Apparatus and method of managing data stored in a data storage unit to ensure a storage space

An apparatus and method of managing data stored in a data storage unit is provided. Data stored in the storage unit is classified into data to be preserved and deletable data. The data is preserved or deleted on the basis of preservation setting and a preservation period of the data in the storage unit. The preserving and deleting of the data may be automatically or manually performed based on the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus of managing data stored in a data storage unit, and a method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

A recording medium that records digital broadcasting signals has emerged. The recording medium includes a digital video cassette recorder (VCR), a hard disc drive (HDD), a recording device using an optical disc, and the like. With the rapid technology development, the recording capacity of the recording medium is increasing.

Digital TV receivers have come into wide use since digital broadcasting began in earnest. Nowadays the digital TV receivers providing various additional functions are emerging in response to users' various demands. A recording/reproducing apparatus, which is one of the noted additional functions of the digital TV, serves to record and reproduce a broadcasting program using a large-capacity recording medium, for example, an HDD. Unlike existing analog VCRs using tapes for storage, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus stores broadcasting programs, photographs, music, and the like in the form of digital data, so that image quality without loss of information may be ensured even if recording and reproducing are repetitively performed. Also, reproduction can be made whenever a user wants to watch a recorded program.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a general digital broadcasting recording/reproducing apparatus.

Referring toFIG. 1, the digital broadcasting recording/reproducing apparatus includes a tuner/demodulator2receiving a broadcasting signal from a transmission medium by wire or wirelessly and outputting digital data, a stream controller4controlling a transfer path of a data stream from the tuner/demodulator2, a demultiplexer (DEMUX)/moving picture experts group (MPEG) decoder6connected to an output port of the stream controller4, an MPEG memory8connected to the DEMUX/MPEG decoder6, and an RAM12, a CPU14, a ROM16, a user interface18and an HDD20connected to a system bus10in common.

Under control of the CPU14via the system bus10, the tuner/demodulator2receives a broadcasting signal inputted through an input line1from a transmission medium, converts the broadcasting signal to a digital data stream, and outputs the digital data stream. Under control of the CPU14via the system bus10, the stream controller4receives the data stream from the tuner/demodulator2, and outputs the data stream to the HDD20for storage or to the DEMUX/MPEG decoder6for reproduction. Also, under control of the CPU14, the stream controller4allows data stream stored in the HDD20to be outputted to the DEMUX/MPEG decoder6via the system bus10so that the data stream is reproduced. Under control of the CPU14, the DEMUX/MPEG decoder6selects a data stream inputted from the stream controller4, stores the selected data stream in an MPEG memory8, reads and decodes the stored data stream using the MPEG method, and outputs the decoded data stream through an output line.

The CPU14performs a control operation in response to user command inputted from the user interface via the system bus10. For example, the CPU14allows the tuner/demodulator2to convert a channel in response to user command, and allows the stream controller4to change a data stream transfer path. In addition, the CPU16allows the DEMUX/MPEG decoder6to select an input data stream in response to user command. The RAM12and the ROM16are used during the control operation of the CPU14. As described above, the digital broadcasting recording/reproducing apparatus stores a received data stream using the HDD20and then reproduces the data stream, or stores the received data stream while reproducing it. For example, a broadcasting program broadcasted in real time is recorded on the HDD using functions of time shift, recording-reservation, instant reservation, or the like. A user can watch the recorded broadcasting program whenever he/she wants.

However, a storage medium of the digital broadcasting recording/reproducing apparatus has a limited capacity. For this reason, when a material is recorded, occupying certain capacity of the storage medium, it is impossible for the apparatus to keep recording the program because of lack of the storage capacity. To solve the lack of capacity, a user should manage recorded materials in person. For example, a user should select and delete a specific recorded material to provide a recording space for a new material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of managing data that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of managing data, which can ensure a storage space in a data recording/reproducing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of managing data, which can ensure a storage space by managing data that has never been preserved or data whose preservation period has expired based on preservation setting information of recorded data.

A further another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of managing data, which can ensure a storage space by deleting data which has not been preserved or data whose preservation period has expired.

A still further another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of managing data, which can perform efficient management of data by displaying a preservation setting screen or a menu on a list of reproduction-completed data or stored data.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a method of managing data for a recording/reproducing apparatus, including: setting management information to determine data to be preserved and deletable data with respect to digital data stored in a storage unit; and managing data on the basis of the set management information.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data managing method of a recording/reproducing apparatus, including: displaying a user interface for setting management information of digital data stored in a storage unit; and storing setting information about data to be preserved and deletable data that are selected by a user through the user interface. The deletable data is searched on the basis of the management information according to a remaining capacity of the storage unit, and the searched deletable data is deleted.

In a further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data recording/reproducing apparatus including: a receiving unit receiving digital data; a storage unit storing the received digital data; a managing unit setting whether or not data is to be preserved and a preservation period with respect to the digital data of the storage unit, and managing the corresponding digital data on the basis of set information; and a user interface allowing inputting of whether or not the data is preserved and the preservation period, thereby performing data management of the storage unit on the basis of management information.

A recording space management method of the recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention may automatically manage unnecessary recorded materials by preservation setting on the recorded materials when a recording space is insufficient. Therefore, a required recording space can be ensured, and a recorded material that should be preserved is conveniently preserved. Accordingly, the recording space management and the recording material management can be more effectively performed.

Also, a recording material to be deleted may be automatically deleted by performing recorded material delete setting, so that the recording space management and the recording material management can be conveniently performed.

In addition, a failure in reserved recording due to the lack of a recording space may be prevented at the time of reserved recording of digital broadcasting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a recording space management device in a recording/reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, the recording space management apparatus includes a tuner/demodulator112receiving a broadcasting signal and outputting digital data; a stream controller114controlling a transfer path of a data stream from the tuner/demodulator112; a demultiplexer (DEMUX)/decoder116connected to an output port of the stream controller114; a memory118connected to the DEMUX/decoder116; a RAM122, a CPU124, a ROM126, a user interface128and an HDD130which is a storage medium storing a recorded material and the like, all of which are connected to a system bus120in common; a record list management unit140managing a list of recorded materials based on whether or not the preservation of the recorded materials has been set up; and a recording space management unit150managing a recording space in case of lack of the recording space.

Under control of the CPU124via the system bus120, the tuner/demodulator112converts a broadcasting signal inputted through an input line111from a transmission medium into a digital data stream, and outputs the digital data stream. The transmission medium includes a wired or wireless transmission line or a transmission unit that can receive digital image data and/or digital audio data. Under control of the CPU124via the system bus120, the stream controller114receives a data stream from the tuner/demodulator112, and outputs the data stream to the HDD130for storage, or outputs the data stream to the DEMUX/decoder116for reproduction. The decoder includes a moving picture experts group (MPEG) decoder. Under control of the CPU124, the stream controller114outputs a data stream stored in the HDD130to the DEMUX/decoder116through the system bus120for reproduction. Under control of the CPU124, the DEMUX/decoder116selects a data stream inputted from the stream controller114, stores the data stream in the memory118, reads and decodes the stored data stream, and outputs the decoded data stream through an output line117.

The CPU124performs a control operation corresponding to user command inputted from the user interface128via the system bus120. For example. The CPU124allows the tuner/demodulator112to convert a channel in response to user command, and allows the stream controller114to convert a data stream transfer path. The CPU124allows the DEMUX/decoder116to select an input data stream in response to user command. The RAM122and the ROM126are used in the control operation

Such a recording/reproducing apparatus is a real-time digital broadcasting recording/reproducing apparatus, and stores a received data stream (broadcasting program) as a recorded material on the HDD130, and then reproduces the received data stream, or reproduces the received data stream while storing it. For example, the broadcasting program broadcasted in real time is recorded on the HDD130through time shift, reversed recording, immediate recording, and the like, and may be reproduced whenever a user wants. The digital data includes a broadcasting program, image data, au audio data file, etc.

The recording/reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the record list management unit140managing recorded materials (or stored materials) on the HDD130, and the recording space management unit150. The recording space management unit150automatically or manually performs recording space management when the capacity occupied by materials recorded on the HDD130is the same as or greater than a predetermined reference value, that is, when a remaining recording space of the entire capacity of the HDD130is smaller than the reference value. The recording space management unit150provides a window, for example, a pop-up window, to ensure a recording space on a screen in case of the lack of recording space, and also secures a recording space in response to user command.

To ensure the recording space, recorded materials are classified based on whether or not they are to be preserved, and a preservation status of the classified recorded materials is managed. To this end, the record list management unit140includes a preserved recorded-material management module141, and a general recorded-material management module142, and manages the recorded materials to ensure the recording space depending on whether or not the recorded materials are preserved. The preserved recorded-material management module141manages recorded materials that are set by a user to be preserved for a predetermined preservation period. Also, the preserved recorded-material management module141manages the entire capacity of the preserved recorded materials, and checks preservation periods of the recorded materials. The preservation period is set up to a certain date and/or time. The preservation period may be limited, or may be infinite.

When a preservation period of a preserved recorded material expires, the preserved recorded-material management module141sends the corresponding recorded material to the general recorded material management module142, and thus the sent recorded material is managed by the general recorded material management module142. Also, the preserved recorded-material management module141may allow a user to confirm whether to reset the preservation setting at the moment when the preservation period expires or before the expiration date or time, for example, one day before the expiration date.

The general recorded material management module142manages a list of simple recorded materials, which have not been preserved from the first place, or recorded materials whose preservation periods have expired. The list of recorded materials managed by the general recorded material management module142may be deleted when the user inputs a recording space ensure command. Here, when the recording space ensure command is inputted, recorded materials corresponding to the entire list stored on the HDD130may be deleted, the simple recorded materials that have never been preserved may be deleted first, or the recorded material whose preservation period has expired may be deleted first. The order of deleting may be set by the user as an option.

The user performs preservation setting on recorded materials. The user can perform preservation setting with respect to each of the recorded materials if necessary. Also, if the recorded material is being reproduced, the preservation setting is performed at an arbitrary point of time, for example, when the reproduction is started, while the reproduction is being made, or when the reproduction is terminated. In such a manner, the preservation setting may be released with respect to existing recorded material that have been previously preserved.

FIG. 3is a view showing a recorded-material preservation setting screen, that is, a graphic user interface, when the reproduction of the recorded material is terminated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, a recorded-material preservation setting screen210is displayed on a reproduction screen200of a recorded material. A display type of the recorded material preservation setting screen210may adopt an on screen display (OSD) type, or a graphic user interface (GUI) type. InFIG. 3, the recorded-material preservation setting screen is displayed, that is, the recorded-material preservation setting is performed when the reproduction of the recorded material is terminated. However the point of time for the recorded-material preservation setting is not limited to the description. InFIG. 3, the termination of the recorded-material reproduction can be recognized from a reproduction status bar217displayed on a lower end of the reproduced screen200.

The recorded-material preservation setting screen210includes a cancel item211, a setting item212, a simple setting item213, a user setting item214, a confirm item215and a cancel item216. The cancel item211is used to release recorded-material preservation setting. The setting item212is used to set recorded-material preservation. The simple setting item213is used to set a preservation period on daily, weekly, or monthly basis from a current date. The user setting item214is used to allow a user to directly set the preservation period. The confirm item is used to store set information, and the cancel item216is used to cancel a preservation setting operation.

To perform preservation setting for a recorded material, the setting item212is selected on the recorded-material preservation setting screen illustrated inFIG. 3. Then, a desired preservation period is set using the simple setting item213or the user setting item214. When being set using the simple setting item213, the preservation period may be set to one day, one week, one month, six months, a year, or more using an up/down key213a. When being set using the user setting item214, the preservation period desired by the user may be directly inputted through number keys provided to a remote controller (not shown) included in the user interface128. The preservation period is counted from a time point at which the recorded material preservation setting is made.

When the confirm item215is selected after the preservation of the corresponding recorded material is set through the simple setting or user setting in the aforementioned manner, the preservation setting for the recorded-material is completed. Setting information is managed by the record list management unit140. The setting information includes a recorded material, information on whether or not the recorded material is preserved, and the preservation period of the preserved recorded material, and is stored in the record list management unit140.

When a user tries to delete a preservation-set recorded material (i.e., preserved recorded material), the user may be notified that the corresponding recorded material has been preserved by generating data related to the preservation status of the recorded material in a pop-up message type or an OSD type, and displaying the data on a screen. Thus, the preserved recorded object can be safely preserved during the preservation period.

FIG. 4is a view illustrating a screen showing a preservation status of a recorded material on a list of the recorded materials according to an embodiment of the present invention. The preservation status of the recorded materials is displayed in the form of OSD or GUI. Recorded materials231and232are displayed on a recorded-material list screen220, and a management menu240of a selected recorded material is displayed to display management information. Also, the remaining capacity of a storage unit is displayed according to a storage quality (HD or SD), and folder information including recorded materials is displayed. Items for control operations, such as move, select, exit, or the like, are displayed on the list or the menu.

Referring toFIG. 4, when a plurality of recorded materials231,232, . . . are displayed on the recorded material list screen220and a user selects a desired recorded material231, a management menu240of the selected recording material231is displayed. When a recorded-material preservation setting item241of the management menu240is selected using a select item251, the recorded-material preservation setting screen210illustrated inFIG. 3is displayed, thereby allowing the recorded-material preservation setting. The recorded-material preservation setting may be individually performed on each recorded material, or more than one recorded-materials are selected and then the recorded material preservation setting may be collectively performed thereon. A recorded-material preservation releasing item is displayed on the management menu with respect to the preserved recorded material. In this manner, the user may perform preservation setting or releasing of the preservation on the recorded material list or at the moment when the reproduction of the recorded material is terminated.

When a recording space is insufficient or a recorded-material delete request is made by user command, the recording space management unit150secures a recording space and performs management on recorded materials by automatically deleting recording materials that have not been preserved or recording materials whose preservation periods have expired. A method of managing a recording space will be described later with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 5is a flow chart of a method of setting preservation of recorded material in a recording-space management method for a recording/reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is determined whether reproduction of a recorded material is selected (S100). When the reproduction of the recorded material is selected, the selected recorded material is reproduced (S101). Then, it is determined whether or not watching the recorded material being reproduced is terminated (S102). When the watching of the recorded material is not terminated, the reproduction of the selected recorded material is continued. When it is determined that the watching of the recorded material is terminated (S102), a window for recorded-material preservation setting is displayed (S103). As the window for recorded-material preservation setting, for example, the preservation-setting screen as described above with reference toFIG. 3may be used. It is determined whether or not the recorded-material preservation setting is selected (S104). When the user inputs a preservation period and selects recorded-material preservation setting on the recorded-material preservation setting screen, the corresponding recorded material is preserved, thereby terminating the preservation setting thereof (S105). The corresponding recorded material is preserved and managed for a preservation period set by the user. Recorded materials which have not been preserved or whose preservation periods have expired are set and managed as general recorded materials (S106).

When the reproduction of the recorded material is not selected (S100), it is determined whether to search a list of recorded materials (S107). When it is determined to search the list (S107), a recorded-material list screen as illustrated inFIG. 4is displayed. For the recorded-material preservation setting, the user selects a specific recorded material231on the recorded-material list screen, and selects a recorded-material preservation setting item241(S108, S109). Then, a recorded-material preservation setting window is displayed (S103). As the recorded-material preservation setting window, for example, the preservation setting screen as illustrated inFIG. 3may be used. It is determined whether or not the recorded material preservation setting is selected (S104). When the user inputs a preservation period and selects recorded material preservation setting on the recorded material preservation setting screen, the corresponding material is preserved, thereby terminating the preservation setting thereof (S105). The corresponding recorded material is preserved and managed for a preservation period set by the user. Recorded materials which have not been preserved or whose preservation periods have expired are set and managed as general recorded materials (S106). When a desired operation is neither the reproduction of the recorded material nor the search for the recorded materials, another corresponding function is performed (S110).

FIG. 6is a flow chart of a method of setting preservation of recorded materials in a recording space managing method for a recording/reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A recorded-material preservation setting window, that is, the recorded material preservation setting screen as illustrated inFIG. 3is displayed (S121). It is determined whether or not a preservation setting item212is selected or a cancel item211for releasing the preservation setting is selected on the recorded-material preservation setting screen (S122). When the cancel item211is selected, the preservation setting of a recorded material is canceled (S126). When the setting item212is selected, it is determined whether or not preservation setting has been selected before (S123). When the setting has already been made, it is determined whether to reset the preservation setting (S125). When it is determined not to reset the preservation setting, the recorded-material preservation setting is terminated. When it is determined to reset the preservation setting (S125) or new preservation setting is selected (S123), preservation setting of the recorded material is performed (S124). The record list management unit140stores management information on preserved recorded materials or general recorded material.

FIG. 7is a flow chart of a recording space management method for a recording/reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A recording space management mode is selected (S131) The recording space management mode is selected by a user interface128. When the recording space management mode is selected, a recording space management unit150performs management on a storage capacity of a storage medium, specifically an HDD130, under control of a CPU124. When the recording space management mode is started, it is checked whether or not the recording space is insufficient (S132). When the recording space is insufficient, in the recording space management mode, a list of recorded materials is displayed and provided to a user (S133). The list of the recorded materials includes deletable recorded materials. The deletable recorded materials are general recorded materials or recorded materials whose preservation periods have expired. That is, when the recording space is insufficient, preserved recorded materials, recorded materials whose preservation periods have expired, and general recorded materials are confirmed with reference to the list of recorded materials and setting information on each recorded material of the record list management unit140. Also, of the conformed materials, the recorded materials excluding the preserved recorded materials are provided to a deleting target list.

It is determined whether or not the user selects a recorded material to be deleted from the list of the recorded materials (S134). When the recorded material to be deleted is selected, the selected recorded material is deleted (S135). When the recorded material to be deleted is not selected, all of the general recorded materials that are not preserved are deleted (S136). The general recorded materials include recorded materials whose preservation periods have expired, or recorded materials that are not preserved. When the recorded materials are deleted, deleting can be made from the oldest recorded material among the recorded materials that are not preserved. That is, to delete the recorded materials, the user may select a recorded material to be deleted, recorded materials corresponding to specific conditions may be deleted collectively, or recorded material are prioritized and are deleted in order of priority.

That is, the user is informed of the list of recorded materials whose preservation periods have expired or that are not preserved through the recording space management mode. Thus, the user may conveniently select a recorded material to be deleted and then deletes the corresponding recorded material, or all of the general recorded materials may be automatically deleted.

FIG. 8is a flow chart of a recording space management method for a recording/reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the recording space management method shown inFIG. 8, it is determined whether the recording space is insufficient at the moment when recording is started or reproducing is started. When the recording space is insufficient, the recording material is deleted. The recording space may be managed even after the termination of the recording or reproducing. Also, in the case of reserved recording, the recording space may be managed before the reserved recording is started.

Recording or reproducing is started (S141). When the recording or reproducing is started, a recording space management unit150checks the remaining storage capacity of a storage medium and determines whether or not a recording space is insufficient (S142). When the recording space is insufficient, a user is informed of the insufficiency of the recording space (S143). The lack of the recording space is indicated in the form of a popup window containing a corresponding message or in the form of OSD. It is checked whether or not the user informed of the lack of the recording space requests deletion of recorded materials (S144). When the recorded-material delete request from the user is present, deleting is performed from a recorded material whose preservation period has expired (S145). When no request for deleting recorded materials is made, a recorded material that has not been preserved is deleted (S146).

The deleting of the recorded materials may be performed from the oldest recorded material or the recorded material reproduced longest ago of the recorded materials that are not preserved. Alternatively, recorded materials that are not preserved may be searched and deleted first among the recorded materials to be deleted. If there are no recorded materials that are not preserved, the oldest recorded material may be deleted.

When deleting target recorded materials including recorded materials whose preservation periods have expired and recorded materials that are not preserved are sequentially deleted, the user may be informed of management information of the corresponding recorded material. For example, the user may be notified that a preservation period of a recorded material to be deleted has expired or a recorded material to be deleted is not preserved. The recorded materials are deleted automatically or manually.

A time point at which the recorded materials are deleted may be arbitrarily set by a user. For example, the user may directly set a deletion reservation date before or after recording reservation, before, during or after reproducing of a material, or at the time of searching a list of the recorded materials. The setting for deleting recorded materials is managed by a recorded-material delete list management unit140. The recorded-material delete list management unit140manages recorded materials to be deleted, and provides a list of the deleting target recorded materials that is closest to the deletion reservation date when the recording space is insufficient. Because recorded materials of dates prior to a current date have already been deleted from the deleting target recorded material list, recorded materials belonging to a data next closest to the current date may be deleted from the list.

The present invention may be applied to computers, a mobile terminals (e.g., PDAs, camera phones, multimedia phons, or the like), and MP3 players.