Systems and methods for searching digital assets using virtual folders having labels based on taxonomy tags

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 searching digital assets using virtual folders having labels based on taxonomy tags. 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 a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a method for creating aliases for digital assets in a computer system. These aliases are created by end-users of the system and can be used to categorize digital assets. The method allows for the creation of aliases that are specific to a particular tag or policy. The aliases can be transmitted to a server for review and can be modified by an administrator to apply different policies to different digital assets. The method also allows for the unionization of meta-data sets for digital assets to prevent conflicts between different clients. Overall, the method provides a flexible and customizable way to manage digital assets in a computer system."

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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