Abstract: The invention catalogues data such as multimedia data. A catalogue is a collection of one or more catalogue elements. An index is used to access a catalogue. An element of a catalogue has one or more attributes. An attribute provides information that can be used to search for, answer questions about, and navigate through a catalogue. An attribute of a catalogue element can be an element that has attributes. A catalogue element attribute that is an element is referred to as an attribute element. Attribute elements and attributes are used to build an index that can be used to facilitate catalogue access. Within a catalogue, smaller catalogues can be created by, for example, querying and user designation.

Abstract: The invention is a generalized solution for management of multimedia assets. Generalized interfaces are used between a browser component, indexing server, archive server, tertiary storage manager, and method player components. The generalized interface defines a communication protocol that can be used by any browser, indexing server, archive server, tertiary storage manager, or method player component. Thus, system components supplied by multiple vendors can be interconnected to form a multimedia system that communicates using the generalized interfaces of the invention. A browser component can accept input such as search requests and display multimedia data. An indexing server component includes a data catalogue that catalogues multimedia data. The catalogue can be used to identify catalogue elements associated with data that can satisfy a search request. A search mechanism is used to identify the desired multimedia data.

Abstract: The invention is a digital library system that includes: 1) a data capture mechanism that includes data transfer and cataloguing mechanisms, 2) an asset management system for access and storage management of data, and 3) a distribution system for distributing the data and system functionality. A data capture system includes a transfer system and a cataloguing system. The transfer system converts multimedia material that exists in analog form to a digital format. The cataloguing system catalogues data. The cataloguing system creates a catalogue that can be used to perform content-based searches. A content-based search retrieves data based on the ideas or concepts contained in the data. An asset management system is used to access the data using the catalogue created by the cataloguing system. A distribution facility can be used to transmit the data thus giving a user access to all of the data contained in the digital library system despite the user's location.

Abstract: The invention catalogues data such as multimedia data. A catalogue is a collection of one or more catalogue elements. An index is used to access a catalogue. An element of a catalogue has one or more attributes. An attribute provides information that can be used to search for, answer questions about, and navigate through a catalogue. An attribute of a catalogue element can be an element that has attributes. A catalogue element attribute that is an element is referred to as an attribute element. Attribute elements and attributes are used to build an index that can be used to facilitate catalogue access. Within a catalogue, smaller catalogues can be created by, for example, querying and user designation.

Abstract: The invention is a digital library system that includes: 1) a data capture mechanism that includes data transfer and cataloguing mechanisms, 2) an asset management system for access and storage management of data, and 3) a distribution system for distributing the data and system functionality. A data capture system includes a transfer system and a cataloguing system. The transfer system converts multimedia material that exists in analog form to a digital format. The cataloguing system catalogues data. The cataloguing system creates a catalogue that can be used to perform content-based searches. A content-based search retrieves data based on the ideas or concepts contained in the data. An asset management system is used to access the data using the catalogue created by the cataloguing system. A distribution facility can be used to transmit the data thus giving a user access to all of the data contained in the digital library system despite the user's location.

Abstract: The invention is a generalized solution for management of multimedia assets. Generalized interfaces are used between a browser component, indexing server, archive server, tertiary storage manager, and method player components. The generalized interface defines a communication protocol that can be used by any browser, indexing server, archive server, tertiary storage manager, or method player component. Thus, system components supplied by multiple vendors can be interconnected to form a multimedia system that communicates using the generalized interfaces of the invention. A browser component can accept input such as search requests and display multimedia data. An indexing server component includes a data catalogue that catalogues multimedia data. The catalogue can be used to identify catalogue elements associated with data that can satisfy a search request. A search mechanism is used to identify the desired multimedia data.