Methods and apparatus for selecting and providing content data using content data status information

An information providing method comprising the steps of:

• Storing a plurality of pieces of content data in storage means, each of the plurality of pieces of content data having metadata attached thereto, the metadata including information regarding a status, the status determined at a time of capture, the time of capture being a time the piece of content data was captured by a camera and/or audio recorder;
• calculating a recollection value of each of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage means, using the metadata associated with the piece of content data;
• selecting a piece of content data from the plurality of pieces of content data that is to be output, based on the calculated recollection values of the individual pieces of content data;
• outputting the selected piece of content data, wherein the selecting is performed after the storing;
• wherein when the selected piece of content data is output, and output parameter is adjusted in accordance with an emotional value and a nostalgia value;
• wherein the selected piece of content data is audio data captured by the audio recorder, the audio recorder having a microphone,
• wherein when the piece of content data that is output is the audio data, at least a parameter regarding output level is adjusted in accordance with a magnitude of the emotional value, and at least a parameter regarding audio quality is adjusted in accordance with a magnitude of the nostalgia value.

A computer-storage medium comprising computer-executable modules, the modules comprising:

• a storage module storing a plurality of pieces of content data, each of the plurality of pieces of content data having metadata attaché thereto, the metadata including information regarding a status of a user, the status determined at a time of user perceivable generation of the piece of content data;
• a value calculator module configured to calculate a recollection value of each of the plurality of pieces of content data stored in the storage unit, using the metadata attached to the piece of content data;
• a selector module configured to select a piece of content data from the plurality of pieces of content data stored by the storage module that is to be output by an output device, based on the recollection values of the individual pieces of content data;
• wherein when the selected piece of content data is output, and output parameter is adjusted in accordance with an emotional value and a nostalgia value;
• wherein the selected piece of content data is audio data captured by the audio recorder, the audio recorder having a microphone,
• wherein when the piece of content data that is output is the audio data, at least a parameter regarding output level is adjusted in accordance with a magnitude of the emotional value, and at least a parameter regarding audio quality is adjusted in accordance with a magnitude of the nostalgia value.