System and method for managing content with event driven actions to facilitate workflow and other features

• US 7,386,529 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2003
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mathon Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mathon Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Mathon, John D., Yost, David A., Kiessig, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): LEWIS, CHERYL RENEA
• Application Number:
  US10/632,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/100, 707/2, 707/201, 707/102, 707/104.1, 707/200, 707/202, 707/203, 707/205, 703/17
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A system and method for electronic file management includes an object-oriented file management database, a volume manager, and a coherency manager. The volume manager manages electronic files and metadata relating to the files of one or more volumes. Each volume may include folders, files, and/or other digital content. The file management system organizes files based on the metadata related to each file. The file management system may enable certain actions to occur automatically based on predetermined events, including changes in metadata. These actions may facilitate workflow or provide other benefits. A user interface facilitates user interaction with the file management system.

Claims

1. A computerized file management system for use with an existing file system, that includes a volume, and for managing electronic files on the volume, the computerized file management system comprising:

a volume manager configured to manage the electronic files on the volume and to manage metadata relating to the electronic files on the volume;

a coherency manager module coupled to the volume manager and configured to manage at least one of i) a version of a selected file of the electronic files and ii) a relationship of the selected file of the electronic files, to another file, based on the metadata associated with the selected file; and

a workflow module coupled to the volume manager and configured to automatically perform an event-driven action corresponding to a trigger event in response to the trigger event occurring;

wherein the trigger event relates to at least one of i) a change to the metadata of the selected file, ii) a change to the content of the selected file, and iii) a file operation of the selected file; and

wherein the event-driven action provides automated handling of at least one of folders, the electronic files, and the metadata relating to the electronic files.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the metadata includes automatically generated metadata and user defined metadata.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the workflow module is configured to facilitate sharing and access control of content.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the metadata includes at least one tag wherein the workflow module is configured to initiate actions based on changes to a value of the tag.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system uses tags to control or specify workflow.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein further comprising a user interface configured to allow a user to view or change the tags.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to track movement and use of the files.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the event-driven action is at least one of an update to an enterprise application and an update to the file system by the enterprise application.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the event-driven action is approval.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the event-driven action is computing a hash code.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the event-driven action is enabling a further action to occur.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the enabling comprises removing a constraint that inhibits the further action.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the event-driven action is enabling a user programmed action.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the event-driven action is a predetermined system action.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the event-driven action is notifying a user when a file is ready for an action by the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the action by the user is sign-off.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the action by the user is review.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the action by the user is publish.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein a dynamic folder is used to manage workflow.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the metadata includes one or more tags associated with each of the electronic files.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the workflow module is further configured to initiate an event-driven action in response to a change to the one or more tags.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the trigger event is a user setting a value of said one or more tags.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the event-driven action is changing a value of said one or more tags in response to a change in the associated file.

24. A computerized system comprising:

a volume manager module configured to interface with a volume of an existing file system, the volume including electronic files, the volume manager being configured to maintain metadata related to the electronic files and to track aspects of usage by a user of the electronic files;

wherein the volume manager module is configured to publish information related to usage of the electronic files;

wherein the volume manager module is configured to facilitate a historical view showing usage of the electronic files;

wherein the volume manager is configured such that the electronic files are inhibited from leaving control of the system;

a coherency manager module coupled to the volume manager and configured to interface with the existing file system and the volume manager, the coherency manager module being configured to facilitate coherency between selected ones of the electronic files using the published information;

a workflow module coupled to the volume manager and configured to receive the published information and to automatically perform an event-driven action in response to a trigger event occurring; and

a user interface module coupled to the volume manager module and configured to provide an interface between the user and the existing file system;

wherein the trigger event relates to at least one of i) a change to the metadata of the selected files, ii) a change to the content of the selected files, and iii) a file operation of the selected files; and

wherein the event-driven action provides automated handling of at least one of folders, the electronic files, and the metadata relating to the electronic files.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the volume manager module and the workflow module have a publish/subscribe relationship.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the volume manager is configured to interface with a plurality of volumes of the file system.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the coherency module is configured to facilitate coherency between selected files stored in a first one and a second one of the plurality of volumes.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the event-driven action is at least one of approval, computing a hash code, a user programmed action, a predetermined system action, and notifying a selected user when a file is ready for action by the selected user.

29. The system of claim 24 wherein the volume manager is configured such that the electronic files never leave control of the system.