Patent ID: 7509319

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for providing access to data files stored in a data repository comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a data file from a requester, the request specifying a data format preference for receiving the data file, the requested data format being different than at least one of a data format used to create the data file and a data format in which the data file is stored at the time of the request; parsing said request into at least a metadata portion being stored in a metadata directory indicating the contents of the repository; receiving said request at a staging database; creating a flat file that includes said metadata portion; loading said flat file into said metadata directory; accessing a keyword table that is stored in the repository, said keyword table having a first level showing requested formats and a second level list which is a prioritized list of formats; accessing said data format preference from the first level; comparing said prioritized list of formats to said metadata portion of said parsed request; selecting a highest priority that is listed in said prioritized list of formats; determining if said requester is authorized to access said requested data file; translating the requested data file from a stored data format into said requested data format responsive to said receiving of said request from said requester, if said stored format differs from said requested format; making said translated data file accessible to said requester if it is determined that said requester is authorized; and providing periodic updates of said meta data directory, said updates reflecting changes to data in the data repository, wherein said changes to the data in the data repository are captured via delta metadata and forwarded by a schedule query that generates and mails the data to said metadata directory on at least one of a predetermined basis and an immediately triggered update based on a high priority change.