| 摘要 |
A metadata database lookup system provides a database is that contains a cross-reference of metadata information to a service provider ID number (403) or universal resource identifier (URI). A service provider ID number (403) is keyed to metadata information about a specific resource from a service provider. The metadata information can contain a description of the resource (404), the universal resource locator (URL) for the resource, and any other pertinent information that may be associated with the resource (404). The invention uses a constant ID number for a service provider (402) and its resource. A resource requestor (405) uses the ID number for the desired service provider resource. The ID number is cross referenced with the proper metadata information for the resource and the resource requestor (405) uses the metadata information as needed and accesses the resource using the URL in the metadata. The resource requestor (405) is unaffected by updates to a resource's description or address by the service provider (402). The database tracks the metadata and URIs for resources for a specific service provider or resources for multiple service providers. |
