Data backup and transfer system, method and computer program product

• US 8,126,990 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2006
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vdata, Inc.
• Original Assignee: JustService.net LLC
• Inventors: Fiducci, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coulter, Kenneth R
• Application Number:
  US11/408,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20060242273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,139 Days
• Field of Search: 709/213, 709220-222, 707/3, 726/4
• US Class Current: 709/220
• 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 having a plurality of accounts for copying selected data files between one or more account user computers and a system computer, each account user computer having a storage device, a display and means for operative connection to the Internet, the data storage system comprising:

the system computer having a system storage device with means for storing and selectively retrieving data files for each respective account, and file transfer software wherein the file transfer software is exclusively stored on the system computer;

the system computer being operatively connected to the Internet and having means for the account users to access the system computer through a system website using a web browser;

means for verifying account user identification for each account user computer seeking access to the system computer via the Internet wherein the account user identification comprises a code unique to and embedded in the account user computer;

the system computer including means for scanning the storage device of a linked verified account user computer;

the system computer including means for causing a list of data files stored on the linked account user computer storage device and a list of data files stored on the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account to be displayed in the web browser on the linked account user computer display;

means for receiving information indicating user selected data files from the list of data files stored on the linked verified account user computer storage device and the list of data files stored on the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account; and

means for downloading selected data files from the linked account user computer storage device to the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account and uploading selected data files from the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account to the linked account user computer storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the account user identification comprises an account user name and associated password.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the displaying means displays the list of data files stored on the linked account user computer storage device and the list of data files stored on the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account in a single window in the web browser on the linked account user computer display.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising the system computer including means for storing at least one appointment date for at least one account user, and means for generating at least one appointment reminder for the appointment date.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the system computer has means to store at least one electronic communication address for each account user, and wherein the appointment reminder is an email transmitted from the system computer to the email address associated with the at least one account user.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the accounts have sub-accounts each having a sub-account identification, further comprising means for verifying sub-account identification.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising means for setting varying levels of access for each sub-account.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a master scheduler means for entering appointments for all or selected sub-accounts, whereby appointment entries in the master scheduler are placed on calendars for all or selected sub-accounts.

9. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored exclusively on a system computer readable medium comprising:

checking for an operative connection between the system computer and the Internet, and if the system computer is operatively connected;

linking the system computer with an account user computer having a storage device based on verification of an account user identification;

scanning the data files and directories of the linked user computer storage device;

scanning the contents of data files and directories of a storage device on the system computer associated with the account user identification;

displaying data files and directories stored on the linked user computer storage device and data files and directories stored on the system computer associated with the account identification in a single window in a first web browser on the linked user computer display;

downloading selected data files from the linked user computer storage device to the system computer storage device associated with the account user identification and uploading selected data files from the system computer storage device associated with the account user identification to the linked user computer storage device;

associating a third party identification with the selected data files;

linking the system computer to a third-party computer based on verification of a third-party identification;

displaying in a second web browser on the linked third-party computer the selected data files associated with the corresponding third party identification; and

uploading the selected data files from the system computer to the linked third-party computer.

10. A computer program product as in claim 9, further comprising storing at least one email address for an account, storing at least one appointment date and associated message for at least one user account, comparing a current date with stored appointment dates, and when the current date equals an appointment date, generating an email reminder with an associated message to the account email address.

11. A computer program product as in claim 10, wherein the program executes the step of generating periodic email reminders on predetermined time intervals.

12. A method for a system computer to upload and download data between the system computer and a plurality of account user computers, each account user having a system account and an account user identification, the system computer operatively connected to the Internet and accessible through a system website using a web browser, the system computer having a data storage device capable of storing and retrieving unique user data for each of a plurality of system accounts, comprising the steps, for each user account:

linking the system computer to a first computer via the Internet;

receiving an account user identification from the first computer;

verifying the account user identification, and if verified,

scanning a storage device of the first computer,

downloading selected unique user data files from the first computer storage device and storing the unique user data files on the system computer storage device,

linking the system computer with a second computer via the Internet, wherein the second computer is one of a repaired first computer and a replacement for the first computer, the second computer having a second computer storage device;

receiving an account user identification from the second computer;

verifying the account user identification, and if verified;

uploading at least a portion of the selected unique user data files stored on the system computer storage device to the second computer storage device.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein the first computer is one of an office computer or home computer, and the second computer is the other.

14. A method as in claim 12, further comprising displaying on a display of the second computer, at least a portion of the contents of data previously stored on the system computer for that account.

15. A method as in claim 12, further comprising the step of simultaneously displaying on the second computer display a representation of at least a portion of the contents of a storage device of the second computer.

16. A method for a system computer to copy data from and to a plurality of account user computers, comprising the steps of:

establishing a plurality of system accounts, each account having an account user identification;

providing a system computer having a data storage device and file transfer software wherein the file transfer software is exclusively stored on the system computer, the data storage device capable of storing and retrieving data for each system account;

operatively connecting the system computer to the Internet;

providing account users access to the system computer via the Internet through a system website using a web browser;

verifying account user identification for each user computer seeking access to the system computer, and if verified for access, for each account;

operatively connecting the system computer to the account user computer;

scanning the contents of a storage device for the account user computer;

displaying in a single window in the web browser on a display of the account user computer a list of at least a portion of the data files stored on the account user computer storage device and at least a portion of the data files stored on the system computer for that account;

downloading selected data from the account user computer to the system computer and uploading selected data from the system computer to the account user computer.

17. A data storage system having a plurality of accounts for downloading selected data files and directories from one or more account user computers and uploading selected data files and directories from a system computer to one or more account user computers, each account user computer having a storage device, a display and means for operative connection to the Internet using a web browser, the data storage system comprising:

the system computer having file transfer software wherein the file transfer software is exclusively stored on the system computer, a system storage device adapted for storing and selectively retrieving data for each respective account, the system computer being operatively connected to a network;

software on the system computer for verifying account user identification for each account user computer seeking access to the system computer via the network;

the system computer adapted for scanning the storage device of a linked verified account user computer;

the system computer including software for displaying in a single window a list of data files and directories stored on the linked account user computer storage device and a list of data files and directories stored on the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account on the linked account user computer display;

software allowing the system computer to receive information indicating selected data files and directories from the list of data files and directories stored on the linked verified account user computer storage device and the list of data files and directories stored on the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account; and

software allowing the system computer to download selected data files and directories from the linked account user computer storage device and to store the selected data files and directories on the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account and to upload selected data files and directories from the system computer storage device for the corresponding verified account to the linked account user computer storage device.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein a plurality of authorized users can access the data files and directories stored on the system computer storage device for the verified user account.