Archiving and retrieval method and apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for maintaining an organized and automated archiving and retrieval system including a personal bibliography of original documents or other original real objects as well as an electronic archive containing copies of such original real objects with guaranteed access. Essentially this is done by establishing a machine and/or human readable 'unique identifier' (UID) distributed with each original real object, a so-called personal archive allowing a person (or a group of persons) to maintain a personal bibliography, a managed storage containing electronic copies of the distributed original real objects, and means for a controlled, but guaranteed access to the stored electronic copies. The unique identifier UID will be established and controlled, usually by a service provider, and attached to each original (document) when it is distributed, usually by the publisher, so that it can be read by the user, preferably with a simple reader for entering it electronically into his personal archive. The personal archive may be maintained either by the person or by another (or the same) service provider, but is personalized in the sense that the user determines the contents of his/her archive. A controlled access system with access certificates, which may be time-limited, issued to the requesting user guarantees user access to the stored electrinic copies. Access control will again be provided as service, be it by the publisher or any of the service providers mentioned.