Data storage and retrieval systems

• US 20040199487A1
• Filed: 01/26/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pressvault Limited
• Original Assignee: Pressvault Limited
• Inventors: Eio, Andrew John
• Application Number:
  US10/485,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20040199487A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/907 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking

Abstract

A database server (2) stores a large number of electronic assets—for example, images, documents, video streams, audio data and so on. An application server (3) stores, for each of a plurality of products, a plurality of product parameters, one of which is a subset of the electronic assets in the database server (2). Another parameter for each product is a release date. A web server (1) allows visitors to log onto the database server (2). The application server (3) stores parameters for visitors, including lead times, and makes available to a given visitor all assets that are relevant to that visitor and have not yet reached their release date and are within the visitor'"'"'s lead time. This is convenient for the visitor, who does not have to filter out irrelevant data. Moreover, the amount of traffic passing over the system is thus significantly reduced, thereby improving efficiency and operating speed of the system and reducing the likelihood of blockages.

Claims

1. storing in a second database a plurality of product parameters for each of a plurality of products;

storing in a third database a plurality of visitor parameters for each of a plurality of visitors; and

controlling retrieval of said assets in dependence upon said parameters;

wherein;

one of said product parameters for each of said products comprises a subset of said electronic assets which is associated with the product;

another of said product parameters for each of said products comprises a release date;

one of said visitor parameters for each of said visitors comprises a lead time; and

said controller permits retrieval of said assets by a visitor over a real time period that commences upon a date that is equal to said release date of one of said products minus said lead time of the visitor.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first, second and third databases are located in a common memory device.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein archive means is provided which is arranged to archive each of said assets after the release date of the or each said product with which it is associated has passed.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein a network server is provided that is arranged to provide access to said assets to visitors over a network.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said network is a global computer network.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said electronic assets is selected from images, documents, video streams and audio data.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein one of said product parameters comprises territory.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said visitor parameters is selected from territory, media type and operating platform.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein update means is provided and is arranged to update a common parameter of a plurality of said assets upon updating a like parameter for one of said products with which said assets are associated.

11. A computer program on a carrier and adapted to perform a method according to claim 2.

12. A computer when programmed to perform a method according to claim 2.

14. A method according to claim 2, wherein archive means is provided which is arranged to archive each of said assets after the release date of the or each said product with which it is associated has passed.

15. A method according to claim 2, wherein a network server is provided that is arranged to provide access to said assets to visitors over a network.

17. A method according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said electronic assets is selected from images, documents, video streams and audio data.

16. A method according to claim 17, wherein said network is a global computer network.

18. A method according to claim 2, wherein one of said product parameters comprises territory.

19. A method according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said visitor parameters is selected from territory, media type and operating platform.

20. A method according to claim 2, wherein update means is provided and is arranged to update a common parameter of a plurality of said assets upon updating a like parameter for one of said products with which said assets are associated.