be used. In addition, the functionality of component modules from FIG. 3 can be implemented in a combination of hardware and software components or in hardware components.

Example of a content conversion

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are flow diagrams, provide a game in exemplary method 52 for a content conversion, which the content conversion system uses 36 of FIG. 3 illustrates. In step 54 of FIG. 4A, the proxy server 14 receives a request from the first network device 12 for an original electronic document. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the request is a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol ("HTTP") request (for example, http: // www. Spyglass.com/info.html). However, other requests can also be made (e.g. a File Transfer Protocol ("FTP") request, a Gopher request, etc.) (e.g. ftp://www.spyglass.com/info.html). As is known from the prior art, HTTP is a transmission protocol that is used to transmit data from an electronic document server on the World Wide Web. For more information on HTTP, reference is made to Internet Engineering Task Force ("IETF") Request for Comments ("RFC") 2068, which is incorporated herein by reference. The file transfer protocol is a protocol that provides a way to access files in remote systems and is defined in RFC-172, incorporated herein by reference. Gopher is a protocol that is similar to the File Transfer Protocol and provides a number of menus that are connected to files that contain an up-to-date hypertext.

Returning to FIG. 4A, proxy server 14 records step 56 , the request in a request log, or logs it or logs it into it. In step 58 , a check is performed by the proxy server 14 to determine whether the first network device 14 is allowed to use content conversion functionality without login information. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, proxy server 14 uses network addresses (e.g., Internet Protocol ("IP") addresses) for the test in step 58 . As is known from the prior art, the IP is an addressing protocol which is designed to direct or control data traffic within a network or between networks. IP is described in RFC-791, incorporated herein by reference. However, other tests can also be used to determine whether a network device is allowed to use content conversion without credentials.

If a network device is not allowed to use content conversion without credentials, the proxy server 14 in step 60 asks the first network device 12 for credentials and records a network address (e.g., the IP address) for the first network device 12 . If the first network device 12 is permitted in step 58 to use the content conversion functionality without login information, or the login information is obtained in step 60 , the proxy server 14 generates an object-oriented data structure, a so-called "metadata" object and in step 62 a "data pipeline" object or "data pipe" object or "data tube" object.

In a preferred embodiment of the present Er Finding is a metadata object, a C ++ object, the Informa tion, such as request / response headers, conversion preferences and other information about a "data body" ("databody") stored in a data pipeline object is promoted. The data pipeline object is also a C ++ Object. However, the C ++ objects can be different Metadata objects and data pipeline objects are also used become. A data body is an electronic document like hypertext markup languages (e.g. SGML, HTML, XML, VRML, etc.) text, graphic data or graphics, anima tion, audio, video or other content, which in a Da tenpipeline object is stored.

Table 1 shows an exemplary object-oriented meta Data interface for a metadata object and an example Adherent data structure for the metadata object. At one at  playful preferred embodiment of the present Er object interfaces are common object request brokers Architecture ("CORBA") interfaces. As from the state of the Known in technology, CORBA is a building architecture or develop, distribute and manage or manage ver shared program objects. However, other objectors can architectures can also be used (for example component Object Model ("COM") - or Distributed Component Object Model ("DCOM") interfaces. Other object-oriented data structure doors can also be used. The present inven is therefore not limited to the metadata object data structure is shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Table 2 shows an exemplary object-oriented Interface for a data body and an exemplary data structure for the data body. Other object interfaces and data structures can, however, also be used. The The present invention is therefore not based on the data body interface and the data structures shown in Table 2 are limited.

Table 2

Returning to FIG. 4A, proxy server 14 creates an object-oriented "data pipeline" object for step 62 . The data pipeline or the data tube or the data tube is an object-oriented object that can be read by many reading devices, but can only be written by a writing device. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data pipeline object holds a body of data that includes electronic document content.

Table 3 shows an exemplary object-oriented Da pipeline interface. However, other object interfaces can also be used. The present inven Therefore, the data pipeline object contained in the Table 3 is limited.

Table 3

After the conversion objects have been created, the proxy server allows 16 request / response data objects to pass through. For example, the proxy server 14 forwards the request, which includes the metadata object and the data pipeline object, to the transaction manager 44 through the data pipeline object.

In step 64 , the transaction manager 44 adds user, device, location, or location-specific or other conversion preferences from database 18 to the request metadata object. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transaction manager 44 uses transmission protocol request headers to identify devices and an IP address and username to identify a user. However, other identification methods can also be used. The transmission protocol request headers may include HTTP headers or Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension ("MIME") headers defined in RFC-2046, incorporated herein by reference.

In step 66 , the transaction manager 46 forwards the request metadata object and the pipeline data object to the converter 46 . In step 68 , the converter 46 generates one or more conversion keys derived from the metadata object that include the user and device identifiers, as well as a location identifier that uses a URL request. A first conversion key is used to ask cache 50 for a converted or unconverted body of data that will satisfy the request. However, other information can also be used to generate the conversion key. A second conversion key is used to obtain conversion preferences from the database 18 .

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second conversion keys do not include the same information. The first conversion key used to query cache 50 includes a URL plus additional information from the metadata object. The second conversion key ver turns is zufragen to the database 18 (waste), may have a Be user-agent name and include end system part name, men a Benutzerna or URL can be used to a different to the database 18 database ( query).

In step 70 of FIG. 4B, a check is performed by converter 46 to determine whether a "suitable" version of a converted data body for a request is already in cache 50 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a suitable version of a converted data body is one that is not older than a predetermined date or time. However, other criteria can also be used to determine a suitable converted data body (for example criteria that are contained in a conversion recognition code or a conversion signature). If a suitable version of a converted data body exists in the cache memory 50 , the converter device 46 sends a data pipeline object, which comprises the converted data body from the cache memory 50 , to the transaction management device 44 in step 72 . If a suitable converted version of a data body for a request is not already in the cache memory 50 in step 72 , a test is made in step 74 to determine whether an original unconverted data body is already in the cache memory 50 ( ab-) is saved. If so, the converter 46 sends a data pipeline object, comprising the unconverted body of data from the cache 50 , to the content converter 16 for conversion in step 76 .

If an original unconverted data body is not stored in the cache 50 in step 74 (ie, the cache 50 does not contain a data body that matches the request), the converter 46 directs the metadata object and the data pipeline object associated with the Connected to the content conversion device 16 in step 78 . The content converter 16 converts the request metadata object and data pipeline object, if necessary, and returns to the converter 46 in step 80 .

In step 82 of FIG. 4C, the conversion device 46 calls the customer components or client components 48 to send the request to a desired electronic document server in the computer network 20 (for example the World Wide Web server on the Internet). In step 84 , the desired electronic document server in the computer network 20 sends an original electronic document back to the converter 46 , which converts into a response data body in a response data pipeline object and a response metada object (for example, including response headers) by the customer components or client components 48 becomes.

In step 86 , the converter 46 saves the response data body as output data and the response metadata object including the response headers in the cache memory 50 . Storing an unconverted response in cache memory 50 can save transmission time if a network device makes a second request for an original electronic document, but with new conversion preferences. The unconverted response can then be used to generate a converted response with new conversion preferences without an electronic document being contacted again on the computer network 20 .

In step 88 , the converter 46 sends the response data body stored in the response data pipeline object to the content converter 16 for conversion. In step 90 , the content converter 16 performs all necessary conversions on the response metadata object and the response data body in the response pipeline object and sends a converted response back to the converter 46 . In step 92 , the conversion device 46 sends a converted response comprising a converted data body in a data pipeline object and a converted response metadata object back to the cache memory 50 and to the transaction management device 44 . Storing a converted response in cache memory 50 saves processing time when a network device makes a second request for the same original electronic document with the same conversion preferences. A converted response can be returned to without an electronic document server being contacted again on the computer network 20 .

In step 94 , the transaction manager 44 sends the converted response to the proxy server 14 . In step 96 , the proxy server 14 sends the converted response to the first network device 12 via the user agent or the end system part 38 .

The example method 52 ( FIG. 4) illustrates a content conversion that the content conversion system 36 of FIG. 3 uses. However, more or fewer steps may be used in exemplary method 52 , and various content conversion system components may also be used. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary method 52 or content conversion system 36 .

Example of a content conversion facility

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content converter 16 is divided into many component modules. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing many components 108 of the content conversion device 16 . The content conversion device 16 includes a content conversion interface 110 , a content conversion director 112 , an operating module 114 , an operation sequencer 116 , a conversion script 118 , one Content conversion trader 120 and many conversion operations 122 , 124 , 126 , three of which are shown. However, the content conversion device 16 can also be subdivided into more or less component modules. The preferred embodiment of the content converter 16 is therefore not limited to the components shown in FIG. 5.

The content conversion interface 110 provides an interface or an interface between the Inhaltskonver tierungseinrichtung 16 and other components of the Inhaltskon vertierungssystems 36 or the content conversion system 10. The content director 112 directs the conversion halt In conversions from and forwards them. The operating module 114 is a library (for example, a dynamic link library) of functions that includes conversion operations. The operational flow controller 116 controls conversion operations, including those listed in a conversion script 118 . The conversion script 118 is a file that specifies which conversion operations for selected content types (but not all content types) or in what order they should be performed. The conversion script 118 includes a conversion instruction. The content conversion trader 120 is a data reference registry for available conversion operations. A first conversion operation can locate a second conversion operation by importing an object reference from the content conversion trader 120 . The content conversion operations 122 , 124 , 126 comprise many conversion processes and are located in or are stored in the operating module 114 .

Tables 4 and 5 show exemplary content conversion operations for content conversion operations 122 , 124 , 126 . However, more or fewer content conversion operations or conversions for other content types (e.g. VRML) can also be used. For example, another set of conversion operations can be used to convert an HTML to an audio format (for example, a wave format "* .WAV") or to convert an audio format to an HTML.

Table 4 shows an example of HTML conversion operas ions. However, more or less HTML Conversion operations are used. The conversion So other hypertext conversions can be performed operations (e.g. XML, SGML, VRML etc.).

Table 4

Table 5 shows an example of image conversion operations. However, more or fewer image conversion operations can also be used. The conversion operations may also include other image conversion processes. The content converter 16 uses, for example, image conversion operators to convert images into an internal "output image" format. The internal output image format is used to quickly reduce and resize images as well as to convert one image format to another image format. However, the present invention is not limited to use of an output image format. Other internal image formats can also be used.

Table 5

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart which shows a method 128 for a content conversion with the content conversion device 16 with many components 108 , which are shown in FIG. 5. In step 130 , the content converter 16 receives a conversion request from the converter 46 (e.g., step 88 of FIG. 4C) or from the proxy server 14 (e.g., step 30 of FIG. 2) at the content conversion interface 110 . In step 132 , content conversion interface 110 provides an object-oriented interface to a request metadata object and a request data pipeline object that includes a data body that interacts with other objects that include conversion operations 122 , 124 , 126 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the object interface is a CORBA interface, which is referred to as the "Interface Design Language" interface. However, other object interfaces can also be used (for example Component Object Model ("COM") or Distributed Component Object Model ("DCOM") interfaces). Table 6 shows an exemplary content conversion interface provided by the content conversion interface 110 .

Table 6

Upon delivery of the object interface content conversion interface, the content conversion interface 110 sends the conversion request to the content conversion director 112 .

In step 134 , the content conversion director 112 calls the operational flow controller 116 . In another embodiment of the present invention, a start conversion component can also be specified in the request metadata object. By default, the operational control device 116 is the conversion component that is invoked to handle the conversion request. However, other components 108 can also be used as content conversion device 16 . At step 136 , the operational flow controller 116 reads the request metadata object and generates one or more conversion keys to determine a list of conversion operations that are necessary to be called and an order in which the conversion operations are to be performed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the list consists of a "conversion instruction" or "conversion directive" with a "conversion priority"("conversi on precedence"). In another embodiment of the present invention, the conversion instruction is stored in conversion script 118 . The list and sequences can also be obtained from information in the database 18 . In a sequence of operations in the list of conversions that begins in step 138 , the operational flow controller 116 obtains an object address of a (selected) conversion operation (e.g., 122 , 124 , 126 ) from the content conversion trader 120 . In step 140 , the (selected) conversion operation is carried out. The conversion operation performed modifies, if necessary, the request data body stored in a data pipeline object and request metadata object and returns to the object flow controller 116 with control. The sequence, including steps 138 and 140 , is repeated until all conversions desired by the conversion request are completed when control is returned to the content conversion director 112 .

Table 7 exemplifies source code to obtain an address for an object-oriented conversion process from the content conversion trader 120 and shows a generic object-oriented class for conversion operations. However, the object-oriented method code and other object-oriented classes can be used. A name for a desired conversion operation is replaced for OpName in Table 7 (for example, OpName = HTML_COMMENT_REMOVE to remove comments from an HTML document).

Table 7

In step 142 , the content conversion director 112 sends a converted metadata object and a converted data body in a data pipeline object to the content conversion interface 110 . In step 144 , the content conversion interface returns the converted metadata object and the converted data body in the data pipeline object to the conversion device 46 (for example step 90 , FIG. 4C) or to the proxy server 14 (for example step 34 in FIG. 2).

Has been FIGS. 5 and 6 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention for a content conversion, wherein the content conversion means 16 in many com ponents divided 108th However, this one preferred embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the many components shown in FIG. 5 or the steps shown with method 128 of FIG. 6. In this respect, more or fewer comment steps can be used. Zusätz Lich may also many components 108 of the Inhaltskonvertie inference device 16 of FIG. 5 for a content conversion device 16 in a content conversion system 10, which is shown in Fig. 1, or content conversion system is shown in Fig. 3, are used.

Content conversion that uses conversion preferences

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a content conversion of an original electronic document to one or more conversion experts supported. The conversion preferences are in many Ka organized, user conversion preferences, Device conversion preferences or job specific or location-specific conversion preferences or others Include conversion preferences. However, more can be done or fewer conversion preferences are used.

After a network device with a smaller display device requests an electronic document, the content converter 16 uses one or more sets of conversion preferences to determine how to convert the original electronic element to a converted electronic document that is usable by the network device .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a method 146 for content conversion using conversion preferences. In step 148 , the content converter 16 receives a request for an original electronic document from the first network device 12 (e.g. via the proxy server 14 of FIG. 1). The request includes a request metadata object with request headers (for example, HTTP headers or MIME headers and IP headers), a URL request and other information, and a data pipeline object. In step 150 , conversion information is taken from the request. In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user identifier, a device identifier and a job identifier or location identifier, which is based on a URL request, are taken from the request. However, other information and identifiers can also be found. In such an embodiment, transmission protocol headers from the request headers (e.g., HTTP headers or MIME headers) are used to identify a device type and to identify a URL request. An IP address from the request header is used to identify a user location from the first network device 12 that is making the request. However, other information can also be used to identify a user, device, or location.

In step 152 , the content converter 16 generates one or more conversion keys from the extracted conversion information in order to gain access to one or more conversion preferences stored in the database 18 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, many conversion keys are generated from a user ID, a device ID, and a location ID based on a URL request. However, other conversion keys can also be generated (for example, a user ID and a device ID, a user ID and a location ID or a device ID and a location ID, etc.). In addition, access to the one or more conversion preferences may also be obtained from a source different from database 18 (e.g., obtained from another server on a different network or from a different network device).

In step 154 , the conversion key is used to obtain one or more conversion preferences for the request. In a preferred embodiment or the present invention, user, device, and site-specific (ie, URL) conversion preferences are obtained. However, more or less preferences can also be obtained. In step 156 , a conversion instruction or conversion directive with a conversion priority is generated from the conversion preferences obtained. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conversion instruction is stored in a metadata object. However, other types of conversion instructions and other storage can also be provided. The conversion instruction is stored in permanent storage (e.g., database 18 , a user's magnetic disk drive, etc.) for later use. A variety of different conversion instructions can be generated in step 156 that limit the conversion checks to be used, which include those from the conversion script 118 . Therefore, a variety of permutations are typically available to create a conversion instruction, since typically at least three types of conversion preferences are used (e.g., user, device, and location specification). Using more than three types of conversion preferences provides additional conversion permutations from which a conversion instruction can be generated.

The conversion instruction, based on selectable conversion preferences, can be used to direct the content converter 16 , an electronic document for various devices (e.g., a first device has a color display device while a second device has a monochrome display device) in various ways to convert, an electronic document for different users (for example, a first user prefers to view images in a low resolution display mode while another user wishes to view images in a high resolution display mode) convert differently and an electronic one Document for different locations or locations (for example, a first location can contain electronic documents with a large number of images, while a second location can only capture HTML documents with text and few images; d The first location may require a user's device set with one or more viewing parameters to view the images to be displayed) differently.

In step 158 , the content converter 16 applies the conversion instruction to convert an electronic document extracted from an electronic document server in the computer network 20 . The conversion priority in the conversion instruction provides a priority hierarchy for the content conversion.

In one embodiment of the present invention User conversion preferences with the highest level in the priority hierarchy, followed by Vorrich conversion preferences, followed by job-specific local or site-specific conversion preferences. If user conversion preferences are available then place them in front of device conversion preferences or lens-specific or location-specific conversion checks limits based on the exemplary hierarchy, ver turns. If no user conversion preferences are available device conversion preferences are available site-specific or location-specific conversion preferences based on the exemplary hierarchy, used. In another embodiment of the present Invention comprises a different hierarchy of precedence Preferences (e.g. job-specific or Location-specific conversion preferences can have a high overriding user conversion preferences based on based on the properties of a network location sen). In a preferred embodiment of the present  Invention is the priority hierarchy by a system administrator statically assigned and system administrator and can cannot be changed by a user. Another one Embodiment of the present invention may take precedence hierarchy can be dynamically changed by a user.

In cases where a conversion priority conflict occurs, the content converter 16 determines which preferences have priority. An HTML site may require that the display resolution of a user's device be set in a high resolution mode to enable images to be displayed adequately. A site-specific or site-specific conversion preference is then provided by the HTML site in order to set the display resolution to a high resolution. However, a user may not like the high resolution mode to be used for the device and may provide a user conversion preference for a medium resolution mode. A conflict arises and the content conversion device 16 resolves the conflict. If user conversion preferences have a higher priority, then the user conversion preference (ie a medium resolution) is used before the site-specific or location-specific conversion preference. If the location-specific or location-specific conversion preferences have a higher priority, then the location-specific or location-specific conversion preferences would be used before the user conversion preferences (ie a high resolution).

In an application example of the method 146 , the first network device 12 requests a personal digital assistant ("PDA") with an IP address 128.10.20.30 a hypertext document with the URL "http://www.spyglass.com/info.html" on. When using method 146 , the content converter 16 receives a request for an original electronic document from the first network device 12 (for example via the proxy server 14 or the converter 46 ) in step 148 . The metadata object comprises one or more request headers (for example HTTP or MIME) which have an IP address 128.10.20.30, a device identifier "PDA" and a URL component "www.spyglass.com/info.html" as well as a data pipeline object for comprise a data body. In step 150 , conversion information is taken from the request. A user ID 128.10.20.30, a device ID PDA and a job ID or location ID including a URL request "www.spyglass.com" are taken from the request headers.

In step 152 , one or more conversion keys are generated from the extracted information to gain access to one or more conversion preferences stored in database 18 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first conversion key is generated from the user ID 128.10.20.30, which is mapped to a user name (for example “kenc”). A second conversion key is generated from a device identifier PDA. A third conversion key is generated from a location identifier of the URL request "www.spyglass.com". However, more or fewer conversion keys can also be generated.

In step 154 , the one or more conversion keys are used to obtain one or more conversion preferences for the request from the database 18 . Table 8 shows exemplary preferences that are taken from the database 18 for the request.

Table 8

Table 8 lists exemplary conversion preferences that are stored in the database 18 in an order of no precedence, so that a conversion priority must be determined (i.e., the user conversion preferences have highest priority, device conversion preferences have the next highest priority and job-specific or location-specific conversion preferences have the lowest priority). However, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, conversion preferences are stored in order of priority.

In step 156 , a conversion instruction or conversion directive with the conversion priority is generated from the conversion preferences obtained. An exemplary conversion instruction for the conversion preferences shown in Table 8 is shown in Table 9. There are no conflicts to be resolved in this example.

Table 9

Table 9 provides exemplary conversion instructions priority order. The user preferences are priority (spyga_remove_comments, spyga_change_attribute: font =  "arial"), followed by device preferences (spy ga_convert_to_gray: yes, spyga_sale_image: scale = "50%), followed through job-specific or site-specific conversion preferences (i.e. none). The user preference to com Removing mentions is done before user preference to change the display font to "Arial".

The conversion instruction (for example, Table 8) generated in step 156 of FIG. 7 is applied to an exemplary original electronic document in step 158 . An exemplary original HTML hypertext document is shown in Table 10. However, a conversion instruction which includes the exemplary conversion instruction from Table 9 can also be applied to other hypertext document types (for example XML, SGML or VRML).

Table 10

The first network device 12 requests the hypertext document labeled "example.html" shown in Table 10 from the World Wide Web site "www.spyglass.com". Table 11 shows an example converted electronic document after applying step 158 of method 146 ( FIG. 7). HTML comments have been removed from the HTML document in Table 10, which is based on the first user preference shown in Table 9 (for example, remo ve_comments).

Table 11

In row 3 of table 11 the display font in Arial has been changed with the HTML tag <FONT FACE = "Arial"<. It should be noted that this day does not exist in Table 10. The image in the table 11 "glasses.jbg" is converted by the content converter 16 when the image is requested using conversion preferences stored in the database 18 . The conversion of the image is "invisible" to the user.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are block diagrams of the display devices 160, 162, which represent conferences content conversion with pre. The Fig. 8A shows a block diagram of a screen display device 160 on a screen with Su perVGA resolution of the original electronic document from the table 10 prior to application of the content conversion method 146th The image "glasses.jgb" from Table 8 is a color image of sunglasses that are held in the color "red". The standard text font shown in Figure 8A is the Times Roman font. The HTML document has several annotations, which are indicated by the HTML annotation tags <! .... <.

FIG. 8B shows a block diagram of a screen display device 162 for a converted electronic document for a first PDA network device 12 from Table 11 after application of the content conversion method 146 . The PDA screen has a lower resolution than the SuperVGA resolution and is scaled in gray tones. The default display font for displayed text has been changed to Arial as shown in Fig. 8B. The color image in the file or the file "glasses.jpg" has been changed from color to gray and has been reduced in size by 50% by the content conversion device 16 . In Fig. 8A, a browser uses the HTML image tag <IMG src = "http://www.spyglass.com/glasses.jpg"<"to display the red sunglasses image. In Fig. 8B, a browser analyzes The HTML image tag and requests the image in the first PDA network device 12. The content converter 16 converts and sends the image based on conversion preferences stored in the database 18 converted image for a display device back to the first PDA network 12 via the proxy server 14. The proxy server 14 sends a converted image in gray tone, 06015 00070 552 001000280000000200012000285910590400040 0002019936314 00004 05896, which is reduced by 50%. Network device 12 receives a converted image as a result of a request for an original image without additional intervention by the first PDA network device.

If the requested "glasses image" is part of an image image or image recording (image map), a converted HTML tag <IMG src = "http: www.spyglass.comglasses_spyg $ (spyga image-attr-scale = 50) .jpg "<" as a "virtual URL" to the HTML Document added in table 11. For example, light the virtual URL "glasses_spyg $ (spyga-image-attr- scale = 50) "in the HTML image tag an original image from a Image, to 50% of its original size with the virtuel len URL to be scaled. The conversion information in the virtual URL text "image-name_sypg $ (...). image_type"  is used to scale the image to the converted one Adjust picture image.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content converter 16 is connected to the proxy server 14 . The proxy server 14 acts as an intermediate element between a network device requesting an original electronic document and an electronic document server on a network providing an original electronic document. The proxy server 14 intercepts and intercepts requests for hypertext documents and for hyperlinks in the hypertext documents. As a result, when a browser in a user device parses the HTML image tag "<IMG src = http://www.spyglass.com/glasses.jpg"<", the proxy server 14 provides a converted image in grayscale that is in is reduced in size by 50%, instead of the original image, which is designated in the original electronic document with the HTML, available by calling the content converter 16 .

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user sets desired user conversion preferences by creating a user conversion preference file on the proxy server 14 . In another embodiment of the present invention, a user conversion preference file is stored in a user device and extracted by the content converter 16 or the proxy server 14 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a user conversion preference can be stored at a specific location or in a specific location (for example at the location of an Internet service provider) and can be removed by the content conversion device 16 or the proxy server 14 . Device conversion preference and location-specific or location-specific preference files are typically created by a system administrator or system administrator and not by a user (for example, with the administrative interface 38 of FIG. 3).

However, a user can save the device and location specific or location-specific conversion preferences, as discussed above, with user Conversion preferences have the highest priority in the converter have priority scheme. In another execution form of the present invention a user is permitted to Device conversion preferences or job specific or site-specific manufacturing preferences.

The content conversion methods and systems described herein allow you to choose Convert preferences to a customized converted to provide electronic document for a Display on or on a portable device or other desired devices with display devices or dis plays with a lower resolution than a SuperVGA resolution solution is suitable. However, a converted one can electronic document on a display device or egg a display with SuperVGA resolution. Text, Images as well as additional electronic document content (for example, hypertext tags, hypertext tag parameters, audio, Video etc.) are used for most original electronic Documents with a SuperVGA resolution from content servers obtained on the World Wide Web via the Internet or an intranet are converted. The methods and sy described herein Content conversion systems provide flexibility for new devices ready and easily expanded by new content conversion operation modules for a new In stop that may become available.

In view of the wide variety of embodiments, on which teach the teachings of the present invention can, it is understandable that the illustrated execution  shapes are only exemplary and the scope of protection not limit the present invention. For example the steps of the flowcharts can be than those described above and can be more or less elements in the Block diagrams can be used.

The claims are not intended to limit the description order or elements, if not the executed differently. Therefore, all are execution shapes that are within the scope of protection and technical Doctrine of claims and represent equivalents claimed as an invention.

Claims (20)

1. A method for content conversion in a first computer network with a multiplicity of network devices, which is connected to a second computer network with a multiplicity of network devices, comprising the following steps:
Receiving a request for an original electronic document on a second network device in a first computer network from a first network device in a first computer network,
Extracting conversion information from the requirement,
Generate one or more conversion keys from the extracted conversion information to obtain access to one or more of a plurality of conversion preferences, which are stored in a database,
Obtaining one or more of the plurality of conversion preferences from the database using the one or more conversion keys, and
Generate a conversion instruction with a conversion priority to convert an original electronic document into a converted electronic document. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
Sending the request for the original electronic document from the second network device to a third network device in the second network,
Receiving a requested original electronic document on a second network device from the third network device,
Converting the requested original electronic document using the conversion instruction to produce a converted electronic document, and
Sending the converted electronic document from the second network device to the first network device. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising a memory saving the conversion instruction in permanent storage for later use. 4. Computer-readable medium with instructions stored in it to cause a central processing unit to Implementation of the method according to claim 1. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion priority from highest to lowest priority Be user conversion preferences, device Conversion preferences and job-specific or includes site-specific conversion preferences. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more Individual conversion keys sel include to user conversion preferences, pre directional conversion preferences and job-specific or location-specific conversion preferences hold. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion instruction a list of conversion preferences and egg conversion priority, which is an order in which the list of conversion preferences to an original electronic document is applicable. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the original elec tronic document a document of a hyper text markup Language document or an Extensible Markup Language Document. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network  device a portable device and the second network work device is a content conversion device. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining one or more of the plurality of conversion preferences includes obtaining conversion preferences for:
Convert a hypertext document to a document object model, add a specific attribute to cases of a specific hypertext tag, change a value of a specific attribute to a maximum value in cases of a specific hypertext tag, change a value of a specific attribute to a minimum Value in cases of a specific hypertext tag, removal of a specific attribute from cases of a specific hypertext tag, replacement of values of a specific attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag, scaling of a value of a specific attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag , Removing cases of a specific attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag, scaling the width and height of an image attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag, removing a reference to an image and replacing the reference with a hyperlink to the image in a hyper text image tag, scaling cases of an image image in a hypertext tag, scaling an image to reduce its data size without changing the size of the image, removing hypertext table tags and reformatting the contents of tables, removing cases of a specific fish Hypertags tags or replacing cases of a specific hypertext tag with a different hyper text tag for a hypertext document. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining one or more of the plurality of conversion preferences from the database uses the conversion key which is to obtain image conversion preferences for:
Reducing an image to a specific color depth, scaling an image, converting a color image into an image in gray tone, converting a bit image format into an output image format, converting a joint pictures expert group format into an output image format, converting an output image format into a bit -Image format or converting an output image format into a joint pictures expert group format for an image includes. 12. A method for content conversion in a first computer network with a plurality of network devices, which is connected to a second computer network with a plurality of network devices, comprising the following steps:
Receiving an original electronic document on a second network device in a first network from a third network device in a second network,
Receiving a conversion instruction with a conversion priority at the second network device, the conversion instruction comprising a list of conversion preferences and a conversion priority using an order in which the list of conversion preferences is to be applied to the original electronic document, and
Convert the original electronic document into a converted electronic document using the conversion instruction. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending of the converted electronic document to a first one Network device in the first network, the first Network device the converted electronic document displays. 14. Computer readable medium with instructions stored therein to cause a central processing unit to  Implementation of the method according to claim 12. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the conversion priority user conversion preferences, device Conversion preferences and job-specific or includes site-specific conversion preferences. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the converted electronic document for display on or on a carrier ed device with a ge to a SuperVGA resolution less triggering is suitable. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first network device is a portable device and the second Network device a content converter is. 18. Content conversion system, in combination comprising:
A content conversion device for converting an original electronic document into a converted electronic document for a desired device based on a content conversion instruction,
a database for storing a variety of conversion preferences used for content conversion,
a proxy server for communicating with a plurality of network devices making requests for original electronic documents, communicating with the context converter and with a plurality of content servers in a computer network providing original electronic documents, and
a content conversion instruction with a conversion priority generated from one or more of the plurality of conversion preferences from the database for converting an original electronic document into a converted electronic document. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of cones verting preferences, user conversion preferences and / or device conversion preferences and / or site-specific or site-specific conversion preferences. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the database for storing a plurality of conversion preferences used for content conversion stores conversion preferences for:
Convert a hypertext document to a document object model, add a specific attribute to cases of a specific hypertext tag, change a value of a specific attribute to a maximum value in cases of a specific hypertext tag, change a value of a specific attribute to a minimum Value in cases of a specific hypertext tag, removal of a specific attribute from cases of a specific hypertext tag, replacement of values of a specific attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag, scaling of a value of a specific attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag , Removing cases of a specific attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag, scaling the width and height of an image attribute in cases of a specific hypertext tag, removing a reference to an image and replacing the reference with a hyperlink to the image in a hyper text image tag, scaling cases of an image image in a hypertext tag, scaling an image to reduce its data size without changing the size of the image, removing hypertext table tags and reformatting the contents of tables, removing cases of a specific fish Hypertags tags or replacing cases of a specific hypertext tag with different conversion preferences of a hypertext tag, reducing an image to a specific color depth, scaling an image, converting a color image to an image in gray tone, converting a bit map format to an output image format, converting a joint pictures expert group format into an output image format, converting an output image format into a bit map format or converting an output image format into a joint pictures ex pert group format for an image.