Methods and systems for managing data

• US 20050289108A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Carol, Andrew, Giampaolo, Dominic, Arrouye, Yan
• Granted Patent: US 8,150,837 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 16/13 File access structures, e.g. distributed indices arrangements of input from, or output to, record carriers G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/14 Details of searching files based on file metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/168 Details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems, e.g. browsing and visualisation, 2d or 3d GUIs query results presentation G06F16/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90335 Query processing

Abstract

Methods and systems for managing an index database. In one exemplary method, an index database is stored on a machine readable volume with an operating system and the files which have been indexed, and then the volume is, after the storing, made available for distribution to licensees or customers. In this manner, the volume will include a previously created index database, allowing a user to begin use of the index database without having to perform an indexing operation.

Claims

1. A method for handling data, the method comprising:

storing on a machine readable volume an Operating System (OS) and files and an index created from the files wherein the files include files of different file types;

making the volume, after the storing, available for distribution to licensees or customers.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the index is searchable and the volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the volume and wherein the volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the volume is distributed with a manufactured computer system having a plurality of hardware components.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the files are not help files and are user accessible.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein the storing comprises a block copying operation which copies the files and the index onto the machine readable volume.

7. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

adopting the index, by an index management software, as the index management software'"'"'s index database, the adopting occurring before making the volume available.

8. A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method for handling data, the method comprising:

storing on a machine readable volume an Operating System (OS) and files and an index created from the files wherein the files include files of different file types;

making the volume, after the storing, available for distribution to licensees or customers.

9. A medium as in claim 8 wherein the index is searchable and the volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the volume and wherein the volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

10. A medium as in claim 9 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

11. A medium as in claim 8 wherein the volume is distributed with a manufactured computer system having a plurality of hardware components.

12. A medium as in claim 8 wherein the files are not help files.

13. A medium as in claim 8 wherein the storing comprises a block copying operation which copies the files and the index onto the machine readable volume.

14. A medium as in claim 8 the method further comprising:

adopting the index, by an index management software, as the index management software'"'"'s index database, the adopting occurring before making the volume available.

18. A system as in claim 13 wherein the volume is distributed with a manufactured computer system having a plurality of hardware components.

15. A data processing system comprising:

means for storing on a machine readable volume an Operating System (OS) and files and an index created from the files wherein the files include files of different file types;

means for making the volume, after the storing, available for distribution to licensees or customers.

16. A system as in claim 15 wherein the index is searchable and the volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the volume and wherein the volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

17. A system as in claim 16 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

19. A system as in claim 15 wherein the storing comprises a block copying operation which copies the files and the index onto the machine readable volume.

20. A system as in claim 15 wherein the storing comprises a block copying operation which copies the files and the index onto the machine readable volume.

21. A system as in claim 15 further comprising:

means for adopting the index, by an index management software, as the index management software'"'"'s index database, the adopting occurring before making the volume available.

22. A method for handling data, the method comprising:

storing on a volume an index created for substantially all user related files, which are normally accessible to a user through user application software, with the user related files and an Operating System (OS);

making the volume, after the storing, available for distribution to licensees or customers.

23. A method as in claim 22 wherein the user application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, portable document format software, graphics creation software and/or presentation software and wherein more than about 75% of user related files are indexed in the index.

24. A method as in claim 22 wherein the volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the volume and wherein the index is searchable and wherein the volume also stores metadata for the files.

25. A method as in claim 24 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

26. A method as in claim 22 wherein the files are not help files which provide help information to a user.

27. A method as in claim 22 wherein the storing comprises a block copying operation which copies the files and the index on the volume.

28. A method as in claim 22 further comprising:

adopting the index, by an index management software, as the index management software'"'"'s index database, the adopting occurring before making the volume available.

29. A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method for handling data, the method comprising:

storing on a volume an index created for substantially all user related files, which are normally accessible to a user through user application software, with the user related files and an Operating System (OS);

making the volume, after the storing, available for distribution to licensees or customers.

30. A medium as in claim 29 wherein the user application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, portable document format software, graphics creation software and/or presentation software, and wherein more than about 75% of user related files are indexed in the index.

31. A medium as in claim 29 wherein the volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the volume and wherein the index is searchable and wherein the volume also store metadata for the files.

32. A medium as in claim 31 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

33. A medium as in claim 29 wherein the files are not help files which provide help information to a user.

34. A medium as in claim 29 wherein the storing comprises a block copying operation which copies the files and the index on the volume.

35. A medium as in claim 29, the method further comprising:

adopting the index, by an index management software, as the index management software'"'"'s index database, the adopting occurring before making the volume available.

36. A data processing system comprising:

means for storing on a volume an index created for substantially all user related files, which are normally accessible to a user through user application software, with the user related files and an Operation System (OS);

means for making the volume, after the storing, available for distribution to licensees or customers.

37. A method as in claim 36 wherein the user application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, portable document format software, graphics creation software and/or presentation software and wherein more than about 75% of user related files are indexed in the index.

38. A system as in claim 36 wherein the volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the volume and wherein the index is searchable and wherein the volume also stores metadata for the files.

39. A system as in claim 38 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

40. A system as in claim 36 wherein the files are not help files which provide help information to a user.

41. A system as in claim 36 wherein the storing comprises a block copying operation which copies the files and the index on the volume.

42. A system as in claim 36 further comprising:

means for adopting the index, by an index management software, as the index management software'"'"'s index database, the adopting occurring before making the volume available.

43. A machine implemented method of processing data, the method comprising:

adopting a previously created index database, which is stored on a storage volume, as a database managed by an index management software component, which is stored on the storage volume, as an initialization process of the index management software component;

receiving a user search query to search the index database;

performing a search of the index database.

44. A method as in claim 43 wherein the previously created index database has an index of all user files on the storage volume which stores the user files and the index database and on operating system.

45. A method as in claim 43 wherein the adopting occurs upon first execution of the index management software component on a data processing system.

46. A method as in claim 43 wherein the previously created index database has an index of user, non-help files on the storage volume which also stores the user, non-help files and an operating system.

47. A method as in claim 43 wherein the user initially receives the storage volume in a state in which the previously created index database, all files indexed in the index database and an operating system are stored on the storage volume.

48. A method as in claim 47 wherein the storage volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the operating system on the volume.

49. A method as in claim 48 wherein the operating system comprises a kernel component for managing processing threads, a graphics generation component for generating graphics, a windowing component for displaying windows, a file management system for maintaining a directory of files stored on the storage volume, and an input/output control component for receiving user input and providing output.

50. A method as in claim 49 wherein the operating system is multitasking and multithreading and provides support for application software which runs on the operating system.

51. A method as in claim 50 wherein the kernel component also allocates memory for programs.

52. A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method of processing data, the method comprising:

adopting a previously created index database, which is stored on a storage volume, as a database managed by an index management software component, which is stored on the storage volume, as an initialization process of the index management software component;

receiving a user search query to search the index database;

performing a search of the index database.

53. A medium as in claim 52 wherein the previously created index database has an index of all user files on the storage volume which stores the user files and the index database and an operating system.

54. A medium as in claim 52 wherein the adopting occurs upon first execution of the index management software component on a data processing system.

55. A medium as in claim 52 wherein the previously created index database has an index of user, non-help files on the storage volume which also stores the user, non-help files and an operating system.

56. A medium as in claim 52 wherein the user initially receives the storage volume in a state in which the previously created index database, all files indexed in the index database and an operating system are stored on the storage volume.

57. A medium as in claim 56 wherein the storage volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the operating system on the volume.

58. A medium as in claim 57 wherein the operating system comprises a kernel component for managing processing threads, a graphics generation component for generating graphics, a windowing component for displaying windows, a file management system for maintaining a directory of files stored on the storage volume, and an input/output control component for receiving user input and providing output.

59. A medium as in claim 58 wherein the operating system is multitasking and multithreading and provides support for application software which runs on the operating system.

60. A medium as in claim 59 wherein the kernel component also allocates memory for programs.

61. A data processing system comprising:

means for adopting a previously created index database, which is stored on a storage volume, as a database managed by an index management software component, which is stored on the storage volume, as an initialization process of the index management software component;

means for receiving a user search query to search the index database;

means for performing a search of the index database.

62. A system as in claim 61 wherein the previously created index database has an index of al user files on the storage volume which stores the user files and the index database and an operating system.

63. A system as in claim 61 wherein the adopting occurs upon first execution of the index management software component on a data processing system.

64. A system as in claim 61 wherein the previously created index database has an index of user, non-help files on the storage volume which also stores the user, non-help files and an operating system.

65. A system as in claim 61 wherein the user initially receives the storage volume in a state in which the previously created index database, all files indexed in the index database and an operating system are stored on the storage volume.

66. A system as in claim 65 wherein the storage volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the operating system on the volume.

67. A system as in claim 66 wherein the operating system comprises a kernel component for managing processing threads, a graphics generation component for generating graphics, a windowing component for displaying windows, a file management system for maintaining a directory of files stored on the storage volume, and an input/output control component for receiving user input and providing output.

68. A system as in claim 67 wherein the operating system is multitasking and multithreading and provides support for application software which runs on the operating system.

69. A system as in claim 68 wherein the kernel component also allocates memory for programs.

70. A method for handling data, the method comprising:

establishing a connection with a licensee or customer;

transmitting to the licensee or customer, for storage on a machine readable volume, at least a portion of an Operating System (OS) and files of different file types and an index created from the files.

71. A method as in claim 70 wherein the connection uses an Internet Protocol and is through at least one network, and wherein substantially all files are indexed into the index.

72. A method as in claim 70 wherein the index is searchable and the machine readable volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the machine readable volume and wherein the machine readable volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

73. A method as in claim 72 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

74. A method as in claim 70 wherein the files are not help files and are user accessible.

75. A machine readable medium providing executable instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method for handling data, the method comprising:

establishing a connection with a licensee or customer;

transmitting to the licensee or customer, for storage on a machine readable volume, at least a portion of an Operating System (OS) and files of different file types and an index created from the files.

76. A medium as in claim 75 wherein the connection uses an Internet Protocol and is through at least one network, and wherein substantially all files are indexed into the index.

77. A medium as in claim 75 wherein the index is searchable and the machine readable volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the machine readable volume and wherein the machine readable volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

78. A medium as in claim 77 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

79. A medium as in claim 75 wherein the files are not help files and are user accessible.

80. A data processing system comprising:

means for establishing a connection with a licensee or customer;

means for transmitting to the licensee or customer, for storage on a machine readable volume, at least a portion of an Operating System (OS) and files of different file types and an index created from the files.

81. A data processing system as in claim 80 wherein the connection uses an Internet Protocol and is through at least one network, and wherein substantially all files are indexed into the index.

82. A data processing system as in claim 80 wherein the index is searchable and the machine readable volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the machine readable volume and wherein the machine readable volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

83. A data processing system as in claim 82 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

84. A data processing system as in claim 80 wherein the files are not help files and are user accessible.

85. A method for handling data, the method comprising:

establishing a connection with a server system;

receiving a transmission, from the server system, for storage on a machine readable volume, of at least a portion of an Operating System (OS) and user related files and an index created from the files wherein substantially all user related files are indexed in the index.

86. A method as in claim 85 wherein the connection uses an Internet Protocol and is through at least one network.

87. A method as in claim 85 wherein the index is searchable and the machine readable volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the machine readable volume and wherein the machine readable volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

88. A method as in claim 87 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

89. A method as in claim 85 wherein the files are not help files and are user accessible.

90. A machine readable medium providing executable instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method for handling data, the method comprising:

establishing a connection with a server system;

receiving a transmission, from the server system, for storage on a machine readable volume, of at least a portion of an Operating System (OS) and user related files and an index created from the files wherein substantially all user related files are indexed in the index.

91. A medium as in claim 90 wherein the connection uses an Internet Protocol and is through at least one network.

92. A medium as in claim 90 wherein the index is searchable and the machine readable volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the machine readable volume and wherein the machine readable volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

93. A medium as in claim 92 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

94. A medium as in claim 90 wherein the files are not help files and are user accessible.

95. A data processing system comprising:

establishing a connection with a server system;

receiving a transmission, from the server system, for storage on a machine readable volume, of at least a portion of an Operating System (OS) and user related files and an index created from the files wherein substantially all user related files are indexed in the index.

96. A data processing system as in claim 95 wherein the connection uses an Internet Protocol and is through at least one network.

97. A system as in claim 95 wherein the index is searchable and the machine readable volume is a bootable volume which boots a data processing system to run the OS on the machine readable volume and wherein the machine readable volume also stores metadata for the files and wherein the files are user editable such that a user can modify the files by storing new or modified information in the files.

98. A system as in claim 97 wherein the metadata is for a plurality of different file types such that metadata for one file type is different than metadata for another file type.

99. A system as in claim 95 wherein the files are not help files and are user accessible.