Patent US5901228A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5901228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Commercial online backup service that provides transparent extended storage to remote customers over telecommunications links
Assignee: OASIS RESEARCH LLC
•
Filing: 1997-03-10
•
Granted: 1999-05-04
•
Expires: 2017-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A user can use his personal computer to call up an on-line service system over a telecommunications link such as a telephone line. The On-line system provides all sorts of useful services to the personal computer such as antiviral protection, auxiliary processing capabilities, and other features that are impractical or inconvenient to provide locally.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher M. Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:02
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/50; G06F9/5061; G06F9/5072; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/085; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q30/04; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/12; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/234; H04N21/2347; G06F2209/00; G06F2209/54; G06F2209/549; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953; Y10S707/99955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 177
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of providing on-line auxiliary storage computer services to multiple online service customers by making storage provided by a geographically remotely located online service provider available and accessible to customers' computers over telecommunications connections connecting the customers' computers with the geographically remotely located online service provider, the method comprising the following steps: (a) establishing a customer relationship between a customer and an online service provider providing an online auxiliary storage service, said customer having a customer's computer associated therewith; (b) establishing a telecommunications connection between the customer's computer and the online service provider; (c) validating the customer's authority to access the online auxiliary storage service provided by the online service provider; (d) making available, to the customer's computer via the telecommunications connection, at least some of the storage provided by the online service provider; (e) conditionally restricting at least a part of the customer's access to the online service provider storage based at least in part on the validating step (c), and (f) allowing the customer's computer to store data to the online service provider storage over the telecommunications connection; (g) tracking at least one of (a) the customer's access to the online service and (b) the customer's use of the online service provider storage; and (h) generating billing information based on at least one of (i) the relationship established in step (a), and (ii) the tracking step (g).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of providing on-line auxiliary storage computer services to multiple online service customers by making storage provided by a geographically remotely located online service provider available and accessible to customers' computers over telecommunications connections connecting the customers' computers with the geographically remotely located online service provider, the method comprising the following steps: (a) establishing a customer relationship between a customer and an online service provider providing an online auxiliary storage service, said customer having a customer's computer associated therewith; (b) establishing a telecommunications connection between the customer's computer and the online service provider; (c) validating the customer's authority to access the online auxiliary storage service provided by the online service provider; (d) making available, to the customer's computer via the telecommunications connection, at least some of the storage provided by the online service provider; (e) conditionally restricting at least a part of the customer's access to the online service provider storage based at least in part on the validating step (c), and (f) allowing the customer's computer to store data to the online service provider storage over the telecommunications connection; (g) tracking at least one of (a) the customer's access to the online service and (b) the customer's use of the online service provider storage; and (h) generating billing information based on at least one of (i) the relationship established in step (a), and (ii) the tracking step (g).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said making available step (d) comprises attaching a virtual disk.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of providing on-line computer backup services simultaneously to multiple remote online backup service customers by attaching at least one virtual backup storage resource to customers' computers using at least one Internet telecommunications link connecting the customers' computers with a geographically remotely located backup service provider, the method comprising: (a) providing storage for backup use through an online backup service provider; (b) establishing an Internet connection between the online backup service provider and a geographically remotely located customer's computer; (c) attaching, over the Internet connection, at least a part of the online backup service provider's storage to the customer's computer as a virtual backup storage device; (d) allowing the customer's computer to access the virtual backup storage device substantially as if the virtual backup storage device was a physical backup storage device locally attached to the customer's computer; (e) permitting the customer's computer to write information to the virtual backup storage device, including the step of transmitting written information to the online backup service provider over the Internet connection and storing the written information on the online backup service provider's storage; (f) requesting payment from said customer; and (g) denying said customer further access rights to said virtual backup storage device if said requested payment is not received.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of providing on-line computer backup services simultaneously to multiple remote online backup service customers by attaching at least one virtual backup storage resource to customers' computers using at least one Internet telecommunications link connecting the customers' computers with a geographically remotely located backup service provider, the method comprising: (a) providing storage for backup use through an online backup service provider; (b) establishing an Internet connection between the online backup service provider and a geographically remotely located customer's computer; (c) attaching, over the Internet connection, at least a part of the online backup service provider's storage to the customer's computer as a virtual backup storage device; (d) allowing the customer's computer to access the virtual backup storage device substantially as if the virtual backup storage device was a physical backup storage device locally attached to the customer's computer; (e) permitting the customer's computer to write information to the virtual backup storage device, including the step of transmitting written information to the online backup service provider over the Internet connection and storing the written information on the online backup service provider's storage; (f) requesting payment from said customer; and (g) denying said customer further access rights to said virtual backup storage device if said requested payment is not received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein steps (a)-(h) are performed for multiple customers, and step (d) includes the step of allowing multiple customers to access the online auxiliary storage service substantially simultaneously.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the customer's computer includes a local operating system, and step (d) includes the steps of: defining logical devices available to the customer computer's local operating system, and translating logical device access requests generated by the customer computer's local operating system into online auxiliary storage service provider service requests.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of executing an online service request device driver on the customer's computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of executing a multi-user virtual device manager at the online service provider.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) includes the step of protecting communications with encryption.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the steps, performed by the customer's computer, of encrypting data associated with the customer's identity and providing the encrypted data to the online service provider.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim I further including the step of encrypting at least some of the information passing over the telecommunications connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (g) comprises tracking the quantity of storage accessed by the customer's computer from the online auxiliary storage service storage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (h) includes the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the quantity of storage accessed by the customer's computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (h) includes the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the duration over which the customer's computer accesses the online auxiliary storage service storage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (d) includes making available plural different types of storage, and step (h) includes the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the type of online auxiliary storage service storage accessed by the customer's computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (e) includes the step of permitting the customer's computer to read from but not write to a portion of the online auxiliary storage service storage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises calling the online service provider over a telecommunications connection that automatically results in a portion of an associated customer telecommunications charge being paid by a telecommunications provider to the online service provider.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises calling the online service provider over a 900 telephone number.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of storing, at the online service provider, configuration information about the customer's computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of storing, at the online service provider, customer control data specifying how the customer may access the online service provider.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim I further including the step of compressing at least some of the information passing over the telecommunications connection.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises establishing an Internet connection between the customer's computer and the online service provider.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of receiving at least a part of compensation due from the customer from the telecommunications provider providing the telecommunications connection in step (b).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said connecting step (b) includes setting a flag in the customer computer indicating an online service session is active.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said connecting step (b) includes setting a flag at the online service provider indicating an online service session is active.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of setting at least one service option that controls at least in part the way an online service request sent from the customer's computer to the online service provider is satisfied.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of setting at least one default online service option to change the way an online service request is satisfied.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of setting at least one customer specific online service option to change the way an online service request is satisfied.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) includes establishing an online session for the customer's computer to send an online service request to the online service provider.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (d) is performed at least in part under control of software executing on the customer's computer, and the method further includes the step of downloading the software from the online service provider to the customer computer over an online connection.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of automatically periodically backing up customer computer data onto the online backup service provider's storage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the customer computer includes a file system, and step (e) includes the step of allowing the customer computer to access the remote storage provided by the online backup service provider by integrating at least a portion of the Internet connection for access by the customer computer's file system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of providing an online signup system allowing a customer to subscribe to the online backup service.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 32 wherein the providing step includes the step of establishing logon information for use in accessing the online auxiliary storage service.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (d) includes establishing at least a portion of the Internet connection as a backup destination for the customer computer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (b) comprises establishing a dialup Internet connection.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (e) includes the step of encrypting the back up data before transmitting it to the online backup service provider over the Internet connection.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (e) includes the step of compressing the back up data before transmitting it to the online backup service provider over the Internet connection.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (b) includes the step of establishing the Internet connection automatically without customer interaction.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (b) includes the step of establishing the Internet connection in response to customer interaction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the steps of: repeating steps (b)-(d); and allowing the customer to restore data from the online backup service provider storage over the Internet connection.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 40 wherein the step of allowing the customer to restore data includes the step of allowing the customer computer to request backup data by file name.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of checking the backup data for computer viruses.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of checking the customer computer for computer viruses.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (f) includes the step of charging the customer a monthly subscription fee.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (f) includes the step of charging the customer a fee based at least in part on the amount of storage used by the customer computer to store backup data.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of allowing the customer to specify information used for accessing the online backup service provider.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (e) includes the step of performing an incremental backup.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (e) includes the step of performing a full backup.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (e) includes the step of selecting file names for backup.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein at least one of step (d) and step (e) includes the step of conditionally sending a message from the online backup service provider to the customer computer indicating that access is not allowed.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the initial steps of establishing an initial telecommunication connection, and downloading software for use in performing at least step (d) over the initial telecommunications connection.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (d) is performed at least in part under control of software executing on the customer computer, and the method further includes the step of downloading the software from the online backup service provider to the customer computer over an online connection.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
215 words
An online computer system providing commercial auxiliary storage services to remote customer computers by performing the following steps: (a) providing at least one storage area remote to a customer's computer for use in storing customer information; (b) establishing a first online session with a customer's computer; (c) allowing the customer to register for auxiliary storage services via the first online session, including the step of establishing logon information; (d) subsequent to steps (a)-(c), establishing a second online session with the customer's computer; (e) receiving, over said second online session from the customer's computer, the logon information established by step (c); (f) validating the logon information received by step (e); (g) conditioned at least in part on validating step (f), allowing the customer to access the remote storage area via the second online session substantially as if the remote storage area was a storage device physically and/or locally attached to the customer's computer, including the steps of: (1) encrypting data provided by the customer's computer, (2) transmitting the encrypted data to the online auxiliary storage service over the second online session, (3) storing the data in the remote storage area provided by the online auxiliary storage service, and (4) permitting the customer's computer to access the data stored in the remote storage area by step (3).
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
215 words
An online computer system providing commercial auxiliary storage services to remote customer computers by performing the following steps: (a) providing at least one storage area remote to a customer's computer for use in storing customer information; (b) establishing a first online session with a customer's computer; (c) allowing the customer to register for auxiliary storage services via the first online session, including the step of establishing logon information; (d) subsequent to steps (a)-(c), establishing a second online session with the customer's computer; (e) receiving, over said second online session from the customer's computer, the logon information established by step (c); (f) validating the logon information received by step (e); (g) conditioned at least in part on validating step (f), allowing the customer to access the remote storage area via the second online session substantially as if the remote storage area was a storage device physically and/or locally attached to the customer's computer, including the steps of: (1) encrypting data provided by the customer's computer, (2) transmitting the encrypted data to the online auxiliary storage service over the second online session, (3) storing the data in the remote storage area provided by the online auxiliary storage service, and (4) permitting the customer's computer to access the data stored in the remote storage area by step (3).
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step (d) is performed in such a way that the online service provider storage appears as local storage to the customer's computer.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step (f) includes allowing the customer to back up data to the online service provider storage over the telecommunications connection established by step (b).
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 45 wherein the customer's computer has mass storage data, and said step (f) includes the step of archiving said customer's computer mass storage data onto said online service provider storage.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 56 wherein said archiving step is performed automatically.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 56 wherein said archiving step is automatically performed periodically.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step (f) includes allowing the back up of data to the online service provider storage over the telecommunications connection while the customer's computer is unattended.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 further including using said generated billing information to seek compensation from the customer.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of automatically periodically storing customer computer data onto the online service provider's storage.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the customer's computer has a file system, and step (f) includes the step of allowing the customer's computer to access the storage provided by the online service provider by integrating at least a portion of the telecommunications connection for access by the customer computer's file system.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of providing an online signup system allowing the customer to subscribe to the online auxiliary storage service.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of allowing the customer computer to register with the online service provider for the online auxiliary storage service.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (d) includes establishing a portion of the telecommunications connection as an auxiliary storage destination for the customer's computer.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises establishing an Internet connection.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) includes the step of establishing a connection automatically without customer interaction.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (f) includes the step of checking the data stored by the customer's computer for computer viruses.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of the online service provider checking the customer computer for computer viruses.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (h) includes the step of charging the customer a monthly subscription fee.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of allowing the customer to specify information used for accessing the online service provider.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (f) includes the step of performing an incremental backup.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (f) includes the step of performing a full backup.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (f) includes the step of selecting files for backup.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of allowing the customer's computer to establish a subsequent connection for reading from the online auxiliary storage and restoring, to the customer's computer, the data stored in step (f).
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein at least one of step (c) and step (e) includes the step of conditionally sending a message from the online service provider to the customer's computer indicating that access is not allowed.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the initial steps of establishing an initial telecommunications connection between the customer's computer and the online service provider, and downloading software from the online service provider to the customer's computer over the initial telecommunications connection.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (d) is performed at least in part under control of software executing on the customer's computer, and the method further includes the step of downloading the software from the online service provider to the customer's computer over an online connection.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of executing backup management software in the customer's computer that establishes at least one file as selected for backup.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of executing scheduling software in the customer's computer that establishes a schedule for initiating access to the online service provider.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of executing automation software in the customer's computer that enables the customer computer to access and store data to the online service provider without user interaction.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of copying the data stored in step (f) to a second storage area controlled by the online service provider.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of archiving the data stored in step (f) to tape.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of making the data stored in step (f) directly available for access by said customer's computer.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of making the data stored in step (f) available to another online service provider customer.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of making the data stored in step (f) simultaneously available to at least one other customer of the online service provider.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the customer's computer includes a local operating system, and step (d) includes the steps of: defining logical devices available to the customer computer's local operating system, and translating access requests generated by the customer computer's local operating system into online service provider service requests.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of executing an online service request device driver on the customer's computer.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of executing a multi-user backup device manager at the online service provider.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (b) includes the step of protecting communications with encryption.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of tracking the quantity of online service provider storage accessed by the customer's computer.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (f) further includes the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the quantity of storage accessed by the customer's computer.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (f) further includes the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the duration over which the customer's computer accesses the online service provider's storage.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (f) further includes the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the type of online service provider's storage accessed by the customer's computer.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of permitting the customer's computer to read from but not write to a portion of the online service provider's storage.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (b) comprises calling the online service provider over a telecommunications connection that automatically results in a portion of an associated customer telecommunications charge being paid by a telecommunications provider to the online service provider.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (b) comprises calling the online service provider over a 900 telephone number.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of storing, at the online service provider, information specifying the configuration of the customer's computer.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of storing, at the online service provider, customer control data specifying how the customer may access the online service provider.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of compressing at least some of the information passing over the telecommunications connection.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein said customer payment request in step (f) is received from a telecommunications provider providing the Internet connection in step (b).
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein said connecting step (b) includes setting a flag in the customer's computer indicating an online service session is active.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein said connecting step (b) includes setting a flag at the online service provider indicating an online service session is active.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of setting at least one service option that controls at least in part the way an online service request sent from the customer's computer to the online backup service provider is to be satisfied.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of setting at least one default online service option to change the way an online service request is satisfied.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of setting at least one customer specific online service option to change the way an online service request is satisfied.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of establishing an online session for the customer's computer to send an online service request to the online service provider.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (d) is performed at least in part under control of software executing on the customer's computer, and the method further includes the step of downloading the software from the online service provider to the customer's computer over an online connection.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of backing up customer computer data onto the online service provider's storage over the telecommunications connection while the customer's computer is unattended.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of allowing the customer's computer to register with the online service provider for online backup services.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 110 wherein the registering step includes the step of establishing logon information.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 110 wherein the registering step includes the step of establishing customer name.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of allowing the customer's computer to establish a subsequent connection and allowing the customer's computer to access the online backup service storage over said subsequent connection and restore the information written in step (e).
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of executing backup management software in the customer's computer that establishes at least one file as selected for backup.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of executing scheduling software in the customer's computer that establishes a schedule for initiating access to the online service provider.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of executing automation software in the customer's computer that enables the customer's computer to access the online service provider and back up data thereon without user interaction.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of copying the information written in step (e) to a second storage area controlled by the online service provider.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of archiving the information written in step (d) to tape.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of making the information written in step (d) directly available for access by said customer's computer.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of making the information written in step (d) available to another customer of the online service provider.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 3 further including the step of making the information written in step (d) simultaneously available to at least one other customer of the online service provider.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 53 wherein said logon information includes a customer identifier.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 122 wherein said logon information further includes a password.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 53 wherein said logon information includes a password.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 53 wherein said step (g) includes exchanging information over the Internet.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 125 wherein said step (d) includes exchanging information over the Internet.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 53 wherein said step (d) includes exchanging information over the Internet.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein the customer's computer includes a local operating system, and step (g) further includes the steps of: defining logical devices available to the customer computer's local operating system, and translating logical device access requests generated by the customer computer's local operating system into online service provider storage requests.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of executing an online service request device driver on the customer's computer.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of executing a multi-user virtual device manager at the online service provider.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (b) includes the step of protecting at least some of the communications over said first online session with encryption.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of tracking the quantity of storage accessed by the customer's computer from the online service remote storage area.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the quantity of online storage accessed by the customer's computer.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the duration over which the customer's computer accesses the remote storage area provided by the online service provider.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein the online service provider supplies plural storage types, and the method further includes the step of charging the customer a fee based on at least the type of online service provider storage accessed by the customer's computer.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) further includes the step of permitting the customer's computer to read from but not write to a portion of the online service provider storage.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (d) comprises calling the online service provider over a telecommunications connection that automatically results in a portion of an associated telecommunications charge being paid by a telecommunications provider to the online service provider.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (d) comprises calling the online service provider over a 900 telephone number.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of storing, at the online service provider, information specifying the configuration of the customer's computer.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of storing, at the online service provider, customer control data specifying how the customer may access the online auxiliary storage service provider.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of compressing at least some of the information passing over the telecommunications connection.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (d) includes setting a flag in the customer computer indicating an online service session is active.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (d) includes setting a flag at the online service provider indicating an online service session is active.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of setting at least one service option that controls at least in part the way an online service request sent from the customer computer to the online service provider is to be satisfied.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of setting at least one default online service option to change the way an online service request is to be satisfied.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of setting at least one customer specific online service option to change the way an online service request is to be satisfied.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of establishing an online session for the customer's computer to send an online service request to the online service provider.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) is performed at least in part under control of software executing on the customer's computer, and the method further includes the step of downloading the software from the online service provider to the customer's computer over an online connection.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of storing data provided by the customer's computer in the remote storage area provided by the online service provider while the customer's computer is unattended.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein the customer's computer includes a file system, and step (g) includes the step of allowing the customer's computer to access the storage area provided by the online service provider by integrating at least a portion of the online session for access by the customer computer's file system.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) includes establishing a portion of the online session as an auxiliary storage destination for the customer's computer.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) further includes the step of checking the customer data for computer viruses.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of checking the customer's computer for computer viruses.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of charging the customer a monthly subscription fee.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of allowing the customer to specify information used for accessing the online service provider.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) includes the step of performing an incremental backup.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) includes the step of performing a full backup.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) includes the step of selecting files for backup.
Claim 162
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of allowing the customer's computer to establish a subsequent connection and allowing the customer's computer to access the online auxiliary storage over said subsequent connection and restore the data stored in step (g).
Claim 163
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 53 wherein step (g) includes the step of conditionally sending a message from the online auxiliary storage service provider to the customer computer indicating that access is not allowed.
Claim 164
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of downloading software to the customer's computer over the first online session in step (b) for use in performing at least step (g) over the second online session established in step (d).
Claim 165
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of executing backup management software at the customer's computer that establishes at least one file as selected for backup.
Claim 166
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of executing scheduling software in the customer's computer that establishes a schedule for initiating access to the online service provider.
Claim 167
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of executing automation software in the customer's computer that enables the customer computer to access the online auxiliary storage provider and store data without user interaction.
Claim 168
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of copying the data stored in step (g) to a second storage area controlled by the online auxiliary storage service provider.
Claim 169
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of archiving the data stored in step (g) to tape.
Claim 170
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of making the data stored in step (g) directly available for access by said customer's computer.
Claim 171
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of making the data stored in step (g) available to another customer of the online service provider.
Claim 172
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 53 further including the step of making the data stored in step (g) simultaneously available to at least one other customer of the online auxiliary storage service provider.
Claim 173
Dependent Claim
289 words
An online service provider server for providing online auxiliary storage computer services to multiple geographically remotely located customer computers over Internet connections, said online service provider server cooperating with an online registration system that establishes an online auxiliary storage service relationship between each said customer computer and said online service provider; said online service provider server comprising: a mass storage device; a communications handler coupled to said mass storage device, said communications handler establishing Internet connections between said customer computers and said online service provider server, said communications handler making at least some of the storage provided by said mass storage device available and accessible to said customer computers via said Internet connections; a storage access controller coupled to said mass storage device and said communications handler, said storage access controller validating, based at least in part on said online auxiliary storage service relationships, the authority of said customer computers to access the mass storage device, said storage access controller conditionally restricting customer computer access to the storage provided by the mass storage device based at least in part on said validation, said storage access controller allowing authorized customer computers to store data to and read data from the mass storage device via said Internet connections; a tracking processor coupled to at least one of said communications handler, said mass storage device and said storage access controller, said tracking processor tracking at least one of (a) customer computer access to the online service provider server, and (b) customer computer usage of the storage provided by the mass storage device; and a billing processor for generating billing information based on at least one of (i) said online auxiliary storage service relationships, (ii) said tracked access, and (iii) said tracked usage.
Claim 174
Dependent Claim
289 words
An online service provider server for providing online auxiliary storage computer services to multiple geographically remotely located customer computers over Internet connections, said online service provider server cooperating with an online registration system that establishes an online auxiliary storage service relationship between each said customer computer and said online service provider; said online service provider server comprising: a mass storage device; a communications handler coupled to said mass storage device, said communications handler establishing Internet connections between said customer computers and said online service provider server, said communications handler making at least some of the storage provided by said mass storage device available and accessible to said customer computers via said Internet connections; a storage access controller coupled to said mass storage device and said communications handler, said storage access controller validating, based at least in part on said online auxiliary storage service relationships, the authority of said customer computers to access the mass storage device, said storage access controller conditionally restricting customer computer access to the storage provided by the mass storage device based at least in part on said validation, said storage access controller allowing authorized customer computers to store data to and read data from the mass storage device via said Internet connections; a tracking processor coupled to at least one of said communications handler, said mass storage device and said storage access controller, said tracking processor tracking at least one of (a) customer computer access to the online service provider server, and (b) customer computer usage of the storage provided by the mass storage device; and a billing processor for generating billing information based on at least one of (i) said online auxiliary storage service relationships, (ii) said tracked access, and (iii) said tracked usage.
Claim 175
Dependent Claim
37 words
An online service provider server as in claim 170 wherein said storage access controller allows said authorized customer computers to store encrypted data to and read encrypted data from the mass storage device via said Internet connections.
Claim 176
Dependent Claim
38 words
An online service provider server as in claim 170 wherein said communications controller permits said customer computers to access said mass storage device in a manner that stimulates a mass storage device locally attached to said customer computers.
Claim 177
Dependent Claim
28 words
An online service provided as in claim 170 wherein said communications controller permits said customer computers to access said mass storage device while said customer computers are unattended.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |