Patent ID: 7526132

Claim:
An apparatus for storing data, comprising: an electronic data processing device, adapted to process the data; data loss check means for checking processed data for data loss in comparison with original data; an electronic data management device, adapted to convert the processed data to a format suitable for storage in a manner dependent on the result of the check performed by the data loss check means; a storage device, adapted to store the data, wherein the storage device is adapted to store lossy data in addition to data obtained in a lossless manner; and storage optimization means for weighing up time and storage outlay for the subsequent reconstruction of revised data from the original data together with the associated processing steps, against the time and storage outlay for the subsequent reconstruction of revised data from the processed data, and wherein, depending on the result of this weighing up, at least one of the original data together with the associated processing steps and the processed data are stored in the storage device, wherein the data includes at least one of image data and metadata.