Training a computer storage system for automatic filing of data using graphical representations of storage locations

• US 7,849,141 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bellegarda, Jerome R., Forstall, Scott, Serlet, Bertrand, Tiene, Kevin, Silverman, Kim E. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Follansbee; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tiv; Backhean
• Application Number:
  US10/836,472
• Time in Patent Office: 2,412 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 709/225
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium that files data in a destination based on one or more criteria. In various embodiments, the data may be email, email attachments, faxes, telephone messages, downloaded data or programs, audio, video, scanned images, photographs, blocks of text, or other data. In an embodiment, a training mode and an automatic mode are provided. During the training mode, a user is presented with data and a recommended destination, and the user provides feedback that is used to train the criteria. During an automatic mode, the data may be transferred to the destination with or without user confirmation.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of operating a training mode for a filter in a storage system, the method comprising:

receiving from a user during the training mode, a selection of a data file for filing in the storage system, the selected data file without a destination storage location in the storage system previously established by the user;

determining during the training mode, a recommended destination storage location in the storage system for the selected data file using the filter, wherein the filter models relationships between characteristics of the selected data file and storage locations in the storage system;

presenting to the user during the training mode a graphical representation of a hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system that includes a graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location;

receiving user feedback indicating whether the recommended destination storage location is correct or incorrect; and

automatically updating the filter responsive to the user feedback with respect to characteristics of the selected data file and the recommended destination storage location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on most recent use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location and on a most recent use of the recommended destination storage location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a project associated with the selected data file.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a file type of the selected data file.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on content contained within the selected data file.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a success rate of destination storage location determinations during the training mode; and

switching from the training mode to an automatic mode of applying the filter to the selected data file in response to the success rate reaching a success criteria.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein switching from the training mode to an automatic mode of applying the filter comprises:

switching automatically from the training mode to the automatic mode.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the success rate further comprises:

determining a ratio of correct determinations of the recommended destination storage locations to a total number of determinations, wherein a determination is correct if the selected data file was approved by the user for filing in the recommended destination storage location determined by the filter.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises filing the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is correct.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving the selected data file from the recommended destination storage location back to an origin responsive to receiving an undo request.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises not filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is not correct.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a user command.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user command comprises a drag and drop operation of a graphical representation of the selected data file to the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a drag and drop operation of the graphical representation of the selected data file across a boundary threshold.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of folders.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of directory names.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an option in the storage system that allows the user to reset the filter.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating the storage system in an automatic mode, comprising;

receiving a data file in the automatic mode;

determining a destination storage location for the data file using the filter in the automatic mode; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to determining the destination storage location.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location occurs after a specified period of time has elapsed since the user finished accessing the data file.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

providing to the user access to the data file;

receiving an indication that the user is finished accessing the data file; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to receiving the indication.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating metadata with the selected data file based at least in part on previous associations with similar data file.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location comprises a visual indication that indicates the recommended destination storage location.

25. A computer-implemented method of operating a storage system, the method comprising:

operating the storage system in a training mode for a filter in the storage system comprising;

receiving from a user a selection of a data file for filing in the storage system, the selected data file without a destination storage location in the storage system previously established by the user;

determining a recommended destination storage location in the storage system for the selected data file using the filter, wherein the filter models relationships between characteristics of the selected data file and storage locations in the storage system;

presenting to the user a graphical representation of a hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system that includes a graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location;

receiving user feedback indicating whether the recommended destination storage location is correct or incorrect;

automatically updating the filter responsive to the user feedback with respect to characteristics of the selected data file and the recommended destination storage location; and

switching from the training mode to an automatic mode in response to a success rate reaching a success criteria;

operating the storage system in the automatic mode comprising;

receiving a data file;

determining a destination storage location for the data file using the filter; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to determining the destination storage location.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on most recent use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location and on a most recent use of the recommended destination storage location.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a project associated with the selected data file.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a file type of the selected data file.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on content contained within the selected data file.

32. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

determining a success rate of destination storage location determinations during the training mode.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein switching from the training mode to an automatic mode of applying the filter comprises:

switching automatically from the training mode to the automatic mode.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein determining the success rate further comprises:

determining a ratio of correct determinations of the recommended destination storage locations to a total number of determinations, wherein a determination is correct if the selected data file was approved by the user for filing in the recommended destination storage location determined by the filter.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is correct.

36. The method of claim 25, further comprising moving the selected data file from the recommended destination storage location back to an origin responsive to receiving an undo request.

37. The method of claim 25, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises not filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is not correct.

38. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

storing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a user command.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the user command comprises a drag and drop operation of a graphical representation of the selected data file to the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a drag and drop operation of the graphical representation of the selected data file across a boundary threshold.

41. The method of claim 25, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of folders.

42. The method of claim 25, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of directory names.

43. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing an option in the storage system that allows the user to reset the filter.

44. The method of claim 25, wherein automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location occurs after a specified period of time has elapsed since the user finished accessing the selected data file.

45. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing to the user access to the data file;

receiving an indication that the user is finished accessing the data file; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to receiving the indication.

46. The method of claim 25, further comprising associating metadata with the data file based at least in part on previous associations with a similar data file.

47. The method of claim 25, wherein the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location comprises a visual indication that indicates the recommended destination storage location.

48. A computer program product having a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable-instructions for operating a training mode for a filter in a storage system, the instructions when executed by a processor perform the operations of:

receiving from a user during the training mode, a selection of a data file for filing in the storage system, the selected data file without a destination storage location in the storage system previously established by the user;

determining during the training mode, a recommended destination storage location in the storage system for the selected data file using the filter, wherein the filter models relationships between characteristics of the selected data file and storage locations in the storage system;

presenting to the user during the training mode a graphical representation of a hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system that includes a graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location;

receiving user feedback whether the recommended destination storage location is correct or incorrect; and

automatically updating the filter responsive to the user feedback with respect to characteristics of the selected data file and the recommended destination storage location.

49. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

50. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on most recent use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

51. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location and on a most recent use of the recommended destination storage location.

52. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a project associated with the selected data file.

53. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a file type of the selected data file.

54. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein determining a destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on content contained within the selected data file.

55. The computer program product of claim 48, further comprising instructions for:

determining a success rate of destination storage location determinations during the training mode; and

switching from the training mode to an automatic mode of applying the filter to the selected data file in response to the success rate reaching a success criteria.

56. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein switching from the training mode to an automatic mode of applying the filter comprises:

switching automatically from the training mode to the automatic mode.

57. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein determining the success rate further comprises:

determining a ratio of correct determinations of the recommended destination storage locations to a total number of determinations, wherein a determination is correct if the selected data file was approved by the user for filing in the recommended destination storage location determined by the filter.

58. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises filing the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is correct.

59. The computer program product of claim 58, further comprising moving the data file from the recommended destination storage location back to an origin responsive to receiving an undo request.

60. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises not filing the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is not correct.

61. The computer program product of claim 48, further comprising:

storing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a user command.

62. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the user command comprises a drag and drop operation of a graphical representation of the selected data file to the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location.

63. The computer program product of claim 62, further comprising:

filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a drag and drop operation of the graphical representation of the selected data file across a boundary threshold.

64. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of folders.

65. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of directory names.

66. The computer program product of claim 48, further comprising providing an option in the storage system that allows the user to reset the filter.

67. The computer program product of claim 48, further comprising:

operating the storage system in an automatic mode, comprising;

receiving a data file in the automatic mode;

determining a destination storage location for the data file using the filter in the automatic mode; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to determining the destination storage location.

68. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location occurs after a specified period of time has elapsed since the user finished accessing the data file.

69. The computer program product of claim 67, further comprising:

providing access to the data file to the user;

receiving an indication that the user is finished accessing the data file; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to receiving the indication.

70. The computer program product of claim 48, further comprising associating metadata with the selected data file based at least in part on previous associations with similar data file.

71. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location comprises a visual indication that indicates the recommended destination storage location.

72. A computer program product having a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable-instructions for operating a storage system, the instructions when executed by a processor perform the operations of:

operating the storage system in a training mode comprising;

receiving from a user a selection of a data file for filing in the storage system, the selected data file without a destination storage location in the storage system previously established by the user;

determining a recommended destination storage location in the storage system for the selected data file using the filter, wherein the filter models relationships between characteristics of the selected data file and storage locations in the storage system;

presenting to the user a graphical representation of a hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system that includes a graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location;

receiving user feedback indicating whether the recommended destination storage location is correct or incorrect;

automatically updating the filter responsive to the user feedback with respect to characteristics of the selected data file and the recommended destination storage location; and

switching from the training mode to an automatic mode in response to a success rate reaching a success criteria;

operating the storage system in the automatic mode comprising;

receiving a data file;

determining a destination storage location for the data file using the filter; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to determining the destination storage location.

73. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

74. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on most recent use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

75. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location and on a most recent use of the recommended destination storage location.

76. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a project associated with the selected data file.

77. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a file type of the selected data file.

78. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein determining a destination storage location for the selected data file is based at least in part on content contained within the selected data file.

79. The computer program product of claim 72, further comprising:

determining a success rate of destination storage location determinations during the training mode.

80. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein switching from the training mode to an automatic mode of applying the filter comprises:

switching automatically from the training mode to the automatic mode.

81. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein determining the success rate further comprises:

determining a ratio of correct determinations of the recommended destination storage locations to a total number of determinations, wherein a determination is correct if the selected data file was approved by the user for filing in the recommended destination storage location determined by the filter.

82. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises filing the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is correct.

83. The computer program product of claim 72, further comprising moving the selected data file from the recommended destination storage location back to an origin responsive to receiving an undo request.

84. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein automatically updating the filter comprises not filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is not correct.

85. The computer program product of claim 72, further comprising:

storing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a user command.

86. The computer program product of claim 85, wherein the user command comprises a drag and drop operation of a graphical representation of the selected data file to the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location.

87. The computer program product of claim 86, further comprising:

filing the selected data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a drag and drop operation of the graphical representation of the selected data file across a boundary threshold.

88. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of folders.

89. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of directory names.

90. The computer program product of claim 72, further comprising providing an option in the storage system that allows the user to reset the filter.

91. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location occurs after a specified period of time has elapsed since the user finished accessing the data file.

92. The computer program product of claim 72, further comprising:

providing access to the data file to the user;

receiving an indication that the user is finished accessing the data file; and

automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location responsive to receiving the indication.

93. The computer program product of claim 72, further comprising associating metadata with the data file based at least in part on previous associations with similar data file.

94. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location comprises a visual indication that indicates the recommended destination storage location.

95. A storage system, comprising:

a computer processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable-instructions that when executed by the computer processor causes the storage system to operate in modes comprising;

a training mode in which the storage system applies a filter to a data file for determining a recommended destination storage location in the storage system for the data file using the filter, wherein the filter models relationships between characteristics of the data file and storage locations in the storage system and presents to the user a graphical representation of a hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system that includes a graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location and in which the storage system automatically updates the filter responsive to user feedback that indicates whether the recommended destination storage location is correct or incorrect, wherein the filter is updated with respect to characteristics of the selected data file and the recommended destination storage location;

an automatic mode in which the storage system applies the trained filter to a data file for determining a destination storage location for the data file and automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location;

wherein the storage system switches from the training mode to the automatic mode in response to a success rate of destination storage location determinations in the training mode reaching a success criteria.

96. The storage system of claim 95, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

97. The storage system of claim 95, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the data file is based at least in part on most recent use of a destination storage location in the storage system.

98. The storage system of claim 95, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the data file is based at least in part on a frequency of use of a destination storage location and on a most recent use of the recommended destination storage location.

99. The storage system of claim 95, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a project associated with the selected data file.

100. The storage system of claim 95, wherein determining a recommended destination storage location for the data file is based at least in part on a metadata file associated with the selected data file that indicates a file type of the selected data file.

101. The storage system of claim 95, wherein determining a destination storage location for the data file is based at least in part on content contained within the selected data file.

102. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the training mode further determines a success rate of destination storage location determinations during the training mode and switches from the training mode to an automatic mode of applying the filter to the selected data file in response to the success rate reaching a success criteria.

103. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the storage system switches from the training mode to an automatic mode further comprises:

switching automatically from the training mode to the automatic mode.

104. The storage system of claim 102, wherein the training mode further determines a success rate further comprises:

determining a ratio of correct determinations of the recommended destination storage locations to a total number of determinations, wherein a determination is correct if the selected data file was approved by the user for filing in the recommended destination storage location determined by the filter.

105. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the storage system automatically updates the filter comprises filing the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is correct.

106. The storage system of claim 105, wherein the storage system moves the data file from the recommended destination storage location back to an origin responsive to receiving an undo request.

107. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the storage system automatically updates the filter comprises not filing the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to the user feedback indicating that the recommended destination storage location is not correct.

108. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the storage system stores the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a user command.

109. The storage system of claim 108, wherein the user command comprises a drag and drop operation of a graphical representation of the selected data file to the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location.

110. The storage system of claim 109, wherein the storage system files the data file in the recommended destination storage location responsive to a drag and drop operation of the graphical representation of the selected data file across a boundary threshold.

111. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of folders.

112. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the hierarchy of storage locations in the storage system is a hierarchical list of directory names.

113. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the storage system further provides an option in the data file storage system that allows the user to reset the filter.

114. The storage system of claim 95, wherein automatically filing the data file in the destination storage location occurs after a specified period of time has elapsed since the user finished accessing the data file.

115. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the storage system further:

provides access to the data file to the user;

receives an indication that the user is finished accessing the data file; and

automatically files the data file in the destination storage location responsive to receiving the indication.

116. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the storage system further associates metadata with the data file based at least in part on previous associations with similar data file.

117. The storage system of claim 95, wherein the graphical representation of the recommended destination storage location comprises a visual indication that indicates the recommended destination storage location.