Patent Application
20050289260
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus which can simplify the launching of a computer application and preferably which can launch a backup application, or other applications, with a reduced number of steps or actions such as by pressing a single button, preferably mounted on, or otherwise associated with, an external disk drive or other external storage device.
Experienced computer users generally recognize that launching a computer application typically requires several steps or actions. For example, even when a single mouse click suffices to launch an application, the process generally involves locating the mouse (which may be non-trivial when a mouse is located among or under desk clutter and the like), moving the mouse and coordinating such movement with movement of a cursor on a screen, while visually locating a desired icon (assuming the icon is already on the screen, which is not always the case), then clicking the correct mouse button. Although a single click launch is not unknown, very often an initial click must be followed by other selections such as choosing options, confirming choices and the like.
Although mouse launches are believed to be the most common, it is often possible to perform launches using only keys of a keyboard. Similarly, other non-storage devices such as scanners can launch applications on a host device. Although keyboard launches typically involve a key combination or otherwise involve multiple actions, even a single key launch (such as in the case of programmable macro keys or key combinations in word processors and the like) could involve multiple steps including, e.g., finding a keyboard among or under clutter, remembering the key or key combination for the desired function, and not uncommonly, selecting additional options or confirming choices and the like. Such multiple-step launches are believed not only to consume an undesirable amount of time, to perform the multiple steps, but also involve a sustained shift in focus away from other work that the user may be involved in. It is believed that such consumption of time and/or shift of focus may discourage some users from performing certain tasks such as routine or maintenance tasks including, for example, data backup. Accordingly, it would be useful to reduce the number of steps or actions and/or reduce the need for shifting of focus associated with the launching of an application, particularly a backup application.
Some computers provide for a timed or automated backup procedure. While such a procedure may have certain benefits, it is believed to also present certain difficulties which may make it advisable not to use an automated backup as the sole or main backup approach If automated backup performs a backup procedure during normal working hours, such procedure may slow down or otherwise interfere with normal working operations and it may be difficult or impossible to backup data programs and the like which are being used in the foreground during such backup procedure. Scheduling of backups during nighttime or other non-work hours requires that a user remember to leave the computer running (or in sleep mode or the like) overnight Leaving the computer in this mode can not only increase energy usage but may present security risks particularly when the computer is normally connected to a network or to the internet Automated backup presents a particular issue with respect to laptop computers which may, routinely, be decoupled from the backup drive or other backup resource, at the time of the automatic backup. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide for backup other than, or in place of, automated or timed backups but, preferably, of a simplified nature so as not to discourage the performance of backups.
In at least some previous systems, two or more computers were functionally coupled permitting data to be copied from one computer to another. Examples include computers coupled on a local area network or coupled via the internet and systems in which one or more hand-held computers (such as a Palm Pilot® or other PDA personal digital assistant)) is coupled to another computer. Although it might be physically possible to use such systems for data backup, it is believed substantially inefficient to do so since this means that adding a backup capability requires the expense of having an entire additional computer or at least means that one or more computers in a system have a substantial amount of storage capacity occupied by storing backup data as opposed to being used for ordinary, non-backup computing uses. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a system in which a backup capability can be added to a system which previously had none, without requiring the addition of a new computer to the system and without the need to use up a substantial portion of the storage capacity of one of the computers in the system.
Moreover, it is believed useful to distinguish between data backup, which preserves a copy of desired files (e.g., in case the original file is corrupted) and synchronization, such as provided in programs like Microsoft® Briefcase, which is used to synchronize files, e.g., modified on a portable computer or PDA (personal digital assistant) with their counterparts on a main computer. For example, using Briefcase, when the portable computer is reconnected at the main computer, Briefcase can automatically update the files on the main computer to the modified versions. Such synchronization is a procedure which is significantly different from, for example, maintaining a second copy of selected files from a main computer, onto, e.g., an external storage device.
In the past, some backups were performed using so-called floppy disks, and, increasingly, backups are being performed using CD-R/W (compact disk-read/write) or WORM (write once/read many) optical disks. Although optical disks have large capacity compared to floppy disks, it is still generally necessary to use multiple disks in order to perform a full backup of a hard drive, or even a selected backup in many cases, particularly given the large size of many data files in the present context, such as video files, photograph files, graphics files, and even certain audio or text files. The need for multiple disks in the performance of the backup, generally means that, in a practical system, it is necessary to engage in a time-consuming and focus-shifting process of inserting and removing multiple disks, and accurately labeling each disk. Furthermore, such swapping of disks is often further slowed by a typical process wherein pushing the eject button on the CD drive causes the computer to perform time-consuming tasks such as completion of writing the files, closing certain applications and the like, before causing the disk to actually eject. Moreover, in the event it is necessary to recover data from a backup file, it is typically necessary to search through multiple disks to locate a disk with the desired data. Furthermore, the process of writing data onto a CD-R/W or WORM disk is relatively slow compared to, e.g., the time required to write corresponding amount of data onto a hard drive. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a backup system which is not restricted to the time-consuming procedures and disk proliferation issues typically associated with optical disk backups.
Although it is possible to provide for backup to a hard drive which is internal to a computer (i.e., mounted in the main computer chassis or “CPU” box), this generally involves either forming a separate partition of a disk (which may reduce the effective main capacity of the disk) or mounting an additional disk drive in the chassis (which many users are reluctant to perform themselves). Such reluctance effectively multiplies the problem when there is a desire or need for expandability of a backup system (i.e., providing a second, third or more backup drives). In addition, the number of drives that can physically fit within the chassis, and can be connected to the computer electronically, may be limited. Additionally, once such disk drives have been mounted internally, it is relatively difficult and time consuming to remove such drives, so that it is generally infeasible to use an internal disk drive, for example, to store backup data off-site and/or store backup data overnight in a safe or other secure location. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a backup system which can be implemented on a hard disk drive or drives while avoiding the need to partition disks or mount additional drives inside the computer chassis.
The present invention includes recognition and/or appreciation of the existence and/or nature of shortcomings or problems of previous approaches, including as described herein.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a user can initiate a backup with a reduced number of acts or steps (compared to at least some previous approaches) preferably by a single press of a single button. Preferably the button is mounted on or near, or otherwise associated with, a storage device. Preferably the storage device includes a hard disk drive and preferably the disk drive is mounted externally (with respect to the main chassis or CPU of the computer or other host device). In this way, a backup system can be provided in such a manner that backup consumes very little of a user's time and requires little, if any, shifting of focus away from other work or tasks being performed on the computer. When the button or other input device is mounted on or otherwise associated with an external disk drive, performance of routine backup will not be deterred by the hiding of a mouse or computer keyboard among or under desk clutter, and it is unlikely that a backup of data on a laptop or other disconnected computer will be aborted because the target disk drive (or similar backup device) is unavailable (since it is believed more likely a button mounted on an external drive will be pressed when the external drive is coupled to the laptop). Preferably, there is little or no requirement for additional confirmation or other actions and preferably there are either substantially no displays on the computer screen, or any such displays are preferably sized and positioned so as to provide little, if any, interference with other operations the user may be performing on the computer.
By providing at least some embodiments in which one-button backup is provided using an external storage device, it is possible to implement the present invention without requiring the CPU or main chassis of a computer to be opened. In one embodiment, the external device is coupled using such communication channels as a universal serial bus (USB) channel, an IEEE 1394 (Firewire) channel, an Ethernet channel, a wireless communication link and the like. Preferably, embodiments are provided which permit an external device to be connected and/or disconnected without having to shut down or reboot the computer (“hot swapping”) and in some embodiments, preferably providing for connecting multiple external units, e.g., by daisy-chaining or similar connection architectures.
Preferably, by providing embodiments in which storage or backup is made to a hard disk drive, backup can be performed in a relatively rapid fashion and without the need for inserting or using an undesirably large number of disks. Although it is possible to provide embodiments of the present invention in which a button on an external storage device is dedicated to a single function, such as data backup, it is also possible to provide embodiments in which there is substantial flexibility in use of the button (or other input device) such as by allowing for the user to select or program the function to be performed in response to a button push.
In at least one embodiment, a, preferably external, storage device is provided with a button or other user input which, when activated, causes a launch of an application such as a backup of data from the host device onto the external storage device. Preferably, the external storage device includes a hard disk drive. Communication with the host device can be made using USB, IEEE 1394 (Firewire), Ethernet, wireless inks or other links. The external device is configured to allow the host to become aware of a button press, e.g., by a notification or interrupt technique, or by a polling technique.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a push button 112 (
In the embodiment depicted in
A number of communication channels 126 can be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention including, for example, a USB (particularly USB 2.0 or higher) communication channel, an IEEE 1394 (Firewire) communications channel, an Ethernet communications channel, a wireless communications channel (such as so-called 802.11(b) or 802.11(g) communication channels) and the like. Preferably the communication channel is configured in such a manner that the external device is hot swappable and also is preferably provided in such a manner that the presence and nature of the external device can be automatically recognized (using technology such as plug and play™ and the like). Those with skill in the art will understand how to implement embodiments of the present invention so as to provide hot swapability and/or plug and play™ at least after understanding the present disclosure.
Preferably the external device 114 is configured with connectors and/or appropriate firmware, converters, and the like to accommodate any of a number of different communication channels 126. For example, in the embodiment depicted in
Although it is possible to use a number of different sizes and shapes of external data storage devices, the device depicted in
In operation, a user generally will perform an installation on the host device, typically from files on a CD-ROM disk In addition to installing drivers for the external storage device as needed 912 (
Optionally, a user may be prompted, at installation time, to configure a backup process 924, such as by selecting the drives, directories, sub-directories, files or file types which should normally be backed up, selecting a backup program or procedure, selecting a target data storage device (when more than one is available) and the like. In one embodiment, backup configuration 924 may be performed by running a configuration routine provided as part of the backup software installed in step 918.
Generally, following installation on the host device, the external device 114 is coupled to the host by an IEEE 1394 (Firewire) cable, USB cable or other communication channel, and is coupled to a power supply 138 and turned on 142. Preferably, the host device is configured and programmed such that it will recognize the connection and automatically load appropriate drivers, and perform other procedures necessary for operating in conjunction with the external device. Those with skill in the art will understand how to provide and use host device programming or operating systems to implement such procedures.
As depicted in
An example of an interrupt technique is described in connection with
As will be understood by those with skill in the art, the host 124 typically includes a binding database which associates certain applications and/or files with various events and/or file types. The launcher application sends a query to the binding database. The query is used to determine the name of the application which is bound to the “button press” event and identification information 1232. The query also results in returning, to the launcher, the name of any associated script file. The script file will typically be either a default script file or will be a script file which was created or modified during a configuration procedure 924, 1118. The script file may include, e.g., information indicative of the drives, directories, sub-directories, files, file types and the like which are to be backed up. After obtaining the application name and script file name, the launcher executes the application which was returned from the binding database, typically using the script file name (if any) as a parameter 1234. If no application was found bound to the button press event, preferably a message is displayed to the user. As the application executes, it sends appropriate commands and data to the data storage device 1236 over the communication channel 126, as needed to perform the desired backup. The data storage device 114 responds to the commands and data 1238 by storing data in a manner so as to effect the desired backup.
In some embodiments, the external data storage device 114 may be provided with one or more indicators, such as LED's or other lights, LCD's or other graphical displays, sound generators and the like. In the embodiment depicted in
Although, as noted above, the IEEE 1394 (Firewire) bus supports both polling and interrupt methods, it is believed that no existing protocols were readily adaptable for this use. Accordingly, a button event notification protocol, generally in accordance with the description herein, can be used for this purpose if desired. In one example, such protocol supports multiple inputs and outputs such as up to 250 inputs and 250 outputs. Preferably, each input may have a plurality of values such as up to 1024 values and an indicator of whether the input is currently “pressed” or “activated.” The examples of inputs are momentary push buttons (2 states), SCSI ID selectors (8 or 16 positions) and slider switches (2 positions). Preferably, according to the protocol, the external device has a unit directory in its 1394 configuration ROM describing features and parameters. According to this protocol, devices operate using the request-response model. Such device is never an initiated transaction unless a request to do so has been received. The request initiator is the host Requests are packaged in management operation request blocks (MORB) and sent to a panel management agent Each MORB includes the result address where the device writes status information when the request is completed. The address of the panel management agent is the external device's unit directory. According to this protocol, the external device supports both a polled mode, where the host periodically reads the status of inputs on the device (any number of hosts can poll for input simultaneously) and also supports input notification mode in which the host registers a notification address and the external device will write data to that address whenever an input changes state. The data indicates which input was affected and its current value. Resource constraints may limit the number of hosts that can register for notifications. According to some versions of the protocol, hosts may also use a hybrid approach, registering for input notifications but reading the input's status on the device that sends the notification.
According to the protocol, an IO status block provides information about the state of the external device's inputs and outputs. The IO status block is located at an IO block address, and provides static information about the input and the input's current state. The IO status block provides the most recent information to ensure that if a host reads the IO status block after it receives an input notification, it will receive data at least as recent as the data contained in the input notification.
According to this protocol, the front panel management agent is the means by which the host makes requests. Each request contains a function number and result address. After carrying out the requested function, the device will send result and status information back to the host at that result address.
Although a protocol generally as described herein is believed operable to implement at least some embodiments of the invention as described herein, those with skill in the art will understand how to form and use this and other potential protocols for implementing embodiments of the present invention.
As depicted in
In light of the above description, a number of advantages of the present invention can be seen. Embodiments of the invention allow a simple user interface such as a single button press, to perform a routine operation, believed to be especially useful in connection with performing a backup to an external storage device. This allows the user to perform a convenient, single physical act (e.g., during or at the conclusion of a series of data update/change operations) to protect the data. The general concept can be extended to other applications besides backup and to other types of storage devices. The present invention provides a single button, which can be a single-purpose button, on an external storage device which can be configured to launch a backup (or other) application residing on a host and causing execution of the backup to occur, back to the external storage device. Embodiments of the invention involve integration of hardware (storage device, button, bridge), firmware (bridge/storage device), and software (device driver, application) to provide this feature. The present invention can reduce the number of acts or steps involved in initiating the backup, preferably requiring only a single activation of a button or other user input device. The present invention can be configured to minimize impact on ongoing computer operations such as reducing or avoiding the need for occupying display screen windows or otherwise occupying space on the display screen during, or as part of, the backup process. The present invention can provide for a backup or other action while avoiding the need to locate and/or use an ordinary mouse or keyboard. The present invention can provide for easy implementation, avoiding the need for opening a computer chassis or CPU “box” and preferably employing a communication channel, which in at least some embodiments, is “hot swappable” and has, at least in some embodiments, some “plug and play” features. The present invention avoids, at least in some embodiments, the need for consuming the computer's internal storage resources. The present invention, at least in some embodiments, makes it unlikely that a backup is cancelled or prohibited because the external storage device is unavailable or uncoupled. The present invention provides for relatively rapid writing of backup data (e.g., compared with a CD-based backup) and can avoid the need for inserting, labeling and/or locating multiple disks.
A number of variations and modifications of the invention can be used. It is possible to use some features of the invention without using others. For example, it is possible to provide for a single button external device backup without also providing for daisy-chain capability of multiple external devices. Although procedures have been described which can be used in connection with some embodiments of the invention, it is possible to implement embodiments of the invention which use procedures having more or fewer steps, which perform steps in different order or which otherwise use procedures different from those depicted and described. Although embodiments have been described in which an external drive is provided with a single button, it is believed there is no theoretical reason why embodiments could not be provided in which two or more buttons are used, e.g., for launching two or more different applications or functions, providing for button combinations and the like. For example, different buttons or types of button presses could be used to define different types of backups (such as default backup, delayed backup, background backup and the like) or for launching different (non-backup) applications. Although embodiments have been described in which a single button press suffices to launch a backup or, in some embodiments other applications, it is believed there is no theoretical reason why embodiments of the present invention could not provide for launching backup or other applications in response to two or more presses of a button. In addition to, or in place of, a described electromechanical push button, other types of user input devices could be used in connection with the present invention for launching backup or other applications, including heat-sensitive switches, membrane switches, piezoelectric switches, proximity switches, heat-sensing switches, touch screens, voice activation systems, biometric sensors, and the like. Although embodiments of the present invention have described positioning a button or other user input device substantially rigidly coupled to the chassis or the body of an external device, it is also possible to associate a button or other external or other user input device with an external storage device, including, e.g., providing a button or other user input device which is flexibly connected such as by a ribbon connector, cable or the like, providing a wireless link between a user input device and the external storage device, and the like. Although embodiments have been described in which the external data storage device includes a hard disk drive, it is believed there is no theoretical reason why embodiments of the present invention could not be implemented using other types of storage devices in place of, or in addition to, a hard disk drive including, for example, floppy disk drive, optical disk drives, flash memory, or other data storage devices presently existing or to be developed. Although embodiments have been described in which the hardware for detecting a button press is part of the bridge circuitry 128, it is also possible to provide such circuitry in the disk drive 116 itself, e.g., via device pins. This would require drive firmware to detect the button status change and initiate communication with the host, e.g., via the bridge. However, it potentially provides an opportunity to utilize a simplified bridge 128 or even to eliminate the bridge 128 altogether (such as in a small computer system interface (SCSI) drive which otherwise does not require a bridge). Although, in at least one embodiment, in response to a button press, the system will unconditionally proceed with a backup or other operation, it is also possible to provide embodiments in which, when a backup or other operation is initially launched in a response to a button press, the application allows the user to abort the backup operation. Although embodiments have been described in which a user configures backup software before the first backup operation is performed, it is also possible to provide embodiments in which no such configuration is required, e.g., such that the first time the button is pushed, even in the absence of a user configuration, the system will perform a backup, e.g., using default values, such as to provide an effective “boot disk” on the external storage device.
The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof Those with skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, and various embodiments, includes providing the devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation. The present invention includes items which are novel, and terminology adapted from previous and/or analogous technologies, for convenience in describing novel items or processes, do not necessarily retain all aspects of conventional usage of such terminology.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the forms or form disclosed herein. Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including ultimate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such ultimate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
The present application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/408,690 filed Sep. 6, 2002 titled “One Touch Backup For Storage Devices” (Attorney File No. 3123-514-prov), the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US03/27853 | 9/5/2003 | WO | 8/2/2005 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60408690 | Sep 2002 | US |
