Patent ID: 6374260
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: G06F,G10H,Y10S

Abstract:
A method comprising:a) transferring files identified by a user from a source location at which the user found the files to a central location specified by the user, the files comprising media content; b) generating multiple files having transcoded formats for each of the files; c) receiving user annotations comprising free form textual comments and selected data regarding the media content of the files; d) storing the user annotations as metadata in association with the files; e) indexing for each one of the files textual data from within the file, a filename for the file, and the metadata; f) generating multiple types of previews for each of the files; g) receiving queries from a user regarding the metadata and media content at the central location; h) selecting files comprising media content responsive to the user queries; i) providing the transcoded formats of the files; and j) providing the multiple types of previews of the selected files, and metadata associated therewith, for retrieval by the user.