Transparent electronic safety deposit box
First Claim
1. A secure data storage system, comprising:
- a communications network address configured to identify the secure data storage system to a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the secure data storage system via the communications network;
a dedicated data storage unit configured to maintain data files generated by the remote computing device, the dedicated data storage unit identified by an identification code corresponding to the remote computing device; and
a processing component configured to receive and process a request to access the dedicated data storage unit, the request being initiated as a directory path selection displayed such that the dedicated data storage unit appears as a local storage device of the computing device, the directory path specifying the communications network address, the identification code, and a data file maintained with the dedicated data storage unit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A secure electronic storage system for digital information administered by a third party and accessible over a communications network. Sensitive information in digital format is stored in a secure database located at a physically remote storage facility which appears to a client computer as a single, peripheral storage device and is transparent to the user. The secure storage facility is treated as a local logical storage device accessible from a user'"'"'s desktop computer thus allowing the storage, retrieval and updating of data files electronically over a communications network such as the internet. Dedicated data storage units identified by a user identification code are maintained in a secure environment and are accessed from a user'"'"'s desktop computer utilizing a standard data file access method for a single peripheral storage device. Encryption and user authorization validation services are also provided.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A secure data storage system, comprising:
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a communications network address configured to identify the secure data storage system to a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the secure data storage system via the communications network; a dedicated data storage unit configured to maintain data files generated by the remote computing device, the dedicated data storage unit identified by an identification code corresponding to the remote computing device; and a processing component configured to receive and process a request to access the dedicated data storage unit, the request being initiated as a directory path selection displayed such that the dedicated data storage unit appears as a local storage device of the computing device, the directory path specifying the communications network address, the identification code, and a data file maintained with the dedicated data storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method, comprising:
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maintaining data files with a dedicated data storage unit that is identified by an identification code corresponding to a remote computing device, the dedicated data storage unit having an associated communications network address; receiving a request to access the dedicated data storage unit, the request being initiated as a directory path selection displayed such that the dedicated data storage unit appears as a local storage device of the remote computing device, the directory path specifying the communications network address, the identification code, and a data file maintained with the dedicated data storage unit; and granting access for the remote computing device to access the dedicated data storage unit in accordance with access instructions associated with the identification code. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising;
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generating a request to access a logical data storage peripheral that corresponds to a remote secure data storage system which includes a dedicated data storage unit to maintain data files generated by a computing device, the dedicated data storage unit identifiable by an identification code that corresponds to the computing device; receiving the request to access the logical data storage peripheral, the request being initiated as a directory path selection displayed such that the logical data storage peripheral appears as a local storage device of the computing device, the directory path specifying the logical data storage peripheral, the identification code, and a data file maintained with the dedicated data storage unit; communicatively coupling the computing device to the remote secure data storage system; and communicating the request to access the logical data storage peripheral to the remote secure data storage system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. In a computer system including at least one client computer coupled by a communications network to a remote secure storage facility located remotely to the client computer, a method of accessing a dedicated data storage unit for storing data files associated with a user identification code in a secure environment, the method comprising:
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initiating a request for accessing a dedicated data storage unit of the remote secure storage facility, the request being initiated by selecting a directory path displayed such that the remote secure storage facility appears as a local storage device of the client computer, the directory path specifying at least the remote secure storage facility and a user identification code, the remote secure storage facility associated with an address on the communications network; in response to the request, automatically connecting to the remote secure storage facility at the associated address; transmitting the request to the remote secure storage facility; identifying the dedicated data storage unit associated with the specified user identification code; and granting access to the identified dedicated data storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. In a computer system including at least one client computer coupled by a communications network to a secure storage facility located remotely to the client computer, the remote secure storage facility identified by an address on the communications network and including at least one dedicated data storage unit for storing data files associated with a user identification code in a secure environment, encryption/decryption means and processor means, the remote secure storage facility adapted to allow access to the at least one dedicated data storage unit in accordance with a set of pre-existing instructions, apparatus for accessing the at least one dedicated data storage unit such that the remote secure storage facility is transparent to a client computer, the apparatus comprising:
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a logical data storage peripheral coupled to the client computer, the logical data storage peripheral associated with the remote secure storage facility; and a controller associated with the logical data storage peripheral and storing the address on the communications network of the remote secure storage facility, the controller including machine executed means for; receiving a request from a user on the client computer to access the logical data storage peripheral, the request being initiated by selecting a directory path displayed such that the remote secure storage facility appears as a local storage device of the client computer, the directory path specifying at least the logical data storage peripheral and a user identification code; determining the address of the specified secure storage facility; automatically connecting to the remote secure storage facility; transmitting the access request to the remote secure storage facility; and when access to a dedicated data storage unit associated with the specified user identification code has been granted, providing access to the dedicated data storage unit by routing communications between the client computer and the remote secure storage facility, the client computer unaware it is in communication with the remote secure storage facility. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A computing device, comprising:
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a logical data storage peripheral corresponding to a remote secure data storage system that includes a dedicated data storage unit configured to maintain data files generated by the computing device, the dedicated data storage unit identified by an identification code corresponding to the computing device; a controller configured to receive a request to access the logical data storage peripheral, the request being initiated as a directory path selection displayed such that the logical data storage peripheral corresponding to the remote secure data storage system appears as a local storage device of the computing device, the directory path specifying the logical data storage peripheral, the identification code, and a data file maintained with the dedicated data storage unit; and the controller further configured to communicatively couple the computing device to the remote secure data storage system and communicate the request to access the logical data storage peripheral to the remote secure data storage system. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A secure storage facility having an address on a communications network and adapted for communication with other devices on the communications network, the secure storage facility comprising:
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one or more dedicated data storage units for storing data files in a secure environment, each of the dedicated data storage units identified by at least one user identification code; and a processor coupled to each of the dedicated data storage units, the processor including machine executed means for; receiving an access request from a user on a remotely located client computer, the access request being initiated as a directory path selection displayed such that the secure storage facility appears as a local storage device of the client computer, the directory path specifying at least a user identification code; identifying a dedicated data storage unit associated with the specified user identification code; and granting access to the identified dedicated data storage unit in accordance with a set of instructions associated with the specified user identification code. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification