COMPUTER NETWORK
The present invention relates to computer networks and in particular to computer networks comprising a server and a plurality of data storage devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention stems from the realisation that it would be desirable to establish a community system for the exchange of information between users relating to various resources, such as music files, for example, stored on a network of the users'personal computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a computer network, the network comprising a server and a plurality of storage devices, the method comprising locating references of data of a predetermined type, the data of the predetermined type being stored remotely of the data storage devices, and transmitting to the server details of the references of the located data of the predetermined type.
Preferably the method comprises running a program on a data processor which is associated with a particular data storage device, the program being operative to locate references of data of a predetermined type and transmit details of the references of the located data of the predetermined type to the server.
Preferably the method comprises compiling a listing on the server of references of data of the predetermined type which are located on a storage device.
The method desirably comprises transmitting details of when the data, the reference of which has been located, was accessed by a data processor associated with a respective data storage device.
Whether the details of particular located data are stored on the server is preferably dependent on when the data was accessed by a data processor which is associated with a respective data storage device.
The method preferably comprises transmitting from time to time an update of details of additional references stored on the data storage device to the server.
The method may comprise controlling who has access to a listing obtained from a particular data storage device. The method may further comprise limiting access of a listing of an individual stored on the server to those who are permitted to have such access by the individual.
The method may comprise searching listings stored on the server having requisite criteria. The criteria may be determined by characteristics of references of data which have been located on a data storage device.
Preferably the method comprises locating references of files of a predetermined type.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a computer network which is configured to implement the method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a portable data carrier which is interfaceable with a computer network and is
operative to configure the computer network to implement the method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. According to the fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a computer network, the network comprising a server and a plurality of data storage devices, the method comprising locating information relating to data of a predetermined type stored on the data storage devices, transmitting to the server details of located data of the predetermined type, and controlling who has access to data stored on the server which has been located on a particular data storage device.
The method may comprise limiting access of a listing of an individual, the listing being obtained from a respective data storage device, the access being limited to those who are permitted to have such access by the individual.
Preferably the method comprises locating files of a predetermined type stored on each data storage device, compiling a listing of details of those located files and storing the listing on the server.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a computer network which is configured to implement the method in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a portable record carrier which is interfaceable with a computer network and is operative to implement the method in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a computer network, the network comprising a
server and a plurality of data storage devices, the method comprising locating information relating to data of a predetermined type stored on the data storage devices, transmitting to the server details of located data of the predetermined type, the details including when the data was accessed using a data processor associated with a data storage device.
Preferably whether details of particular located data are stored on the server is dependent on when the data was accessed using a data processor associated with a data storage device.
According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided a computer network which is configured to perform the method in accordance with the seventh aspect of the invention.
According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is provided a portable data carrier which is interfaceable with a computer network and which is operative to implement the method in accordance with the seventh aspect of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGThe invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a computer network in accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a computer network 1 comprising a server 2 and terminals 3a, 3b and 3c, the terminals being capable of communicating with the server by way of the Internet (shown schematically as the solid lines joining each terminal to the server).
Each terminal 3a, 3b and 3c comprises an input device, an output device, a central processing unit and a data storage device. The server 2 comprises a central processing unit and a data storage device.
Implementation of the inventive method using the network of Figure 1 will be described in particular in relation to references of music files stored on a user's personal computer. For the purposes of explanation therefore terminals 3a, 3b and 3c will be referred to as personal computers 3a, 3b and 3c belonging to three respective users.
Music data files are commonly stored in so-called MP3 format. Where a user purchases music in conventional format, for example an audio CD, he may by known means convert that music into MP3 format to be stored on the hard drive of his personal computer. A user may also obtain music from downloads over the Internet and store such as MP3 files on his hard drive.
A program is provided on each terminal which is operative to allow a user to control execution of an MP3 file on demand which would comprise a so-called'jukebox'program of known type. The program is also operative to store a listing of references to MP3 files which have been accessed by the respective central processing unit and as a result have been located using the program, but which may have only been temporarily stored on the terminal in question and not necessarily
'permanently'stored on a hard drive of the terminal, but rather stored remotely of the terminal. In use, the program is launched in the event of an MP3 file being opened on the terminal and provides the user with a number of options. For example in the case of an MP3 file relating to an album of music, the user may select a particular track to be played.
The listing compiled by the program comprises information about theMP3 files logged by the program comprising the title of the track/album, the artist and when the file was accessed. The user may also have the possibility of providing an indication of his rating of that track/album which could be included in the listing.
Whenever the user connects to the Internet using the inventive program, details of additional located references are uploaded to the server 2 and the information held by the server is updated in this matter. The listings stored by the server 2 may be used in a number of ways.
One such way could be for users to supply information to the server 2 relating to the type of music they prefer. The users could also, in addition or alternatively, provide details of particular groups/singers they prefer. This procedure could be conducted automatically by the server 2 based on the listings of the user in question which are stored by the server.
Using this information relating to a user's preferences the server, using a suitable classification system, can then forward the listings of those other users whose musical tastes, as determined by the located MP3 file references, match those of a particular user. A user, on receiving the listings of like-minded individuals could then potentially try listening to some music types/artists which are new to him but which other'matched' individuals have in their music collection.
A service embodying the invention could provide links to allow a user of the service to sample and potentially purchase a piece of music appearing on another individual's music collection listing.
Such a service could also allow'matched'users to correspond and exchange views bye-mail or otherwise.
Information stored by the server need not necessarily only be accessed by those participating in the system, ie those whose listing is sent to the server 2. Such an open access system would allow anyone to connect to the server to view lists of music of others which could be provided with or without personal details, such as contact details, of those whose listings match inputted criteria.
The server 2 may be configured to only store details of files which have been accessed after a predetermined date, so thus only a user's recent preferences would be accessible.
Although the invention has been described with reference to MP3 music files, the invention also finds application with regard to files of other types of digital media resources, for example, video material or literature stored in a particular file format.
Access to an individual's listing may be controlled such that he may specify who is allowed to have access to his listing which is stored on the server 2, perhaps by specifying the e-mail addresses of those other permitted individuals.
It will also be appreciated that although reference has been made to theInternet, the invention could equally be used in the case of an Intranet or a LAN. It will be further appreciated that the fourth and seventh aspects of the invention (as hereinbefore defined) are applicable to both references the corresponding files of which are stored remotely of a terminal and to references of files which are stored by the data storage device of a terminal.