User workflow lists to organize multimedia files

• US 20070055928A1
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nikiel, Mark, Parlin, David, Dart, Scott, Park, Jae, Pery, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US11/217,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20070055928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/137 Hierarchical processing, e.g. outlines

Abstract

A method to organize multimedia files in a hierarchy having a plurality of nodes is provided. The nodes of the hierarchy are lists that store references to the multimedia files. Additionally, each node of the hierarchy is associated with properties representing activities to be performed on the multimedia files. The multimedia files are stored in the lists associated with activities that the multimedia files require. Accordingly, the multimedia files are organized based on a relationship between the activities and each multimedia file.

Claims

1. A method to organize multimedia files, the method comprising:

generating a hierarchy having a plurality of containers;

associating a plurality of properties with each container in the hierarchy; and

storing multimedia files in one or more containers based on one or more relationships between the multimedia file and the plurality of properties.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more properties of the plurality of properties associated with the container represent one or more activities.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of containers in the hierarchy are nodes in a tree structure.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of nodes in the tree structure are lists.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the lists store the multimedia files.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the lists store pointers to the multimedia files.

7. A computer system configured to execute instructions that perform the method according to claim 1.

8. A method to track membership of one or more multimedia files in a hierarchical structure having a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

assigning an activity to each node in the hierarchical structure;

file requires one or more activities.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein updating the membership list comprises:

storing a pointer to the multimedia file in the membership list.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein each node represents a list.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the hierarchical structure is implemented by a XML file.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the hierarchical structure includes a generic node that creates specialized nodes.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the specialized nodes are associated with one or more activities.

14. A computer system configured to execute instructions that perform the method according to claim 8.

15. A computer readable medium storing a data structure that efficiently organizes multimedia files, the data structure comprising:

a hierarchical structure having nodes that represent activities to be performed on the multimedia files;

a dynamic activity node that generates the activities associated with the nodes of the hierarchical structure; and

a membership list storing references to each multimedia file requiring one or more of the activities.

16. The computer readable medium according to claim 15, further comprising:

properties that define the nodes in the hierarchical structure.

17. The computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the nodes are lists.

18. The computer readable medium according to claim 17, wherein the lists include metadata.

19. The computer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein the metadata includes a rating associated with the multimedia file.

20. A computer system having memory configured to store the computer readable medium according to claim 15.