Automated intelligent discovery engine for classifying computer data files

• US 20070073689A1
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Chandra, Arunesh
• Application Number:
  US11/238,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20070073689A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/16 File or folder operations, e.g. details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems

Abstract

A novel software engine employs a method of classifying computer data files that at least includes: establishing a plurality of data file classification rules; choosing a weighted factor for each the data file classification rule utilized; scanning at least a portion of a computer system data files; for each data file encountered, applying the data file classification rules according to their weightings; and ranking each data file according to likely relevance to one or more predetermined data file categories.

Claims

1. A method of classifying computer data files comprising:

establishing a plurality of data file classification rules;

choosing a weighted factor for each said data file classification rule utilized;

scanning at least a portion of a computer system data files;

for each data file encountered, applying said data file classification rules according to their weightings; and

ranking each data file according to likely relevance to one or more predetermined data file categories.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined data file categories comprise user-created data files, and system data files.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically modifying the weighting or the data file classification rules based on perceived user computer system usage.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said data file classification rules comprise:

considering recent usage of a data file.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file matches a recent file search pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least a portion of a user'"'"'s name.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least one or more predetermined keywords.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said data file classification rules are modifiable by a user.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

allowing a user to modify said data file classification rules via a graphical user interface.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

allowing a user to modify said data file classification rules via a search job template.

17. The engine of claim 1, wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least one or more predetermined keywords.

11. A software engine adapted to automatically classify computer data files, said engine comprising:

a data file classification rule establisher adapted to establish a plurality of data file classification rules;

a data file classification rule weighter adapted to weight each said data file classification rule utilized;

a data file scanner adapted to scan at least a portion of a computer system data files;

a data file classification rule applier adapted to apply said data file classification rules according to their weightings to each data file encountered; and

a data file ranker adapted to rank each data file according to likely relevance to one or more predetermined data file categories.

12. The engine of claim 11, wherein said predetermined data file categories comprise user-created data files, and system data files.

13. The engine of claim 11, further comprising:

a data file classification rule weighting modifier adapted to automatically modifying the weighting or the data file classification rules based on perceived user computer system usage.

14. The engine of claim 11, wherein said data file classification rules comprise:

considering recent usage of a data file.

15. The engine of claim 11, wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file matches a recent file search pattern.

16. The engine of claim 11, wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least a portion of a user'"'"'s name.

18. The engine of claim 11, wherein said data file classification rule establisher is further adapted to allow said data file classification rules to be modified by a user.

19. The engine of claim 18, wherein said data file classification rules are modifiable via a graphical user interface.

20. The engine of claim 18, wherein said data file classification rules are modifiable via a search job template.