Method and Apparatus For Progressively Deleting Media Objects From Storage

Abstract

A system for managing storage space on an electronic storage medium is provided in which a file format for stored data allows for progressive deletion of low-significance data, for example in a video or audio file, while allowing the remaining portions of the file to be subsequently retrieved. The file format allows for the ready deletion of low-significance data without having to open, edit and subsequently rewrite the data. Furthermore, rules-based algorithms for the deletion of low-significance data allow a user to store and progressively delete such low-significance data in accordance with time parameters, available storage space and the like, without having to delete the full file.

1 - 92 . (canceled) 
     
     
         93 . A method implemented by a computer system, the method comprising:
 accessing a database serving as a directory containing information relating to content items that have metadata associated therewith including metadata relating to the content items as associated with particular ones of a plurality of consumers;   receiving an access request from a particular one of a plurality of consumers for a specified one of the content items;   determining whether to grant the access request based at least in part on the metadata associated with the specified content item; and   facilitating access to the specified content item for the particular consumer if the access request is granted.   
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the specified content item is suitable for presentation on a device operated by the particular one of the plurality of consumers and the computer system is operated by a remote service. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the remote service comprises a provider of the content items. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the content items are provided by a plurality of different content providers, and the remote service is independent of the content providers. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the metadata used in the determining includes at least in part metadata relating to one of a content item quality level and a content item compression level. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the metadata used in the determining includes at least in part metadata relating to digital rights entitlements recognized by a provider of the specified content item who is independent of the consumers. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 94  wherein the metadata used in the determining includes at least in part metadata relating to at least one of replacement ability, cost, time, policies, and local versus remote storage. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the facilitating access comprises facilitating streaming of the specified content item to the device. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the facilitating access comprises facilitating downloading of the specified content item to the device. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the metadata includes identification of a plurality of alternative sources of the specified content item. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the access request is received from the device and the determining is based on first metadata relating to an entitlement of the particular consumer to the specified content item as recognized by the remote service, wherein the remote service is independent of the consumers. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the determining is further based on second metadata relating to a previous interaction of the particular consumer regarding the specified content item. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the previous interaction relates to the particular consumer being in possession of the specified content item. 
     
     
         106 . A method implemented by a computer system, the method comprising:
 maintaining a database serving as a directory containing information relating to content items that have metadata associated therewith including metadata relating to the content items as associated with particular ones of a plurality of consumers;   receiving entitlement metadata relating to a specified content item that is associated with a particular one of the plurality of consumers, wherein the entitlement metadata includes information relating to digital rights entitlements recognized by a provider of rights to the specified content item who is independent of the consumers;   receiving an access request for the entitlement metadata; and   providing at least a portion of the entitlement metadata in response to the access request.   
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the specified content item is suitable for presentation on a device operated by the particular one of the plurality of consumers and the computer system is operated by a remote service. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein the remote service comprises a provider of the content items. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein the content items are provided by a plurality of different content providers, and the remote service is independent of the content providers. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein the metadata includes at least in part metadata relating to one of a content item quality level and a content item compression level. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 107  wherein the metadata includes at least in part metadata relating to at least one of replacement ability, cost, time, policies, and local versus remote storage. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein the metadata includes identification of a plurality of alternative sources of the specified content item. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the information relating to digital rights entitlements is based upon a previous interaction of the particular consumer regarding the specified content item. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein the previous interaction relates to the specified content item as being in the possession of the particular consumer.