Selective reciprocal backup

• US 7,330,997 B1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Odom
• Original Assignee: Gary Odom
• Inventors: Odom, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNCAN, MARC M
• Application Number:
  US10/859,738
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 707/204, 714/6, 714/20, 711/162
• US Class Current: 714/6.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1461 Backup scheduling policy
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments

Abstract

The disclosed technology applies the principle of anonymous reciprocity to facilitate remote backups. A local computer stores other computer'"'"'s backup files, while storing backup copies of local files on other computers connected through a network. Each computer may securely maintain and manage storage for other computers'"'"' files. Application may be constrained to a local area network, or work on the Internet. The disclosed technology works in a peer-to-peer environment; no central server is required. The same disclosed technology may also apply to file sharing.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

determining a first file set by receiving user selection of at least one said user-stored first file residing on local storage for backup,

wherein said user may exclude some said user-stored files from said selection,

such that said selection does not comprise specification of the transfer destination of said first file;

reserving a portion of local storage as inaccessible to said user usage,

such that basing the portion size of said inaccessible local storage at least in part upon the size of said first set;

locating over a network and selecting a first remote computer; and

copying at least a portion of said first file from said local storage to storage on said first remote computer.

2. The method according to claim 1, such that selecting said first remote computer at least in part upon receiving data of a measure of reliability of said first remote computer,

wherein said measure comprises, at least in part, data from monitoring usage of said first remote computer.

3. The method according to claim 1,

such that receiving said user file selection occurs via at least one user-input device, and

such that said locating said first remote computer and said selecting said first write-accessible storage occur without user input.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

said local computer allocating remote-accessible storage,

wherein said remote-accessible storage comprises at least a portion of write-accessible storage on said local storage for storing at least one file transferred through a network from at least one remote computer;

a second remote computer locating said local computer over a network;

said second remote computer determining a second file set by receiving a second user-determined selection of at least one second file residing on said second remote computer storage for backup,

such that said selection does not comprise specification of the transfer destination of said second file;

encrypting said second file set; and

copying at least a portion of said second file set from said second remote computer storage to said remote-accessible storage.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user-specified redundancy level selection for maintaining a specified number of copies of said file backup selection.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the size of said reserved portion of local storage based, at least in part, upon said user input subsequent to said user backup selection.

7. The method according to claim 1, such that selecting said first remote computer for backup based at least in part upon at least one backup option set by said user.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

integrating said user backup selection capability within a program allowing said user to view, select, and open files and file directories.

9. A computer-implemented method of allocating a portion of local storage for backing up files transferred from a remote computer, said method comprising:

receiving user file backup selection of at least one file residing on local storage for backup;

receiving a redundancy level selection for maintaining a specified number of copies of said file backup selection; and

allocating a first portion of local write-accessible storage,

such that said first portion size correlates to said file backup selection and said redundancy level selection.

10. The method according to claim 9, with the additional step of preventing a user from accessing said first portion of local storage.

11. The method according to claim 9, with the additional step of adjusting the allocation size of said first portion of local storage upon receiving a subsequent selection relating to file backup or redundancy level.

12. The method according to claim 9, with the additional step of receiving a request over a network regarding said first portion allocation size.

13. The method according to claim 12, with the additional step of receiving at least a portion of a file over a network for storage in said first portion of local storage.

14. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving user selection, via at least one user-input device connected to a local computer, designating a first set of user-stored files residing on local storage for backup,

wherein said first set excludes a second set of user-stored files residing on said local storage, and

such that said selection does not comprise specification of the transfer destination of said first file;

receiving user specification of at least one option associated with backing up said first set;

reserving a portion of local storage as inaccessible to said user usage,

wherein basing said portion size at least in part upon at least one user-selected option for said backup of said first set;

locating over a network and selecting a first remote computer; and

copying, as a first backup, at least a portion of said first set from said local storage to storage on said first remote computer.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a user-specified redundancy level selection for maintaining a specified number of copies of said first set.

16. The method according to claim 14, such that selecting said first remote computer at least in part based upon indicia received at said local computer of at least one measured aspect of reliability of said first remote computer.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

waiting a determined duration before commencing a second backup;

locating over a network a currently-accessible second remote computer; and

copying, as a second backup, a current set of user-selected files to said second remote computer,

without deleting said first backup.

18. The method according to claim 14, with the additional step of including in said first set at least one file not selected by said user.