Method and apparatus for safeguarding files

• US 20030229637A1
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ipcomm
• Original Assignee: IPCOMM LLC
• Inventors: Colson, Thomas J., Baxter, Samuel C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,174,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1435 using file system or storage system metadata
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99938 Concurrency, e.g. lock management in shared database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A computer implemented method for safeguarding files, comprising the steps of designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded, selecting certain of the files to be safeguarded from the location based upon predetermined selection criteria, copying the selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer, deleting the selected files from the first computer, processing the selected files to be safeguarded on the second computer, and storing the selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database. In a second embodiment, the file is copied to a second computer, but not deleted from the first computer, in addition to all other steps of the method. The invention also includes an apparatus for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for safeguarding files, comprising the steps of:

designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded;

selecting certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria;

copying said selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer;

deleting said selected files from said first computer;

processing said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer; and

storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database.

2. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of preprocessing said selected files to be safeguarded after said files to be safeguarded have been selected.

3. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 2 wherein said preprocessing comprises the step of calculating a first fingerprint for each of said selected files to be safeguarded.

4. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 wherein said deleting said selected files from said first computer is done after said selected files to be safeguarded have been stored in said restricted access database.

5. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different file names than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

6. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different dates of creation than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

7. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different checksums than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

8. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different fingerprints than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

9. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 wherein said copying said selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer comprises transmitting said files to be safeguarded from said first computer to said second computer over a network.

10. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 9 wherein said network is a global computer information network.

11. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 10 wherein said global computer information network is the Internet.

12. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 1 wherein copying said selected files is accomplished with a protocol selected from the group consisting of ftp, sftp, http, https, smtp, and S/MIME.

13. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 3 wherein said step of calculating a first fingerprint for each of said selected files to be safeguarded occurs at said second computer.

14. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 3 wherein said processing comprises the step of calculating a second file fingerprint.

15. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 3 wherein said processing is further comprised of comparing said second file fingerprint to said first file fingerprint.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises scanning said selected files to be safeguarded for malware.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises rendering eligible, selected files to Portable Document Format (pdf).

18. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises extracting and storing searchable text from said selected files.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 18 wherein said selected files are PowerPoint presentation software files.

20. The computer implemented method of claim 19 wherein said extracting and storing searchable text from said PowerPoint presentation software files comprises reading said software files, interpreting content of said file based on a known format of PowerPoint presentation software files, and storing said content interpreted as searchable text.

21. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises creating HTML views of said selected files to be safeguarded.

22. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises creating thumbnail views of said selected files to be safeguarded.

23. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises assigning a unique publication number to each of said selected files to be safeguarded.

24. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises calculating and collecting a unique fingerprint set for said selected files to be safeguarded.

25. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said processing comprises digitally notarizing said selected files to be safeguarded.

26. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said first computer and said second computer are located at different sites.

27. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising enabling a search of said restricted access database via a computer network.

28. The computer implemented method of claim 27 wherein said computer network is a global information computer network.

29. The computer implemented method of claim 27 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

30. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said selecting of said files to be safeguarded at said designated location occurs periodically.

31. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein said storage of said selected files in a restricted access database occurs on a third computer.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said processing of said selected files on said second computer comprises encrypting said selected files to be safeguarded.

33. A computer implemented method for safeguarding files, comprising the steps of:

designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded;

selecting certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria;

preprocessing said selected files to be safeguarded;

copying said selected preprocessed files to be safeguarded to a second computer;

processing said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer; and

storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database.

34. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said preprocessing comprises the step of calculating a first fingerprint for each of said selected files to be safeguarded.

35. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different file names than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

36. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different dates of creation than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

37. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different checksums than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

38. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said predetermined selection criteria comprises files to be safeguarded that have different fingerprints than files previously stored in said restricted access database.

39. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said copying said selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer comprises transmitting said files to be safeguarded from said first computer to said second computer over a network.

40. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 39 wherein said network is a global computer information network.

41. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 40 wherein said global computer information network is the Internet.

42. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein copying said selected files is accomplished with a protocol selected from the group consisting of ftp, sftp, http, https, smtp, and S/MIME.

43. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 34 wherein said step of calculating a first fingerprint for each of said selected files to be safeguarded occurs at said second computer.

44. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said processing comprises the step of calculating a second file fingerprint.

45. The computer implemented method for safeguarding files recited in claim 33 wherein said processing is further comprised of comparing said second file fingerprint to said first file fingerprint.

46. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises scanning said selected files to be safeguarded for malware.

47. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises rendering eligible, selected files to Portable Document Format (pdf).

48. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises extracting and storing searchable text from said selected files.

49. The computer implemented method of claim 48 wherein said selected files are PowerPoint presentation software files.

50. The computer implemented method of claim 49 wherein said extracting and storing searchable text from said PowerPoint presentation software files comprises reading said software files, interpreting content of said file based on a known format of PowerPoint presentation software files, and storing said content interpreted as searchable text.

51. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises creating HTML views of said selected files to be safeguarded.

52. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises creating thumbnail views of said selected files to be safeguarded.

53. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises assigning a unique publication number to each of said selected files to be safeguarded.

54. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises calculating and collecting a unique fingerprint set for said selected files to be safeguarded.

55. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said processing comprises digitally notarizing said selected files to be safeguarded.

56. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said first computer and said second computer are located at different sites.

57. The computer implemented method of claim 33, further comprising enabling a search of said restricted access database via the World Wide Web.

58. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said selecting of said files to be safeguarded at said designated location occurs periodically.

59. The computer implemented method of claim 33 wherein said storage of said selected files in a restricted access database occurs on a third computer.

60. The method of claim 33 wherein said processing of said selected files on said second computer comprises encrypting said selected files to be safeguarded.

61. An apparatus for safeguarding files, comprising the steps of:

means for designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded;

means for selecting certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria;

means for copying said selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer;

means for deleting said selected files from said first computer;

means for processing said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer; and

means for storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database.

62. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 61 wherein said means for designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to designate said location on said first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded.

63. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 61 wherein said means for selecting certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to select certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria.

64. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 61 wherein said means for copying said selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to copy said selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer.

65. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 61 wherein said means for deleting said selected files from said first computer comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to delete said selected files from said first computer.

66. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 61 wherein said means for processing said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to process said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer.

67. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 61 wherein said means for storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database comprise a magnetic media storage device.

68. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 67 wherein said magnetic media storage device comprises a hard drive.

69. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 67 wherein said magnetic media storage device comprises a floppy drive.

70. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 67 wherein said magnetic media storage device comprises a magnetic tape drive.

71. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 61 wherein said means for storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database comprise an optical media storage device.

72. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 71 wherein said optical media storage device comprises a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) drive.

73. An apparatus for safeguarding files, comprising the steps of:

means for designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded;

means for selecting certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria;

means for preprocessing said selected files to be safeguarded;

means for copying said selected preprocessed files to be safeguarded to a second computer;

means for processing said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer; and

means for storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database.

74. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 73 wherein said means for designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to designate said location on said first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded.

75. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 73 wherein said means for selecting certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to select certain of said files to be safeguarded from said location based upon predetermined selection criteria.

76. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 73 wherein said means for preprocessing said selected files to be safeguarded comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to preprocess said selected files to be safeguarded.

77. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 73 wherein said means for copying said selected preprocessed files to be safeguarded to a second computer comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to copy said selected preprocessed files to be safeguarded to a second computer.

78. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 73 wherein said means for processing said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer comprises a general purpose computer specially programmed to process said selected files to be safeguarded on said second computer.

79. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 73 wherein said means for storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database comprise a magnetic media storage device.

80. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 79 wherein said magnetic media storage device comprises a hard drive.

81. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 79 wherein said magnetic media storage device comprises a floppy drive.

82. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 79 wherein said magnetic media storage device comprises a magnetic tape drive.

83. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 73 wherein said means for storing said selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database comprise an optical media storage device.

84. The apparatus for safeguarding files of claim 83 wherein said optical media storage device comprises a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) drive.