def get_as_map(self, key):
        """
        Converts map element into an AnyValueMap or returns empty AnyValueMap if conversion is not possible.

        :param key: a key of element to get.

        :return: AnyValueMap value of the element or empty AnyValueMap if conversion is not supported.
        """
        if key == None:
            map = {}
            for (k, v) in self.items():
                map[k] = v
            return map
        else:
            value = self.get(key)
            return MapConverter.to_map(value)