SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DATA UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD

• US 20100306267A1
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MiMedia, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MiMedia, Inc.
• Inventors: Speigel, Jeff, Giordano, Christopher, Zamkoff, Erik, Clark, Frederick
• Granted Patent: US 8,090,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/783
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments

Abstract

Systems and methods which provide a hybrid network based solution for digital data file backup are shown. Embodiments utilize a transport mass storage system to provide transmission of digital data files between user equipment and a network based mass storage system. A manifest may be used to manage transporting and/or storage of digital data files. User equipment may then access the digital data files stored to the network mass storage system for various purposes using a network link. Subsequent, incremental backups and other transfers of relatively small amounts of digital data files are preferably accomplished using a network link for the transfer.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a transport mass storage system for use with respect to a user equipment mass storage system;

copying selected files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system;

transporting the transport mass storage system to a location associated with a network based backup system; and

copying the files from the transport mass storage system to a mass storage system of the network based backup system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

shipping the transport mass storage system to a location for the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing for return shipping of the transport mass storage system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

making the transport mass storage system available at a depot location for a user to obtain.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

associating the transport mass storage system with a user account of the network based backup system and with the user equipment mass storage system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

installing code on the transport mass storage system, the code to be delivered by the transport mass storage system to user equipment associated with the user equipment mass storage system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the code comprises software for controlling the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the code comprises user preferences regarding the files to be copied from the user equipment mass storage system.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the code comprises information for verifying an authorized user performs the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the code comprises information for verifying the user equipment mass storage system is a selected user equipment mass storage system.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the code comprises a software upgrade for the user equipment associated with the user equipment mass storage system.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the copying files from the user equipment mass storage system comprises:

identifying files to be backed up to the network based backup system.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifying files to be backed up comprises:

using default file identification parameters.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifying files to be backed up comprises:

using file identification parameters established as a function of user preferences.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifying files to be backed up comprises:

using file identification parameters provided by a user.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the copying files from the user equipment mass storage system comprises:

encrypting the files before their storage upon the transport mass storage system.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

analyzing, under control of an instruction set operable with a processor, files of the user equipment mass storage system to determine file transportation information;

determining, using the file transportation information, whether the files are to be transported to the network based backup system using the network link or the transport mass storage system;

if the files are to be transported to the network based backup system using a transport mass storage system performing the providing a transport mass storage system, the copying selected files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system, the transporting the transport mass storage system, and the copying the files from the transport mass storage system to a mass storage system of the network based backup system; and

if the files are to be transported to the network based backup system using a network link copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the network based backup system using a network link.

18. A method comprising:

analyzing files of a user equipment mass storage system to determine file transportation information;

determining, using the file transportation information, whether the files are to be transported to a network based storage system using a network link or a transport mass storage system;

if the files are to be transported to the network based storage system using a transport mass storage system;

providing a transport mass storage system for use with respect to the user equipment mass storage system;

copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system;

transporting the transport mass storage system to a location associated with the network based storage system; and

copying the files from the transport mass storage system to a mass storage system of the network based storage system; and

if the files are to be transported to the network based storage system using a network link;

copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the network based storage system using a network link.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the analyzing files to determine file transportation information comprises:

determining an aggregate size of files to be backed up to the network based storage system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the determining an aggregate size of files to be backed up comprises:

using default file identification parameters.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the determining an aggregate size of files to be backed up comprises:

using file identification parameters established as a function of user preferences.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the determining an aggregate size of files to be backed up comprises:

using file identification parameters provided by a user.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining whether the files are to be transported to a network based storage system using a network link or a transport mass storage system comprises:

determining if an aggregate size of the files is greater than a threshold value.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining whether the files are to be transported to a network based storage system using a network link or a transport mass storage system comprises:

determining if a time to transport the files over the network link is greater than a threshold value.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining whether the files are to be transported to a network based storage system using a network link or a transport mass storage system comprises:

determining if a through put of the network link is less than a threshold value.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining whether the files are to be transported to a network based storage system using a network link or a transport mass storage system is performed in conjunction with an initial file backup operation to backup files to the network based storage system.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining whether the files are to be transported to a network based storage system using a network link or a transport mass storage system is performed in conjunction with an incremental backup operation to supplement files backed up to the network based storage system.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

shipping the transport mass storage system to a location for the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

providing for return shipping of the transport mass storage system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the shipping and the return shipping are by express courier.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

making the transport mass storage system available at a depot location for a user to obtain.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

selecting a depot location of a plurality of depot locations which is nearest a location for the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

shipping the transport mass storage system from the depot location to the location for the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system.

34. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

associating the transport mass storage system with a user account of the network based storage system and with the user equipment mass storage system.

35. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing a transport mass storage system comprises:

installing code on the transport mass storage system, the code to be delivered by the transport mass storage system to user equipment associated with the user equipment mass storage system.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the code comprises software for controlling the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the code comprises user preferences regarding the files to be copied from the user equipment mass storage system.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the code comprises information for verifying an authorized user performs the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the code comprises information for verifying the user equipment mass storage system is a selected user equipment mass storage system.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the code comprises cryptographic key information for use in encrypting the files copied from the user equipment mass storage system.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the code comprises a software upgrade for the user equipment associated with the user equipment mass storage system.

42. The method of claim 18, wherein the copying files from the user equipment mass storage system comprises:

identifying files to be stored to the network based storage system.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the identifying files to be stored comprises:

using default file identification parameters.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the identifying files to be stored comprises:

using file identification parameters established as a function of user preferences.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the identifying files to be stored comprises:

using file identification parameters provided by a user.

46. The method of claim 18, wherein the copying files from the user equipment mass storage system comprises:

encrypting the files before their storage upon the transport mass storage system.

47. The method of claim 18, wherein the transporting the transport mass storage system comprises:

shipping the transport mass storage system to the location associated with the network based storage system for the copying the files from the transport mass storage system to the mass storage system of the network based storage system.

48. The method of claim 18, wherein the copying the files from the transport mass storage system comprises:

decrypting the files stored upon the transport mass storage system.

49. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

registering a user for use of the network based storage system, wherein the registering associates a user account of the network based storage system with the user equipment mass storage system.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the analyzing files of a user equipment mass storage system and the determining whether the files are to be transported to a network based storage system using a network link or a transport mass storage system are performed as part of the registering a user for use of the network based storage system.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the registering a user for use of the network based storage system comprises:

providing a parcel of data to user equipment associated with the user equipment mass storage system for later use in facilitating the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system.

52. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

if the files are to be transported to the network based storage system using the transport mass storage system, verifying at least one of user identification information and user equipment identification information prior to the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the verifying comprises:

verifying an association with the at least one of the user identification information and the user equipment identification information with identification information identifying the transport mass storage system.

54. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

if the files are to be transported to the network based storage system using the transport mass storage system, creating a manifest of files copied from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the manifest of files includes information regarding an aggregate size of the files copied to the transport mass storage system.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the manifest of files includes information identifying the transport mass storage system.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein the manifest of files includes information regarding a cryptographic key used with respect to the files copied to the transport mass storage system.

58. The method of claim 54, wherein the manifest of files includes at least one of a number of files being transferred, a size of each file being transferred, a location of storage on the user equipment of each file being transferred, file types for the files being transferred, and file names for each file being transferred.

59. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

transmitting the manifest of files to the network based storage system though the network link.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

reserving a portion of the mass storage system of the network based storage system using the manifest of files.

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

storing the manifest of files to the transport mass storage system for transporting to the network based storage system.

62. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

if the files are to be transported to the network based storage system using the transport mass storage system, matching the transport mass storage system with a network based storage system user account prior to copying the files from the transport mass storage system.

63. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

if the files are to be transported to the network based storage system using the transport mass storage system, notifying a user that files are available for access from the network based storage system after the copying the files from the transport mass storage system is complete.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

updating, prior to the notifying a user that files are available after the copying the files is complete, the files copied to the network based storage system to include changes to the files stored by the user equipment mass storage system after the copying the files from the user equipment mass storage system to the transport mass storage system.

65. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

providing processing of the files by the network based storage system ancillary to storage of the files for backup purposes.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the providing processing of the files by the network based storage system comprises:

copying at least a portion of the files to a selected destination.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the selected destination comprises a selected piece of user equipment.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the selected destination comprises equipment of a selected network service unrelated to the network based storage system.

69. The method of claim 65, wherein the providing processing of the files by the network based storage system comprises:

augmenting data of the files.

70. The method of claim 65, wherein the providing processing of the files by the network based storage system comprises:

correcting data of the files.

71. A system comprising:

a plurality of transport mass storage systems configured for physically transporting files from user equipment;

a network based backup system having at least one mass storage system and a transport mass storage system interface adapted to accept transfer of the files transported by transport mass storage systems of the plurality of transport mass storage systems and a network interface adapted to accept transfer of files transported from user equipment by a network; and

an instruction set adapted to determine if files stored by a mass storage system of user equipment are to be transported to the network based backup system using a transport mass storage system of the plurality of transport mass storage systems or using the network.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein transport mass storage systems of the plurality of transport mass storage systems comprise hard disk drive mass storage.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein transport mass storage systems of the plurality of transport mass storage systems comprise flash memory mass storage.

74. The system of claim 71, wherein transport mass storage systems of the plurality of transport mass storage systems comprise unique identification information electronically readable by a host system.

75. The system of claim 71, wherein transport mass storage systems of the plurality of transport mass storage systems comprise an instruction set stored thereon and adapted for delivery to user equipment.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the instruction set is adapted to control copying of the files transported by the transport mass storage system.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the instruction set is adapted to create a manifest of files transported by the transport mass storage system.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the instruction set is adapted to transmit the manifest to the network based backup system through the network.

79. The system of claim 75, wherein the instruction set is adapted to upgrade software of the user equipment.

80. The system of claim 71, wherein transport mass storage systems of the plurality of transport mass storage systems comprise one or more standardized interface adapted to interface with the user equipment.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the one or more standardized interface comprises an interface selected from the group consisting of:

a universal serial bus (USB);

an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 interface;

an Ethernet interface;

a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface;

a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface;

a small computer system interface (SCSI); and

an APPLE IPOD/IPHONE dock interface.

82. The system of claim 71, wherein the instruction set is further adapted to determine if an aggregate size of the files is greater than a threshold value for use in determining if the files are to be transported using the transport mass storage system.

83. The system of claim 71, wherein the instruction set is further adapted to determine if a time to transport the files over the network link is greater than a threshold value for use in determining if the files are to be transported using the transport mass storage system.

84. The system of claim 71, wherein the instruction set is further adapted to determine if a through put of the network link is less than a threshold value for use in determining if the files are to be transported using the transport mass storage system.