Methods And Systems For Managing Data

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

1 . A machine implemented method comprising:
 displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application;   displaying a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file;   receiving a search query and performing a search in a plurality of locations using the search query;   displaying a result of the search within the open file window;   receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search;   receiving a command to open the first file in the application;   displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the first file, within an application window of the application.   
   
   
       2 . The method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 displaying a location selector within the open file window and receiving a location and displaying files within the location, wherein the search query is used to search files within the location.   
   
   
       3 . The method as in  claim 1  wherein the search input field is displayed in the open file window or another window. 
   
   
       4 . The method as in  claim 2 , the method further comprising:
 displaying a button, which when selected, generates the command to open the first file.   
   
   
       5 . The method as in  claim 2  wherein the location selector is to receive a user input which specifies the location. 
   
   
       6 . The method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 displaying a location selector within the open file window, the location selector to receive a user input to select a location and to cause a display of files in the location;   displaying an open command user interface to receive a selection of file to be opened from a user.   
   
   
       7 . The method as in  claim 6  further comprising:
 displaying a cancel command user interface to receive a cancel input from a user to cause the open file procedure to be cancelled.   
   
   
       8 . The method as in  claim 7  wherein the search input held is displayed within the open file window and wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items. 
   
   
       9 . The method as in  claim 8  wherein the first view is a flat list which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view. 
   
   
       10 . The method as in  claim 8  wherein the search searches through metadata for a plurality of files created by at least one software application, and wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type. 
   
   
       11 . The method as in  claim 8  wherein the search searches through an indexed content database for a plurality of files. 
   
   
       12 . The method as in  claim 10  wherein the search searches also through an indexed content database for content of at least some of the plurality of files. 
   
   
       13 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files. 
   
   
       14 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of a predetermined type, into the metadata database. 
   
   
       15 . The method as in  claim 14  wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files and the first view is a view which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view. 
   
   
       16 . The method as in  claim 13  wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of only predetermined types, into the metadata database and wherein a file system directory maintains a relationship between metadata for a file and the file. 
   
   
       17 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein the search input field receives the search query to search, using the search query, through both the metadata database and the content and wherein the open file window comprises a plurality of regions and one of the regions displays the result of the search. 
   
   
       18 . A machine readable storage medium storing instructions which when executed cause a system to perform a method comprising:
 displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application;   displaying a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file;   receiving a search query and performing a search in a plurality of locations using the search query;   displaying a result of the search within the open file window;   receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search;   receiving a command to open the first file in the application;   displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.   
   
   
       19 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 18 , the method further comprising:
 displaying a location selector within the open file window and receiving a location and displaying files within the location, wherein the search query is used to search files within the location.   
   
   
       20 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 19  wherein the search input field is displayed in the open file window or another window. 
   
   
       21 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 19 , the method further comprising:
 displaying a button, which when selected, generates the command to open the first file.   
   
   
       22 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 19  wherein the location selector is to receive a user input which specifies the location. 
   
   
       23 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 18 , the method further comprising:
 displaying a location selector within the open file window, the location selector to receive a user input to select a location and to cause a display of files in the location;   displaying an open command user interface to receive a selection of file to be opened from a user.   
   
   
       24 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 23 , the method further comprising:
 displaying a cancel command user interface to receive a cancel input from a user to cause the open file procedure to be cancelled.   
   
   
       25 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 24  wherein the search input field is displayed within the open file window and wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items. 
   
   
       26 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 25  wherein the first view is a flat list which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view. 
   
   
       27 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 25  wherein the search searches through metadata for a plurality of files created by at least one software application, and wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type. 
   
   
       28 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 25  wherein the search searches through an indexed content database for a plurality of files. 
   
   
       29 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 27  wherein the search searches also through an indexed content database for content of at least some of the plurality of files. 
   
   
       30 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 29  wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files. 
   
   
       31 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 29  wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of a predetermined type, into the metadata database. 
   
   
       32 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 31  wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files and the first view is a view which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view. 
   
   
       33 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 30  wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of only predetermined types, into the metadata database and wherein a file system directory maintains a relationship between metadata for a file and the file. 
   
   
       34 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 33  wherein the search input field receives the search query to search, using the search query, through both the metadata database and the content and wherein the open file window comprises a plurality of regions and one of the regions displays the result of the search. 
   
   
       35 . A machine readable storage medium storing instructions which when executed by a system cause the system to perform a method comprising:
 displaying an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files, wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application;   displaying a search input field in the open file window to allow entry of a search query to find a file;   receiving a search query, from the search input field, and performing a search in a plurality of locations using the search query;   displaying a result of the search;   receiving a selection of a first file in the result of the search;   receiving a command to open the first file in the application;   displaying, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.   
   
   
       36 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 35 , the method further comprising:
 displaying a location selector within the open file window, the location selector to receive a user input to select a location and to cause a display of files in the location;   displaying an open command user interface to receive a selection of file to be opened from a user.   
   
   
       37 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 36 , the method further comprising:
 displaying a cancel command user interface to receive a cancel input from a user to cause the open file procedure to be cancelled.   
   
   
       38 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 37  wherein the result of the search is displayed within the open file window and wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items. 
   
   
       39 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 38  wherein the first view is a flat list which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view. 
   
   
       40 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 38  wherein the search searches through metadata for a plurality of files created by at least one software application, and wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type. 
   
   
       41 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 38  wherein the search searches through an indexed content database for a plurality of files. 
   
   
       42 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 40  wherein the search searches also through an indexed content database for content of at least some of the plurality of files. 
   
   
       43 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 42  wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files. 
   
   
       44 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 42  wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of a predetermined type, into the metadata database. 
   
   
       45 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 44  wherein the indexed content database is updated dynamically in response to changes for the at least some of the plurality of files and the first view is a view which does not reveal hierarchy within the hierarchical view. 
   
   
       46 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 43  wherein the metadata for the plurality of files is stored as a metadata database and wherein at least one importer imports metadata, from files of only predetermined types, into the metadata database and wherein a file system directory maintains a relationship between metadata for a file and the file. 
   
   
       47 . The machine readable storage medium as in  claim 46  wherein the search input field receives the search query to search, using the search query, through both the metadata database and the content and wherein the open file window comprises a plurality of regions and one of the regions displays the result of the search. 
   
   
       48 . A data processing system comprising:
 a display device;   a user input device;   a memory;   a processor coupled to the display device and to the user input device and to the memory, the memory to store a plurality of files, and wherein the processor is configured to display an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files and wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application and to display a search input field in the open file window to allow entry of a search query to find a file and to receive a search query, from the search input field, and to perform a search in a plurality of locations using the search query and to display a result of the search and receive, in the open file window, a selection of a first file in the result of the search and receive a command to open the first file in the application and to display, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.   
   
   
       49 . The data processing system as in  claim 48  wherein the memory is to store metadata for the plurality of files and is to store a content database for the plurality of files and the search is through the metadata and the content database. 
   
   
       50 . The data processing system as in  claim 49  wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type. 
   
   
       51 . The data processing system as in  claim 50  wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items. 
   
   
       52 . A data processing system comprising:
 a display device;   a user input device;   a memory;   a processor coupled to the display device and to the user input device and to the memory, the memory to store a plurality of files, and wherein the processor is configured to display an open file window by selecting an open file command from within an application which creates files and wherein the open file window is displayed in response to receiving the selection of the open file command from a menu and wherein the open file window is configured to display files created by the application and to display a search input field to allow entry of a search query to find a file and to receive a search query, from the search input field, and to perform a search in a plurality of locations using the search query and to display a result of the search within the open file window and receive, in the open file window, a selection of a first file in the result of the search and receive a command to open the first file in the application and to display, in response to the command to open the first file, content of the selected file, within an application window of the application.   
   
   
       53 . The data processing system as in  claim 52  wherein the memory is to store metadata for the plurality of files and is to store a content database for the plurality of files and the search is through the metadata and the content database. 
   
   
       54 . The data processing system as in  claim 53  wherein the type of information in metadata for files of a first type differs from the type of information in metadata for files of a second type. 
   
   
       55 . The data processing system as in  claim 54  wherein the result of the search is displayed as a first view of items which is different from a hierarchical view based on file directory locations of the items.