Multi-layered metadata management system

Abstract

A metadata layer management system is presented. Layers of metadata objects can be constructed where each metadata layer object comprises a rights policy. As entities interaction with the metadata layer objects, possibly by navigating links among the objects, each entity's access rights to the objects are governed by the rights policy. Further, the disclosed techniques provide for resolving rights conflicts among the rights policies of the metadata layer objects.

1 . A metadata management system comprising:
 a metadata database configured to store linkable instantiated metadata layer objects; and   a metadata management engine coupled with the metadata layer database, configured to:
 instantiate a metadata layer object as an instantiated metadata layer object upon recognition of an annotation event; 
 generate a metadata rights policy for the instantiated metadata layer object as a function of the annotation event; 
 store the instantiated metadata layer object with the generated metadata rights policy in the metadata layer database; 
 generate an authorization of a user to the instantiated metadata layer object; and 
 configure an output device to present the instantiated metadata layer object and a linked external metadata object as a function of the authorization.