Abstract: Aspects are described for addressing workflow processing to manage digital broadcast program development and production. A workflow processing aspect includes managing a plurality of production stages to produce a digital broadcast program, and managing storage of data among ingest, object, and program storage during the plurality of production stages to ensure efficiency of digital broadcast program development. The plurality of production stages include a sequence of an ingest stage, a triage stage, a program creation stage, and a program assembly stage. The data storage management includes managing encoding of data into MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 data files during the plurality of production stages.

Abstract: In a retention management scheme, an object, such as a document or folder, is provided with an expiration time in the form of a time stamp attribute. The identification of the security subject providing the expiration time is also an attribute of the object. When the expiration time occurs, the authorization of the security subject is checked. If the security subject lacks authority to delete the expiration time, then the object is maintained on the data processing system and the expiration time is ignored. If the security subject has the authority to delete at the expiration time, then the object is deleted.

Abstract: A method for document administration within a data processing system which utilizes iconic representations. A bit image or graphic iconic representation is created for selected textual documents and stored as a bit image or graphic object at a selected memory location within the data processing system. A reference or pointer to the memory location of each iconic representation is then stored within a descriptive profile associated with each document. Thereafter, the textual document may be transferred to a user location where graphic or bit image objects may or may not be supported. Upon an examination of the descriptive profile, a subsequent user supporting graphic or image objects may elect to retrieve the iconic representation by utilizing the reference stored therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the deferred execution of user requests in a data processing system. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, each deferred user request includes a plurality of user defined attributes which may include a desired time of execution, a relative importance assigned, a ranking of the request security level and an indication of the organization level of the user for each deferred request. A deferred application request service is then established and utilized to evaluate the attributes associated with each deferred user request. The order of execution of each deferred request is then determined by the evaluation of each of these user specified attributes, in a specified order. A user specified precedence value for each attribute may be utilized in order to resolve conflicts in the order of execution between multiple deferred requests.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for efficiently controlling public access to a plurality of data objects stored within a data processing system. An access control profile is associated with each data object. Each access control profile preferably includes an explicit authorization parameter listing the identity of a particular user and the authorization level granted to that user; a shared authorization parameter listing the identities of a plurality of users and the authorization level granted to each listed user; and, a public authorization parameter listing the authorization level granted to each user not specifically set forth within the access control profile. A single "public" user identity is then defined for all users not specifically set forth within the access control profile, and that identity, as well as a public authorization level for an entire group of data objects is listed within a single shared authorization parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and maintaining multiple document versions in a data processing system implemented library. Selected documents within a data processing system implemented library are uniquely identified as root documents and a version-root identifier for each successor version of a particular root document is established. Thereafter, a selected version-root identifier is automatically associated with each created successor version of a root document. Upon the creation of a successor version of a root document and a second predecessor document, the version-root identifier associated with the root document is automatically associated with the successor version and the second predecessor document. Upon the creation of a successor version base upon multiple non-root predecessor documents a particular non-root predecessor document is automatically selected as a root document and a version-root identifier is established and associated therewith.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of dynamically changing tables used for the generation of user specific index terms in a document interchange system. The tables supply such things as validation rules, synonym provisions, and standardization information and must be easily changed to reflect the changing needs of the user. This invention provides the INSTALL, FETCH, and UNINSTALL commands to meet this need. The INSTALL command permits quick installation to tables while the UNINSTALL command provides for their removal. Users are permitted to copy and view the tables through use of the FETCH command. The commands provide a method of altering tables to meet the vary needs of the user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the conditional deletion of selected data objects within a data processing system. In a data processing system having a plurality of data objects stored within a library service, it is common for a selected data object to be utilized or temporarily removed by a system user. In response to a request to delete a selected data object, a determination is first made whether the data object in question is in use or temporarily removed from the library service. If the data object to be deleted is in use or temporarily removed, the deletion of that data object is automatically halted in accordance with the method of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the deletion of a selected data object may be temporarily deferred in response to a determination that the data object is in use or temporarily removed, until such time as the data object is returned to the library service or no longer in use.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling access by groups of users to multiple objects stored within a data processing system implemented library wherein each object has an access list associated therewith explicitly listing individual users permitted access to that object. A group identification is established which encompasses all users within the data processing system, a selected subset of users with the data processing system, or a single selected user and his or her designated affinity users or proxies. The group identification is then listed within an associated access list for a particular object and upon an attempted access of the particular object by a user not listed explicitly within the associated access list, a determination is made as to whether or not that user is listed within a group identification which is permitted access.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of maintaining the integrity of changes made to a revisable form document in a shared library. This invention provides a COPY command with options for checking out and checking in a revisable form document to a shared library. The check-out option allows a single user to check out the revisable form document from the shared library and make a copy thereof in a user's private storage space. A lock is placed on the revisable form document in the shared library to prevent changes while it is checked out. Information relating the revisable form document to the copy is placed in both documents. This information is used when the copy, with the user's changes, is returned to the shared library. Updates are permitted only to the copy in the private storage space. Once updates are completed, the check-in option is used to return the copy to the shared library.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically deleting a temporary document relationship within a data processing system. A relationship between one document and one or more documents is specified as a temporary document relationship. Thereafter, each time a document is to be deleted from the data processing system, all relationships of that document are examined to determine if any have been specified as temporary document relationships. After all documents linked to a selected document by a temporary document relationship have been deleted, the selected document itself is automatically deleted by the system. In this manner, a temporary electronically designated folder may be created to store a plurality of documents in a linear and hierarchical manner. After the last document within the folder has been deleted, the folder itself is automatically deleted by this system. Similarly, a temporary stapler document relationship may be created by stapling a first document to a second document.

Abstract: A method of saving a search criteria and search results of a document search in a document interchange system having a plurality of shared libraries. The search criteria is stored in a Search Criteria Document appropriately encoded for the document interchange management system. The search results are saved in a Search Result Document. This Search Result Document may be reused or stored in another document such as a folder.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a time frame selective document history log within a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which a document history log is desired. Next, a selected date-time frame of interest is specified and utilized to filter all activities which take place with respect to a particular resource object. Thereafter, only those activities which take place within the selected date-time frame of interest are recorded within the document history log. In one embodiment of the present invention a user may further specify that only selected activities which occur within the date-time frame of interest shall be recorded. In this manner it is possible to accurately record only selected activities during a prespecified date-time frame such that memory space within the system is more efficiently utilized within the document history log.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for retaining access to deleted documents in a data processing system. In a data processing system multiple documents may be stored and accessed by a plurality of users. Each user may be authorized a particular access authority to a document which limits the activities that user may undertake with regard to that document. In accordance with the method of the present invention any user having access authority to a document may designate that document as a retained document. Thereafter, any attempted deletion of that document by the owner thereof will result in the retention of the document for those users who have designated it as a retained document. Further, any attempted alteration of the user's access authority for that document which results in a denial of future access will result in the automatic creation of a copy of that document with the user's original access authority.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for efficiently transferring documents stored within a data processing system. An identifying reference is created and associated with a particular document within the data processing system, the identifying reference including identifying information and at least a location wherein the document is stored. Thereafter, the identifying reference may be selectively transmitted to selected users. In one embodiment of the present invention, an originator of a document may identify a first group of users to receive only the identifying reference and a second group of users to receive the document. Upon the identification of the first and second groups of users, the identifying reference is automatically transmitted to the first group of users while the document is automatically transmitted to the second group of users. The originator of an identifying reference may also assign different levels of access authority to the selected users.

Abstract: A method for memory management within a document history log in a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which documentation of selected activities is desired. Next, a maximum memory size for each document history log is specified along with a protocol which dictates the order in which that memory shall be allocated after the maximum memory size has been exceeded. Thereafter, documentation of each activity which relates to a selected resource object is stored within its associated document history log after determining whether or not sufficient memory space is available. In the event sufficient memory space does not exist within the document history log, new activities are overwritten in accordance with the specified protocol. In the event such overwriting has not been specified, an appropriate error message is generated.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating document history log exception reports in a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are managed by one or more resource managers, each resource object being accessible by as plurality of users within a data processing system. A history log is created and associated with a selected resource object. Thereafter, the occurrence of each event and/or action relating to the selected resource object is recorded within the history log. The status of the history log is periodically determined and an exception report is automatically generated and transmitted to a previously designated individual in the event a lack of memory space within the history log will prevent the recordation of a subsequent event or activity. In one embodiment of the present invention an exception report is also generated in the event the selected resource object has been transferred to a resource manager which will not support a document history log.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a selective document history log within a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which documentation of selected activities is desired. Next, a list of one or more types of activity is generated and utilized to filter all activities which take place with respect to a particular resource object. Thereafter, documentation of each activity which corresponds to an entry on the list of activities of interest is recorded within the selective document history log. In this manner it is possible to accurately record only those activities of interest such that memory space is more efficiently utilized within the document history log. The system administrator or other manager may limit the authority of a user to establish a document history log.

Abstract: A method for maintaining an alterable document history log in a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which documentation of selected activities is desired. A list of one or more specified types of activities is generated and utilized to filter all activities which take place with respect to a particular resource object in order that the occurrence of selected activities may be documented. A characterization of these activity types is recorded in association with the document history log such that subsequent users may ascertain what types of activity occurrences have been recorded. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention access to a resource object may be locked and the list of specified types of activity altered.