Method for distributing data, adapted for mobile devices
View Patent ↗A method for distributing data in a heterogeneous network. The method operates on a private mobile network, which includes a mobility server, mobile components and fixed components, on which the mobility server includes data storage units that store data on behalf of network members, at least some of such data being stored in multiple data formats. The distribution method includes transmitting upon request selected said data to addressees, each such transmission being formatted for acceptance by each respective addressee.
1. A method for distributing data in a heterogeneous network using a mobility server for a private mobile network comprising mobile components and fixed components, the mobility server carrying out the steps of:
inventorying devices of members of the private mobile network;
recording display capabilities of devices in the inventory;
receiving a data file from a network member and not from the mobility server, the data file having at least one version each having a respective display format;
reformatting the data file into an additional version having a display format which a particular device in the inventory has the capability to display;
storing for subsequent distribution, the additional version and each of the versions in which the data file was received; and
transmitting upon request, to a target one of the devices in the inventory, a version of the data file which the target device has the capability to display.
2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining in dependence upon the inventory that at least the particular device lacks the capability to display files in any of the display formats of the versions in which the data file was received,
and wherein the step of reformatting is performed in response to the step of determining.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the network member from which the data file is received is one of the members whose devices have their display capabilities recorded in the step of recording.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a first one of the data file versions received in the step of receiving includes an image having a particular resolution,
and wherein the step of reformatting comprises the step of developing a lover resolution version of the image.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a first one of the data file versions received in the step of receiving includes a document in a native file format of a particular application program,
and wherein the step of reformatting comprises the step of developing a version of the document in a native file format of a different application program.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a first one of the data file versions received in the step of receiving includes a spreadsheet in a native file format of a spreadsheet program,
and wherein the step of reformatting comprises the step of developing a plain text version of the spreadsheet.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a first one of the data file versions received in the step of receiving includes a spreadsheet in a native file format of a spreadsheet program,
and wherein the step of reformatting comprises the step of developing a rendered image version of the spreadsheet.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of reformatting comprises the step of developing a PDF version of the data file.
9. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of joining members into the private mobile network, including the steps of inventorying devices and recording display capabilities.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of reformatting the data file comprises the steps of:
selecting, from among components of the private mobile network, an optimum component for performing the additional rendering; and
overseeing the reformatting at the component selected in the step of selecting.