Configurable software system and user interface for automatically storing computer files

Abstract

A configurable software system for automatically storing and indexing computer files. Information about the usage characteristics of a computer file are compared against a second set of data, for example, a schedule of events with dates, times, etc. If this comparison results in a match, data from the second set are associated with the computer file. Data resulting from such associations are stored and searchable.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A configurable software system that compares the usage characteristics of a computer file to a second data set, in order to associate data from the second set with said file.  
     
     
         2 . A configurable software system of  claim 1 , where the usage characteristics of a computer file include the date and time of operation.  
     
     
         3 . A configurable software system of  claim 1 , where the second set of data relates to a user's schedule or activities.  
     
     
         4 . A configurable software system of  claim 1 , where the data of the second set is obtained by interfacing with another software program, for example, a third party scheduling and planning software.  
     
     
         5 . A configurable software system of  claim 1 , where the association of data between the second set and said file is completed automatically, based on matching the date and time of current computer operation against a schedule of events with dates and times.  
     
     
         6 . A configurable software system of  claim 1 , where a folder structure is generated automatically according to characteristics from the second data set.  
     
     
         7 . A configurable software system of  claim 1 , where the computer user has the capability of manually entering additional data to be associated with said file.  
     
     
         8 . A configurable software system of  claim 1 , where data associated with said file resulting from such matching are stored in a searchable database, or other searchable data structure.  
     
     
         9 . A process for associating scheduling data with a file consisting of the following acts: (A) stipulating a schedule of events with dates, times and activities; (B) using a computer, for example to create, modify, delete or access a current file; (C) comparing at least one characteristic of the current file against the schedule; (D) associating a searchable label to the current file when the current file matches at least one characteristic of the schedule; and (E) retrieving the current file using the label.  
     
     
         10 . A configurable software system that embodies  claim 9 .  
     
     
         11 . A process for associating scheduling data with a file consisting of the following steps: (A) interfacing with a scheduling or planning program to import a schedule of events with dates, times, activities, and related data; (B) using a computer, for example to create, modify, delete or access files; (C) comparing at least one characteristic of the current file against the schedule; (D) associating a searchable label to the current file when the current file matches at least one characteristic of the schedule; and (E) retrieving the current file using the label.  
     
     
         12 . A configurable software system that embodies  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . A user interface consisting of input fields to save data associated with a schedule with a file.  
     
     
         14 . A user interface of  claim 13  where said input fields include file name; file location; file type; fields derived from a schedule such as meeting name, meeting participants, participant contact information, etc.; and custom fields where a user can enter additional text data.