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Publication Number
US-12405921-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A computer-implemented method, computer system, and computer program product for deleting a file from a storage medium. A file that is marked for automatic deletion is identified. A deletion time at which the file is to be deleted from the storage medium is identified. A visual indicator associated with the file is displayed. The visual indicator changes over time to provide an indication as to a nearness of the deletion time.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a file-decay management system for electronic files stored on a storage medium, where an electronic file is marked for automatic deletion at a deletion time and date. An instruction indicates the deletion time and date and a type of indicator for the electronic file, and the system stores deletion time and date and display type as file decay attributes for the electronic file.
A deletion engine and a display manager determine a level of transparency based on a difference between a current time and the deletion time and date. In accordance with the type of indicator, the system configures an indicator whose transparency increases as a countdown relative to the deletion time and date decreases, and provides the configured indicator for display via a display device at a time prior to the deletion time and date.
The system includes user interface flows for marking for automatic deletion and unmarking, where unmarking removes the decay indication and results in a fully opaque indicator. System components and an operational flow are described, including updating the visual indicator over time and automatically deleting at the deletion time and date.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims (system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium). Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is to couple deletion scheduling metadata with a countdown-based transparency level so that an indicator for the electronic file becomes more transparent as the deletion time approaches and is displayed prior to deletion.
Marking an electronic file for deletion with an indicator type
Responsive to an instruction, identify that an electronic file stored on a storage medium is marked for deletion at a deletion time and date, and that the instruction indicates the deletion time and date and a type of indicator to use for the electronic file.
Determining transparency from countdown to deletion
Determine a level of transparency based on a difference between a current time and the deletion time and date.
Configuring an indicator whose transparency increases as the countdown decreases
Configure, responsive to the instruction and in accordance with the type of indicator for the electronic file, an indicator with the level of transparency that increases as a countdown relative to the deletion time and date decreases.
Providing a pre-deletion visual indicator updated with current time
Provide, for display via a display device at a time prior to the deletion time and date, the indicator for the electronic file configured with the level of transparency determined based on the countdown at the current time relative to the deletion time and date.
The independent claims center on deletion scheduling metadata, a type of indicator, and a countdown-based transparency level for a pre-deletion display indicator.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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