System and method of managing metadata data

Abstract

A system and method of the present invention allow users to access, manage, and edit information about content data, often referred to as metadata. Metadata is collected from various sources, added, and maintained in a metadata database. In addition, metadata is dynamically read from the metadata database and dynamically displayed in a graphical user interface in an organized manner, such as a hierarchical tree. In the graphical user interface, a user may add, delete, and / or modify the metadata. As the user changes the metadata, the metadata database is updated and the user's changes are propagated throughout the graphical user interface such that the hierarchical tree is displays the changed metadata.

Description

[0001]Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,760,721. The reissue applications are U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 452,187 (the present application), which was filed on Jun. 12, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 547,341, which was filed on Aug. 25, 2009 and is a divisional of the present reissue application.<?insert-end id="INS-S-00001" ?>FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The system and method of the present invention relate generally to the field of managing metadata.BACKGROUND[0003]The increased reliance on digital data has led to a need for detailed information about the digital data as well as techniques for managing and controlling this detailed information. This detailed information is known as “metadata.” For example, there is a high demand for audio data, and accordingly, there is a high demand for metadata about the audio data such as, for example, the artist or speaker name, album name, genre, number of s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a method for dynamically organizing and presenting metadata to a user in a database. The method involves receiving a plurality of categories of metadata, querying the database to produce a set of metadata query results, arranging the metadata query results in a hierarchical representation, and presenting the hierarchical representation to the user in a graphical display. The invention also includes updating the display of metadata based on changes made to the metadata. The technical effects of the invention include improved user experience, efficient data management, and dynamic information presentation.

Problems solved by technology

While access to metadata provides the public with a vast amount of information, it is often difficult to manage the metadata.

For example, keeping track of various audio files as well as the immense amount of metadata for each audio file can be a difficult task.

One common problem is that conventional approaches do not allow the user to easily view and access the metadata.

For example, it is typical for a user to have hundreds or even thousands of audio files making it difficult for the user to sift through each file of metadata.

Another common problem is that conventional approaches fail to provide users with control over the metadata such as the ability to make changes to a piece of metadata or a set of metadata.

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