Patent ID: 8126978

Claim:
A method for performing format conversion of a file attached to message, the method comprising: accepting the message entered by a user through an input mechanism of a sending device; accepting the user's selection of a file to be copied for accompanying the message as a file attachment, wherein the file attachment is in a first file format of a file category; prompting the user as to whether or not the file attachment should be converted from the first file format to a second file format in the file category, wherein converting the file attachment is not performed unless an input is received from the user indicating that the file attachment should be converted; converting the file attachment from the first file format to a-the second file format of the file category in response to the input; and transmitting the message entered by the user, wherein the transmitted message is accompanied by the converted file attachment in the second file format of the file category; wherein the second file format is selected based upon a size limitation applicable to a message recipient's incoming electronic messages, a sending device sending a pre-message inquiry to a receiving device over the communication network to determine whether the electronic mailbox of the message recipient has the size limitation.