WO2007042955A2

WO2007042955A2 - Method and device for managing data storing, deleting and retrieving

Info

Publication number: WO2007042955A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/053486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaowei Shi
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-10-09
Filing date: 2006-09-26
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Also published as: WO2007042955A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a content storage, deletion, and retrieve management method. The content-deleting method comprises deleting a content, and recording at least one source address information, wherein the at least one source address information indicates the source of the content. With the present invention, the deleted content can be retrieved as required, so as to effectively eliminate the bad effect caused by deleting by mistake. Also, a lot of other information related to the deleted content is stored at the source address, which is convenient for the user to use.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING DATA STORING, DELETING AND

RETRIEVING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a content storage, deletion, and retrieve management method and device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and device for storing, deleting, and retrieving content, which saves storage space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Along with the development of modern internet technology and the digitalization of electronic products, many storage devices have been developed for storing a large amount of information, and many information recommending devices have been developed to for users to retrieve and/or record interested contents. If the storage device is connected with corresponding electronic equipment, such as computers, TV sets, and MP3 players, users can play and enjoy the content recorded on the storage device at any time.

Though the storage space of storage devices is increasing fast, and the cost is being reduced constantly, users always want to store as many interested contents in the storage device as possible. Therefore, the conflict between limited storage space and abundant contents to store is still outstanding. Users have to delete some files temporarily to release storage space, and then retrieve the deleted files later. Furthermore, another important problem existing in the content management is that users may delete some files by mistake, and must retrieve these deleted files.

At present, if users want to retrieve a deleted file from the storage device, for example, retrieving a deleted file from computer hardware or a memory card of a digital camera, they always use softwares, such as EasyRecovery by ONTRACK Inc. and Revival by

SetSystems Inc.

When a file is deleted in the Microsoft Windows operating system, the operating system just adds a delete tag to the relative information of the file, i.e. a logical delete, but the file is not actually removed. The space occupied by the file is displayed to be released on the computer device, but it is not released in a real sense. The deleted file can still be retrieved by using the aforementioned software, as long as the space is not overwritten by other files.

However, if the space occupied by the deleted file is overwritten by other files, the original file is deleted physically, and cannot be retrieved, as after the file is deleted veritably, the original content cannot be retrieved by using this method, causing a great inconvenience to users.

A method and device for recording and playing back the media content of a data storage unit on a Personal Video Recorder or other similar devices is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2005/0050578, published on March 3, 2005 and owned by the Sony Corporation and Sony Electronics Inc. According to the method, when the storage space of a given device is inadequate, the device will search other devices within a network. When the storage space of other devices is adequate, the content to be deleted is transferred to other devices, and is tagged as "delete" in the former device. In this method, the file is not actually deleted, but is "cut" to other storage space, and thus, the available storage space is not increased. In summary, it is necessary to provide a content management method and device, wherein the storage space can be saved through deleting files not of interest, and the deleted content can be retrieveed conveniently as required.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a content storage, deletion, and retrieve management method and device, which is applicable to selectively deleting unimportant contents to release more storage space when more storage space is required, and is applicable to retrieving the deleted contents as required, so as to eliminate a bad effect caused by deletion by mistake. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a storage management method is provided, which comprises storing a content, and recording at least one source address information, wherein the at least one source address information indicates the source of the content.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a deletion management method is provided, which comprises deleting a content, and recording at least one source address information, wherein the at least one source address information indicates the source of the content.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a management method for retrieving a deleted content is provided, which comprises obtaining at least one source address information of the deleted content that indicates the source of the content before being deleted, and regaining the content according to the at least one source address information.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a storage management device is provided, which comprises a storage device for storing a content, and a recording device for recording at least one source address information, wherein the at least one source address information indicates the source of the content.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a deletion management device is provided, which comprises a deleting device for deleting a content, and a recording device for recording at least one source address information, wherein the at least one source address information indicates the source of the content.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a retrieve management device is provided, which comprises an acquisition device for acquiring at least one source address information of a deleted content that indicates the source of the content before being deleted, and a regaining device for regaining the deleted content according to the at least one source address information.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, as the source address information is saved after the content is deleted, the deleted content can be retrieved as required, and a bad effect caused by deletion by mistake can be eliminated effectively. Also, a lot of other information related to the deleted content is included at the source address, for example, the information of storage location of the content, which is convenient for users to use.

The objects and features of the present invention are made apparent by referring to following description, claims, and accompanying figures, and a general understanding of the present invention can be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a content storage management method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a content storage management method according to another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a method for sorting the stored contents according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a method for updating the user's like-degree to the stored contents according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of a storage device with a content storage management function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures described above, same symbols indicate same, similar or corresponding features or functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention provides a solution for managing the stored contents in a storage device, in which contents unimportant to users are deleted, thereby saving storage space. Also, the source information of the contents to delete is reserved, and thus, the contents can be retrieved through the source information after being deleted according to the user's requirement or the user's like-degree to the predetermined contents. By applying the method of the present invention, the content management efficiency can be improved, the storage space can be saved, and the bad effect caused by accidental deletion can be eliminated.

Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a content storage management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. At first, in step SI lO, the content is downloaded or copied from other sources except a local computer, for example, Internet, LAN, or other peripheral equipment, such as other computers, videotapes, disks, MP3 or mobile phones. In step Sl 15, a downloaded or copied content is stored in a storage medium of the local computer. In step S 120, at least one source address information of the content is acquired. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one source address information is recorded in a storage list when the file is downloaded to the user's storage space, and also the storage location information of the content can be recorded in the storage list, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 : Storage List

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the source address information refers to a source address of the content before being stored. The source address information comprises name, file type, and so on of the content. In particular, the at least one source address information should at least comprise the source address of the content, such as an Internet download address, a file folder address, an equipment name, or any combination thereof. A set of multiple source address information can form a link for tracing the history of copying the content. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the storage location information refers to a current storage location of the content.

Those skilled in the art should understand that the at least one source address information can also be included in a metadata of the content. The metadata can be a part of the content, or stored in a database independently, as long as it is related to the content. For example, in a Windows operating system environment, the at least one source address information can be included in the file properties of a file.

In step S 130, when more storage space is required, it determines whether the storage space of the local computer is adequate or not. If not, contents to be deleted are determined according to the user's specification or the user's like-degree to the stored contents in step S 140. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the content to delete can also be determined before requesting a storage space.

Then, in step S 150, the determined contents to be deleted are deleted, to release storage space. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one source address information included in the content metadata is added to a deletion list (as shown in Table 2).

Table 2:Deletion List

According to another embodiment of the present invention, if the at least one source address information has been added to the storage list (Table 1) when the content is being downloaded, the content can be directly deleted to release the storage space, and only a property of "deleted" is required to be added to the deleted content on the storage list. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storage list (Table 1) and the deletion list (Table 2) can be a same list in practice.

After the content is deleted, the deleted content might be required to be retrieved later. Step S 160 determines whether the deleted content is required to be retrieved or not. If so, in step S 170, the deleted content is retrieved from the source address according to the at least one source address information of the content reserved in the content management device.

For example, a great deal of contents are stored in Tom' computer. These contents come from various sources, such as, being downloaded from the network, copied from other computers, or copied from other storage equipments, such as disks, MP3 players, and mobile phones. The same contents have several different backups. The content management device records the source addresses of these files.

It is assumed that Tom downloads a film "CaIa, My dog!" from the network, under the download address "http://movie.abcdef.com /0123456789. shtml", and stores it in his company computer under the directory "Tom's company computer\E:\movie\China\2003".

Then, Tom copies it to his family computer (i.e. step SI lO). In the family computer, the source address of the film "CaIa, My Dog!" is "http://movie.abcdef.com /0123456789.shtml" and/or "Tom's company computer\E:\movie\China\2003" (i.e. step S120). After Tom watches the film on the family computer, he finds another interesting film and wants to download it to the family computer, but finds that the computer storage space is insufficient ( i.e. step S 130). He remembers that the film "CaIa, My Dog!" occupies a large storage space, and decides to delete the film (i.e. step S 140), so as to acquire sufficient space to store the new film. Then, in step S 150, the content management device is informed that the film "CaIa, My Dog!" is required to be deleted. In step S 160, the film is deleted, and at least one source address information of the film is written in the deletion list as shown Table 2.

Two months later, his friend Zoe hears that Tom has the film "CaIa, My Dog!" and wants to watch it. Then, in step S 170, Tom checks the deletion list, and easily finds that there is a copy in his company computer, so he copies the film from the company computer, and gives it to Zoe. If the content in the company computer has also been deleted, the content can be re-downloaded according to another source address "http://movie.abcdef.com /0123456789.shtml".

In a content management method for saving storage space according to an embodiment of the present invention, the content to be deleted from the storage device can be manually specified according to the user' s requirement, and also can be automatically determined by the user' s like-degree to the content. For automatically determining the content to delete by the device more accurately and humanly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the contents in the storage device can be sorted. Another advantage for sorting the contents is that the content of a certain type can be found conveniently, thus improving the content management efficiency. Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a content storage management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. At first, in step S210, the contents stored in a storage device are sorted, for example, according to categories of audio, video, and text, and each category can be further divided into entertainment or study content. After sorting, the stored contents are stored separately, in step S220. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the storage device comprises multiple storage units, wherein each of the storage units just stores one category of content. If the storage space of a storage unit is insufficient, a new storage unit is added to store the contents of the same type. In step S230, a parameter like_degree indicating the user's like-degree to the program is set for the stored contents, and a like_degree threshold value is set for each category of contents, such that when the user's like-degree to some program is smaller than the threshold value, the program is allowed to be deleted. The threshold value can be set by the user according to the size of the user's storage space and the user's like-degree. After the like_degree and the threshold value thereof are set, the user's like-degree to the content can be adjusted in real time according to the user's degree of interest in the content, such as the length of time and the number of times of enjoying it, preference of actors (referring to the description as follows).

In step S240, it determines whether the stored contents need to be deleted to release the storage space or not. If so, the content to be deleted is determined in sequence, according to the category of the content (for example, temporarily stored content is deleted first), and/or the comparison of the user's like_degree of the content with the corresponding like_degree threshold value (for example, the smaller than the like_degree threshold value the content is, the earlier it is deleted) in step S250. In step S260, the determined content is deleted, and at least one source address information of the deleted content is written into a deletion list (as shown in Table 2). When the deleted content is required to be retrieved

(step S270), the content is regained from the network or equipment outside according to the recorded at least one source address information of the content (step S280).

It can be seen from the above embodiments that, with the method for saving storage space of the present invention, the efficiency of managing contents of a memory can be improved. Especially, through sorting the memory contents, when the user requests to delete contents, the contents that the user do not like and/or occupy a large space are sequentially deleted according to the sorting of the contents and/or the user's like-degree to the stored contents. Therefore, sorting the contents and determining the importance of each category of contents are the basis for determining the recommended deletion sequence. Furthermore, different users like different types of contents, and different categories of contents occupy spaces of different sizes. Therefore, different methods can be adopted for the management according to the category and type of the content.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rule for sorting contents is described as follows.

At first, all contents can be sorted into temporarily stored contents and long-term stored contents. The long-term stored contents further can be sorted into video/audio and text, and the video/audio contents can be sorted into entertainment, study, and life contents as follows.

1. Entertainment contents are sorted in two categories, namely, idol related contents and non-idol related contents. For the non-idol related contents, they are always enjoyed only once. And the video/audio contents occupy a larger storage space. Therefore, they are recommended to be deleted after being enjoyed. For the idol-related contents, they are always enjoyed many times or desired to be reserved for a long time. Therefore, after being enjoyed, the idol-related contents are transferred into another storage unit specialized in storing idol-related contents, or are deleted according to the user's requirements. 2. Study-related contents are usually desired to be reserved for a long time. Therefore, the contents can be reserved until the user determines to delete them. Or if it is detected that a content has not been operated for a long time, e.g. two months, it determines that the user does not need the content, and requests the user's advice before recommending deletion. 3. Life contents usually comprise contents related to the user's personal life, such as home videos. This category of contents is usually reserved for a long term.

As for text contents, they occupy a very small storage space, and usually are used many times. Therefore, they can be reserved for a long term.

According to the above categories of the contents, the content management device can recommend a content to the user for deletion or delete it directly according to the category property of different contents. Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a method for sorting the contents in the storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, in step S310, it determines whether the stored content is temporary or not, based on many factors, such as, the name of the file folder including the contents, or the metadata information of the contents. If so, the content is set as a temporary content in step S311. If not, it determines whether the stored content is an audio or video content or not in step S320. If so, for example, *.mp3, *.wma, and other files in the windows operating device can be determined as audio contents, and *.avi, *.rm, and other files can be determined as video contents.

In step S321, it further determines whether the content is an entertainment content or not, such as film, TV play, and music, based on the above same manners. If so, it further determines whether it is related to the user's idols or not in step S322. If so, the content is set as an idol related content in step S323. And if not, the content is set as a non-idol related content in step S324.

If it determines that the audio/video content is not entertainment content in step S321, it further determines whether the content is study content or not in step S325. If so, such as training video, the content is set as a study content in step S326. If not, the content is set as life content in step S327.

If the content does not belong to the above categories, the content is set as a text content in step S330, and finally, the entire flow ends. After sorting the stored content, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can manually set a like-degree parameter and threshold value for the long-term reserved content, or the device can set a like-degree parameter and threshold value for a small category of contents according to the rule set by the user. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user's like-degree to a content can be automatically modified according to the user' s degree of interest to the content, such as the time and/or number of times of operating the content.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a method for updating the user's like-degree to content according to an embodiment of the present invention. At first, in step S410, a user profile is created, which comprises a user's like-degrees and weights to multiple content features. The content feature refers to name of every actor and director, program types (such as, literary film, affectional film, and dracula movie), and so on included in the program. The content feature comes from broadcast, television, Internet, and any other information sources. Most representatively, it is transmitted to users along with a program through the EPG.

The "like-degree" refers to the user's feeling about each content feature, which can be preset with a range of value by the supplier, such as [-50, +50]. The "weight" refers to the impact of different types of content features on the selection result when the user is selecting programs. The weight can also be preset with a value range by the supplier, such as [0, 100]. In some sense, the weight and the like-degree in the user profile is a history record of the user watching programs. When the user is watching a program, other history record information can also be recorded, such as the number of times the user watches and deletes the programs including a specific content feature.

The user profile includes a series of content features. Each of the content features comprises a ternary array (i.e., Term of Content Features, Like-Degree, and Weight). Thus, the user profile (UP) can be expressed as a vector of ternary array (t, Id, w). If there are m terms of different content feature in the UP, it can be expressed by the following vector array:

UP = (H₁ Jd₁ , W₁ )At₂ Jd ₂ , W₂ X-X t₁ Jd₁ , W₁ ) Λt_m , ld _m , w_m ))

where, ' is a content feature;* is a serial number of the content feature ' ; ' is a like- degree to the content feature ' ; and ' is a weight of the content feature term ' .

Assuming a UP in the current history record is: Program type: Weight=90

Film Like-degree=50 then, the ternary array about the user's interests to the content feature in the above program type is (Film, 50, 90); actors: weight=80 a Like-Degree=45 d Like-Degree=-12.5; then, ternary array about the user's interests to the actor d is (d, -12.5, 80); ternary array about the user's interests to the actor a is (a, 45, 80) In step S420, a user's behavior is monitored, wherein the action is directed to a program being played. The user's action comprises the length of time the user watches the program being played and the number of times the user watches and deletes the programs including the specific content features, wherein the program comprises one or more preset specific content features.

For example, the program being played is a film A. The film A is a preset content feature, and the program also comprises one or more other content features, such as actor a and actor d. In step S430, the user's degree of interest to the program is obtained according to the user's behavior, wherein the degree of interest is directed to the content features preset for the program. Usually, it is obtained depending on the time length of watching the program of the user's behavior, the predetermined total time length for playing the program, and a preset threshold value.

(WD₁ - θ)

RD The degree of interest can be expressed as: ' *10, where WDi represents the length of time the user watches the program; θ is a preset threshold value; and RDi represents the predetermined total time length the specific program is played, wherein the default value can be preset by the supplier. For example, if RDi is 2 hours, θ can be set as 0.5 hour. And if WDi is less than 0.5 hour, the degree of interest is set as 0. For example, for the program film A, the predetermined total length of playing time is 2 hours, and θ is 0.5 hour, and the user watches the program for 1 .5 hours. It can be

(WD₁ - θ)

RD obtained from the formula ^l *10 that, the user's degree of interest to the program is 5. That is, the user's interests to each term of content features of the program is 5, i.e. user's degree of interests to the film A, actor a, actor d, and so on is 5. In step S440, a like-degree to a corresponding content feature in the UP is obtained. The corresponding content feature corresponds to the content feature of the program, and the corresponding content feature already has a like-degree in the UP. Of course, the weight of the corresponding content feature in the UP can also be obtained, wherein the corresponding content feature already has a corresponding weight in the UP.

Some content features of the program have no corresponding terms of content features in the UP, and then the like-degrees to the content features are set to be 0. The weights thereof are the same as the corresponding types, i.e. the weight of the actor in the UP is adopted for the actor, and the weight of the program type in the UP is adopted for the program type.

For example, the actor a and the actor d in each content feature of the film A correspond to the terms of content features, namely, actor a and actor d in the UP. The like-degree to the actor a in the UP is 45, and the weight is 80. The like-degree to the actor d in the UP is -12.5, and the weight is 80.

In step S450, the degree of interest is adjusted according to the like-degree to the corresponding content features in the UP. The degree of interest can be adjusted by a coefficient, wherein the coefficient can be a positive decimal number equal to or smaller than 1. The value range thereof can be preset by the supplier, such as [0.1, I]. It also can be dynamically obtained by taking the user's like-degree and other history record information into consideration. For example, the coefficient can be dynamically obtained via a fuzzy inference with the like-degree in the UP and the ratio between the times of the user watching and deleting the content features as input variables.

Still taking the film A as an example, for the term of content feature, actor a, therein, the like-degree in the corresponding UP is 45. It can be known that, the user likes the content feature, actor a, or is interested in the content feature, actor a. At this time, a larger coefficient is used to adjust the degree of interest 5, for example, the coefficient is 0.9.

Then, the adjusted user's degree of interest to the content feature, actor a, becomes 4.5. The adjustment degree is small, and the impact of the degree of interest on the UP is reduced slightly.

For the term of content feature, actor d, the like-degree in the corresponding UP is -12.5. It can be known that, the user does not like the content feature, actor d, or is uninterested in the content feature actor d. At this time, a small coefficient can be used to adjust the degree of interest 5, for example, the coefficient is 0.3. The adjusted user's degree of interest to the content feature actor d becomes 1.5. The adjustment degree is large, and the impact of the degree of interest on the UP is reduced significantly.

Of course, if the user's like-degree to a specific term of content feature in the UP is high, the impact of the degree of interest on the UP is increased, i.e. the scale of the adjustment coefficient is not limited to [0.1,1], and can be larger than 1.

The adjusted degree of interest is used to modify the corresponding like-degree and weight. Therefore, when the degree of interest for modifying the like-degree is adjusted, a like-degree adjustment coefficient can be used. And when the degree of interest for modifying the weight is adjusted, a weight adjustment coefficient can be used. The two coefficients are associated with each other, for example, the weight adjustment coefficient is influenced by the like-degree adjustment coefficient, or the two are in a direct ratio. Of course, a same adjustment coefficient can be used to adjust the weight and the like-degree.

The like-degree to the content feature in the UP corresponding to each content feature can be different, such that the corresponding like-degree adjustment coefficient or weight adjustment coefficient of each content feature are different, and thereby, the corresponding adjusted degree of interest of each content feature in the program is different. For example, the adjusted degree of interest to the content feature actor a, and the adjusted degree of interest to the content feature term actor d are different. In step S460, the like-degree and the weight of the corresponding content feature in the

UP are modified according to the adjusted degree of interest to the content feature preset for the program, thereby dynamically modifying the UP more accurately.

The modification for the like-degree and weight of the corresponding content feature in the UP can be carried out using the following formulae:

(WD - θ)

Weight,' = Weight, + a_t « ^V ' ^KL>> (2)

(WD - θ) Like_degree[ = Like_degree_l + β_t • '^■ ^RD' (3) where, t(Term) represents a content feature; i represents a serial number of the content feature, i.e. the content feature i; * " represents an initial weight of the content feature i; and - * ' represents a user's initial like-degree to the content feature term i.

* " represents a modified weight of the content feature i, and - * ' represents a modified user like-degree. WD ' is a time length of the user actually watching the

RD program including the content feature i; ' is a total length of play time predetermined by the program; and θ is a preset threshold value. at and βi are a weight adjustment coefficient and a like-degree adjustment coefficient respectively, wherein βi and at are associated with each other, for example, in a direct ratio

(WD₁ - O) or other relations, at and βi are used to adjust the degree of interest RD ^l of the

(WD₁ - O)

RD weight of the type the content feature i belonging to and the degree of interest ^l in the user's like-degree to the content feature i. at and βi are used to delay the change of the weight and the like-degree, and they are smaller than or equal to 1 (also can be larger than a < β

X). As the weight of the user's like-degree is relatively stable, ' ^{1^1} .

During the operation,

if ^Weight' is larger than K)O, then ^Weight'' = ¹00;

if ^Weight> is smaller than 0 , then ^Weight'' = ° ;

if ^{Uke ~ de§ re}< is larger than 50, then ^{Like " de§ re}< =50; and

if ^{Uke ~ de§ ree}' is smaller than 50, then ^{Like " de§ ree}'=-50.

It is also illustrated with the film A as an example below.

The modification of the user's like-degree and weight of actor a can be expressed as: assuming αt=0.1βi; wherein, βi is still 0.9, and then at is 0.09; i represents the content feature , actor a;

(WD - θ) Like_degree[ = Like_degree_t + β_t •

(WD - θ)

Weight,' = Weight, + a_t . ^K '

^KL> ₁ =80+0.09*5=80.45. The modification of the user's like-degree and weight of actor d can be expressed as: αt=0.3βi, wherein βi is 0.3, and then at is 0.09; i represents the content feature term actor d;

(WD - θ) Like_degree_t = Like_degree_t + β_ι • '^■

RD, = -12.5+0.3*5=-l l;

(WD - θ)

Weight', = Weight, + a, • ' '

^RD> =80+0.09*5=80.45.

As both actor a and actor d belong to the actor type, the modified weights are the same, i.e. 80.45.

The weight of same type (e.g. actor) is usually the same, and the weight is determined by ' , i.e. by the adjusted degree of interest. Therefore, the weight of a same type only needs to be calculated once.

Details about the like-degree and weight of the relative content feature are described in Application NO. 200410095756.5, "Method and Device for Updating User Profile", filed with the Chinese Patent Office by Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV on November 18, 2004, which is inserted in the disclosure of the application. The method and device for updating the UP disclosed in the application is also applicable to the deletion recommending operation in an embodiment of the present invention.

Through the method of sorting, setting a like_degree and threshold value thereof, and updating the like_degree in above embodiments, the content to be deleted can be determined accurately and humanely, thereby achieving high content- storage management efficiency of the present invention, and a better effect.

According to a user's like-degrees to different contents, the content management device can recommend content to the user for deletion, or can delete it directly.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the contents to be deleted are determined, the deletion sequence can be determined by taking the size of the occupied storage space into consideration. For example, the deletion sequence is temporary contents — > content with a like-degree lower than the threshold value in the video or audio non-

idol related contents or the music contents — > content with a like-degree higher than the

threshold value in the video audio idol related contents or the music contents — > content with a like-degree lower than the threshold value in the non-idol related contents or the music contents — > content with a like-degree higher than the threshold value in the idol

related contents or the music contents — > content with a like-degree lower than the

threshold value in the audio or video study contents — > content with a like-degree higher

than the threshold value in the audio or video study contents — > text contents.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of a storage device with a function for content storage management according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management device 500 comprises a storage management device 510, a deletion management device 520, and a retrieve management device 530.

The storage management device 510 comprises a storage device 512 for storing a content. The storage device 512 can categorize and store the content downloaded or copied from the source address in the storage medium 540 according to the types. The storage management device 510 further comprises a recording device 516, for recording at least one source address information for indicating the source of the content.

The deletion management device 520 can delete the files in which the user is not interested, thus saving the storage space, and also record at least one source address information of the content after being deleted, such that it is convenient for the user to retrieve the deleted file as required. The deletion management device 520 comprises a deleting device 526 and a recording device 528. The deletion management device 520 can further comprises a deletion recommending device 522.

The deletion recommending device 522 is used to set a user's like-degrees to different contents and threshold values thereof, and adjust the like-degrees to different stored contents, to recommend information about the contents which can be deleted for the user.

The deletion recommending device 522 can determine the deletion recommending sequence according to the categories of the contents. The deleting device 526 is used to delete a content. The deleting device 526 can automatically delete a content with a user's like-degree smaller than a corresponding threshold value from the storage medium 540 according to the user's like-degree and threshold value corresponding to a content recommended by the deletion recommending device 522, so as to save the storage space. Alternatively, the deleting device can delete a content in the storage medium 540 according to a deletion instruction input by the user.

The recording device 528 is used to record at least one source address information for indicating the content source when a content in the storage medium 540 is deleted by the deleting device 526. The recording device 528 also can be used to record a storage location information of a content when being deleted by the deleting device 526.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the recording device 528 and the recording device 516 can be a same device.

The retrieve management device 530 is used to get back the deleted content according to at least one source address information of a deleted content as required. The retrieve management device 530 comprises an acquisition device 532, for obtaining at least one source address information of a deleted content, wherein the at least one source address information is recorded in the storage medium 540 by the recording device 528 when a content is deleted. The acquisition device 532 is also used to obtain the storage location information of the deleted content. The retrieve management device 530 further comprises a regaining device 536, for regaining the content from the periphery network or equipment according to the at least one source address information. Alternatively, the regaining device 536 can retrieve the deleted content according to the storage location information and at least one source address information. The technical content and feature of the present invention are disclosed as above.

However, those skilled in the art can make various alternations and modifications based on the teaching and disclosure of the present invention, without departing from the sprite of the present invention. Therefore, the protection range of the present invention should not be limited to the content disclosed by the embodiments, but should comprise various alternations and modifications achieved without departing from the present invention, and is covered by the claims described below.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A storage management method, comprising:

(a) storing a content; and

(b) recording at least one source address information that indicates the source of the content.

2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising recording a storage location information of the content.

3. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises associating the at least one source address information with the content in a metadata form.

4. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the at least one source address information comprises one or more of a network address, a device address, and a catalog address.

5. A deletion management method, comprising: (a) deleting a content; and (b) recording at least one source address information that indicates the source of the content.

6. The method as claimed in Claim 5, further comprising recommending the content for deletion according to a preset rule.

7. The method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the rule is related to the category of the content.

8. The method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the rule is related to a user's like-degree to the content.

9. The method as claimed in Claim 5, further comprising recording the storage location information of the content.

10. The method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the at least one source address information comprises one or more of a network address, a device address, and a catalog address.

11. The method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the at least one source address information forms a link for tracing the copy history of the content.

12. A retrieve management method, comprising:

(a) obtaining at least one source address information of a deleted content, wherein the at least one source address information indicates the source of the content before being deleted; and (b) regaining the deleted content according to the at least one source address information.

13. The method as claimed in Claim 12, further comprising obtaining the storage location information of the deleted content when the content being deleted; wherein the step (b) comprises retrieving the content according to the storage location information and the at least one source address information.

14. A storage management device, comprising:

(a) a storage device, for storing a content; and

(b) a recording device, for recording at least one source address information that indicates the source of the content.

15. The device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the recording device is also used to record a storage location information of the content.

16. The device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the recording device is used to associate the at least one source address information with the content in a metadata form.

17. The device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the at least one source address information comprises one or more of a network address, a device address, and a catalog address.

18. A deletion management device, comprising:

(a) a deleting device, for deleting a content;

19. The device as claimed in Claim 18, further comprising a deletion recommending device, for recommending the content for deletion according to a preset rule.

20. The device as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the rule is related to the category of the content.

21. The device as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the rule is related to a user's like- degree to the content.

22. The device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the recording device is further used to record a storage location information of the content.

23. The device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the at least one source address information comprises one or more of a network address, a device address, and a catalog address.

24. The device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the at least one source address information forms a link for tracing the copy history of the content.

25. A retrieve management device, comprising:

(a) an acquisition device, for obtaining at least one source address information of a deleted content, wherein the at least one source address information indicates the source of the content before it is deleted;

(b) a regaining device, for regaining the deleted content according to the at least one source address information.

26. The device as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the acquisition device is further used to obtain the storage location information of the deleted content when the content being deleted; wherein the regaining device is used to regain the content according to the storage location information and the at least one source address information.