Method and apparatus for information delivery with archive containing metadata in predetermined language and semantics
Provided is an information delivery system that includes a storage device and a set of physical data objects holding content. The data objects are mapped by metadata held in an archive. The archive utilizes a predetermined language and semantics that may also be used in forming an external query for resolution by the archive. Such queries may be generated by software process such as agents under human or software control.
1. An information delivery system comprising:
a repository for a set of physical data objects having a hierarchical directory tree structure;
an archive containing metadata defined in accordance with a predetermined language and semantics, said metadata including a token, defined in accordance with a predetermined language and semantics that corresponds to the hierarchy of the directory tree; and
at least one agent operable to generate an information request utilizing said token for resolution by said archive; and wherein information is delivered to said at least one agent, said information including data objects mapped by said token.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the metadata is stored in a token format, said format utilizing an explicit, bound and ordinal set of values.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said at least one agents interact utilizing said predetermined language and semantics.
4. An information delivery server, the server connectable to at least one repository for a set of physical data objects have a hierarchical directory tree structure, the server comprising an archive containing metadata defined in accordance with a predetermined language and semantics, said metadata including a token, defined in accordance with the predetermined language and semantics, that corresponds to the hierarchy of the directory tree, said server being operable to resolve an information request, said request being generated by an external agency in accordance with said predetermined language and semantics wherein information is delivered to said agency said information including data objects mapped by said token.
5. The server according to claim 4 , wherein the server is connectable to at least one repository over a network.
6. The server according to claim 4 , wherein a plurality of repositories are connected to said archive.
7. The server according to claim 4 , wherein said agency is provided by an agent software process.
8. The server according to claim 7 , wherein a plurality of said agents interact utilizing said predetermined language and semantics.
9. The server according to claim 4 , wherein the metadata is stored in a token format, said format utilizing an explicit, bound and ordinal set of values.
10. A terminal for connection to a network including a repository for a set of physical data objects having a hierarchical directory tree structure and an archive containing metadata defined in accordance with a predetermined language and semantics, said metadata including a token, defined in accordance with the predetermined language and semantics, that corresponds to the hierarchy of the directory tree and directly maps to at least one said data object within the hierarchical directory tree, said terminal comprising an agent software process operable to generate an information request utilizing said token for resolution by said archive, wherein information is delivered to said agent software process, said information including data objects mapped by said token.
11. A method for information delivery comprising:
providing a repository of physical data objects having a hierarchical directory tree structure that contains information;
generating an archive containing metadata defined in accordance with a predetermined language and semantics, said metadata including a token, defined in accordance with the predetermined language and semantics, that corresponds to the hierarchy of the directory tree and directly maps to said data object within the hierarchical directory tree;
generating a request utilizing said token, wherein said request is resolved by said archive to deliver said information; and
delivering said information to an agent, said information including data objects mapped by said token.
12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising storing metadata in a token format as an explicit, bound and ordinal set of values.
13. An apparatus comprising a storage medium containing a computer program stored therein, the program when executed causing a processing device to perform:
providing a repository of physical data objects having a hierarchical directory tree structure that contains information;
generating an archive containing metadata defined in accordance with a predetermined language and semantics, said metadata including a token, defined in accordance with the predetermined language and semantics, that corresponds to the hierarchy of the directory tree and directly maps to said data object;
generating a request utilizing said token, wherein said request is resolved by said archive to deliver said information; and
delivering said information to an agent, said information including data objects mapped by said token.
14. The program according to claim 13 , the program when executed causing the processing device to further perform storing metadata in a token format as an explicit, bound and ordinal set of values.