Systems and methods for propagating categorization information with a digital asset

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing digital assets in a distributed computing environment are described. Meta-data for the digital assets is stored separately from the digital assets. Meta-data for some of the digital assets is copied and stored at a central location. Meta-data for the digital assets is generated by clients of the system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to managing digital assets in a distributed computing environment. More specifically, the invention relates to propagating categorization information with a digital asset. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Centralized document management and other centralized applications can ease digital asset management tasks. However, these tools are expensive, difficult to install and configure, and require end-users to change the manner in the way they work and interact with each other. These solutions are also very dependent upon the end-users to self-enforce corporate governance policies with respect to the digital assets that they create. [0003] The centralized file control mechanism used by these present solutions typically requires end-users to use a burdensome check-in / check-out process to obtain files. However, many end-users prefer not to give up control of their digital assets, are unwilling to sacrifice the ability to use their lapt...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] As a general introduction, the invention includes a computer software system for gathering and recording categorization data when a digital asset (e.g., file, voicemail, instant message log, email, and the like) or a digital asset container (e.g., folder, directory, disk drive, removable storage medium, and the like) is created. The system executes in a pre-emptive multi-tasking environment. In various embodiments, the software system provides the following features: the ability to categorize existing digital assets in a file system; categorizing digital assets upon creation; a structured and adaptable set of terms (i.e., a taxonomy) for categorization; rule-based categorization of digital assets, minimal change or interruption to the end-user while the software system is in use; the ability to gather meta-data about the digital assets from the end-user; categorization meta-data that is independent of the stored digital asset and structured for simple retrieval of the digital asset; segregation of categorization meta-data (e.g., storing only the meta-data for a digital asset is indicated of value); maintaining the meta-data over time; and propagating the meta-data with the digital asset when the digital asset is transmitted, printed, moved, or copied.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention allows the end-user to leave a digital asset in the location it is most productive to the end-user rather than moving everything into a centralized repository. In today's distributed and mobile corporate world, it is important that information reside locally with the end-user to enhance productivity while remaining under control of the corporation. To this end, the present invention provides a means to categorize digital assets at the point of creation with little or no work on the end-user's behalf. The location of digital assets is tracked without requiring the digital asset by stored at a central location.

[0011] Other features provided by the present invention include, but are not limited to retention / deletion of digital assets, automatic creation of copies of digital assets, prevention of operations on digital assets, expiration of archived copies of digital assets, storing meta-data separate from the digital asset, prevention of restoration of expired digital assets, searching the digital assets using virtual folders having labels based on the meta-data, copy tracking of digital assets, combining meta-data tags, propagating the meta-data tags with the digital assets, providing an adaptive taxonomy used to create meta-data for the digital assets.

Problems solved by technology

However, these tools are expensive, difficult to install and configure, and require end-users to change the manner in the way they work and interact with each other.

The centralized file control mechanism used by these present solutions typically requires end-users to use a burdensome check-in / check-out process to obtain files.

However, many end-users prefer not to give up control of their digital assets, are unwilling to sacrifice the ability to use their laptops when they are detached from the corporate network, and resist the workflow requirements of centralized systems.

Additional drawbacks of current centralized document management tools include: the inability to categorize all digital assets on a storage device; the poor quality of existing categorization techniques when used within a structured context; the inability to provide effective automated control over categorization of digital assets as they are created and changed; the inability to request categorization information from the end-user; the inability to selectively record categorization information based on the conceptual value of the assets; and the lack of category maintenance as assets are copied, moved, renamed, deleted and restored.

There is, therefore, a conflict between the benefits of centralized file management and end user behavior; a tension which limits the amount of information that will be captured by a centralized document management system.

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