Abstract:
In a storing apparatus having a built-in recording medium, which stores program files, if there is no method of securing a free capacity of the recording medium, except for deletion of files, a user may have a feeling of resistance against the deletion of stored program files. Further, in securing the free capacity through recompression, there is a limitation to achieving a securable capacity. These problems can be solved by increasing the capacity of the disk to some extent, but this method is insufficient. Thus, a storing apparatus is provided in which, when the capacity of the recording medium is small, selected program stream stored in a hard disk is outputted via a network control unit to an external storage medium, and, after that program stream is outputted, the corresponding program stream is deleted from the hard disk.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a storing apparatus for storing broadcast programs.  
         [0002]     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-289490 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a storage apparatus which secures a required storage capacity by automatically deleting files, such that a recording medium provided therein can be effectively used and a failure in storing information due to an insufficient capacity can be prevented. In this case, however, since the file deletion is performed by a method uniformly selected and set by a user from many methods, the storage apparatus lacks versatility. In order to solve this problem, in Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a broadcast program is stored in a hard disk drive (HDD)  6  or the like, together with data regarding a storage retention condition. Specifically, stored data regarding the storage retention condition is checked by a microprocessor unit (MPU)  7 , and selected broadcast programs, based on the storage retention condition, among the broadcast programs stored in the HDD  6  are deleted.  
         [0003]     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-237141 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses an information storage apparatus, such as a digital camera or the like, in which it is possible to increase the number of storage sheets without deleting image data stored in a hard disk, a memory card, or the like. To this end, information to indicate whether or not a recompression is performed, information to indicate a recompression ratio, and information to assign that the recompression has been performed, without changing either the resolution or the image quality, are previously set as additive data in connection with image data. Then, when image data is newly stored, if the free capacity of the storage is small, a desired free capacity to be secured is designated. Accordingly, some of the stored images are recompressed and stored again according to the set information, such that the desired free capacity to be secured can be realized.  
         [0004]     Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-199322 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 3) discloses an imaging device in which it is possible to remove the restriction of an imaging time without sacrificing miniaturization, as well as a system using the imaging device. Specifically, the imaging device has a recording medium that stores captured images and a communication unit that communicates with an external image processing device. Here, image data stored in the recording medium is transferred to the external image processing device through the communication unit (see Step S 4 ). Then, when a transmission completion signal is received from the external image processing device (Step S 6 ), a data conversion is performed to reduce the data amount of image data stored in the recording medium (Step S 7 ).  
         [0005]     A video storing apparatus which uses a hard disk has experienced widespread use. Further, like digital BS broadcasting, digital terrestrial broadcasting, or the like, broadcasting has been digitized. A digital television (TV) set has been equipped with a recording medium, such as a hard disk, whereby the recording/reproducing of digital broadcasting has become possible. However, it is difficult to replace a hard disk built in the apparatus with another hard disk, for example, a large capacity hard disk. Accordingly, the capacity of the hard disk is restricted to a constant capacity. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of a user, the user may feel that it is inconvenient to delete programs stored in the hard disk, and thus, when the hard disk is full, it is preferable to preferentially secure a free capacity.  
         [0006]     Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which the duration in which to keep programs when storing a program is set by a user, and when the free capacity is deficient, files are deleted. However, in a case in which there is no method of securing the necessary free capacity of the hard disk, except for the deletion of files, it is difficult to secure the free capacity, without causing the user to experience a feeling of resistance against the deletion of the stored programs.  
         [0007]     Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which, in a digital camera, when the free capacity is deficient, a recompression of the stored data is performed to enhance the compression ratio, thereby securing the desired free capacity of the hard disk. However, in securing the free capacity by recompression, the securable free capacity is limited.  
         [0008]     Meanwhile, a network technology including the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network) has become popular and has been introduced into the home. By employing this technology, it becomes possible to transfer image information at a high bit rate. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique in which a communication unit is provided in an imaging device to transfer a captured image to an external image processing device. However, according to Patent Document 3, since it is assumed that the captured image is reproduced in the external image processing device, which serves as a destination in the transfer, the captured image, once it has been transferred, cannot be displayed in the imaging device.  
         [0009]     The problems described above can be solved to some extent by increasing the capacity of the hard disk. However, an increase in the capacity of the hard disk is not a basic solution. Further, it is difficult to secure the free capacity, without causing the user to experience a feeling of resistance against the deletion of the stored programs.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, when original data is recompressed or is deleted after being transferred to an external apparatus in order to secure the necessary free capacity of the hard disk, the convenience can be enhanced. However, since all of the above-described Patent Documents have given no consideration to how data should be deleted according to any priority, the consideration of priority is problematic.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a storing apparatus having enhanced convenience.  
         [0012]     According to an aspect of the present invention, a storing apparatus includes a storing/reproducing module which stores and reproduces program streams and program names in a recording medium; a communication module which transfers and receives each program stream stored in the recording medium to and from a server connected to a network; a compression module which compresses each program stream stored in the recording medium to a size smaller than the current size; a priority setting module which automatically sets a priority for deleting each program stream stored in the recording medium according to a predetermined condition; an instruction module which instructs the reproduction of each program stream stored in the recording medium; and a control module which controls the storing/reproducing module, the communication module, and the compression module. When the free capacity of the recording medium is small, the control module controls the compression module to compress each program stream stored in the recording medium to a size smaller than the current size; or, it controls the communication module to transfer the program stream to the server, according to the priority set by the priority setting module, deletes the program stream stored in the recording medium, and retains the program name corresponding to the deleted program stream. When an instruction for reproducing the program stream corresponding to the retained program name is received, the control module controls the storing/reproducing module to reproduce the corresponding compressed program stream, or it controls the communication module to receive the corresponding program stream from the server to reproduce the received program stream.  
         [0013]     In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a storing apparatus having enhanced convenience. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram showing a procedure for moving a program file according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a reproduction of a program file when reproducing the program file;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a folder when storing a program file;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a screen for changing a compression ratio according to the number of times of recompression; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a screen for determining a method of moving a file through an interaction with a user. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]     A storing apparatus  100  includes an antenna input terminal  102 , a tuner  103 , a data bus  104 , a hard disk  105 , a decoder  106 , a network control unit  108 , a network terminal  109 , a system control unit  110 , a remote control receiving unit  111 , and a display unit connection terminal  114 . An antenna  101  is connected to the antenna input terminal  102 ; a display unit  107  is connected to the display unit connection terminal  114 ; and a network  112  is connected to the network terminal  109 .  
         [0025]     First, an operation that is performed when recording a program will be described below.  
         [0026]     A user sets a timer using a remote control device (not shown) or the like. Timer reservation information from the remote control device is transferred by an infrared ray and is demodulated by the remote control receiving unit  111 . Then, the demodulated information is inputted to the system control unit  110 . The system control unit  110  performs a reservation operation according to the inputted timer reservation information. In particular, the system control unit  110  stores the timer reservation information in a built-in memory. A timer reservation start time stored in the memory is sequentially compared to the time of a clock in the system control unit  110 . When the time of the clock in the system control unit  110  reaches the reservation start time, a timer reservation operation starts.  
         [0027]     When the time of the clock in the system control unit  110  reaches a storage start time, first of all, in order to receive a channel to be stored, the system control unit  110  sets the channel of the tuner  103 . Here, the tuner  103  is one that is responsive to digital broadcasting. The tuner  103  derives and demodulates the signal to be broadcasted through the specified channel and outputs the demodulated signal in a stream of predetermined digital signals. The stream is outputted, for example, in a 188-byte packet format, which is referred to as MPEG-TS (MPEG Transport Stream).  
         [0028]     In order to store the program received by the tuner  103  in the hard disk  105 , the system control unit  110  controls and changes the data bus  104 , such that the stream outputted from the tuner  103  is inputted to the hard disk  105 .  
         [0029]     Then, the system control unit  110  sets a storage location, such that the stream is stored in the free capacity in the hard disk  105 .  
         [0030]     The inputted stream is stored in a designated location of the hard disk  105 . At this time, the storage time of each packet in each stream is stored as a time stamp, together with the stream. Accordingly, when reproducing the data, the output interval of the packet can be restored.  
         [0031]     When the time of the clock in the system control unit  110  corresponds to a storage completion time, the system control unit  110  instructs storage completion to the hard disk  105 . At this time, the system control unit  110  stores information, such as a storage start location and a storage completion location on the hard disk  105 , as management information regarding the hard disk  105 . In such a manner, the stored stream can be managed as a file. Further, when the storage start time, a storage channel, a program name, and the like are added to the management information, the storage content can be easily discriminated. In such a manner, the timer-reserved program is stored in the hard disk  105 .  
         [0032]     In the example described above, storage of the program is performed by timer reservation. However, even when a user pushes a record button to store the program during viewing, it is needless to say that the received program can be stored in the hard disk.  
         [0033]     Next, an operation that is performed when reproducing a program will be described below.  
         [0034]     When the user instructs that a program stored in the hard disk  105  is to be reproduced, the system control unit  110  displays a program list, which includes information, such as the program names and the storage times of the programs stored in the hard disk  105 , on the display unit  107 , and urges the user to select a program to be reproduced. The user selects a desired program from the displayed program list and instructs that the selected program is to be reproduced.  
         [0035]     The system control unit  110  designates the storage location on the hard disk  105  where the selected program is stored and instructs the state of reproduction of data from the hard disk  105 .  
         [0036]     The hard disk  105  starts the reproduction of data from the predetermined location on the designated disk. In the stored stream, since a time stamp is added to each packet, the output timing of each packet is controlled according to the time stamp. Accordingly, the packets are outputted at the same packet interval as that when the storing occurred.  
         [0037]     Next, the system control unit  110  controls the data bus  104  such that the stream reproduced from the hard disk  105  is inputted to the decoder  106 . Accordingly, the stream reproduced from the hard disk  105  is inputted to the decoder  106 .  
         [0038]     The decoder  106  converts the inputted stream into a video signal and a sound signal by decoding the inputted stream. The video signal is inputted to the display unit  107  via the display unit connection terminal  114 . The video signal is displayed on the display unit  107  and the sound signal is outputted as a sound from a built-in speaker.  
         [0039]     In such a manner, it is possible to reproduce the program stored in the hard disk  105 .  
         [0040]     In addition, when the stored program has been reproduced, the reproduction date/time or the number of reproduction times is stored in the management information of the program. Accordingly, it is possible to know the final date/time when each program had been reproduced and to discriminate between programs that have not been watched for a long time from programs that have been watched recently.  
         [0041]     Sequentially, an operation for moving a program file that is stored in the hard disk  105  will be described.  
         [0042]     The user stores various programs in the hard disk  105 . However, since the capacity of the hard disk  105  is limited, when the remaining capacity is not sufficient, it is impossible to store programs. Consequently, in the storing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention, files of programs having low possibilities to be reproduced hereinafter are automatically moved to a file server  113 , which is connected to the network  112 .  
         [0043]     Here, the programs having low possibilities to be reproduced include, for example, programs that have not been watched for a long time and programs that have an extremely low number of reproduction times. On the contrary, programs that have high possibilities to be reproduced include, for example, programs that have been reproduced repeatedly and programs that have been stored most recently.  
         [0044]     According to such information, priorities are given to the programs stored in the hard disk  105 . According to the set priorities, the files of the programs that have low possibilities of being reproduced are moved to the file server  113 .  
         [0045]     The moving of files to the server may be performed, for example, at the time of setting the timer reservation or at the time of the storage completion. Needless to say, the user may consciously instruct movement of a file by using the remote control device or the like.  
         [0046]     Hereinafter, the movement of a file to the file server  113  will be specifically described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0047]     First, the user performs a timer reservation using the remote control device. Specifically, in a step S 101 , the remote control receiving unit  111  receives a signal from the remote control device and outputs the received signal to the system control unit  110 . The system control unit  110  performs a timer reservation according to the received timer reservation information and stores the timer reservation information in the built-in memory of the system control unit  110 .  
         [0048]     Sequentially, in a step S 102 , the system control unit  110  calculates the storage capacity required for storing from the timer reservation information. Since the timer reservation information includes information such as the storage start time, the storage completion time, the storage channel, and a storage mode, the system control unit  110  calculates a storage time from the storage start time and the storage completion time and multiplies the calculated storage time by the bit rate of storage data obtained from the storage channel or the storage mode. In such a manner, the system control unit  110  calculates the storage capacity required for the timer reservation.  
         [0049]     Sequentially, in a step S 103 , the system control unit  110  calculates the remaining capacity of the hard disk  105 . In particular, the system control unit  110  may read the file management information in the hard disk  105  and calculate the size of the unused capacity in the hard disk  105 . The system control unit  110  compares the storage capacity required for storing to the remaining capacity of the hard disk and judges whether or not the timer reservation can be performed. At this time, when the remaining capacity is sufficient, the process progresses to a step S 104 . In the step S 104 , the system control unit  110  completes the reservation process without moving a file.  
         [0050]     If the remaining capacity of the hard disk  105  is smaller than the capacity required for the timer reservation, when the program is stored, since the capacity of the hard disk  105  is deficient, the storing operation is stopped. For this reason, in a step S 105 , some of the files stored in the hard disk  105  are moved to the file server  113 . At this time, as described above, the system control unit  110  estimates whether or not the file of each program stored in the hard disk  105  has a high probability of being reproduced, selects programs having little need to be reserved, and moves the selected program files.  
         [0051]     In particular, the system control unit  110  reads the management information of each program stored in the hard disk  105  and gives a necessity ranking to each program, based on the reproduction frequency, the final reproduction date/time, and the file capacity with regard to each program.  
         [0052]     Next, the system control unit  110  controls the network control unit  108  to communicate with the file server  113 . Sequentially, the system control unit  110  transfers the file of the program stored in the hard disk  105  to the file server  113  via the network control unit  108  and the network  112 . Here, in the file transmission, a so-called FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and the like can be used. When the file has been transferred to the file server  113 , the system control unit  110  deletes the file that has been transferred from the hard disk  105 . Therefore, the remaining capacity of the hard disk  105  is increased. Returning to the step S 103 , even if one file has been moved, when the remaining capacity of the hard disk  105  is insufficient, it is possible to repeat the file transfer process, and it is possible to perform the control to transfer a plurality of files in advance.  
         [0053]     By the above-described process, the capacity of the hard disk is secured. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the storage of a program is impossible because the hard disk has insufficient space.  
         [0054]     The file transfer can be performed in an asynchronous manner for both the storage and the reproduction. Therefore, even when the file transfer speed is slow or is not constant, there is no possibility of causing a problem in the storage or in the reproduction of data.  
         [0055]     In addition, if the program file has been transferred, when information, such as information of the transferred program, the file server name serving as the destination, and the file storage location, is stored in the hard disk  105  that is in the storing apparatus  100 , it is easy to acquire the program file again. Specifically, when information, such as the program name, the storage date/time, and a thumbnail image representing the program file, is stored in the hard disk  105 , it is possible for the user to acquire the information concerning the program that has been transferred. Further, if necessary, it is easy to select the program from the information, to request the file of the program again, and to reproduce the file.  
         [0056]     In the above-described embodiment, when setting the program reservation, or at the time of the storage completion, stream data is automatically transferred. However, as regards the file transfer, various modifications can be achieved. For example, the program stored in the hard disk  105  may be transferred after a predetermined period, for example, a week from the storage date/time. Alternatively, the file may be regularly transferred at a predetermined time, for example, every midnight on Sunday. Further, at the time of the storage start or during storing, the file may be transferred according to the remaining capacity of the disk.  
         [0057]     As described above, a program that has been stored by the storing apparatus  100  is transferred to the file server  113  at a predetermined timing. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the hard disk  105  in the storing apparatus will get full, so that a predetermined capacity is always secured. As a result, the user can perform the storage anytime, without being concerned about the remaining capacity of the hard disk  105 .  
         [0058]     Since the file of the program that has been transferred once from the storing apparatus  100  to the file server  113  can be returned to the storing apparatus  100 , the user can still watch the program.  
         [0059]     In particular, first, the user instructs the start of reproduction using the remote control device. The signal from the remote control device is inputted to the system control unit  110  via the remote control receiving unit  111 . According to the instruction for start of reproduction as received from the remote control device, the system control unit  110  displays a list of the programs that are or have been stored in the hard disk  105 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . At this time, information, such as the program title or a thumbnail of the program that has been transferred to the file server  113  and the storage date/time, is stored in the hard disk  105 . Such information can be represented by a server icon  204  displayed with the information stored in the hard disk  105 . By recognition of the server icon  204 , the programs stored in the hard disk  105  and the programs that have been transferred to the file server  113  can be discriminated, and the user can easily distinguish these programs.  
         [0060]     Next, the user selects the desired program using a cursor  202  from the displayed program information and instructs the reproduction of the selected program. When the user selects a program stored in the hard disk  105 , the system control unit  110  controls the data bus  104 , such that the signal reproduced from the hard disk  105  is inputted to the decoder. When the user selects a program in the file server  113 , data from the file server  113  is received in the form of a streaming broadcast and is reproduced. Needless to say, the program file in the file server  113  also may be reproduced after transfer of the program file to the hard disk  105 .  
         [0061]     When the transfer speed of the network  112  is fast enough, the user can reproduce the program without hardly any concern about whether the program is stored in the hard disk  105  or in the file server  113 .  
         [0062]     As described above, in the first embodiment of the invention, since the files that have been stored in the hard disk of the storing apparatus are automatically transferred, if necessary, the user does not need to be concerned about the remaining capacity of the hard disk in the storing apparatus. Accordingly, there is no possibility that storage of new files is impossible because the hard disk gets full. Therefore, it is possible to provide a very convenient storing apparatus having an advantage in that the user does not need to consciously delete any files.  
         [0063]      FIG. 4  shows a second embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 4 , the same reference numerals are appended to the same elements as those shown in the  FIG. 1 , and a repeated description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, when a program file is transferred from the hard disk  105  to the file server  113 , it is possible to lower the bit rate of the program file using an encoder  120 . Hereinafter, a method of lowering the bit rate will be described in detail. The system control unit  110  reads the program file from the hard disk  105  and inputs the read program file to the decoder  106  via the data bus  104 . The decoder  106  then decodes the stream of the inputted program file and converts the decoded stream into a video signal and a sound signal. The encoder  120  receives and recompresses the video signal and the sound signal so as to generate a recompressed stream of the program file. At this moment, the compression ratio of the video and sound signals is increased and the bit rate is lowered, as compared to the stream of the program file read from the hard disk  105 . The system control unit  110  stores the stream of the program file that was outputted from the encoder  120  in the file server  113  via the data bus  104 , the network control unit  108 , and the network  112 . The system control unit  110  confirms that the program file has been transferred to the file server  113  and deletes the program file from the hard disk  105 .  
         [0064]     In general, when the compression ratio is increased, the image quality deteriorates. However, since the file that is transferred to the file server  113  is a program file having a low probability of being watched, deterioration of the image quality is not a critical matter. When the compression ratio is increased, the size of the file becomes small. Accordingly, it is possible to transfer the file in a short time. Further, since less capacity is required, it is possible to store more files in the file server.  
         [0065]     In addition, in this embodiment, when the program file is transferred from the hard disk  105  to the file sever  113 , the user can supply a password or a secret code to the program file to be transferred using an encryption unit  121 . Hereinafter, a method of supplying a password or a secret code to the program file to be transferred will be described in detail. The system control unit  110  reads the program file from the hard disk  105  and transfers the program file to the network control unit  108 . When the program file is transferred, the system control unit  110  controls the data bus  104 , such that the program file passes through the encryption unit  122 . The encryption unit  122  encrypts the program file by using an encryption method, which is instructed by the system control unit  110 , and transfers the encrypted program file to the network control unit  108 . When the encrypted program file is reproduced in the storing apparatus  100 , the system control unit  110  controls the encryption unit  121 , such that the encrypted program file read via the network control unit  108  is decrypted and the decrypted program file is outputted to the data bus  104 . Since the program file is stored in the file server  113  after being encrypted, it is possible to prevent other users from reproducing the program file freely. Needless to say, when the program file is stored in the file server, the program file may be stored on a directory, which is different for each user or for each storing apparatus. Thus, a user&#39;s access to each directory may be restricted.  
         [0066]     In this embodiment, by using the disk drive  122  that is built in the storing apparatus  100 , it is possible to transfer the program files that have been stored in the hard disk  105  or the file server  113  to a removable disk  123  in a certain unit. Here, an example of the removable disk includes an optical disk, such as a Blu-ray disk or a DVD.  
         [0067]     Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , the storing apparatus  100  acquires, from information multiplexed to MPEG-TS, information about the total number of installments of the drama A and to which installment of the stored program the information corresponds, and displays the information on the screen. When the thirteenth installment of the drama A is stored, the system control unit  110  reads the program file of the drama A from the hard disk  105  or the file server  113  and stores the read program file in the removable disk  123  via the disk drive  122 . Then, the system control unit  110  deletes the program file that has been stored in the hard disk  105  or the file server  113 . When the total size of the program file of the drama A exceeds the capacity of the removable disk  123 , the system control unit  110  changes the compression ratio of the program file using the decoder  106  and the encoder  120 , such that the program file is stored on the removable disk  123 . The user can obtain a removable disk related to the drama A after watching the drama A. Therefore, in a case in which miscellaneous files are stored on the file server  113  and, accordingly, the remaining capacity of the file server  113  becomes deficient, the amount of the needed arrangement work can be reduced. In general, since the unit price per bit of an optical disk is less than that of a hard disk, from a cost standpoint, it is advantageous to transfer the program file from the hard disk to the optical disk. When the compression ratio is changed such that the program file of the drama A is stored on the removable disk  123 , the image quality can be seriously deteriorated. In this case, the compression ratio can be changed such that the program file of the drama A is stored on two removable disks  123 . The transferred program file that is stored on the removable disk can be represented by a disk icon  203  displayed with the program file transferred to the removable disk  123 . By recognizing the icon  203 , the user can easily understand that the program file is stored in the removable disk.  
         [0068]     Further, in this embodiment, the programs may be classified into folders for each category, as shown in  FIG. 5 ; and, when the free capacity is deficient, a countermeasure may be determined for each folder. The user selects a folder  201  at the time of the program reservation and a folder to be used for storing. According to the folder, when the free capacity of the hard disk  105  is insufficient, a countermeasure is determined. For example, when the user selects a drama folder, at least one file in the drama folder is recompressed and transferred to the file server  113 . When the user selects a movie folder, at least one file in the movie folder is transferred to the file server  113  without being recompressed. When the user selects a temporary folder, at least one file in the temporary folder is recompressed and stored in the hard disk  105 . In the case in which at least one file in the temporary folder is recompressed and stored in the hard disk  105 , it is possible to change the compression ratio according to the number of times recompression is carried out. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the first recompression is performed on a predetermined file at the compression ratio of 80%, the second recompression is performed on the predetermined file at the compression ratio of 50%, and the third recompression is performed on the predetermined file at the compression ratio of 0%, that is, the predetermined file is deleted at the time of the third recompression. By performing the file management in steps, it is possible to perform the file management flexibly, as compared to the case in which the file is deleted after expiration of a constant period. Needless to say, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the storing apparatus may have a function through which the user can control file transfer/recompression/deletion on purpose.  FIG. 7  shows a screen to be displayed when the storing apparatus  100  detects that the remaining capacity of the hard disk  105  is insufficient. On the screen, the user selects a sort method of a program menu  206  with a radio button  205  and selects program files to be arranged. Then, a sub menu  207  is opened, allowing the user to select a desired arrangement method from the sub menu  207 .  
         [0069]     Further, in the above-described embodiments, the network and the file server are not limited to the Internet and a file server provided by a service provider or the like. For example, the network and the file server may be a home network and a home server or a file server connected to the home network.  
         [0070]     In the foregoing description of the embodiments, each operation of the storing apparatus has been considered. The operations may be performed by hardware in a storing apparatus or by software. For example, by installing the software later on a storing apparatus, the storing apparatus for implementing the invention can be constructed.