A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STORING DATA IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE BASED ON MEMORY SPACE AVAILABILITY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of storing data in an electronic device and more particularly to copying the data from one source medium to another storage medium.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Ensuring sufficient memory space prior to copying data from one source medium to another storage medium is increasingly essential so that resources used for copying is not wasted. In one example, a user wishes to download data, to an electronic device, from the Internet. In such cases, the data is initially stored in a cache memory of the electronic device. The data is then copied from the cache memory to a destination storage medium in the electronic device.

[0003] In one scenario, if memory space of the destination storage medium is insufficient for storing the data, then the resources such as, but not limited to, power and internet usage for downloading the data and further storing the data into the cache memory is wasted. As a result, the user is required to ensure sufficient memory space prior to copying the data from one source medium to another storage medium. Also, intervention of the user is required, to a greater extent, during the process of copying the data.

[0004] In the light of the foregoing discussion there is a need for an efficient method and a system for storing the data into the electronic device with minimal user intervention.

SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide a method and system for storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability.

[0006] An example of a method of storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability includes determining a copy request. The copy request is being provided by a user of the electronic device to copy a source file. The method also includes comparing a source file size with a destination storage medium size. The source file size determines memory size of the source file and the destination storage medium size determines the memory size of a destination storage medium, of the electronic device, for storing the source file. Further, the method includes creating memory space, in the destination storage medium, by performing a plurality of actions. The memory space is being calculated to enable storing of the source file into the destination storage medium. The method further includes copying the source file into the destination storage medium.

[0007] An example of a system for storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability includes a communication interface for establishing communication. The system also includes a memory that stores instructions. The system further includes a processor responsive to the instructions to determine a copy request. The copy request is being provided by a user of the electronic device to copy a source file. The processor is also configured to compare a source file size with a destination storage medium size. The source file size determines memory size of the source file and the destination storage medium size determines the memory size of a destination storage medium of the electronic device, for storing the source file. The processor is further configured to create memory space, in the destination storage medium, by performing a plurality of actions. The memory space is being calculated to enable storing of the source file into the destination storage medium. Further the processor is configured to copy the source file into the destination storage medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0008] The accompanying figure, similar reference numerals may refer to identical or functionally similar elements. These reference numerals are used in the detailed description to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various aspects and advantages of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment, in accordance with which various embodiments can be implemented;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device for storing data based on memory space availability, in accordance with one embodiment; and

[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] It should be observed the method steps and system components have been represented by conventional symbols in the figure, showing only specific details which are relevant for an understanding of the present disclosure. Further, details may be readily apparent to person ordinarily skilled in the art may not have been disclosed. In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from another entity, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or order between such entities.

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide a method and system for storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment, in accordance with which various embodiments can be implemented.

[0015] The environment 100 includes multiple electronic devices, for example, an electronic device 1 105a, an electronic device 2 105b and an electronic device 3 105c. The electronic devices are connected to each other through a network 110. Examples of the electronic devices include, but are not limited to, computers, laptops, mobile phones, handheld devices personal digital assistants (PDA) and telecommunication devices. Examples of the network 110 include, but are not limited to, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) wireless networks, and cloud network.

[0016] The electronic device, for example the electronic device 1 105a, is operable to store data in a memory of the electronic device 1 105a. A user of the electronic device 1 105a performs a copy request for copying a source file into the electronic device 1 105a. Examples of the source file include, but are not limited to, a movie file, a music file, a video file, an image file, a word document and the like. The source file is copied from a source location. In one example, the source file can be located in the electronic device 2 105b. Hence, the source file located in the electronic device 2 105b can be copied into the electronic device 1 105a. The electronic device 1 105a is configured to determine the copy request performed by the user.

[0017] Upon determining the copy request, the electronic device 1 105a compares a source file size with a destination storage medium size. Comparing is performed to ensure availability of sufficient memory to enable storage of the source file, located in the electronic device 2 105b, into a destination storage medium in the electronic device 1 105a.

[0018] Further, the electronic device 1 105a calculates memory space, in the destination storage medium, when the source file size is greater than the destination storage medium size. The memory space is calculated by performing a plurality of actions by the electronic device 1 105a. The memory space is calculated to ensure sufficient memory space for storing the source file. The actions are performed based on user profile data and a user context data.

[0019] Upon calculating the memory space, the source file is copied to the destination storage medium of the electronic device 1 105a. Similarly, the source file can be copied to one or more destination storage mediums.

[0020] In one example, the user may be downloading a movie file from the network 110, for example the internet. In such cases, the movie file is initially copied to a cache memory of the electronic device 1 105a. The electronic device 1 105a while copying the movie file into the destination storage medium determines that memory size of the movie file is greater than the destination storage medium size by comparing the memory size of the movie file that is regarded as the source file size with the destination storage medium size.

[0021] In such cases, the memory space, in the destination storage medium will be created by moving another movie file that has already been watched by the user to another memory location of the electronic device 1 105a. Information regarding the movie file that has already been watched by the user is obtained from the user profile data. The memory space created ensures storage of the movie file into the destination storage medium of the electronic device 1 105a.

[0022] Further, the movie file is copied into the destination storage medium of the electronic device 1 105a.

[0023] By using the user profile data and the user context data, the electronic device 1 105a performs one or more actions for creating memory space for storing the data into the destination storage medium of the electronic device 1 105a. The memory space is created such that manual intervention of the user for ensuring necessary memory space prior to copying the data is eliminated. A system including a plurality of modules for storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device for storing data based on memory space availability, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0025] The electronic device 200 includes a bus 205 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 210 coupled with the bus 205 for processing information. The electronic device 200 also includes a memory 215, for example a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 205 for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 210. The memory 215 can be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by the processor 210. The electronic device 200 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 220 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 205 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 210. A storage unit 225, for example a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to the bus 205 for storing information, for example user profile data and user context data.

[0026] The electronic device 200 can be coupled via the bus 205 to a display 230, for example a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying the data. The input device 235,
including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus 205 for communicating information and command selections to the processor 210. Another type of user input device is the cursor control 240, for example a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor 210 and for controlling cursor movement on the display 230.

[0027] Various embodiments are related to the use of the electronic device 200 for implementing the techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the techniques are performed by the electronic device 200 in response to the processor 210 executing instructions included in the memory 215. Such instructions can be read into the memory 215 from another machine-readable medium, for example the storage unit 225. Execution of the instructions included in the memory 215 causes the processor 210 to perform the process steps described herein.

[0028] In some embodiments, the processor 210 can include one or more processing units for performing one or more functions of the processor 210. The processing units are hardware circuitry used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform specified functions.

[0029] The term "machine-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to perform a specific function. In an embodiment implemented using the electronic device 200, various machine-readable media are involved, for example, in providing instructions to the processor 210 for execution. The machine-readable medium can be a storage medium, either volatile or non-volatile. A volatile medium includes, for example, dynamic memory, such as the memory 215. A non-volatile medium includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, for example the storage unit 225. All such media must be tangible to enable the instructions carried by the media to be detected by a physical mechanism that reads the instructions into a machine.

[0030] Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic media, a CD-ROM, any other optical media, punchcards, papertape, any other physical media with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge.

[0031] In another embodiment, the machine-readable media can be transmission media including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that include the bus 205. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications. Examples of machine-readable media may include, but are not limited to, a carrier wave as described hereinafter or any other media from which the electronic device 200 can read. For example, the instructions can initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the electronic device 200 can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place the data on the bus 205. The bus 205 carries the data to the memory 215, from which the processor 210 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the memory 215 can optionally be stored on the storage unit 225 either before or after execution by the processor 210. All such media must be tangible to enable the instructions carried by the media to be detected by a physical mechanism that reads the instructions into a machine.

[0032] The electronic device 200 also includes a communication interface 245 coupled to the bus 205. The communication interface 245 provides a two-way data communication coupling to the processor 210. For example, the communication interface 245 can be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the communication interface 245 can be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. In any such implementation, the communication interface 245 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

[0033] The processor 210 in the electronic device 200 is configured to determine a • copy request. Examples of the electronic device 200 include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a smart phone.

[0034] The copy request may be provided by the user for copying a source file from one or more sources. Examples of the one or more sources include, but are not limited to, an universal serial bus (USB), a hard drive, primary memory of the electronic device 200, secondary memory of the electronic device 200, a personal computer (PC), a network, cloud storage and network attached storage (NAS).

[0035] The processor 210 is also operable to compare a source file size with a destination storage medium size. The source file size represents memory size of the source file and the destination storage medium size determines the memory size of a destination storage medium in the electronic device 200. Comparison is performed to ensure sufficient memory space prior to copying the source file into the destination storage medium.

[0036] The processor 210 is also configured to calculate a memory space, in the destination storage medium, by performing a plurality of actions. The processor 210 calculates the memory space to enable storing of the source file into the destination storage medium.

[0037] The actions include compression of unused data, movement of the unused data and deletion of the unused data.

[0038] The actions are performed based on a user profile data and a user context data.

[0039] The user profile data includes profile information of the user, for example but is not limited to the user is a movie freak. Hence, the profile information can include various movies watched by the user. A user profile module 250 included in the processor 210 is used for storing the profile information of the user.

[0040] The user context data include context information of the user. One or more sensors may be used for determining the user context data. Examples of the sensors include, but are not limited to, a light sensor, a location sensor, a temperature sensor, and a noise sensor. A user context module 255 included in the processor 210 is used for storing the context information of the user.

[0041] A file history manager 265 included in the processor 210 is used to store the actions performed by the processor 210 during creation of the memory space. In one example, the file history manager 265 includes the unused data that is compressed for creating the memory space. A compression module 260 included in the processor 210 is used for compressing the unused data for creating the memory space.

[0042] In another example, the file history manager 265 includes the unused data that is moved to different location for creating the memory space in the destination storage medium. In yet another example, the file history manager 265 includes the unused data that is deleted for creating the memory space in the destination storage medium. Similarly, the file history manager will maintain each and every action performed on the unused data for creating the memory space.

[0043] Further, the file history manager 265 included in the processor 210 is configured to notify the actions that are performed for creating the memory space.

[0044] Upon creating the memory space in the destination storage medium, the processor 210 is further configured to copy the source file into the destination storage medium. The processor 210 is further configured to perform a security check prior to copying the source file for eliminating security risks while copying the source file into the destination storage medium.

[0045] A method of storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0047] The method starts at step 305.

[0048] At step 310 a copy request is determined. The copy request may be provided by a user for copying a source file from one or more sources. Examples of the source file include, but are not limited to, a movie file, a music file, a video file, an image file, a word document and the like. Examples of the sources include, but are not limited to, a universal serial bus (USB), a hard drive, primary memory of the electronic device, secondary memory of the electronic device, a personal computer (PC), a network, cloud storage and a network attached storage (NAS).

[0049] The source file may be copied into a destination storage medium of the electronic device. The destination storage medium can also include a universal serial bus (USB), a hard drive, primary memory of the electronic device, secondary memory of the electronic device, a network, cloud storage and network attached storage (NAS).

[0050] At step 315 a source file size is compared with a destination storage medium size. The source file size represents the memory size of the source file and the destination storage medium size represents the memory size of the destination storage medium. The source file size is compared with the destination storage medium size to ensure sufficient memory space for storing the source file into the destination storage medium.

[0051] At step 320, a memory space is created in the destination storage medium when the source file size is greater than the destination storage medium size. A plurality of actions is being performed for creation of the memory space. The actions include compression of unused data, movement of the unused data and deletion of the unused data.

[0052] The unused data can include data, stored in the electronic device that is not useful to the user. The memory space is created to ensure sufficient memory space for storing the source file into the destination storage medium.

[0053] The actions are performed based on user profile data and user context data. The user profile data and the user context data determine the actions that can be performed on the unused data for creation of the memory space. The user profile data includes profile information of the user. The user context data includes context information such as part of a day, time, location of the user and the like.

[0054] In one example, the user profile data can include various movie files that have been watched by the user. In such cases, one movie file that is regarded as the unused data can be deleted when the source file, for example a new movie file, is being copied into the destination storage medium. The user may confirm deletion of the movie file prior to deleting the movie file.

[0055] In another example, if the new movie file is being copied during night, then one movie file that is regarded as the unused data may be moved to different location in the electronic device rather than deleting the movie file since the user is unavailable for confirming deletion of the movie file during the night. The context data determines that the movie file is being copied during the night and hence moves the movie file to different location.

[0056] In yet another example, the new movie file can also be compressed and further moved to different location in the electronic device.

[0057] Further, the user is notified upon performing one of the actions for creating the memory space. Further, the location to which the data is moved is also notified to the user.

[0058] At step 325 the source file is copied into the destination storage medium. Further, security check is performed prior to copying the source file for eliminating security risks while copying the source file into the destination storage medium.

[0059] The method stops at step 330.

[0060] Advantageously, the embodiments specified in the present disclosure provide an efficient method of copying data from one source medium to another source medium. By performing actions such as Compression of unused data, movement of the unused data and deletion of the unused data, memory space for storing the source file is created. Hence, data is copied without manual intervention of the user. Further, wastage of resources due to insufficient memory is eliminated since memory space is created in real time during copying of the source file.

[0061] In the preceding specification, the present disclosure and its advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded as illustrative
examples of the present disclosure, rather than in restrictive sense. All such possible modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present disclosure.

I/We claim:

1 A method of storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability, the method comprising:

determining a copy request, wherein the copy request is being provided by a user of the electronic device to copy a source file;

comparing a source file size with a destination storage medium size, wherein the source file size represents memory size of the source file and the destination storage medium size represents the memory size of a destination storage medium, of the electronic device, for storing the source file;

creating memory space, in the destination storage medium, by performing a plurality of actions, wherein the memory space is being created to enable storing of the source file into the destination storage medium; and

copying the source file into the destination storage medium.

2 The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory space is being created when the source file size is greater than the destination storage medium size.

3 The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of actions comprises one of compression of unused data, movement of the unused data and deletion of the unused data.

4 The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of actions is performed based on at least one of user profile data and user context data.

5 The method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

notifying, to the user, one of the plurality of actions that is performed during creation of the memory space.

6 A system for storing data in an electronic device based on memory space availability, the system comprising:

a communication interface for establishing communication;

a memory that stores instructions; and

a processor responsive to the instructions to determine a copy request, wherein the copy request is being provided by a user of the electronic device to copy a source file;

compare a source file size with a destination storage medium size, wherein the source file size represents memory size of the source file and the destination storage medium size represents the memory size of a destination storage medium, of the electronic device, for storing the source file;

create memory space, in the destination storage medium, by performing a plurality of actions, wherein the memory space is being created to enable storing of the source file into the destination storage medium; and

copy the source file into the destination storage medium.

7 The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory space is being created when the source file size is greater than the destination storage medium size.

8 The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of actions comprises one of compression of unused data, movement of the unused data and deletion of the unused data.

9 The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor further configured to notify, to the user, one of the plurality of actions that is performed during creation of the memory space.