DATA BACKUP AND TRANSFER SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

• US 20120204227A1
• Filed: 02/27/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vdata, Inc.
• Original Assignee: JustService.net LLC
• Inventors: Fiducci, Thomas E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,722,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

A backup system having a plurality of accounts for copying selected data between one or more account user computers and a system computer where an account user'"'"'s computer connects to the system computer via the Internet. Selected data is copied between the account user'"'"'s computer and the system computer including, documents, media files, and email in any file type or format. Additionally, the system is compatible with all types of computers, including personal data assistants and mobile telephones, and all types of operating systems. All of the software to operate the system is resident on the system computer with no hardware or software required on the account user computer beyond a conventional web browser. The system also includes a scheduler, a contacts manager, a reminder generator and file transfer system for third-party users.

Claims

1. A data storage system comprising:

a virtual server on a network managing a plurality of user accounts, each user account including one or more files;

the virtual server adapted to verify user access information for a particular user account;

the virtual server transferring over the network information relating to files stored on the virtual server in the particular user account to a verified user on a user computer;

the virtual server further adapted to transfer files associated with the particular user account to and from the user computer.

2. The data storage system of claim 1 wherein the user computer is configured to display the information and the information is a list of files stored on the virtual server in the particular user account.

3. The data storage system of claim 2 wherein the virtual server is further adapted to access and transfer files stored on the user computer, and the list of files stored on the virtual server in the particular user account and a list of files stored on the user computer are displayed side-by-side in a single window.

4. The data storage system of claim 1 wherein each user account has a primary account user and a plurality of subaccounts, each of the subaccounts having file rights controlled access to subaccount files stored on the virtual server and each of the subaccounts having file rights controlled access to shared account files stored on the virtual server.

5. The data storage system of claim 4 wherein the primary account user sets the file rights controlled access level for each subaccount.

6. The data storage system of claim 4 wherein the file rights controlled access includes limiting subaccount access to only specified files.

7. The data storage system of claim 4 wherein the file rights controlled access includes prohibiting the subaccount user'"'"'s ability to delete files.

8. The data storage system of claim 4 wherein the file rights controlled access includes prohibiting the subaccount user'"'"'s ability to upload files from the account user device to the virtual server.

9. The data storage system of claim 4 wherein the file rights controlled access includes prohibiting the subaccount user'"'"'s ability to download files from the virtual server to the account user device.

10. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored exclusively on a non-transitory computer readable medium on a virtual network server comprising:

checking for an operative connection between the virtual network server and the Internet, and if the virtual network server is operatively connected;

verifying a user account;

linking the virtual network server with an account user computer having a storage device;

scanning data files and directories stored on the user computer storage device;

scanning files and directories stored the virtual network server and associated with the user account;

displaying data files and directories stored on the linked user computer storage device and data files and directories stored on the virtual network server and associated with the user account in a single window on the linked user computer display; and

downloading selected data files from the linked user computer storage device to the virtual network server storage device and uploading selected data files from the virtual network server storage device to the linked user computer storage device.

11. A method for a virtual network server to upload and download data between the virtual network server and a plurality of account user computers, the virtual network server operatively connected to the Internet and having a data storage device, comprising:

linking the virtual network server to a first computer via the Internet;

verifying a user account;

scanning a storage device on the first computer for the verified account;

downloading selected data files from the first computer storage device to the virtual network server storage device;

linking the virtual network server with a second computer via the Internet;

verifying the user account; and

uploading selected data files from the virtual network server storage device to a second computer storage device.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

creating a third party user account;

associating the selected data files with the third party user account;

linking the virtual network server with a third party computer via the Internet;

verifying the third party user account; and

uploading selected data files from the virtual network server storage device to a third party computer storage device.