U.S. patent application number 11/206626 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for network-based remote data storage system having multiple access interfaces.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitch Prust. Invention is credited to Prust, Mitch.
Application Number | 20050278422 11/206626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23991907 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050278422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prust, Mitch |
December 15, 2005 |
Network-based remote data storage system having multiple access
interfaces
Abstract
A data storage system is described that provides seamless access
to remote data storage areas via a global computer network. The
data storage system includes one or more storage servers coupled to
one or more storage devices. The storage devices provide a
plurality of virtual storage areas, where each virtual storage area
is assigned to a user. Access to the virtual storage areas is fully
integrated with an operating system executing on a client computer
such that the user, or software applications executing on the
client computer, can seamlessly access the corresponding virtual
storage area using standard file management routines provided by
the operating system. In addition, the invention provides a wide
range of other remote access methods to the virtual data storage
areas.
Inventors: |
Prust, Mitch; (St. Paul,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHUMAKER & SIEFFERT, P. A.
8425 SEASONS PARKWAY
SUITE 105
ST. PAUL
MN
55125
US
|
Assignee: |
Mitch Prust
St. Paul
MN
|
Family ID: |
23991907 |
Appl. No.: |
11/206626 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11206626 |
Aug 18, 2005 |
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10797757 |
Mar 9, 2004 |
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6952724 |
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10797757 |
Mar 9, 2004 |
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09501039 |
Feb 9, 2000 |
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6735623 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/203 ;
707/E17.01; 707/E17.107; 709/213; 709/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/10 20190101;
G06F 16/95 20190101; G06Q 10/107 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/203 ;
709/213; 709/219 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for accessing a network-based data storage system that
provides seamless access to a plurality of user-assigned storage
areas, the method comprising: presenting a plurality of access
interfaces to the user-assigned storage areas via a plurality of
software applications executing on a storage server of the data
storage system; servicing access requests from an operating system
of a client computer with a first one of the access interfaces to
provide access to one of the plurality of user-assigned storage
areas using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), wherein the
operating system of the client computer includes application
programming interface (API) routines that present one or more of
the plurality of user-assignable storage areas to software
applications executing on the client computer; servicing access
requests from at least one communication software application
executing on the client computer with a second one of the access
interfaces to provide access to one or more of the plurality of
user-assigned storage areas; and processing electronic mail message
with a third one of the access interfaces to provide access to one
or more of the plurality of user-assigned storage areas.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic mail message
contains text and one or more attached data files, and processing
electronic mail message comprises: parsing the text to determine
one of the user-assigned storage areas; and storing the data files
within one of the user-assigned storage areas.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising analyzing content of a
subject field associated with the electronic mail message to
determine one of the user-assigned remote storage areas.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising analyzing both content
of a subject field associated the electronic mail message and
content of a destination address associated with the electronic
mail message to determine one of the user-assigned remote storage
areas.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising analyzing the
electronic mail message to identify a user associated with the
electronic mail message and one of the user-assigned remote storage
areas.
6. The method of claim 5, and further including retrieving security
information from the electronic mail message in order to
authenticate the user.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the security information is a
digital signature.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein storing the data file within one
of the user-assigned remote storage areas includes storing the data
file into a temporary holding area until the user associated with
the remote storage area approves the copying of the data file to
the remote storage area.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the electronic mail
message includes encrypting the data file.
10. A data storage system comprising: a storage server that
maintains a plurality of remote storage areas; and a plurality of
software applications executing on the storage server to provide a
plurality of different access interfaces for accessing the remote
storage areas, wherein the plurality of access interfaces comprise:
a first access interface to provide access to a target one of the
plurality of remote storage areas in response to Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (HTTP) access requests from a client computer in which an
operating system of the client computer includes application
programming interface (API) routines that present one or more of
the plurality of remote storage areas to software applications
executing on the client computer, and a second access interface
operable to receive an electronic mail message that contains at
least one attached data file, analyze the electronic mail message
to identify one or more of the plurality of remote storage areas,
and store the attached data file within the identified one of the
plurality of remote storage areas.
11. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein the electronic
mail message includes text and the second access interface parses
the text to determine one of the plurality of remote storage
areas.
12. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein the second access
interface analyzes content of a subject field associated with the
electronic mail message to determine one of the plurality of remote
storage areas.
13. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein the second access
interface analyzes both content of a subject field associated the
electronic mail message and content of a destination address
associated with the electronic mail message to determine one of the
plurality of remote storage areas.
14. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein the second access
interface analyzes the electronic mail message to identify a user
associated with the electronic mail message.
15. The data storage system of claim 14, wherein the second access
interface retrieves security information from the electronic mail
message in order to authenticate the user.
16. The data storage system of claim 15, wherein the security
information comprises a digital signature.
17. The data storage system of claim 14, wherein the second access
interface stores the data file in a temporary holding area until
the user associated with the remote storage area approves the
copying of the data file to the remote storage area.
18. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of
access interfaces further comprise a third access interface to
service access requests from at least one communication software
application executing on the client computer and that bypasses the
API of the operating system that present one of the plurality of
remote storage areas to software applications executing on the
client computer as local to the client computer.
19. The data storage system of claim 18, wherein the API supports
Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) and the first one
of the access interfaces presented by the software applications
executing on storage server supports WebDAV for accessing data
files within the remote storage area as if the data files were
local.
20. The data storage system of claim 19, wherein the third access
interface services access requests to automatically backup files
from the client computer to the data storage system without
invoking the API of the operating system that supports WebDAV for
accessing the data files within one of the plurality of
user-assigned storage areas as if the data files were local.
21. A data storage system comprising: a storage server that
maintains a plurality of remote storage areas associated with
respective users; and a plurality of software applications
executing on the storage server to provide a plurality of different
access interfaces for accessing the remote storage areas, wherein
the access interfaces comprise: a first access interface to provide
access to one of the plurality of remote storage areas in response
to access requests from a client computer using the Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to present one of the plurality of remote
storage areas to software applications executing on the client
computer as if the data files were local to the client computer, a
second access interface to service access requests from at least
one communication software application executing on the client
computer to automatically backup files from the client computer to
the data storage system, and a third access interface to allow a
web browser executing on the client computer to browse one of the
plurality of remote storage areas.
22. The data storage system of claim 21, further comprising a
fourth access interface operable to receive an electronic mail
message that contains at least one attached data file, analyze the
electronic mail message to identify one of the plurality of remote
storage areas, and store the attached data file within the
identified one of the plurality of remote storage areas.
23. The data storage system of claim 22, wherein the electronic
mail message includes text and the fourth access interface parses
the text to determine one of the plurality of remote storage
areas.
24. The data storage system of claim 23, wherein the fourth access
interface analyzes content of a subject field associated with the
electronic mail message to determine one of the plurality of remote
storage areas.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/797,757, filed on Mar. 9, 2004, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/501,039, filed on Feb. 9, 2000, issued
as U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,623, the entire content of each of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to storage of digital data, and more
particularly to a data storage system that provides access to a
remote storage area.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that
spans over 100 countries and connects millions of computers.
Reports indicate that the Internet is growing faster than all
preceding information technologies including radio and television.
Remote data storage over the Internet is one of the fastest growing
facets of the Internet. Numerous companies provide a wide range of
an Internet data storage services for remotely storing and managing
data files. Many of these services, however, have limited modes for
accessing the data files. For example, many require that a user
load proprietary software on his computer in order to communicate
data files to the remote storage. Other services only support
access via a web browser or similar communication utility.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is directed to a data storage system
and method capable of providing a variety of access methods. In one
embodiment, a data storage system includes a plurality of storage
servers coupled to a plurality of storage devices. The storage
devices provide a plurality of virtual storage areas and each
virtual storage area is assigned to a user. According to the
invention, the assigned user can easily access the assigned virtual
storage area using a client computer communicatively coupled to the
storage servers via a global computer network such as the Internet.
More specifically, in order to store data files within the remote
virtual storage area, the user sends an electronic mail message
that includes the data file as well as user information and target
data file information. The storage server parses the electronic
mail message and stores the data file within the storage area
according to the target data file information. In addition, the
user can request one or more data files from the storage area and
electronically mail the data files to the user. In this manner,
authorized users can easily store date files to or retrieve data
files from his or her remote storage area from anywhere in the
world via a global computer network such as the Internet or a
private wide-area network. The details of one or more embodiments
of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the
description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the
invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and
from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary hardware and
operating environment of a suitable computer for use with
embodiments of the invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a computing system in
which a storage server provides seamless access to remote storage
areas;
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface displayed by one
embodiment of an operating system for directly accessing a remote
storage area using standard file management routines provided by
the operating system;
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface displayed by another
embodiment of an operating system for directly accessing a remote
storage area;
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an example operating system script
written in AppleScript for the Macintosh operating system that
automatically copies a file from a local directory to a similarly
named remote directory located within a storage area;
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a window displayed by a conventional web
browser when a user accesses a virtual storage area;
[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a window displayed by a conventional
electronic mail software application when a user mails one or more
data files to a corresponding storage area;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a flow chart 800 providing a high-level overview
of one mode of operation in which storage network 220 allocates
storage areas.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the following detail description, references are made to
the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in
which the invention may be practiced. Electrical, mechanical,
programmatic and structural changes may be made to the embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to
be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention
is defined by the claims.
[0014] The detailed description is divided into three sections. The
first section provides definitions for various terms used
throughout the detailed description. The second section describes
an exemplary hardware and operating environment in conjunction with
which embodiments of the invention can be practiced. Finally, the
third section describes various systems, methods, potential
benefits and alternative embodiments of the invention.
Definitions
[0015] File Transport Protocol (FTP)--A networking protocol
specifically for transporting files from one computer on the
network to another.
[0016] HyperText Markup Language (HTML)--an authoring language that
defines the syntax and semantics used to create documents on the
World Wide Web.
[0017] Internet--a worldwide collection of networks that spans
hundreds of countries and connects millions of computers.
[0018] Internet Protocol (IP)--A low level communications protocol
that specifies the format of individual communication packets and
an addressing scheme.
[0019] Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)--A high-volume
storage device having multiple storage drives and fault recovery
procedures.
[0020] Server Message Block (SMB)--a message format used by to
share files, directories and devices.
[0021] Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)--a higher-level network
communication protocol that establishes a virtual connection
between a destination and a source.
[0022] Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol(TCP/IP)--the
suite of network communications protocols including both TCP and
IP.
[0023] Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) is a set
of extensions to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) that seeks
to make the World Wide Web a collaborative, writeable medium.
[0024] World Wide Web (WWW)--A system of Internet servers that
support documents specially formatted in the HTML language that
supports links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, and
video files.
An Exemplary Operating Environment
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer 100 suitable for supporting
the operation of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 1, the computer 100 includes a processor 112 that in one
embodiment belongs to the PENTIUM.RTM. family of microprocessors
manufactured by the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.
However, it should be understood that the invention can be
implemented on computers based upon other microprocessors, such as
the MIPS.RTM. family of microprocessors from the Silicon Graphics
Corporation, the POWERPC.RTM. family of microprocessors from both
the Motorola Corporation and the IBM Corporation, the PRECISION
ARCHITECTURE.RTM. family of microprocessors from the
Hewlett-Packard Company, the SPARC.RTM. family of microprocessors
from the Sun Microsystems Corporation, or the ALPHA.RTM. family of
microprocessors from the Compaq Computer Corporation. Computer 100
represents any server, personal computer, laptop or even a
battery-powered, pocket-sized, mobile computer known as a hand-held
PC or personal digital assistant (PDA).
[0026] Computer 100 includes system memory 113 (including read only
memory (ROM) 114 and random access memory (RAM) 115), which is
connected to the processor 112 by a system data/address bus 116.
ROM 114 represents any device that is primarily read-only including
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash
memory, etc. RAM 115 represents any random access memory such as
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory.
[0027] Within the computer 100, input/output bus 118 is connected
to the data/address bus 116 via bus controller 119. In one
embodiment, input/output bus 118 is implemented as a standard
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. The bus controller 119
examines all signals from the processor 112 to route the signals to
the appropriate bus. Signals between the processor 112 and the
system memory 113 are merely passed through the bus controller 119.
However, signals from the processor 112 intended for devices other
than system memory 113 are routed onto the input/output bus
118.
[0028] Various devices are connected to the input/output bus 118
including hard disk drive 120, floppy drive 121 that is used to
read floppy disk 151, and optical drive 122, such as a CD-ROM drive
that is used to read an optical disk 152. The video display 124 or
other kind of display device is connected to the input/output bus
118 via a video adapter 125.
[0029] A user enters commands and information into the computer 100
by using a keyboard 40 and/or pointing device, such as a mouse 42,
which are connected to bus 118 via input/output ports 128. Other
types of pointing devices (not shown in FIG. 1) include track pads,
track balls, joy sticks, data gloves, head trackers, and other
devices suitable for positioning a cursor on the video display
124.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the computer 100 also includes a modem
129. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as external to the computer
100, those of ordinary skill in the art will quickly recognize that
the modem 129 may also be internal to the computer 100. The modem
129 is typically used to communicate over wide area networks (not
shown), such as the global Internet. Modem 129 may be connected to
a network using either a wired or wireless connection.
[0031] Software applications 136 and data are typically stored via
one of the memory storage devices, which may include the hard disk
120, floppy disk 151, CD-ROM 152 and are copied to RAM 115 for
execution. In one embodiment, however, software applications 136
are stored in ROM 114 and are copied to RAM 115 for execution or
are executed directly from ROM 114.
[0032] In general, the operating system 135 executes software
applications 136 and carries out instructions issued by the user.
For example, when the user wants to load a software application
136, the operating system 135 interprets the instruction and causes
the processor 112 to load software application 136 into RAM 115
from either the hard disk 120 or the optical disk 152. Once
software application 136 is loaded into the RAM 115, it can be used
by the processor 112. In case of large software applications 136,
processor 112 loads various portions of program modules into RAM
115 as needed.
[0033] The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) 117 for the computer
100 is stored in ROM 114 and is loaded into RAM 115 upon booting.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the BIOS 117 is a set
of basic executable routines that have conventionally helped to
transfer information between the computing resources within the
computer 100. Operating system 135 or other software applications
136 use these low-level service routines.
[0034] In one embodiment computer 100 includes a registry (not
shown) which is a system database that holds configuration
information for computer 100. For example, Windows.RTM. 95 and
Windows.RTM. NT by Microsoft maintain the registry in two hidden
files, called USER.DAT and SYSTEM.DAT, located on a permanent
storage device such as an internal disk.
Methods and Systems of the Invention
[0035] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
computing environment 200 that provides seamless access to remote
storage areas. In the illustrated embodiment, client computers 205
are communicatively coupled to remote storage network 220 via
storage servers 210 and global computer network 215 such as the
Internet. Storage network 220 represents one or more interconnected
storage devices, such as a RAID, for storing data files. The
storage network 220 defines a pool of virtual storage areas 225
that can be individually assignable to different users. Initially,
a user accesses storage servers 210 via global computer network and
requests a virtual storage area 225. For each request, storage
server 210 prompts the user for information such as a username,
password, billing address, etc. Upon approval, storage network 220
allocates a storage area 225 to the user such that, as described in
detail below, the user can seamlessly access the corresponding
virtual storage area via client computers 205. Metadata database
222 stores metadata associated with the data files by the user.
Storage server 210 and client computers 205 represent computing
devices such as computer 100 described in FIG. 1.
[0036] According to various embodiments of the invention, a set of
communication software applications execute on storage servers 210
and provide a set of interfaces such that client computers 205 can
access virtual storage areas 225 using any one of several different
methods. Each method offers different advantages in control,
performance and ease of use. For example, in one embodiment, access
to the virtual storage areas 225 is fully integrated with operating
system 135 executing on each client computer 205. In this
embodiment, the user can directly access a virtual storage area 225
via the operating system's user interface. Software applications
136 executing on client computer 205 can access the corresponding
virtual storage area 225 through operating system 135 by calling
standard file management routines provided by operating system 135.
In this embodiment, operating system 135 packetizes data files and
metadata received from the management routines and communicates the
data to storage servers 210 via network 215. In this embodiment,
operating system 135 handles all communication with storage servers
210 such that virtual storage area 225 can be accessed as if it
were local to client computer 205.
[0037] In another embodiment, the user can access virtual storage
area 225 by invoking a communications application 136 such as a web
browser or an FTP utility. In this embodiment, the communications
application 136 handles communication across network 215. The
underlying communications between client computers 205 and storage
servers 210 can follow a variety of protocols. Typically, the
communications use TCP/IP as a base protocol and additionally use
the HTTP protocol, the FTP protocol or even a proprietary
data-backup protocol.
[0038] The following sub-sections describe the various techniques
by which, according to the invention, client computers 205 access
virtual storage areas 225 via storage servers 210 and global
computer network 215.
[0039] Access Via the Operating System
[0040] According to the invention, in one embodiment, the user can
access virtual storage area 225 via operating system 135 in the
same manner by which the user accesses local storage devices 120,
121 and 122. In this embodiment, the user interacts with the user
interface presented by operating system 135 and manages virtual
storage area 225 as if it were a local storage volume. For example,
by interacting with operating system 135 the user can perform all
common file management tasks including coping files between hard
disk 120 and remote storage area 225, as well as renaming and
deleting data files. The user is able to browse directory
structures within virtual storage area 225 as if it were a local
storage volume. Indeed, in some embodiments, virtual storage area
225 may be represented as an icon on the desktop of the user's
computer.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates window 300 as displayed by operating
system 135 for accessing a virtual storage area 225. In the
illustrated embodiment, operating system 135 is the Macintosh.RTM.
operating system from Apple Computer, Inc. Window 300 presented by
operating system 135 lists the directories and files of virtual
storage area 225 as if the directories and files were local. The
user is able to browse the directories within virtual storage area
225 and perform the file management operations supported by
operating system 135 such as copying, renaming, moving and deleting
files and directories. Similarly, applications 136 executing on
client computer 205 access virtual storage area 225 through
standard file management routines provided by an application
programming interface (API) of operating system 135. In one
embodiment, operating system 135 of client computers 205 is the
Macintosh operating system, such that the API includes the Apple
File Services (AFS), and storage servers 225 are support accessing
remote data files within storage area virtual 225 via the Apple
Filing Protocol (AFP) services over TCP/IP.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment in which operating
system 135 is the Windows.RTM. operating system from Microsoft.
Here, operating system 135 displays window 400 that presents an
integrated list of those files and directories that are available
locally as well as those available from virtual storage area 225.
In this embodiment, operating system 135 incorporates the SMB
protocol or the WebDAV protocol in order to provide seamless access
to virtual storage area 225.
[0043] One particular advantage of this embodiment is that software
applications 136 executing on computer 100 can access virtual
storage area 225 without modification. Because operating system 135
provides seamless access to virtual storage area 225 via
conventional file management routines, software applications 136
treat virtual storage area 225 as if it were a local storage
volume. Another advantage is that the user can write scripts for
operating system 135, such as an OSAX AppleScript for the
Macintosh.RTM. operating system, in order to control access to
virtual storage area 225. FIG. 5 illustrates an operating system
script 500 written in AppleScript that automatically copies a file
from a local directory to a similarly named remote directory
located within virtual storage area 225.
[0044] According to one aspect of the invention, the user can
associate metadata with each data file as the data file is uploaded
to remote storage areas 225 in order to facilitate the quick
cataloging and quick retrieval of the data file. Operating system
135 captures the metadata from the user via an input form and
communicates the metadata to storage servers 210.
[0045] Direct Access From a Communication Software Application
[0046] In some embodiments, the user can invoke conventional
communication applications and utilities such as a web browser, an
FTP utility, a data storage backup utility, or even a conventional
email software application, to access virtual storage area. During
this method of access, the communication software application 136
handles all communications with storage servers 210. The file
management routines of operating system 135 are not invoked. In
addition, the communication software 136 is responsible for
capturing the metadata from the user and communicating the metadata
to storage servers 210 for storage within metadata database
222.
[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates the user accessing one of the virtual
storage areas 225 via a conventional web browser executing on
client computer 205. The web browser displays window 600 that lists
each directory within virtual storage area 225. Storage servers 210
maintain a set of image icons for representing the stored data file
according to file and creator type information or file extension.
Storage servers 210 select and display an appropriate icon as a
function of the file and creator information stored within virtual
storage area 225. Window 600, therefore, closely resembles windows
300 and 400 as displayed by operating system 135. Using the
browser, the user can browse the directories within virtual storage
area 225 and can perform many common file management operations
including uploading, downloading and deleting files, as well as
creating and removing directories.
[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates the user accessing virtual storage area
225 using a conventional electronic mail software application 136.
Electronic mail software application 136 displays window 700 by
which the user creates an email message having user information 702
and target data file information 710. The user addresses the email
to his or her email address at storage servers 210. For uploading
files, as displayed in window 700, the user attaches one or more
data files 705. Upon receiving the email, storage server 210 parses
the user information 702 and the target data file information 710
in order to extract one or more target directories. Thus, user
information 702 may take the form of a destination electronic mail
address, while target data file information 710 may take the form
of text in the subject field of an electronic mail message. Storage
server 210 stores attached files 705 to the target directory within
the appropriate virtual storage area 225 assigned to the user. In
this manner, the user is able to email one or more files directly
into a specified directory within virtual storage area 225 from any
remote location via network 215. In an alternative embodiment, the
user does not attach a data file but includes within the electronic
mail message a universal resource locator (URL) that indicates
where storage server 210 can retrieve the data file to be stored.
In order to retrieve one or more data files from storage server
210, the user sends a similar email requesting one or more target
data files. In response, storage server 210 sends the user a
response electronic mail message with the requested data files
attached.
[0049] Remote Processing Via Centrally Hosted Applications
[0050] The above sections described how, according to the
invention, client computers 205 access virtual storage area 225 for
remote data storage. The invention, however, is not limited to data
storage. According to one aspect of the invention, client computers
205 communicate data files to storage servers 210 for remote
processing by one or more applications executing on storage servers
210. For example, the communicated data files may be electronic
images such that applications executing on storage servers 210
perform color correction, color proofing and other prepress
operations. Other examples include data conversion, compression,
decompression, encryption and decryption. As such, a user is able
to submit data files for remote processing by simply instructing
operating system 135 to copy the data files to a designated
directory within virtual storage area 225. As such, this operation
can be performed by simply dragging and dropping the file onto the
appropriate window presented by operating system 135.
[0051] Allocation of a Remote Storage Area
[0052] FIG. 8 is a flow chart 800 that provides a high-level
overview of one mode of operation in which storage network 220
allocates remote storage areas 225. In block 803, users access
storage servers 210 via global computer network 215 and request a
corresponding virtual storage area 225. For each request, storage
server 210 prompts the user for information such as a username,
password, billing address (block 805). Upon approval, storage
network 220 automatically allocates a corresponding storage area
225 for each user and stores the respective user information in
metadata database 222 (block 807). After a virtual storage area 25
has been allocated, storage network 220 informs each user of any
necessary access information, such as a password, so that the user
can access the respective storage area 225 via the many access
interfaces described above (block 809).
[0053] Various embodiments have been described of a method and
system for a data storage system that provides seamless access to
remote virtual data storage areas via a global computer network.
Access to the virtual storage area is fully integrated with the
operating system executing on the client computer such that the
user, or software applications executing on the computer, can
seamlessly access the corresponding virtual storage area using
standard file management routines provided by the operating system.
In addition, the invention provides a wide range of other remote
access methods to the virtual data storage areas including access
via electronic mail. This application is intended to cover any
adaptation or variation of the present invention. It is intended
that this invention be limited only by the claims and equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *