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Digital file management system with dynamic roles assignment and user level image/data interchange

Digital file management system with dynamic roles assignment and user level image/data interchange description/claims

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/896,186, filed on Mar. 21, 2007.

Digital file management can include a wide range of processes such as capturing the digital files, processing the files and delivering the finished files. Many individuals with different roles may be involved in various aspects of the process. In addition, the individuals who are collaborating on a particular project often are in different geographical locations.

For example, in the context of a digital photograph shoot, the parties involved may include the photographer, the talent, the art director and the client. Each of those parties may be in a different geographical location, yet they may need to collaborate on certain aspects of the project. Thus, while the photographer may be at the site of the shoot, the art director, whose input is required as the shoot proceeds, may be located far away in a different part of the world.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0073776, which is assigned to the assignee of this current application, discloses an enterprise-level, digital asset management system that enables users to upload digital assets (e.g., digital image files such as photographs) to a central on-line site and to view, edit, manage, arrange, organize, annotate and adjust the digital images. Multiple parties can communicate and collaborate with one another substantially in real-time in connection with a project involving the digital images. The images can be stored, archived, edited, sorted and sent using a central web-accessible workspace that can be accessed remotely by the various persons working on the project. Users (e.g., clients) can order post-production services such as file processing, direct print output, downloads to media, file transfers, file archiving and retrieval. The system can be fully automated to allow users to access their digital assets independently, as well as order and pay for services through a built-in ordering component. The system can consolidate various aspects of the digital photography workflow.

The present disclosure relates to additional features that can be incorporated into a digital asset management system, such as the system disclosed in the foregoing patent application.

This disclosure relates to digital file management.

Various aspects are disclosed in the detailed description below, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

For example, in one aspect, a machine-implemented method for a digital asset management system includes storing digital asset files, wherein different subsets of one or more of the files are associated with respective jobs, storing information that defines access privileges for various features and capabilities with respect to respective roles, storing information indicating which one or more roles are associated with each respective job, and storing information indicating which individuals or groups of individuals are assigned to a particular role with respect to a particular job. The method includes displaying a graphical user interface to allow a particular individual or group to take specified actions with respect to the digital asset files associated with a particular job. The specified actions made available through the graphical user interface depend on the respective role assigned to that individual or group of individuals with respect to the particular job.

In some implementations, one or more of the following features are present. The graphical user interface can make available to the particular individual or group a first set of features and capabilities with respect to digital asset files associated with a first job and can make available to that same individual or group a different second set of features and capabilities with respect to digital asset files associated with a second job.

In some cases, the method includes storing information indicating whether particular features or capabilities for which a specific role has access privileges are to be hidden, viewable, or modifiable for the individuals or group assigned to that role. The method can include storing ratings provided by individuals with respect to the digital asset files, wherein at least some of the roles are implemented as shared such that ratings provided by individuals in the shared roles are viewable through the graphical user interface by other individuals in another of the shared roles. A predetermined time can be stored with respect to an individual's assignment to a particular role. After expiration of the predetermined time, the individual's assignment to that role lapses.

In some implementations, the method includes storing information indicative of whether user interactions with the system by individuals in a group assigned to a first role are enabled in an isolated mode or a shared mode. When enabled in the isolated mode, user interactions are isolated for each individual in the group such that the system stores the interactions in a manner that they cannot be viewed or edited through the graphical user interface by other individuals in the group. When enabled in the shared mode, user interactions are shared with respect to the individuals in the group such that the system stores the interactions in a manner that they can be viewed or edited through the graphical user interface by other individuals in the group. The method also can include storing information indicating that individuals in a group assigned to a second role are enabled to review user interactions with the system by individuals in the group assigned to the first role regardless of whether user interactions by individuals in the group assigned to the first role are enabled in the isolated or shared mode.

The disclosure also relates to an article that includes a machine-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions that, when applied to the machine, cause the machine to perform aspects of the method.

In addition, the disclosure relates to a digital asset management system to implement aspects of the method.

Other features and various advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

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