Portable data backup appliance

• US 20060288057A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Storage Appliance Corp.
• Original Assignee: Storage Appliance Corp.
• Inventors: Li, Eric, Collins, Ian
• Application Number:
  US11/154,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20060288057A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1451 by selection of backup contents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1461 Backup scheduling policy
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1469 Backup restoration techniques

Abstract

An appliance and method for simply and regularly backing up data files of a predetermined file type from a source device. The appliance is adapted for initiating a backup operation in response to only a single action being performed by a user.

Claims

1. A method for simply and regularly backing up data files of a predetermined file type by a fully automated single purpose, portable, detachable backup appliance in communication with a source device, the method comprising:

in response to only a single action being performed by a user with respect to the appliance, the appliance sending a request to the source device to identify, independently of the user, any files of the predetermined file type; and

for each file identified performing a backup operation comprising;

checking whether the file has previously been stored; and

if not previously stored, storing the file on the appliance by creating a copy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises setting a timer on the computer to perform the backup operation, automatically and without further input by the user, after a predetermined period of time.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises performing at predetermined intervals a self-diagnostic routine without further input by the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the single action comprises connecting the storage appliance to the source device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the single action comprises pushing a button on the storage appliance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the file type is a single file type selected from the group consisting of:

an image file type, a music file type, an email file type, a business application data file type, a digital video file type, an ebook file type, a contacts file type, a calendar file type, a general documents file type, a tasks file type, a settings file type, an application data file type, a bookmarks file type, and a passwords file type.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the file type is an image file type.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the file type is a digital photograph image file type.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes detecting files of the predetermined file type that are attached to or embedded within other files or applications.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises keeping a map on the appliance of drive and directory location indicating the source of each file on the computer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the method requires no installation of software on the source device to perform the backup operation.

12. A fully automated, single purpose, portable, detachable backup appliance in communication with a source device for simply and regularly backing up data files of a predetermined file type, comprising:

a module for sending, in response to only a single action being performed by a user with respect to the appliance, a request to the source device to identify, independently of the user, any files of the predetermined file type; and

a backup module for performing a backup operation for each file identified, the operation comprising;

checking whether the file has previously been stored; and

if not previously stored, storing the file on the appliance by creating a copy.

13. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance comprises a single-purpose storage device adapted exclusively for storage of the predetermined file type.

14. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance is reliant upon the power of the source device.

15. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance is powered by AC power.

16. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance is powered by one or more batteries.

17. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance has a form factor adapted for portability.

18. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance has no display.

19. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance has limited user controls.

20. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the communication between the appliance and the source device is wired.

21. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the communication between the appliance and the source device is wireless.

22. The appliance of claim 20, wherein the appliance includes a built-in cable for interface with the source device.

23. The appliance of claim 20, wherein the cable comprises a USB cable.

24. The appliance of claim 20, wherein the cable comprises a Firewire cable.

25. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance is adapted to interface with a single type of source device.

26. The appliance of claim 25, wherein the source device comprises a computer.

27. The appliance of claim 25, wherein the source device comprises a single device with storage capabilities, selected from the group consisting of:

a PC, a PVR, a cellphone, a home electronic device, a digital camera,.a PDA, a digital video camera, a scanner, a digital music player, a digital video player, a game console, and a storage file server.