Indexing media files in a distributed, multi-user system for managing and editing digital media

• US 20040199507A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avid Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avid Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Tawa, Roger Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/22 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures

Abstract

A scalable infrastructure indexes and tracks media data and metadata in a distributed, multi-user system. An indexer is associated with particular storage locations, such as a disk, or a directory on a disk, to maintain an index of media files or metadata stored in those storage locations. The indexer monitors activity on any storage location with which it is associated. Any additions, deletions or modifications to files in that storage location cause the indexer to update its index. This index then can be accessed by any of a number of applications in the same manner as conventional indexes. There may be different indexers for different storage locations. Separate indexers may be provided for media files and compositions that use those media files.

Claims

1. A method for indexing media files, comprising:

monitoring storage locations in which media files are stored; and

after modification of the media files on the monitored storage location, updating an index of the media files in the monitored storage location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring comprises:

registering for notification from an operating system that manages files in the storage location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein updating comprises:

reading a modified media file to extract metadata about the media file; and

storing the metadata in the index.

4. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

computer program instructions stored on the computer readable medium that, when executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a method for indexing media files, comprising;

monitoring storage locations in which media files are stored; and

after modification of the media files on the monitored storage location, updating an index of the media files in the monitored storage location.

5. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein monitoring comprises:

registering for notification from an operating system that manages files in the storage location.

6. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein updating comprises:

reading a modified media file to extract metadata about the media file; and

storing the metadata in the index.

7. A method for indexing project files, comprising:

monitoring storage locations in which project files are stored; and

after modification of the project files on the monitored storage location, updating an index of the project files in the monitored storage location.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein monitoring comprises:

registering for notification from an operating system that manages files in the storage location.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein updating comprises:

reading a modified project file to extract compositional metadata; and

storing the compositional metadata in the index.

10. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

computer program instructions stored on the computer readable medium that, when executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a method for indexing project files, comprising;

monitoring storage locations in which project files are stored; and

after modification of the project files on the monitored storage location, updating an index of the project files in the monitored storage location.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein monitoring comprises:

registering for notification from an operating system that manages files in the storage location.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein updating comprises:

reading a modified project file to extract compositional metadata; and

storing the compositional metadata in the index.