Patent ID: 6611850
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A backup/restore method, the characteristic of which is, to include:(1) a â€œbackup copy generating processâ€  where a random file stored in a first storage device is copied to a second storage device to make a backup copy; (2) a â€œrestore processâ€  where such backup copy generated by the above-mentioned â€œbackup copy generating processâ€  is used to restore (an) existing file(s) or (a) non-existing (i.e., already deleted) file(s) in the first storage device; (3) a â€œrestore detail instructing processâ€  where a target file (file name) and time period is designated to execute the above-mentioned â€œrestore processâ€  to restore those files to a state of designated time period backing from the current time; (4) a â€œrestore control processâ€  where, in case a â€œrestore processâ€  is executed during the above-mentioned â€œrestore detail instructing process,â€  one file that meets the target â€œfile nameâ€  and â€œtime periodâ€  criteria is selected and control the execution of the above-mentioned â€œrestore process; (5) a â€œbackup file selecting processâ€  to pre-select the file(s) to generate backup(s) of; (6) a â€œbackup generation control processâ€  to control the execution of above-mentioned â€œbackup copy generating processâ€  so as to generate a backup copy at pre-set timing every time (a) designated file(s) selected during the above-mentioned â€œbackup file selecting processâ€  is/are created or updated; (7) an â€œelapsed time setting processâ€  where at least one elapsed time (time elapsed since the last modification time) be set for each designated file as selected by above-mentioned â€œbackup file selecting process;â€  (7) an â€œelapsed time judgement processâ€  which compares the current time and the last modification time for files as selected by above-mentioned â€œbackup file selecting processâ€  and judge whether a particular file has exceeded the elapsed time as set on above-mentioned â€œelapse time setting processâ€  for that particular file; and (8) a â€œstatus recording processâ€  where if, during the above-mentioned â€œelapsed time judgement process,â€  a file has been judged that the elapsed time exceeded the pre-set time, the status recording process will record the status of the file (that this file has already exceeded the pre-set time) using the backup copy of that file, and then the above-mentioned â€œrestore detail instructing processâ€  will, from the files that are known to have exceeded the elapsed time as a result of above-mentioned â€œstatus recording process,â€  select the target file(s) to restore and designate the above-mentioned time period, and then execute the â€œrestore process,â€  wherein, the above-mentioned â€œrestore control processâ€  will select the copy of the backup file matching that elapsed time as designated by the above-mentioned â€œrestore detail instructing process,â€  control the â€œrestore processâ€  and restore the designated file.â€