Distributed Content Architecture

Abstract

A distributed content architecture is provided the de-coupled site management and presentation from asset inventory management and publishing. An active content cell is provided which manages the inventory and publishing aspects of the information. A content management server is provided that resides at any site and that effects content commerce. The active content cell resides at a content publisher's site and is under content publisher's control. Thus, the invention enables a virtual content market in which content is controlled by the content publisher while commercial transactions are separately controlled by a content management server. Active content cells are site independent such that multiple active content cells can co-exist in one location or be geographically dispersed. Further, active content cells have a unique IP address and register the location just as any other site although their behavior is different. The invention further provides a transaction protocol as effected between the active content cells and contents managers.

1 . A distributed content architecture comprising:
 an active content cell containing at least one digital asset and metadata relating to said digital asset; and   a content management server in communication with said active content cell wherein said digital asset in said active content cell is initially non-communicable to said content management server and further wherein said metadata in said active content cell is initially communicable to said content management server such that at least a portion of said metadata when communicated to said content management server is selectable externally from said content management server, said digital asset in said active content cell subsequently being communicable to said content management server upon selection of said portion of said metadata being made only in the event such selection is validated by said content management server as being in conformity with said metadata relating to said digital asset.   
   
   
       2 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said active content cell has a unique IP address wherein a location of said IP address is registered with said content management server. 
   
   
       3 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said active content cell registers its location with said content management server. 
   
   
       4 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 2  wherein communication between said active content cell and said content management server includes a transaction protocol, said transaction protocol being a set of functions overlaid upon a standard protocol. 
   
   
       5 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said set of functions includes at least one metatag class and further wherein said standard protocol is an XML protocol, said metatag class being embedded in said XML protocol. 
   
   
       6 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said metatag class includes metatags to determine distribution and manipulation of said metadata between said active content cell and said content management server. 
   
   
       7 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said metatag class includes metatags to determine communication of said digital asset from said active content cell to said content management server and a format of said digital asset. 
   
   
       8 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said metatag class includes metatags to determine validation of such selection and connection type between said active content cell and said content management server. 
   
   
       9 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said active content cell includes a content store in which said digital asset is stored and wherein said metadata includes asset data management information to which conformity is validated that controls the manner in which said digital asset is subsequently made communicable to said content manager. 
   
   
       10 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said active content cell further includes a transaction manager, said digital asset being made communicable to said content management server upon indication of such selection being validated by said content manager server being received at said transaction manager. 
   
   
       11 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said active content cell includes a media quality module, said metadata further including information relating to resolution of said digital asset stored in said media quality module. 
   
   
       12 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said active content cell further includes an asset index publishing module operative to provide from said metadata a catalogue searchable by said content management server. 
   
   
       13 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said content management server includes a transaction manager operative to control validation of such selection. 
   
   
       14 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said content management server further includes a content transaction engine operative to control monetary value transactions in the event validation requires conformity to metadata specifying monetary consideration for said digital asset. 
   
   
       15 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said content management server further includes a content index engine operative to develop and publish in index of content contained within said active content cell. 
   
   
       16 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said content management server further includes a content search engine operative to search said active content cell for said metadata relating to said digital asset. 
   
   
       17 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said content management server further includes a content packaging engine operative to package said metadata for presentation in accordance with business rules. 
   
   
       18 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said content management server further includes a content retrieval engine operative to manage the transport medium over which said digital asset is to be communicated from said active content cell. 
   
   
       19 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least one further content management server in communication with said active content cell wherein said digital asset in said active content cell is also initially non-communicable to said one further content management server and further wherein said metadata in said active content cell is also initially communicable to said one further content management server such that at least a portion of said metadata when communicated to each of said content management server and said one further content management server is selectable externally from either one of said content management server and said one further content management server, said digital asset in said active content cell subsequently being communicable to one of said content management server and said one further content management server upon selection of said portion of said metadata being made at a same one of said content management server and said one further content management server only in the event such selection is validated by said same one of said content management server and said one further content management server as being in conformity with said metadata relating to said digital asset. 
   
   
       20 . A distributed content architecture as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least one further active content cell containing a digital asset and metadata relating to said digital asset in said one further active content cell; said content management server also being in communication with said one further active content cell wherein said digital asset in said one further active content cell is also initially non-communicable to said content management server and further wherein said metadata in said one further active content cell is initially communicable to said content management server such that at least a portion of said metadata of each of said active content cell and said one further active content cell when communicated to said content management server is selectable externally from said content management server, said digital asset in one of said active content and said one further active content cell subsequently being communicable to said content management server upon selection of said portion of said metadata relating to said digital asset of said one of said active content and said one further active content cell being made only in the event such selection is validated by said content management server as being in conformity with said metadata relating to said digital asset of said one of said active content and said one further active content cell.