DE102005026751B4 - Data processing system for inserting, searching, locating and distributing data elements in terminals - Google Patents

Abstract

Data processing system to paste and distributing data elements, e.g. Digital photo files, note files, Video and music files, into a terminal, z. Eg personal computers, Server, mobile phone, digital camera and organizer, or in one or several connected by data network, such devices and the Search and find data elements already inserted in one or more of the terminals by means of search parameters entered in one or more terminals, characterized in that for inserting and searching the data elements at least in a terminal (3; 4, 5, 6) a realizable in the form of software information space server provided is which data structures to store and search over different Attributes of the data elements managed, the attributes each with linked to a pointer to the actual payload element, in which Search of data elements the attributes with entered search parameters compares and delivers the search results as a list that for presentation the actual application for Users at least in a terminal a client application (1, 2, 1, ..., N) is provided with one or ...

Description

The The present invention relates to a data processing system for Insert and distributing data elements, e.g. Digital photo files, note files, Video and music files, into a terminal, z. Eg personal computers, Server, mobile phone, digital camera and organizer, or in one or several connected by data network, such devices and the Search and find data elements already inserted in one or more of the terminals by means of one or more terminals entered or to others Way captured search parameters.

In US 2004/0098418 A1 For example, a method and a server for synchronizing at least one remotely located system with a master system are described. The server has a communication unit to communicate over a data network with the master system and with the at least one remote system. Furthermore, a control unit is provided, which detects files to be synchronized, which are present in the master system, but are missing in the at least one remote system. Then, corresponding checksums of files to be synchronized are compared, the checksums being received by the master system and by the at least one remote system. The controller detects the corresponding files with various checksums and initiates the transfer of the detected files from the master system to the at least one remotely deployed system.

In EP 1 001 344 B1 For example, there is described a file synchronization method for a fault tolerant network that includes an active network entity and a backup network entity.

For this access to a file in the active network entity is requested, generates a data access request in the active network entity and the data access request is sent to the reserve network entity. After performing the File access in the reserve network entity generates a file access acknowledgment and to the active network entity Posted. Subsequently It is determined whether the file access request of an active network entity is a corresponding one File access confirmation the reserve network entity having. If so, the file access request becomes and deleted the corresponding file access confirmation.

Currently the use of mobile devices of various kinds more and more too. For example, lead many people mobile phones (mobile phones), organizers, MP3 players, notebooks, Digital cameras, digital dictation machines with you. Such devices will be not only used for communication purposes, but also for access on different, partly personal Dates. With an MP3 player z. B. can play music and Show a photo album with an organizer and beyond can be used to view an appointment calendar. Furthermore, can be with these devices data generate, for. For example digital pictures, voice memos, calendar entries, text notes and much more more.

Parallel for the distribution of these terminals and the described data usage, the Internet has become universal Data processing and access platform enforced.

Also the personal computer (PC), both in the office and at home, is firmly established and takes over as part of this infrastructure more and more tasks in the field of consumer electronics and in many areas of professional and private life. If one is the one mentioned above Examples of data usage and data generation views, then provides It is clear that many of these data are available on different devices should and possibly even on different devices to change should be. For example, would like the user the z. B. created with his digital camera family images on his mobile phone and organizer, but of course, too in his family album on the home PC. He wants his appointments on his mobile phone, organizer, PC and via the Internet portal and change can. A voice memo recorded with the dictation machine is desired by the user on the home PC can further process.

In Today's data processing systems will be the distribution and synchronization of data via device and device Network borders not at all or only very rudimentary implemented. So human beings have to take over most of this activity themselves and can only automate some tightly defined data structures synchronize, for. For example, the calendar and the phone book of the organizer with those of the PC. There are software systems which whole folder structures of two computers can synchronize. Such However, systems are each oriented to pairs of such computers and require manual maintenance and configuration.

If you continue to work with the data, you quickly get to the problem of finding data. Most file systems are built on the classic schema of file, drive, and folder hierarchy. The user creates files in folders on specific drives. When creating or saving new content, he can define certain aspects of the structure, sometimes even everyone. Typically, he has to create or select a folder to save and think of a filename that he can later use for recognition.

Consequently the user is required to keep the overview and meaningful for him Create name structures. Further sets the treelike folder concept the hierarchy options usually so hard that folders and files turn only can be assigned to a folder. An extension of this scheme are so-called "links" (connections), as they are z. B. are found in the Unix operating system, which allow storing in multiple folders. Nevertheless, humans have size Problems with finding the right names and folders and second, to remember it in the search. Along with the already described problem of the various devices is a user often faces a very confusing situation in which Firstly, he can not find his stored data and secondly not always present in the current form on the desired devices.

Of the The present invention is based on the object, which possibility to create one or more users of different data Kind of over different devices into a data processing system, which is here as inserting Data is defined by the data processing system automatically additional data can be associated with the actual payload, z. For example, the current time, location, device type, and device name. Data about the physical environment.

Currently The prior art deals with only individual aspects of this entire Problems. For example, there are methods for synchronizing Data between different computers. There are search methods which Use different search criteria and weight the resulting results Sort results. There are also databases that use data through different indexes can be ordered. There are also mobile, context-sensitive applications, such. Eg "FriendFinder", for visualization the position of persons and to communicate with them, as well terminals such as As digital cameras, which additional data, such as date / time or Location information to the user data, z. As digital photographs, attach or associate them.

following is in connection with this task an example (example "grandma") indicated that the use of the data processing system to be realized by the invention should clarify.

A Person uses a digital camera integrated in a mobile phone to make a picture of her grandmother at a Christmas party. After this the photograph was created, this person gives about the Key in the words "Granny, Family" and press the symbol "Save". Arrived home, the photograph is available on the PC in the Photoalbum. If now some time later after this picture or similar Pictures are searched, so can over a Search mask only a few parameters are specified, z. B. the rough Period "December" or the local area by selecting an area of a map or one of the terms entered, z. For example, "grandma."

at every change The search parameters now move small icons, which found the Show hits, close of a crosshair or they move away from it. Are too many first Hits have been found, so can additional parameters can be entered for further delimitation. The found hits can in this example even present themselves as thumbnails, what facilitates their identification. Is the right picture found, so it can be selected and in this example via "Drag and drop in the File recording window of an image printing service offered on the Internet to be placed.

According to the present Invention, referring to a data processing system of the beginning referred to, the object is achieved in that to paste and searching the data elements at least in a terminal in a form provided by software realizable information space server, which data structures for storage and search via various attributes the data elements, the attributes each with a pointer to the actual payload element connected, when searching for data elements, the attributes with entered Compares search parameters and provides the search results as a list, that to represent the actual application for users at least in a terminal A client application is provided that works with one or more Information space servers communicate, and that at least one data element memory is provided, which stores the actual payload, but not the associated attributes.

The Attributes can advantageous location information and / or dates and / or times and / or key terms and / or file type information and / or file size information and / or device type information be in the production and / or the like.

The data structures are expediently tree structures, hash function tables, linked lists, data graphs, vectors or the same.

Of the Pointer is advantageously a pointer to the main memory address of the Payload or file name or identification number or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

The User data elements can on an information space server lie, which is not absolutely necessary.

The Client application is advantageously a graphical interface to Presentation of matches. It can also be used as an input mask for Input of new data elements to be realized.

A advantageous development of the invention is that in dependence of the type of feedback the search results the client application summarizes the results and according to different Criteria, such as hit quality, sorted.

The several terminals connecting data networks Fixed, wired data networks, eg. As "Internet", ISDN, LAN, DSL, and / or mobile networks, Short-range networks, such. WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA, which are used to connect the software components, if they are not on the same device reside.

A Development of the data processing system according to the invention records characterized by having an owner and session management provided is what the authenticity and authorizing a user for read and insert access on the information room (s) reviewed. Users can groups and groups are assigned to groups. These groups and users can receive different access rights with regard to their information spaces. The session management can be the administration of known Transfer sessions ("sessions"). Advantageously, the owner and session management together responsible for the efficient management of life cycle and instantiation / caching / displacement of resources in the information space server.

optional is in a convenient way in one or more terminals a context source provided the information to the information space server that provides when pasting and / or the search can be used as attributes / search parameters. The information can Location information, time / date information, device type and name, Motion information, directional information, e.g. B. Viewing direction from which a photo was taken, information regarding environmental data like brightness, volume, or the like. The context source is advantageous with other components in connection, such. B. with a GPS navigation receiver, and different context data can thus aggregate.

Of the Data element memory leaves to implement advantageously together with the information space server and implement. Furthermore, a synchronization unit may be provided which are the synchronization and / or distribution of the data elements and / or the information space server data. The Synchronization unit can use an existing network for communication. In this context, there is the advantageous possibility that the synchronization unit interacts with the user to to get to know which data is preferred on which devices always to disposal should stand.

following are the in a executed according to the invention data processing system hardware and software components, some of which are mandatory are required and some can only be provided optionally.

mandatory Hardware components are the terminals, at least one in the Data processing system. These include mobile and stationary devices, such as z. As mobile phones, organizers, MP3 players, notebooks and digital dictation machines understood, but also other devices, such as PCs, servers or digital Cameras.

optional Hardware components in the data processing system according to the invention are data networks connecting the terminals and a data transfer allow. These data networks must also not always available be. Examples of such Data networks are fixed, wired data networks and their subcomponents and layers ("Internet", ISDN, LAN, DSL), Mobile networks and short-range networks, such. WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA. These networks are used to connect the software components listed below, provided that these are not on the same device reside.

A necessary software component is the information space (IR) server. This software component handles the search and insertion of new data elements, eg. As digital photos and images, appointments, notes, voice memos, virtual "yellow notes (Post-Its)", videos, music and sound files and any combinations thereof, for. Picture & text & sound files. The information space (IR) server manages data structures, eg. As an indexing, for the efficient storage of data elements on various attributes and Su of the data elements via these attributes of the data elements. Examples of such attributes are the location associated with the inserted data item or multiple such locations, date and time, e.g. Generation time, read time (s) and change time (s), input or automatically generated key terms, file type, file size, device type in production, and the like.

When Data structures for indexing the attributes are used, for example known tree structures, eg. B trees and R trees, hash function tables, linked lists, data graphs, vectors and the like. These Attributes are each linked to a pointer to the actual payload element. One such pointer can z. B. a pointer to the main memory address of the data element, the file name, an identification number or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The actual data element does not have to be present on the same device on which the information space (IR) server is running.

It It should be noted that an IR server in turn with other IR servers can be connected to him to incoming searches to these other IR server, which extends the search scope. typically, The IR server returns the search results as a list. These List may also contain quantitative information how good the match the respective search parameter with the attributes of the respective search result was. With three hits and five search parameters z. B. would be this is 15 match values.

optional the IR server can match these match values summarize and thereby already make a sort of the hits.

A further, optionally usable software component in the inventively designed Data Processing System is an Owner and Session Manager. This component checks the authenticity and authorizing the user for read and insert access to the information room (s). You can do this Users are assigned to groups and groups turn to groups. These groups and users can get different access rights to their information spaces.

For example is user "Alfons Schmidt "member of the groups "department Vertrieb "and" Sportclub Emmering ", the group" Fachabteilung Vertrieb "is a subgroup the group "Dingelstädtsche Feuerlöscher GmbH"; the group "Sportclub Emmering" is a subgroup the group "Emmering" and beyond also the group "sports clubs in Bavaria " of these groups for example, their own information space.

If Mr. Alfons Schmidt is active in the data processing system, can he accesses all groups to which he belongs directly and indirectly. In the Search and paste he can restrict or specify the respective group size.

The Session management takes over the management of connection sessions (English: "sessions"), how to use them Internet service providers knows. The owner and session management is responsible for the efficient management of the life cycle and the functions instantiation / caching / displacement of the Resources in the information space (IR) server, e.g. B. Preservation of Data Structures.

Consequently be z. B. after expiration of certain "timeouts" after the last activity of a Group all no longer needed Resources released. When you first log in to a group member these resources from the persistence in the data processing system reloaded, z. B. Loading resources from the hard disk into the Main memory of the IR server. The search then proceeds according to the above Example, by the IR server, the search on the information spaces of the groups, the Alfons Schmidt selected has, if the owner management the affiliation to the respective group checked and confirmed to the IR server Has.

A necessary software component in the data processing system The present invention is the client application so designated. Because the IR server only provides access to the data elements or the search and the insertion the data elements, this component must be the actual Application for represent the user. Examples are graphic surfaces for Presentation of search hits, input masks for entering new data elements or based on applications such. B. those to create from "Virtual Yellow Sticky Notes " certain places.

For example, a user can associate a birthday greeting to his wife with a certain location area and limit the time. If your wife then passes by at the right time with an active application "Virtual Yellow Sticky Note", she automatically receives the greeting. The client application thus communicates with one or more information space (IR) servers. It will then communicate with multiple servers when searching over multiple information spaces or ranges of information spaces than would be the case with an information space (IR) server search. Depending on the type of To return the search results, the client application must summarize and sort the results.

A another optionally usable software component in the inventively designed Data processing system is a so-called context source. These Source provides information to the IR server at the Insert and / or used as attributes / search parameters in the search can. Examples of this are information such as location information, time / date, device type and Name, motion information, direction information, e.g. B. the direction of view from which a photo was taken, environmental data such as brightness, Volume and like. The context source is usually in turn with other components not listed here associated with such. B. with a GPS navigation receiver, and thus aggregate different contextual data.

A necessary component in the data processing system according to the present Invention is a data element memory. This component takes over the storage of the actual user data, but not of it associated attributes. Technically, however, this component can be common implemented and implemented with the IR server. It apply possibly similar Collaborations with owner and session management regarding the access rights and / or the provision of resources.

A further optionally usable component in the inventively designed Data processing system is a synchronization unit. These Component represents the synchronization and / or distribution of the data elements and / or the data of the IR server according to known methods. It uses the network intended for communication. Possibly interacts with the user to find out which one Data preferably on which devices are always available should.

advantageous and appropriate training the data processing system according to the present invention in which directly or indirectly to claim 1 recited subclaims.

The Invention will be described below with reference to drawings and embodiments explained. It demonstrate:

1 a schematic representation of the structural structure of the hardware and software components of a data processing system according to the invention in a terminal,

2 a schematic representation of the structural structure of the hardware and software components of a data processing system according to the invention with three terminals, and

3 an example of a client application.

In the 1 shown hardware component is a terminal 3 , which contains a structurally represented data processing system according to the invention. This terminal has N client applications 1... N and a local information space (IR) server as software components. A data network is not present here, because the information space (IR) server on the terminal 3 itself resides. As a fundamentally optional software components here an owner and session management, a context source and as a combined software hardware component a synchronization unit are provided.

In the in 2 this case is an example, which consists of three terminals 4 . 5 and 6 consists. The terminal 4 is a mobile phone (mobile phone) with a client application, the terminal device 5 a server and the terminal 6 an organizer with two client applications 1 and 2 , The three terminals 4 . 5 and 6 are via data networks 7 connected in the form of a mobile network and the Internet and can thus communicate. The synchronization units of the terminals 5 and 6 are connected with each other, so that they too work synchronously.

As can be seen, it can in the data processing system according to the invention terminals such as here the mobile device realized as a terminal 4 which only have the client application. This client application then uses the data network or data networks, as in this example the data networks 7 to one or more information space (IR) server in other terminals, in the example so in the terminals 5 and 6 to access.

The previously mentioned Example "grandma", concerning the "Christmas party with Grandma, "she says continue here when situations are assumed where the data is at different levels terminals to disposal and where the networks exist differently.

In the simplest case, assume that the search is for the client application 1 on the terminal designed as an organizer 6 takes place, which itself has a local information space (IR) server and on which the desired image is present. Now the interaction is simple. The client application 1 searches for the local information space (IR) server and displays the image.

In the second case, the actual picture is only on the terminal formed by the server 5 stored, but also in the local information space (IR) server of the terminal formed by the organizer 6 referenced. Now, the search is done locally as before in the first case, but the pointer in the record in the information space (IR) server of the terminal 6 points to a file on the terminal 5 , For the representation of the picture this must be from the terminal 5 be brought. This is possible if the data networks 7 available.

In the third case, the image is again only on the terminal formed by the server 5 , but this time only in the local information space (IR) server referenced. The working client application is now the client application 1 , This application now searches in two information space (IR) servers, namely the local and the one on the terminal 5 , In the latter case, she will find what she is looking for and get the search results and the picture. If the data networks 7 would not be available, the search result would not return the image.

In the fourth case, assume that the user is on the terminal formed by the server 5 accesses the image and changes it using image processing software or changes the attributes associated with the image. In this case, the synchronization unit would send a respective copy or change message to the other information space (IR) server or payload memory in the manner of an update process.

In 3 An example of a client application executed as a graphical user interface is shown, whereby data found here as search hits are displayed during a search in the local area "Landsberg" with delimitation of the time period and with indication of key terms.

1, 2, N

Client applications

3, 4, 5, 6

terminals

7

data networks

Claims (23)

Data processing system for inserting and distributing data elements, eg. B. Digital photo files, note files, video and music files, in a terminal, eg. As personal computer, server, mobile phone, digital camera and organizer, or in one or more connected by data network, such devices and for searching and finding already inserted in one or more of the terminals data elements by means of one or more terminals entered search parameters, characterized in that for inserting and searching the data elements at least in a terminal ( 3 ; 4 . 5 . 6 ) an information space server which can be realized in the form of software is provided, which manages data structures for filing and searching via different attributes of the data elements, the attributes each associated with a pointer to the actual payload data element, in the search of data elements the attributes with entered search parameters and provides the search results as a list, that for displaying the actual application for users at least in a terminal, a client application ( 1 . 2 ; 1, ..., N) is provided, which communicates with one or more information space servers, and that at least one data element memory is provided, which stores the actual user data, but not the associated attributes. Data processing system according to claim 1, characterized marked that the attributes location information and / or dates and / or times and / or keywords and / or file type information and / or file size information and / or device type information are in the production. Data processing system according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the data structures are tree structures, hash function tables, chained lists, data graphs, vectors are. Data processing system according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the pointer is a pointer to the main memory address of the data item or a file name or identification number or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is. Data processing system according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the payload data elements are on an information space server lie. Data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the payload data elements not on an information space server. Data processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the client application ( 1 . 2 ; 1, ..., N) is a graphical surface for displaying hits. Data processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the client application ( 1 . 2 , 1, ... N) is an input mask for entering new data elements. Data processing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, depending on the type of feedback of the search results, the client application ( 1 . 2 ; 1, ..., N) summarizes and sorts the results. Data processing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of terminals ( 4 . 5 . 6 ) connecting data networks ( 7 ) are fixed, wired data networks, such. As "Internet", ISDN, LAN or DSL, and / or mobile networks, short-range networks, such. As WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA, which serve to connect the software components, if they do not reside on the same terminal. Data processing system according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that an owner and session management provided is the authenticity and authorization of a user in terms of reading and inserting access to the Information space / space reviewed. Data processing system according to claim 11, characterized characterized that users turn groups and groups into groups assigned. Data processing system according to claim 12, characterized characterized in that these groups and users have different access rights with respect to their information spaces receive. Data processing system according to claim 12, characterized characterized in that the session manager handles the management of session sessions. Data processing system according to claim 12, characterized that the owner and session management together responsible for the efficient management of life cycle and instantiation / caching / suppression of the Resources in the information space server is. Data processing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one or more terminals ( 3 ; 5 . 6 ) a context source is provided, which provides information to the information space server, which are usable during insertion and / or search as attributes / search parameters. Data processing system according to claim 16, characterized characterized in that the information is location information, information in terms of Time / date, device type and names, motion information, direction information, e.g. B. Viewing direction from which a photo was taken concerning information Environmental data such as brightness, volume are. Data processing system according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the context source with other components is related, such. B. with a GPS navigation receiver, and that thus aggregate different context data. Data processing system according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the data element memory is shared with the information space server is implemented and implemented. Data processing system according to claim 19, characterized characterized in that similar Collaborations with owner and session management regarding of providing resources. Data processing system according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a synchronization unit is provided, which the synchronization and / or distribution of the data elements and / or the information space server data. Data processing system according to claim 21, characterized characterized in that the synchronization unit is an existing one Network used for communication. Data processing system according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the synchronization unit interacts with the user in order to find out which data is preferably present on which terminals ( 3 ; 4 . 5 . 6 ) should always be available.