US6553468B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage method for personal digital devices
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2000-06-26
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Granted: 2003-04-22
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Expires: 2020-06-26
Abstract
Abstract In a device having data storage, storage space is adaptively controlled by monitoring what pre-stored instructional information is used and how the pre-stored instructional information is used. Some or all of the storage space containing the pre-stored instructional information may be overwritten with user data based on the adaptive control. However, some instructional information may be designated as not overwritable. If access to an external storage device is detected, such as via a communications network to a remote web site, then the pre-stored instructional information can be partially or completely overwritten and instructional information accessed when needed from the external storage device. If additional storage space is still required for user data after all the overwritable pre-stored instructional information has been overwritten, then user data may be transferred to the external storage device for remote storage. The overwriting may be automatic or interactive.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon James Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/0223; G06F12/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A storage control method for a device having a total storage area which is divided into a plurality of sections based on the type of information stored therein, instructional information being stored in a first section of the total storage area, and a second section of the total storage area being available for storing user information when the device is used, the method comprising: monitoring the amount of free space remaining in the second section; and selectively overwriting instructional information in the first section with user information when additional user information storage is needed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A storage control method for a device having a total storage area which is divided into a plurality of sections based on the type of information stored therein, instructional information being stored in a first section of the total storage area, and a second section of the total storage area being available for storing user information when the device is used, the method comprising: monitoring the amount of free space remaining in the second section; and selectively overwriting instructional information in the first section with user information when additional user information storage is needed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising monitoring use of the instructional information in the first section; wherein the selectively overwriting is based on the amount of free space remaining in the second section and the use of the instructional information in the first section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein the instructional information in the first section is divided into two types, a first type being basic instructional information and a second type being advanced instructional information; wherein the monitoring use of the instructional information in the first section comprises monitoring which type of instructional information is used and how often; wherein the selectively overwriting comprises selectively overwriting at least one of the basic instructional information and the advanced instructional information, based on the monitoring of which type of instructional information is used and how often.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 3 , further comprising: detecting access to an external source of instructional information; wherein the selectively overwriting comprises selectively overwriting at least one of the basic instructional information and the advanced instructional information, based on the detecting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 3 , wherein the basic instructional information comprises at least one of: instructions on how to set-up the device for first use; instructions on how to use the device; and instructions on optional equipment which is available for purchase from the manufacturer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein when the monitoring indicates the amount of free space remaining in the second section is below a threshold amount, then the selectively overwriting comprises selectively overwriting all of the instructional information in the first section with user information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method according to claim 6 , further comprising: detecting when the total storage area is full of user information; and when it is detected that the total storage area is full of user information: issuing a warning; checking for the availability of external storage; and if external storage is available, then transferring user data to the external storage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: checking for the availability of an external source of instructional information; and if an external source of instructional information is accessible, then the selectively overwriting comprises overwriting all of the instructional information in the first section when additional user information storage is needed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the instructional information comprises read-only information which cannot be overwritten.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the instructional information in the first section is divided into a plurality of types, the selectively overwriting comprising selectively overwriting instructional information based on the type of instructional information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: checking for the availability of external storage; and if external storage is accessible, then before the selectively overwriting, transferring the instructional information to the external storage and storing the instructional information in the external storage for later access.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer program product comprising a recording medium, and means for implementing a storage control method according to claim 1 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer program product; and means for causing a computer to provide a method of storage control according to claim 1 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer program having a plurality of program steps to be executed on a computer to perform storage control according to the method of claim 1 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
An arrangement comprising: a personal digital device having on-board storage, the on-board storage including user data storage space and pre-stored instructional information storage space; control means in the personal digital device, for controlling user data storage; wherein the control means controls user storage so that: the instructional information is divided into basic and advanced information; a frequency of access to the instructional information is detected and a user proficiency level determined based on the premise that the higher the frequency of access to the instructional information, the more novice the user; if the user proficiency level is determined to be novice, then the advanced instructional information is deleted; and if the user proficiency is determined to be advanced, then the basic instructional information is deleted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
An arrangement comprising: a personal digital device having on-board storage, the on-board storage including user data storage space and pre-stored instructional information storage space; control means in the personal digital device, for controlling user data storage; wherein the control means controls user storage so that: the instructional information is divided into basic and advanced information; a frequency of access to the instructional information is detected and a user proficiency level determined based on the premise that the higher the frequency of access to the instructional information, the more novice the user; if the user proficiency level is determined to be novice, then the advanced instructional information is deleted; and if the user proficiency is determined to be advanced, then the basic instructional information is deleted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
The arrangement according to claim 15 , wherein the control means further controls the user storage so that: the amount of free user storage space is detected; if the basic information has never been accessed by the time that all of the user storage space has been used, then the basic information is deleted; and if none of the basic or advanced instructional information has been accessed by the time that all of the user storage space has been used, then all of the instructional information is deleted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The arrangement according to claim 16 , wherein the control means further controls the user storage so that: if the on-board storage is full, and additional user data storage space is required, then: a warning is issued; access to an external storage is checked; and if access to an external storage is available, then user data is transferred to the external storage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The arrangement according to claim 17 , wherein the external storage comprises an external direct access storage device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The arrangement according to claim 18 , wherein the external storage comprises an external high-capacity removable disk device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement according to claim 17 , wherein the external storage comprises a remote web site.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-21 | 2006-10-21 | 2007-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-21 | 2010-10-21 | 2011-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-21 | 2014-10-21 | 2015-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |