Systems and methods for aggregation of cloud storage
First Claim
1. A method for aggregation of a plurality of cloud storage locations for a client device in communication with a storage manager through a network, comprising:
- displaying at the client device a virtual folder that includes subfolders of stored items that are synchronized with corresponding stored items in respective storage locations of a plurality of cloud storage providers in communication with the client device through the network;
receiving, by the storage manager from the client device, metadata, without additional file information, of a file stored at the client device and designated for synchronization with one or more of the cloud storage providers, the file being designated for synchronization by interaction with the virtual folder on the client device;
selecting, by the storage manager, a first cloud storage provider of the cloud storage providers based on the metadata of the file;
storing, by the storage manager, the metadata of the file and an identification of the first cloud storage provider in a storage device associated with the storage manager;
transmitting, by the storage manager to the client device, the identification of the first cloud storage provider, receipt of the identification causing the client device to transmit the file directly to the first cloud storage provider and avoid using the storage manager as an intermediary for file transfers between the client device and the first cloud storage provider;
subsequently receiving, by the storage manager from the client device, a request for the file through interaction with the virtual folder on the client device;
retrieving, by the storage manager, the metadata of the file stored in the storage device and the identification of the first cloud storage provider, responsive to receipt of the request; and
transmitting, by the storage manager to the client device, the identification of the first cloud storage provider and the metadata of the file, receipt of the identification and the metadata causing the client device to transmit a request for the file directly to the first cloud storage provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for aggregation and management of cloud storage among a plurality of providers. In a first aspect, the invention is directed to file distribution and management across multiple cloud services via a storage manager. The storage manager may aggregate third-party cloud storage provider accounts into a single cloud storage space and load balance files among the third party-accounts as necessary. In one implementation, the storage manager may act as an intermediary, and files may be transferred by the client to the storage manager, which may select and forward the files to a third-party storage provider. File retrieval may be performed similarly, with the client requesting a file from the intermediary storage manager, which may retrieve the file from the corresponding third-party storage provider and forward the file to the client device.
88 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for aggregation of a plurality of cloud storage locations for a client device in communication with a storage manager through a network, comprising:
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displaying at the client device a virtual folder that includes subfolders of stored items that are synchronized with corresponding stored items in respective storage locations of a plurality of cloud storage providers in communication with the client device through the network; receiving, by the storage manager from the client device, metadata, without additional file information, of a file stored at the client device and designated for synchronization with one or more of the cloud storage providers, the file being designated for synchronization by interaction with the virtual folder on the client device; selecting, by the storage manager, a first cloud storage provider of the cloud storage providers based on the metadata of the file; storing, by the storage manager, the metadata of the file and an identification of the first cloud storage provider in a storage device associated with the storage manager; transmitting, by the storage manager to the client device, the identification of the first cloud storage provider, receipt of the identification causing the client device to transmit the file directly to the first cloud storage provider and avoid using the storage manager as an intermediary for file transfers between the client device and the first cloud storage provider; subsequently receiving, by the storage manager from the client device, a request for the file through interaction with the virtual folder on the client device; retrieving, by the storage manager, the metadata of the file stored in the storage device and the identification of the first cloud storage provider, responsive to receipt of the request; and transmitting, by the storage manager to the client device, the identification of the first cloud storage provider and the metadata of the file, receipt of the identification and the metadata causing the client device to transmit a request for the file directly to the first cloud storage provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for aggregation of a plurality of cloud storage locations, comprising:
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a server, in communication with a client device, comprising a processor executing a storage manager and a metadata storage device, wherein the storage manager is configured for; displaying at the client device a virtual folder that includes subfolders of stored items that are synchronized with corresponding stored items in respective storage locations of a plurality of cloud storage providers in communication with the client device through a network; receiving, from the client device, metadata, without additional file information, of a file stored at the client device and designated for synchronization with one or more of the cloud storage providers, the file being designated for synchronization by interaction with the virtual folder on the client device; selecting a first cloud storage provider of the cloud storage providers based on the metadata of the file, storing, in the metadata storage device, the metadata of the file and an identification of the first cloud storage provider; transmitting, to the client device, the identification of the first cloud storage provider, receipt of the identification causing the client device to transmit the file directly to the first cloud storage provider and avoid using the storage manager as an intermediary for file transfers between the client device and the first cloud storage provider; subsequently receiving, from the client device, a request for the file, through interaction with the virtual folder on the client device; retrieving the metadata of the file and the identification of the first cloud storage provider from the metadata storage device, responsive to receipt of the request; and transmitting, to the client device, the identification of the first cloud storage provider and the metadata of the file, receipt of the identification and the metadata causing the client device to transmit a request for the file directly to the first cloud storage provider. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for aggregation of a plurality of cloud storage locations for a client device in communication with a storage manager through a network, comprising:
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displaying at the client device a virtual folder that includes subfolders of stored items that are synchronized with corresponding stored items in respective storage locations of a plurality of cloud storage providers in communication with the client device through the network; transmitting, by the client device to the storage manager executed by a server, metadata, without additional file information, of a file stored at the client device and designated for synchronization with one or more of the cloud storage providers, the file being designated for synchronization by interaction with the virtual folder on the client device; receiving, by the client device from the storage manager, an identification of a first cloud storage provider of the cloud storage providers, the first cloud storage provider being selected by the storage manager based on the metadata of the file; transmitting the file, by the client device, directly to the first cloud storage provider for backup without using the storage manager as an intermediary for file transfers between the client device and the first cloud storage provider; subsequently transmitting, by the client device to the storage manager, a request for the file through interaction with the virtual folder on the client device; receiving, by the client device from the storage manager, the identification of the first cloud storage provider and the metadata of the file; and transmitting a request for the file directly to the first cloud storage provider, by the client device, responsive to receipt of the identification and the metadata. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification