Automated intelligent discovery engine for classifying computer data files

1 . A method of classifying computer data files comprising:

establishing a plurality of data file classification rules;

choosing a weighted factor for each said data file classification rule utilized;

scanning at least a portion of a computer system data files;

for each data file encountered, applying said data file classification rules according to their weightings; and

ranking each data file according to likely relevance to one or more predetermined data file categories.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined data file categories comprise user-created data files, and system data files.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

automatically modifying the weighting or the data file classification rules based on perceived user computer system usage.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said data file classification rules comprise:

considering recent usage of a data file.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file matches a recent file search pattern.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least a portion of a user's name.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least one or more predetermined keywords.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said data file classification rules are modifiable by a user.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

allowing a user to modify said data file classification rules via a graphical user interface.

10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

allowing a user to modify said data file classification rules via a search job template.

11 . A software engine adapted to automatically classify computer data files, said engine comprising:

a data file classification rule establisher adapted to establish a plurality of data file classification rules;

a data file classification rule weighter adapted to weight each said data file classification rule utilized;

a data file scanner adapted to scan at least a portion of a computer system data files;

a data file classification rule applier adapted to apply said data file classification rules according to their weightings to each data file encountered; and

a data file ranker adapted to rank each data file according to likely relevance to one or more predetermined data file categories.

12 . The engine of claim 11 , wherein said predetermined data file categories comprise user-created data files, and system data files.

13 . The engine of claim 11 , further comprising:

a data file classification rule weighting modifier adapted to automatically modifying the weighting or the data file classification rules based on perceived user computer system usage.

14 . The engine of claim 11 , wherein said data file classification rules comprise:

considering recent usage of a data file.

15 . The engine of claim 11 , wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file matches a recent file search pattern.

16 . The engine of claim 11 , wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least a portion of a user's name.

17 . The engine of claim 1 , wherein said data file classification rules further comprise:

considering whether a data file name includes at least one or more predetermined keywords.

18 . The engine of claim 11 , wherein said data file classification rule establisher is further adapted to allow said data file classification rules to be modified by a user.

19 . The engine of claim 18 , wherein said data file classification rules are modifiable via a graphical user interface.

20 . The engine of claim 18 , wherein said data file classification rules are modifiable via a search job template.