WO2006109215A1

WO2006109215A1 - Device for and method of processing information

Info

Publication number: WO2006109215A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/051034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jasper Vervoort
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-04-15
Filing date: 2006-04-04
Publication date: 2006-10-19

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (DEV) and a method for processing data file meta information (CTI(11)... CTI(91); CSI(1)...CSI(9)). Said data file meta information (CTI(11)... CTI(91); CSI(1)... CSI(9)) is assigned to data files (DFI(11)... DFI(91)) and provides information regarding a content represented by said data files (DFI( 11 ) ... DFI(91 )) . A set of data file meta information, which is intended for the purpose to be processed, can be selected according to a condition from a number of data file meta information and is provided to be processed. Also a set of data file meta information being intended for the purpose of not to be processed can be selected according a condition and a remaining set of not deselected data file meta information is provided to be processed.

Description

Device for and method of processing information

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for processing data file meta information. The invention further relates to a method of processing data file meta information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Devices for displaying data file meta information are well known from the state of the art, for example in the form of personal infotainment (combined information and entertainment) devices, such as audio and/or video players. Such devices possess memory means for storing data files, wherein the data files represent for example audio information, e.g. so called "songs" or "(music) tracks" of a so called "(music) album". For the sake of clarity it is to mention that such a music album is commonly referred to as "album" only.

Also video information, e.g. so called "movies" or "video films", may be represented by such data files. The devices are adapted to reproduce said data files, so that a user can listen to music or watch a movie. The memory means typically comprise a hard disc or a solid state memory, or the data files are stored on exchangeable memory means such as a CD, DVD, MiniDisc, Flash Memory, etc.

Usually, data file meta information is assigned to the particular data files stored in the memory means of the device. Said data file meta information comprises the title of the data file, the artist or author of the data file. In the case of a music data file the data file meta information typically comprise the title of the album, to which the music data file belongs.

This data file meta information or a part of this data file meta information can be displayed by means of a display of the device, so that a user is able to identify which data file actually is being reproduced, or that a user is able to navigate through the data file meta information for choosing a specific data file that should be reproduced. Due to large memory size available in modern devices usually a great number of data files can be stored in the memory of the device. Thus a large number of titles are displayed by means of the display in a particular order. The order may be determined by the starting letter of the titles or by a user defined ranking.

Because of this, it often happens that a long list of data file meta information is displayed by means of a display of such a device, which makes it complicated and time- consuming for a user to navigate through the displayed data file information in order to find a desired data file for being reproduced.

A device as mentioned above is known for example from the US 2004/0225519 Al. This document describes so called "players" such as devices for playing music and - or video which allow to navigate through titles etc. displayed on a display based on preferences. For example, a user may indicate said preferences by entering preference data, which preference data indicate if said user likes or dislikes a specific music track. Such devices, however, first of all show the necessity that such preference data are available, and it is thus necessary that a user provides such preference data in advance.

Such a solution provides a flexible selection of music tracks or movie titles according to the preferences of a user. Such selections of music tracks or movie titles are in general referred to as media lists. However, this solution does not provide a possibility to quickly and simply reduce the length of, for example, a list of titles of music tracks displayed in the display of an audio player, since on the one hand it is necessary to enter further preferences before the present selection may be further reduced or modified according to a users desire, and since on the other hand such user preferences usually do not provide clear criteria which allow an effective reduction of the list displayed.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the type mentioned in the first paragraph and a method of the type mentioned in the second paragraph, which obviates the drawbacks described above.

To achieve the object described above, characteristic features according to the invention are provided with a device according to the invention, so that a method according to the invention can be characterized as follows:

A device for processing data file meta information, which data file meta information is assigned with a data file and provides information regarding a content represented by said data file, wherein the device comprises processing means, which processing means are designed for processing said data file meta information, and wherein the device comprises data file meta information selecting/deselecting means, which data file meta information selecting/deselecting means are designed for taking a condition into account and for selecting according to the condition from a number of data file meta information a set of data file meta information being intended for the purpose of to be processed and for providing said selected set of data file meta information to the processing means, or for deselecting according to the condition from the number of data file meta information at set of data file meta information being intended for the purpose of not to be processed and for providing a remaining set of not deselected data file meta information out of the number of data file meta information to the processing means.

To achieve the object defined above, characteristic features according to the invention are provided with a method according to the invention, so that a method according to the invention can be characterized as follows:

A method of processing data file meta information, which data file meta information is associated with a data file and provides information regarding a content represented by said data file, the method comprises the following steps, taking a condition into account, and selecting according to the condition from a number of data file meta information a set of data file meta information being intended for the purpose of to be processed and processing said selected set of data file meta information, or deselecting according to the condition from the number of data file meta information at set of data file meta information being intended for the purpose of not to be processed and processing a remaining set of not deselected data file meta information out of the number of data file meta information.

The provision of the characteristic features according to the invention creates the advantage that is possible to hide specific data file meta information, such as specific titles, specific album-titles (names of albums) or specific artists (names of artists) from being displayed, so that for example the number of titles, the number of albums or the number of names of artists displayed by means of the display are reduced, thus providing a simpler navigation through the data file meta information in comparison to prior art. According to the invention the reduction of the data file meta information in the display is based upon predefined conditions, which predefined conditions are stored in the device and can be activated by a user. The specific data files can then be found faster and with less effort by looking at the display. According to the invention it is also possible that a user himself defines the conditions for hiding specific data file meta information in the display. For example, a user may choose that all album-titles of albums beginning with "A" and "B" shall be hidden. However, it has proved to be of particular advantage when predefined, already stored conditions are used, since this provides usually the most effective and easiest way to hide content from being displayed as the appropriate condition provided by the device simply needs to be selected by a user in order to be effective. In cases in which only one condition is provided the selection of the appropriate condition is reduced to an indication that the condition shall be applied. Hence the user does not need to take any preceding or further actions as would be required in the case of displaying ranked lists of data file meta information as known in prior art. It can be mentioned that according to the state of the art certain music or movie players for example allow it to select specific data files to be reproduced from a list of all data files. However, this approach does not hide data file meta information, and in this case it is necessary that the user selects the data files to be reproduced from the complete list of titles with the described disadvantages. A specific solution in which the features according to claim 2 and claim 10, respectively are provided offers the advantage that the conditions for hiding data file meta information from being displayed by means of a display may be specified relatively simple and in a non-artificial way as only such a condition can be specified that is based on available data file meta information. For example, a condition can be automatically specified, for which condition all data file meta information, for example the album-titles of that music albums having a starting letter "A", may be hidden. However, this particular condition may only be available in situations in which such album-titles are present and not in situations in which only album titles having a staring letter "B" or "C" are present. In the latter situation the condition could for example be to hide either all data file meta information starting with the letter "B" or starting with the letter "C".

However, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the measures according to claim 3 and claim 11, respectively have been provided. Correlating first data file meta information, such as the titles of a data files, with second data file meta information, such as the name of the artist or author of the titles or the album-titles of an album, to which the titles belong, yields the advantage that very effective conditions for hiding data file meta information from the display may be obtained or defined.

A specific solution in which the measures according to claim 4 and claim 12, respectively are provided, offers the advantage that straightforward conditions are provided to hide data file meta information from being displayed by means of a display, which conditions allow to clearly estimate the effects of the application of said conditions.

A list of data file meta information to be displayed by a display are often very long since said lists contain large numbers of for example album-titles (second data file meta information) which contain only some song titles (first data file meta information). A specific solution according to the invention in which the measures according to claim 5 and claim 13, respectively are provided offers the advantage that the length of especially such lists can be reduced significantly.

Furthermore, it is of advantage when the measures according to claim 6 and/or of claim 7 and/or of claim 8, respectively are realized, since such an embodiment realizes a compact "all-in-one" device, which is also capable of reproducing and/or storing data files. These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter, by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram which diagrammatically shows a prior art device for processing data file meta information to be displayed by means of a display.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram which diagrammatically shows a device for processing data file meta information in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram which diagrammatically shows an embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 4 shows the structure of a data file used by the device according to the invention. Fig. 5 schematically shows data files stored in memory means of a device according to the invention and data file meta information assigned to said data files, which are displayed by means of a display.

Fig. 6 schematically shows data file meta information displayed by means of a display before and after an application of a first predefined condition for hiding data file meta information from being displayed by means of a display according to the invention.

Fig. 7 schematically shows data file meta information displayed by means of a display before and after an application of a second predefined condition for hiding data file meta information from being displayed by means of a display according to the invention.

Fig. 8 schematically shows data file meta information displayed by means of a display before and after an application of a third predefined condition for hiding data file meta information from being displayed by means of a display according to the invention.

Fig. 9 schematically shows data files stored by memory means and data file meta information derived from said data files and displayed by means of a display in a specific manner. Fig. 10 schematically shows data file meta information displayed by means of a display according to Fig. 9 before and after applying different predefined conditions for hiding data file meta information from being displayed by means of a display according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig.1 shows a device DEV for displaying data file meta information on a display DIS. Such a device DEV is well known from the state of the art. As shown in the figure said display DIS is part of the device DEV. The device DEV comprises memory means MEM for storing data files DFI(11)...DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31);

DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91). This data files DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91) are connected with so-called data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91), CSI(I)... CSI(9), which will be explained in detail later.

Furthermore, the device DEV includes an energy source SUP for supplying electric power to all parts of the device DEV, which parts require to be powered.

The device DEV further includes a microcomputer PRO. By means of the microcomputer PRO processing means PRM are realized. The processing means PRM are designed to read data representing data file meta information CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9) from the memory means MEM and to process these data and to provide the processed data to the display DIS such that the data file meta information CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31);

CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)...CSI(9) can be visualized by means of the display DIS.

In the present case the device DEV as shown in Fig. 1 realizes an audio player for reproducing music data files DFI(xy) (for example, MP3 -files, ATRAC-files, etc.) via loudspeakers or headphones. Said loudspeakers or headphones as well as further parts of the device DEV, such as a digital signal processor, for reproducing said (music) data files DFI(xy) are not shown in Fig 1.. The device DEV may alternatively or additionally also be capable of reproducing for example videos. In this case the display DIS would further be designed to reproduce / display the content of such video files. In addition a further display may be included in the device DEV or connected to the device DEV for this purposes. The memory means MEM are realized as an internal hard disk. It can be mentioned that the memory means MEM can also be realized by means of a solid state memory. The hard disk or the solid state memory may be external, which situation is not depicted in Fig. 1. The memory means MEM may also be a data storage means, such as CD,

DVD, or other memory means such as an USB stick, a mini disc, etc., which data storage means may be accessed with an internal or external reader.

Furthermore, the device DEV comprises input means INP, with the aid of which input means INP it is possible for a user to control the device DEV, for example for changing the level of volume of a music file, for choosing a specific data file for reproduction, etc. The input means may be included in the device DEV, or the input means

INP are remote control input means connected to the device DEV.

A device DEV according to the invention as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 comprises in addition to the device DEV as shown in Fig. 1 data file meta information selecting/deselecting means SEM. According to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the microprocessor PRO is designed to realize such data file meta information selecting/deselecting means SEM. In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 2, the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means SEM are adapted to read/select specific data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8);

CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77);

CTI(81)...CTI(83); CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7) from the memory means

MEM, which specific data file meta information is then provided to the processing means PRM and then displayed in the display DIS with the aid of the processing means PRM.

In the embodiment as described with Fig. 3, the processing means PRM first of all read out the whole data file meta information CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27);

CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77);

CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I )...CSI(9) from the memory means MEM. This data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43);

CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91);

CSI(I)...CSI(9) is then filtered with the selecting/deselecting means SEM by deselecting specific data file meta information CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91); CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(61),

CTI(62), CTI(91); CTI(31), CTI(41)...CTI(43), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(81)...CTI(83), CTI(91); CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9); CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(9); CSI(3), CSI(4), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(8), CSI(9), which specific data file meta information CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91); CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(91); CTI(31), CTI(41)...CTI(43), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(81)...CTI(83), CTI(91); CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9); CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(9); CSI(3), CSI(4), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(8), CSI(9) shall not be displayed in the display DIS.

Irrespective of the fact if all data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91), CSI(I)... CSI(9) or only specific data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7) is provided to be displayed by means of the display DIS, said data file meta information is usually arranged in a specific way for being displayed by means of the display DIS. For this purpose arranging means - not explicitly shown in the figures - are provided to arrange the mentioned data file meta information. In the case of the devices as shown in Fig. 2 - Fig. 3 the arranging means are included in the processing means PRM. However, said arranging means may also be included in the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means SEM.

The processing means PRM as well as the data file meta information selecting means/deselecting SEM and the arranging means as mentioned above are realized in the form of software running on the microprocessor PRO. The explicit representation of the different means PRM, SEM therefore first of all serves to depict the different functionalities which are realized with the device DEV. However, it should be noted that in principle it is possible that a single software program running on the microprocessor PRO can handle the described functionalities of reading data file meta information from the memory means MEM, selecting or deselecting specific data file meta information, and further arranging data file meta information for the purpose of being displayed by means of the display DIS. A user can activate the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means

SEM by utilizing the input means INP. The input means INP are realized by means of specific buttons on the device DEV, with which the functionality of the device DEV according to the invention, namely the hiding of specific data file meta information CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91); CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(91); CTI(31), CTI(41)...CTI(43), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(81)...CTI(83), CTI(91); CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9); CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(9); CSI(3), CSI(4), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(8), CSI(9) from being displayed by means of the display DIS can be activated, as will be shown by the aid of Fig. 6 - Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Advantageously the device DEV according to the invention comprises a display DIS and memory means MEM in the form of an internal memory. The device DEV may also comprise a reader for reading data files DFI(11)...DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91) form a portable data storage means such as a CD, since such an embodiment realizes a compact "all-in-one" device. However, it is also imaginable that the device DEV only comprises a microcomputer PRO for realizing processing means PRM and selecting/deselecting means SEM, and further only comprises interfaces for being connected to an external display and external memory means or an external portable data storage means reader. A device DEV according to the invention may also comprises only an internal display (or internal memory means/reader) and interfaces for connecting with said external memory means or said external reader (or an external display). Such devices which do not comprise a display and/or memory means (or a reader) may be integrated into an already existing system for reproducing data files, for example into a hifi-system, so that the advantages of the invention may also be useful for such already existing systems. Fig. 4 illustrates the structure of a particular data file DFI(xy), for example of a music file, such as a so called MP3-file that comprises data coded according to international MPEG standard. Such a data file DFI(xy) usually consists of the content data CDA(xy), which content data CDA(xy) represent the content such as music to be reproduced with the device DEV as described in Fig. 2 - Fig. 3. Data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) is assigned to this content data CDA(xy), said data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) describing the content represented by the content data CDA(xy), which content may then be made visually recognizable or identifiable for a user when the data file meta information is displayed by means of the display DIS.

A typical example for such data file meta information CTI(xy) is the title of a song. Further data file meta information CSI(x) represents the artist/author associated with a data file, or the album-title of an album, such as a music album, to which the different data files (songs) belongs.

In the case of an MP3-file or an ATRAC-file, and as will be assumed for the further description of the invention, the content data CDA(xy) are stored together with the data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) in a common data file DFI(xy), or the data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) is stored in a separate database. However, it is often also realized that the data file DFI(xy) only contains the content data CDA(xy), but no data file meta information. Such data files DFI(xy), or at least for example an album to which these data files DFI(xy) belong, may contain some further information, for example a serial number, with the aid of which it is possible to download the data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) from a server containing this information via an internet connection. This data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) may then be stored together with the data files DFI(xy) in the memory means MEM or separately, for example in a separate database, or in a separate memory or a memory section of the memory means MEM, and can then be used for being displayed on a display DIS with the processing means PRM.

This procedure of downloading of data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) from a remote resource is also used when music files stored on a CD etc. are converted into an MP3- or an ATRAC-file, for example. In this case the data file meta information CTI(xy), CSI(x) is then stored together with the corresponding content data CDA(xy) in the particular data file DFI(xy).

The invention will now be described in more detail by the aid of the Fig. 5 - Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 - Fig. 10.

Fig. 5 shows memory means MEM by means of which a number of data files DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91) is stored. The data files DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91) consist in this embodiment of the content data CDA(I I)... CDA(19); CDA(21)...CDA(27); CDA(31); CDA(41)...CDA(43); CDA(51); CDA(61), CDA(62); CDA(71)...CDA(77); CDA(81)...CDA(83); CDA(91) as well as of a first part of data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91) and a second part of data file meta information CSI(I)...CSI(9). The second part of the data file meta information CSI(I)...CSI(9) is used to arrange the first part of the data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91) for being displayed by means of the display DIS. It is assumed that in the example as described the first part of the data file meta information CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91) represents the titles of different songs, and the second part of the data file meta information CSI(I)...CSI(9) represents the album-titles (or the names of the artists) to which different songs belong. The titles CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91) are then arranged or grouped according to the album-titles CSI(I)...CSI(9) for being displayed by means of the display DIS, which grouping is also shown in the right part of Fig. 5. In principle it is not necessary to display the album-titles CSI(I)... CSI(9), but for the sake of clarity the album-titles CSI(I )...CSI(9) are also shown by means of the display DIS. As one can recognize from Fig. 5 the list of data file meta information

CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91), CSI(I)... CSI(9) as displayed by means of the display DIS is rather long, thus making it uncomfortable for a user to search for a specific title CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91) in the list shown by means of the display DIS.

According to the invention it is now possible to select only specific data file meta information to be displayed by means of the display DIS. The way of how to select/deselect specific data file meta information is already described with respect to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. In the following therefore only the effects of the invention will be described using preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention allows a user to hide specific data file meta information from the display DIS, and it depends on specific conditions which data file meta information will be displayed on the display DIS and which data file meta information will be hidden. These conditions may be predefined and stored in the device DEV or may be defined by a user and will be applied to the data file meta information to be displayed when a user chooses a particular condition.

For example, a user can choose all titles (or artists) beginning with an "A" (or a "B" etc.) and the corresponding titles to be hidden from being displayed by the display DIS. According to another example, in a case in which the data file meta information also contains information with respect to the genre of the songs ("Rock", "Pop", "Jazz"; "Classics", etc.), a user can choose/activate the condition, that only songs or only albums etc belonging to "Rock" and "Jazz" will be displayed. In summary, the user can choose/activate the conditions defining which data file meta information has to be hidden from being displayed by means of the display DIS.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention as will be described in the following predefined conditions are used, which predefined conditions are already stored in the device DEV, e.g. by the aid of the memory means MEM. These embodiments take the fact into account, that users nowadays consume data files such as music files often in a way that they do not buy or store complete albums on a device DEV such as an MP3 audio player, but that they buy (for example via the internet) and transfer only specific data files of an album or of a particular artist to the device DEV. Thus it often happens that there are only some songs of a particular album/artist stored on the device DEV, which often leads to long lists of titles or long lists of album-titles or long lists of the names of artists to be displayed by means of the display DIS.

For example, as shown in Fig. 5 the album with the album-title CSI(I) contains 9 data files (songs) CTI(11)...CTI(19), whereas for example the album with the album-title CSI(3) contains only one song CTI(31) etc. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the predefined condition defines that such data file meta information or at least parts of this data file meta information, which is associated with second data file meta information (such as album-titles, name of artist, etc.) being associated with a number of first data file meta information, wherein said number of first data file meta information number is less or equal to a given number n, are hidden from being displayed by means of the display. Typical values for n are n = 1, 2, 3, 4. For example, n = 3 means that such data file meta information, which belongs to second data file meta information which is associated with only 3 or less first data file meta information is hidden.

In this context the wording "the first (part of) data file meta information is associated/correlated with a second (part of) data file meta information" means that said first data file meta information (e.g., different titles) belong to data files which data files are further identified by one common second data file meta information (e.g., the album title).

As will be explained in the following in greater detail, a list shown by means of the display may consist only of the titles (first data file meta information). If a "n=3 "-condition is activated, then all titles which belong to an album or to an artist (second data file meta information) which is associated with 3 or less titles will be hidden from being displayed by means of the display.

In the case that the second data file meta information, namely the album-titles or the names of the artists, are also shown in the display, then the preferred embodiment is that said second data file meta information is also hidden, so that the length of the list may be reduced significantly with respect to a list shown without applying any condition for hiding information from being displayed. However, it may also be provided that only the first data file meta information is hidden and that the second data file meta information remains in the display, so that the length of the list is also reduced, but still providing that a user has still the possibility to choose hidden data files by selecting one of the displayed information item. It is also possible that first of all only the second data file meta information

(the album-titles or the names of the artists) is shown in the display. For example, an MP3- player with a 40 GB hard disc may store thousands of songs which may be arranged in hundreds of albums or are assigned to hundreds of different artists. Thus, the corresponding lists of album-titles for example becomes very long, especially when there are a lot of albums containing only some titles.

In this case it is therefore also of advantage, that those second data file meta information is hidden from being displayed by means of the display DIS, which is connected or associated with n or less than n titles (first data meta file information).

In the following the above described possibilities will be described in more detail with respect to the figures.

Fig. 6 shows the activation of a first predefined condition which is activated by a user. According to this predefined condition n =1, which means that all albums which "contain" only one title shall not be displayed by the display DIS. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the albums with the album-title CSI(3), CSI(5) and CSI(9) contain only one title CTI(31),

CTI(51), CTI(91). Thus, when said predefined condition is chosen by the user these titles

CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91), and preferably also the album-titles CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9) are hidden from being displayed by means of the display DIS. This situation is shown in the right part of Fig. 6. As can be seen the list already becomes shorter, thus making it more easier for a user to navigate through the remaining titles CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27);

CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83).

With a device DEV according to Fig. 2 the first data file meta information

CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83) is selected with the selecting/deselecting means SEM from the data file meta information CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31);

CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83);

CTI(91), CSI(I)...CSI(9) stored in the memory means MEM and then provided to the processing means PRM. Furthermore, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 (as well as in the embodiments shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) it is also preferred that the album-titles which are associated with the hidden titles shall not be displayed in the display DIS the selecting/deselecting means SEM only select those second data file meta information CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8) which is associated with the displayed first data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83).

Said second data file meta information CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8) is also provided to the processing means PRM which then processes the first and second data file meta information CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27);

CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83);CSI(1), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8) to be displayed in the display DIS.

With a device DEV according to Fig. 3 the first and second data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91), CSI(I)... CSI(9) is read from the memory means MEM with the processing means PRM, and said data file meta information is then filtered with the selecting/deselecting means SEM by deselecting the first data file meta information CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91) and additionally the second data file meta information CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9) which shall not be displayed from the data file meta information CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91), CSI(I)... CSI(9) read by the processing means PRM. The remaining data file meta information CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8) is then displayed in the display DIS as shown in Fig. 6.

In a second embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 7 (n = 2), all albums which "contain" only one or two titles shall not be displayed according to the condition. As can be seen from Fig. 7, the albums with the album-title CSI(3), CSI(5) and CSI(9) contain only one title CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91), and the album with the album-title CSI(6) contains two titles CTI(61), CTI(62). Thus, when choosing these predefined conditions, only the titles CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), preferably together with the album-titles CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8) will be shown in the display, as this is schematically depicted in the right side of Fig. 7. One can further reduce the list of titles displayed in the display DIS by choosing a predefined condition where all titles which belong to an album with 3 or less titles are hidden (n = 3). The remaining titles CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77) together with the album-titles CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7) are shown in the right side of Fig. 8.

Analogous to Fig. 5 the Fig. 9 shows memory means MEM by means of which a number of data files DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91) are stored. Furthermore, Fig. 9 shows a display DIS by means of which only the second data file meta information CSI(I)...CSI(9), for example the album-titles or the names of the artists are shown.

Fig. 10 further shows the application of different conditions with n = 1, n = 2, and n = 3, and it can be recognized that the length of the list of second data file meta information can be reduced significantly. Especially in the case of a large number of second data file meta information (50 and more, for example) the resulting list of album-titles or names of artists CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7) can be reduced significantly.

A user may activate the predefined conditions by utilizing the input means INP as already described. For example, a specific input button may be assigned to a specific condition. In this embodiment the device DEV comprises different input buttons for n = 1, n = 2, etc.

However, it may also be possible that the desired condition is activated by selecting a corresponding item in a menu, which menu is shown for example by means of the display DIS. In a flexible solution according to the invention a user may chose the described predefined condition, but is then further asked to enter the specific value for n which the user desires. With this embodiment the user can individually adjust the value of n.

For the sake of clarity it is to mention that the various types of information described in this patent application is represented by corresponding data that are available for processing by the different means described throughout the application, which in it self is basically clear to the man skilled in the art. Consequently the term "data file meta information" may by substituted by "meta data" representing the data file meta information. The same applies to all other information, e.g. also the mentioned "condition" is basically represented by condition data as well.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware or software. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A device (DEV) for processing data file meta information, which data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)...CSI(9)) is assigned with a data file (DFI(11)...DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91)) and provides information regarding a content (CDA(I I)... CDA(19); CDA(21)...CDA(27); CDA(31); CDA(41)...CDA(43); CDA(51); CDA(61), CDA(62); CDA(71)...CDA(77); CDA(81)...CDA(83); CDA(91)) represented by said data file (DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91)), wherein the device comprises processing means (PRM), which processing means (PRM) are designed for processing said data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)), and wherein the device (DEV) comprises data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM), which data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) are designed for taking a condition into account and for selecting according to the condition from a number of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61),

CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)) a set of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(11)...CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) being intended for the purpose of to be processed and for providing said selected set of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) to the processing means

(PRM), or for deselecting according to the condition from the number of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61),

CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)) at set of data file meta information (CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(51),

CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(41)...CTI(43),

CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(81)...CTI(83), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(4), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(8), CSI(9)) being intended for the purpose of not to be processed and for providing a remaining set of not deselected data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77);

CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77),

CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) out of the number of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62);

CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)) to the processing means

(PRM).

2. A device (DEV) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) are designed to derive the condition based on the data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)).

3. A device (DEV) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) are designed to derive a correlation between a first part of said data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91)) and a second part of said data file meta information (CSI(I)...CSI(9)) and to influence the condition by taking said derived correlation into account.

4. A device (DEV) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) are designed to determine a number of the first part of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91)) being associated with a second part of data file meta information (CSI(I)...CSI(9)) and to derive the condition being dependent on said determined number.

5. A device (DEV) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) are designed to test - as the condition - whether the number of the first part of data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77);

CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91)) being associated with the second part of data file meta information (CSI(I)...CSI(9)) is less or equal to a given number (n) and to select all those data file meta information iulfilling the condition as the set of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) being intended for the purpose of to be processed or to deselect all those data file meta information not fulfilling the condition as the set of data file meta information (CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(41)...CTI(43), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(81)...CTI(83), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(4), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(8), CSI(9)) being intended for the purpose of not to be processed.

6. A device (DEV) as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the device (DEV) comprises memory means (MEM), which memory means (MEM) are provided for storing said data files (DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91)) and / or said data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31);

CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I )...CSI(9)) and said data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) are arranged and designed for cooperating with said memory means (MEM) in order to access said data files (DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91)) and / or said data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)) stored by means of the memory means (MEM).

7. A device (DEV) as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the device

(DEV) comprises a display (DIS) for visualizing said data file meta information

(CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I )...CSI(9)) and the processing means (PRM) are designed to process the data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) that is provided by the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) in such a way that the provided data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) is suitable to be interfaced with the display (DIS).

8. A device as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the device (DEV) comprises input means (INP), which input means (INP) are designed to receive a user input and to indicate the received user input to the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) and wherein the data file meta information selecting/deselecting means (SEM) are designed to be activated upon receiving the indication from the input means (INP).

9. A method of processing data file meta information, which data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I )...CSI(9)) is associated with a data file (DFI(11)...DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91)) and provides information regarding a content (CDA(11)...CDA(19); CDA(21)...CDA(27); CDA(31); CDA(41)...CDA(43); CDA(51); CDA(61), CDA(62); CDA(71)...CDA(77); CDA(81)...CDA(83); CDA(91)) represented by said data file (DFI(I I)... DFI(19); DFI(21)...DFI(27); DFI(31); DFI(41)...DFI(43); DFI(51); DFI(61), DFI(62); DFI(71)...DFI(77); DFI(81)...DFI(83); DFI(91)), the method comprises the following steps, taking a condition into account, and selecting according to the condition from a number of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61),

CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)) a set of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19);

CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) being intended for the purpose of to be processed and processing said selected set of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)), or deselecting according to the condition from the number of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)) at set of data file meta information (CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(41)...CTI(43), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(81)...CTI(83), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(4), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(8), CSI(9)) being intended for the purpose of not to be processed and processing a remaining set of not deselected data file meta information (CTI( 11 ) ... CTI( 19) ; CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) out of the number of data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)).

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the method comprises the step of deriving the condition based on the data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91); CSI(I)... CSI(9)).

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method comprises the step of deriving a correlation between a first part of said data file meta information (CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91)) and a second part of said data file meta information (CSI(I)...CSI(9)) and influencing the condition by taking said derived correlation into account.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the method comprises determining a number of the first part of data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91)) being associated with a second part of data file meta information (CSI(I)... CSI(9)) and deriving the condition depending on said number.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the method comprises - as the condition - testing whether the number of the first part of the data file meta information

(CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(31); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(51); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83); CTI(91)) being associated with the second part of meta data information (CSI(I)...CSI(9)) is less or equal to a given number (n) and selecting all those data file meta information iulfilling the condition as the set of data file meta information (CTI(11)...CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(61), CTI(62); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(6), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(41)...CTI(43); CTI(71)...CTI(77); CTI(81)...CTI(83), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(4), CSI(7), CSI(8); CTI(I I)... CTI(19); CTI(21)...CTI(27); CTI(71)...CTI(77), CSI(I), CSI(2), CSI(7)) being intended for the purpose of to be processed, or deselecting all those data file meta information not fulfilling the condition as the set of data file meta information (CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(9); CTI(31), CTI(41)...CTI(43), CTI(51), CTI(61), CTI(62), CTI(81)...CTI(83), CTI(91), CSI(3), CSI(4), CSI(5), CSI(6), CSI(8), CSI(9)) being intended for the purpose of not to be processed.