Limited retention time storage system

Abstract

A controller is adapted for a portable communications device, such as a smartphone, with a user controlled self-erasing option to programmably store data locally only for limited periods of time until it can be uploaded to a cloud device. This allows for improved data storage management on the device including increased storage capacity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A controller system for storing data files on a portable communications device in accordance with configurable data retention characteristics specified for such data files comprising:
 a controller on the portable communications device configured for receiving and processing self-erasing configuration mode options from a user for data, including a first data retention parameter specified by a user for a first user data file to be stored on a physical medium on the portable communications device;   said controller being further configured:
 i) for storing said first data file on a physical storage medium on the portable communications device; and 
 ii) for automatically uploading said first data file from the portable communications device to a cloud storage device in accordance with said first data retention parameter; and 
 ii) for automatically erasing said first data file on said physical medium on the portable communications device contemporaneous with uploading said first data file to said cloud storage device in accordance with said first data retention parameter; 
   wherein said first data file is only retained on the portable communications device for a limited time period based on said first data retention parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to retain said first data file on said physical storage medium until it determines automatically that it can upload such file to a cloud storage device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said self-erasing configuration mode options further include a user specified target data retention period. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said physical storage medium is an ephemeral memory configured to physically self-erase storage elements for said first data file after a predefined target data retention period. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said physical storage medium is an ephemeral memory configured to physically self-erase storage elements for said first data file at predetermined intervals. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first data file also can be erased as part of an operation of reading data for said file from said physical storage medium. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said physical storage medium is a flash-based memory. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first data file physically erased by the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first data file is an image or video file. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first data file is a public or private key file. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to recover storage space on said physical storage medium without requiring manual intervention by a user of the portable communications device. 
     
     
         12 . A system for storing data files on a physical medium of a portable communications device in accordance with programmable data retention periods specified for such data files comprising:
 a controller on the communications device configured for receiving and processing a first target data retention period specified by a user for a first user data file as part of a self-erase mode;   a storage device on the portable communications device configured for storing original data for said first data file on said physical medium under control of said controller and based on said self-erase mode such that said original data is retained physically on such storage device only during said first target data retention period when said self-erase mode is enabled;   wherein said storage device is adapted such that a physical state of data storage elements of such physical medium device can be changed from a first logical state to a second logical state during a quiescent operational state for such device based on said self-erase mode specified by the user, and without requiring an erase or program operation for such data storage elements.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the controller further supports an active self-erase mode in which read operations performed on storage elements of said first data file also cause said elements to change from said first logical state to said second logical state without an erase or program operation. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the controller is configured to transfer said first data file for storage on a cloud storage device prior to an expiration of said first target data retention period. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the controller does not utilize a separate erase circuit to effectuate said self-erase mode.