Patent ID: 7028058

Claim:
A method of preserving metadata in an electronic image file, said method comprising: managing electronic image files stored in a library with an image file manager; providing a metadata backup database containing backup copies of metadata copied from a plurality of electronic image files in said library, each backup copy of metadata being stored with an identification of the electronic image file from which that metadata was copied; removing said metadata of an electronic image file during use of said electronic image file by an application; automatically searching through said library of managed electronic image files on a periodic basis to identify an electronic image file containing no metadata after the use of said electronic image file by said application; searching said metadata backup database for metadata associated with said identified electronic image file; identifying a backup copy of metadata corresponding to said identified electronic image file after searching said metadata backup database; and copying said identified backup copy of metadata into said identified electronic image file after said metadata have been removed from said identified electronic image file.