Showing papers on "Meta Data Services published in 2002"

Metadata enabled push-pull model for efficient low-latency video-content distribution over a network

Abstract: Method, system, computer program and computer program product for a metadata enabled push-pull model and method for efficient low-latency video-content distribution over a network. Metadata is used as a vehicle and mechanism to enable intelligent decisions to be made on content distribution system operation. Metadata is data that contains information about the actual content, and in some cases, the metadata may also contain portions of the content or a low-resolution preview of the content. Aspects of the invention are directed toward the distribution of metadata throughout the network in a way that facilitates efficient system operation as well as optionally but advantageously providing set of services such as tracking, reporting, personalization, and the like.

Clustering Ontology-Based Metadata in the Semantic Web

Abstract: The Semantic Web is an extension of the current web in which information is given well-defined meaning, better enabling computersr and people to work in cooperation. Recently, different applications based on this vision have been designed, e.g. in the fields of knowledge management, community web portals, e-learning, multimedia retrieval, etc. It is obvious that the complex metadata descriptions generated on the basis of pre-defined ontologies serve as perfect input data for machine learning techniques. In this paper we propose an approach for clustering ontology-based metadata. Main contributions of this paper are the definition of a set of similarity measures for comparing ontology-based metadata and an application study using these measures within a hierarchical clustering algorithm.

Method and system for a reporting information services architecture

Abstract: A system and method for a reporting information service using metadata to communicate with databases and a user interface. The invention includes software in a data access component, a report component, and a user interface component for populating, maintaining, and dispatching reports responsive to user requests for the reports via metadata. The data access component provides a logical view of data in a database via data access metadata. The report component populates, maintains, and dispatches reports via report metadata characterizing the reports. The user interface component renders the report dispatched from the report component via user interface metadata specifying rendering attributes for the report.

Java to NSMP MIB mapping

Abstract: A mapping engine, capable of receiving descriptions of manageable software objects in a first language, for generating management information in a second language. The mapping engine is further capable of generating a set of mapping metadata, corresponding to the management information as generated. The mapping engine may be further responsive to user input. In another embodiment, a metadata compiler is provided, capable of receiving management information in a second language, and corresponding mapping metadata, for generating compiled metadata, applicable when using said management information in a first language. The metadata compiler may be used in connection with the above first aspect.

Metadata manager for database query optimizer

Abstract: A metadata manager is used in a database management system to collect and maintain metadata associated with a database. Multiple optimizer instances are permitted to access the metadata maintained by the metadata manager, often eliminating the need for individual optimizer instances to retrieve and process metadata directly from the database. As such, the overhead associated with operations such as collecting, refining, retrieving and/or maintaining of metadata can be off-loaded from the optimizer instances, often accelerating individual cost estimation calculations by optimizer instances, facilitating reuse of metadata calculations and refinements, and improving metadata consistency between multiple related cost estimates.

Automated discovery, assignment, and submission of image metadata to a network-based photosharing service

Abstract: An automated metadata discovery, assignment, and submission system is disclosed. The system includes a photosharing service coupled to a network through a server, where the server stores metadata fields. The system also includes at least one client computer capable of communicating with the server over the network, where the client computer stores a plurality digital files and an automation application. When executed, the automation application establishes communication with the photosharing service and downloads the metadata fields. The content of a first file is then automatically analyzed and one or metadata values are assigned to the downloaded metadata fields based on the analysis. In addition, the automation application automatically discovers any pre-existing metadata values associated with the file and uses the metadata values to populate corresponding downloaded metadata fields. Both the pre-existing and automatically assigned metadata values are then displayed to the user for viewing and editing. The metadata values assigned to the file are recoded for use with a next image, and the file and the metadata values are uploaded to the photosharing service for storage.

Method and apparatus for obtaining metadata from multiple information sources within an organization in real time

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining metadata from multiple information sources in real time are described. According to one aspect, the method includes receiving a user request pertaining to one or more of source metadata objects residing in multiple source metadata repositories. Each source metadata repository is maintained by a specific data management application. The method further includes responding to the user request in real time by identifying a data management application that corresponds to the source metadata objects associated with the user request and retrieving the source metadata objects using an application program interface (API) with the corresponding data management application.

Automatic metadata generation & evaluation

Abstract: The poster reports on a project in which we are investigating methods for breaking the human metadata-generation bottleneck that plagues Digital Libraries. The research question is whether metadata elements and values can be automatically generated from the content of educational resources, and correctly assigned to mathematics and science educational materials. Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning techniques were implemented to automatically assign values of the GEMgenerate metadata element set tofor learning resources provided by the Gateway for Education (GEM), a service that offers web access to a wide range of educational materials. In a user study, education professionals evaluated the metadata assigned to learning resources by either automatic tagging or manual assignment. Results show minimal difference in the eyes of the evaluators between automatically generated metadata and manually assigned metadata.

Semantic web construction: an inquiry of authors' views on collaborative metadata generation

Abstract: Increasing the amount and quality of metadata is essential for realizing the Semantic Web. The research reported on in this article addresses this topic by investigating how resource authors might best collaborate with metadata experts to expedite and improve metadata production. Resource authors, working as scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), were surveyed about collaborating with metadata experts (catalogers) during the metadata creation process. The majority of authors surveyed recognized cataloger expertise is important for organizing and indexing web resources and support the development of a collaborative metadata production operation. Authors discovered that, as creators of web resource intellectual content, they too have knowledge valuable for cataloging. This paper presents the study's framework and results, and discusses the value of collaborative metadata generation for realizing the Semantic Web.

Validating MPEG-21 encapsulated functional metadata

Abstract: We describe the validation process of a functional metadata document encapsulated in an MPEG-21 digital item. The validation starts with an MPEG-21 digital item containing the functional metadata and ends with a valid functional metadata document or with a list of error codes. Since the W3C schema language does not suffice to validate all relationships within a functional metadata document, a set of extra rules is defined. These rules are implemented through the use of transformations on functional metadata documents. These transformations are implemented using XSLT.

Managing heterogeneous ecological data using Morpho

Abstract: Ecological and environmental data cover a wide range of topics, from biodiversity surveys to measurements of trace gas fluxes, and are modeled using a tremendous variety of schemas We have developed Morpho, a data management application designed to assist researchers in managing this heterogeneous collection of ecological data Our goal in developing Morpho was to ease the burden of data management on scientists while improving access to and documentation for ecological data Morpho allows ecological researchers to describe their data using a comprehensive and flexible metadata specification, and to share their data publicly or to specific collaborators over the Knowledge Network for Biocomplexity (KNB) Morpho's main features include: (1) flexible metadata creation and editing using an XML syntax for metadata exchange; (2) a 'wizard' interface for collecting metadata; (3) automated metadata extraction while importing data; (4) an XML editor that is configurable using multiple XML DTDs; (5) compliance with the Ecological Metadata Language; (6) powerful metadata search on the network or locally; and, (7) comprehensive revision control for data and metadata

Targeted remote GUI for metadata generator

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for remotely managing metadata associated with a metadata generator in a broadcast system, are disclosed. The method includes providing a targeted user interface to a current user, and managing remotely the metadata using the targeted user interface.

CanCore: Metadata for Learning Objects

Abstract: The vision of reusable digital learning resources or objects, made accessible through coordinated repository architectures and metadata technologies, has gained considerable attention within distance education and training communities. However, the pivotal role of metadata in this vision raises important and longstanding issues about classification, description and meaning. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of this vision, focusing specifically on issues of semantics. It will describe the CanCore Learning Object Metadata Application Profile as an important first step in addressing these issues in the context of the discovery, reuse and management of learning resources or objects.

An Operational Metadata Framework for Searching, Indexing, and Retrieving Distributed Geographic Information Services on the Internet

Abstract: A comprehensive metadata scheme for distributed geographic information services should include multiple types of information services, including geodata objects, software components, and web map services. This paper examines the existing metadata standards and their implementation frameworks and presents an operational, object-oriented, hierarchical metadata architecture as an alternative solution for searching, indexing, and retrieving distributed GIServices on the Internet. An operational metadata framework can facilitate the establishment of self-manageable, self-describable GIS web services, which can be freely combined and used on the Internet. Hierarchical metadata repositories can provide a meaningful metadata archive structure and can improve metadata search mechanisms, where geospatial datasets and services are grouped and organized by their unique features or functions. By collaborating with operational metadata contents and hierarchical metadata repositories, the new metadata framework will help users and systems to access on-line geodata objects, software components, and web map services efficiently and effectively.

LOMster: Peer-to-peer Learning Object Metadata

Abstract: This paper reports on the development of a peer-to-peer based tool to share and reuse learning objects, by making it easy to publish and search over their metadata [4]. The goal of this work is to leverage the popularity of file sharing applications such as gnutella and napster in the context of learning content.

Building educational metadata application profiles

Abstract: Metadata schemas relevant to online education and training have recently achieved the milestone of formal standardization. Efforts are currently underway to bring these abstract models and theoretical constructs to concrete realization in the context of communities of practice. One of the primary challenges faced by these efforts has been to balance or reconcile local requirements with those presented by domain-specific and cross-domain interoperability. This paper describes these and other issues associated with the development and implementation of metadata application profiles. In particular, it provides an overview of metadata implementations for managing and distributing Learning Objects and the practical issues that have emerged so far in this domain. The discussion is informed by examples from two national education and training communities -- Australia and Canada.

Towards a semantic medical Web: HealthCyberMap's tool for building an RDF metadata base of health information resources based on the Qualified Dublin Core Metadata Set.

Abstract: BACKGROUND HealthCyberMap (http://healthcybermap.semanticweb.org/) aims at mapping Internet health information resources in novel ways for enhanced retrieval and navigation. This is achieved by collecting appropriate resource metadata in an unambiguous form that preserves semantics. MATERIAL/METHODS We modelled a qualified Dublin Core (DC) metadata set ontology with extra elements for resource quality and geographical provenance in Prot g -2000. A metadata collection form helps acquiring resource instance data within Prot g . The DC subject field is populated with UMLS terms directly imported from UMLS Knowledge Source Server using UMLS tab, a Prot g -2000 plug-in. The project is saved in RDFS/RDF. RESULTS The ontology and associated form serve as a free tool for building and maintaining an RDF medical resource metadata base. The UMLS tab enables browsing and searching for concepts that best describe a resource, and importing them to DC subject fields. The resultant metadata base can be used with a search and inference engine, and have textual and/or visual navigation interface(s) applied to it, to ultimately build a medical Semantic Web portal. Different ways of exploiting Prot g -2000 RDF output are discussed. CONCLUSIONS By making the context and semantics of resources, not merely their raw text and formatting, amenable to computer 'understanding,' we can build a Semantic Web that is more useful to humans than the current Web. This requires proper use of metadata and ontologies. Clinical codes can reliably describe the subjects of medical resources, establish the semantic relationships (as defined by underlying coding scheme) between related resources, and automate their topical categorisation.

A metadata registry for the Semantic Web

Abstract: The Semantic Web activity is a W3C project whose goal is to enable a 'cooperative' Web where machines and humans can exchange electronic content that has clear-cut, unambiguous meaning. This vision is based on the automated sharing of metadata terms across Web applications. The declaration of schemas in metadata registries advance this vision by providing a common approach for the discovery, understanding, and exchange of semantics. However, many of the issues regarding registries are not clear, and ideas vary regarding their scope and purpose. Additionally, registry issues are often difficult to describe and comprehend without a working example. This article will explore the role of metadata registries and will describe three prototypes, written by the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. The article will outline how the prototypes are being used to demonstrate and evaluate application scope, functional requirements, and technology solutions for metadata registries.

System and method for metadata-driven user interface

Abstract: A user interface comprising one or more fields can be generated based on metadata in program logic. The field can be provided in a smart object through object oriented programming. Smart object metadata indicating an attribute of the field can be embedded in the smart object. Logical form metadata identifies a data type associated with the field, and layout metadata identifies a location of the field on the user interface. Physical control metadata identifies a physical control to represent the field on the user interface, and physical settings metadata identifies presentation characteristics of the physical control. The field can be generated on the user interface by displaying the physical control identified by the physical control metadata in the location identified by the layout metadata, with the attribute identified in the smart object metadata, and having the characteristics identified in the physical settings metadata.

Importing Documents and Metadata into Digital Libraries: Requirements Analysis and an Extensible Architecture

Abstract: Flexible digital library systems need to be able to accept, or "import," documents and metadata in a variety of forms, and associate metadata with the appropriate documents. This paper analyzes the requirements of the import process for general digital libraries. The requirements include (a) format conversion for source documents, (b) the ability to incorporate existing conversion utilities, (c) provision for metadata to be specified in the document files themselves and/or in separate metadata files, (d) format conversion for metadata files, (e) provision for metadata to be computed from the document content, and (f) flexible ways of associating metadata with documents or sets of documents. We argue that these requirements are so open-ended that they are best met by an extensible architecture that facilitates the addition of new document formats and metadata facilities to existing digital library systems. An implementation of this architecture is briefly described.

Use of metadata registries for searching for statistical data

Abstract: The Internet has spawned an insatiable appetite for information. This appetite cannot be satisfied without useful search tools. These tools rely on metadata in order to give targeted and meaningful results to searches, and the Internet world is realising that metadata, its management, and the means to search these metadata, are an integral part of the Internet world. The EC 5th Framework project COSMOS aims to demonstrate the use of metadata in this way by building a common model for describing a statistical data set in terms of metadata, populating a metadata registry with descriptions consistent with the model, and searching the registry to find the data sets, and finally to access the data sets in the relevant repository.

Method and system for creating a document having metadata

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for creating a document having metadata using a pointing device such as a digital pen. In one configuration, a digital pen captures pen stroke data and processes that data to determine metadata that the pen then writes to metadata storage located on the document.

System and method for managing metadata and data search method using metadata

Abstract: Information management system on the WWW for improving the compatibility of metadata on the WWW, locally managing metadata, which is dispersed, in a manner facilitating search, and thus improving efficiency and precision in search. Domain administration servers are included for acquiring metadata, which is dispersedly saved in servers interconnected over a computer network, from associated managing domains. Each domain administration server includes a metadata management database in which acquired data is recorded, and a search engine that searches the database. The search engine searches the database in response to a query that specifies as known data an identifier, that is, a URI of a resource and an attribute name of the resource, and returns an attribute value as the result of search.

Automatic extraction of ontologies from teaching document metadata

Abstract: SITS (Scrutable Intelligent Teaching System) is designed to make use of existing learning items in flexible and effective learning interactions. The reuse of pre-existing resources is important since creating new learning resources is a time consuming task which requires a skilled author. The Internet also provides a large number of resources for reuse. A major hurdle for reuse is metadata, especially epistemological metadata since different teachers or courses may have different ontologies for a given domain. SITS takes a minimalist approach to metadata. It requires only that the author of a teaching environment should define document metadata specifying the concepts which each document teaches, requires, and uses.

A Metadata Integration Assistant Generator for Heterogeneous Distributed Databases

Abstract: This paper describes a metadata interchange approach for semi-automatedin tegration of heterogeneous distributedd atabases. Our system prototype uses distributed metadata to generate a GUI tool for a meta-user (who does the metadata integration) to describe mappings between master and source databases by assigning index number and specifying conversion function names; the system uses Quilt as its XML query language. The queries for the local databases being transparent for users are generated, which is based on the metadata built semi-automatically. An experiment testing feasibility is reportedin which 3 different publishers' databases are integrated.

The design of metadata for the Digital Museum Initiative in Taiwan

Abstract: Metadata plays a crucial role in a digital library/museum environment. However, the development of metadata is not an easy task. Its formulation starts with analysing the attributes of collections as well as understanding the user information needs and information seeking behaviour. The issue of interoperability also needs to be considered in terms of both semantics and syntax. This paper discusses issues related to the development of metadata in Taiwan. It describes the development process of a Chinese metadata system, Metadata Interchange for Chinese Information (MICI), and an XML/metadata management system, Metalogy. Both were developed under the Digital Museum Initiative sponsored by the National Science Council of Taiwan.

Digital Video Archives: Managing Through Metadata

Abstract: As analog video collections are digitized and new video is created in digital form, computer users will have unprecedented access to video material—getting what they need, when they need it, wherever they happen to be. Such a vision assumes that video can be adequately stored and distributed with appropriate rights management, as well as indexed to facilitate effective information retrieval. The latter point is the focus of this paper: how can metadata be produced and associated with video archives to unlock their contents for end users?

The role of metadata in the CUBER system

Abstract: The goal of the CUBER-project is to develop a system that supports learners in searching higher education courses from European universities. The metadata elements attached to course descriptions play a central role in the system. However, the process of specifying the appropriate metadata elements is problematic: the elements should be thorough enough to allow a wide range of searches, and on the other hand, entering the elements should not overly burden the course provider. The metadata specification of CUBER is based on the emerging LOM standard of IEEE, but CUBER has introduced some modifications to the original LOM schema. Nevertheless, special attention was paid to making the CUBER metadata conform to the LOM standard for the interoperability issues. In this paper, the metadata model introduced in the CUBER project is presented. In particular, the recognized metadata requirements are analysed, and the relationships of the developed model to other relevant projects and standardization activities are discussed.