Abstract:
The identifying folder paths for backup techniques include a method, a system, and/or a computer software product. In some embodiments of these techniques, the method includes scanning a client device for folders. The method further includes identifying one or more folder paths on a client device according to a pre-defined criteria associated with a backup policy for the client device. The method further includes consolidating the one or more folder paths into a consolidated list of folder paths. The method further includes presenting the consolidated list of one or more folder paths to a user. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for managing backup of user data. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Computer systems are ubiquitous in today&#39;s work and home environments. The data stored on these computer systems, however, is vulnerable to theft, fire, flood, and other natural disasters. Users may customize folder organization on their computing devices in non-standard ways such that important data may be located in non-standard locations. As a result, backup services running on users&#39; computing devices may not be backing up important data located in non-standard locations. Users may only realize that data located in a non-standard location was not backed up after the data is lost (e.g., due to disk failure). Thus, a need exists for a system that discovers data in non-standard locations and allows users to backup this data. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One approach to identifying folder paths for backup is a method. The method includes scanning a client device for folders. The method further includes identifying one or more folder paths on a client device according to a pre-defined criteria associated with a backup policy for the client device. The method further includes consolidating the one or more folder paths into a consolidated list of folder paths. The method further includes presenting the consolidated list of one or more folder paths to a user. 
         [0004]    Another approach to identifying folder paths for backup is a system. The system includes a folder discovery module. The folder discovery module is configured to scan a client device for folders, identify one or more folder paths on a client device according to a pre-defined criteria associated with a backup policy for the client device, and consolidate the one or more folder paths into a consolidated list of folder paths. The system further includes an application module. The application module is configured to present the consolidated list of one or more folder paths to a user. 
         [0005]    Another approach to identifying folder paths for backup is a computer software product. The computer software product includes a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes a set of processor executable instructions. When executed by a processor, the instructions configure a computing apparatus to scan a client device for folders, identify one or more folder paths on a client device according to a pre-defined criteria associated with a backup policy for the client device, consolidate the one or more folder paths into a consolidated list of folder paths, and present the consolidated list of one or more folder paths to a user. 
         [0006]    Another approach to identifying folder paths for backup is a system for identifying folder paths for backup. The system includes a means for scanning a client device for folders. The system includes a means for identifying one or more folder paths on a client device according to a pre-defined criteria associated with a backup policy for the client device. The system includes a means for consolidating the one or more folder paths into a consolidated list of folder paths. The system includes a means for presenting the consolidated list of one or more folder paths to a user. 
         [0007]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating the principles of the invention by way of example only. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Various embodiments taught herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is block diagram illustrating an exemplary logical data site, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data center storing user data backup from client devices, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates exemplary user data and user data backup, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary logical data site management server, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary storage server, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary client device, according to one exemplary embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate exemplary backup policies; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10A-C  illustrate exemplary folders stored on the client device; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11A-E  illustrate exemplary folders stored on the client device; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary user interface; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary user interface; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  illustrates a flowchart showing discovery of folders for backup. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    It will be recognized that some or all of the figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the elements shown. The figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    This technology discloses a method for discovering folders and prompting a user with summation of folder paths with a suggestion to select the discovered folders for future backups. To make the user interactions easier, the discovered folder path may be consolidated as described below. In the disclosed example, the discovery of folders may be driven by a template policy containing information regarding what types of files may be of interest to the user, as well as various lists of folders that should be excluded from the search. The method may also keep track of folders that have previously been presented to the user. 
         [0025]    Before turning to the figures which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system  100  for backup and restoration of user data (e.g., one or more document files, one or more audio files, etc.) between client devices A  140   a,  B  140   b,  C  140   c  through Z  140   z  (e.g., personal computer, server computing system, personal digital assistant, phone, music player, etc.) and data centers A  110   a,  B  110   b  through Z  110   z  (e.g., server systems with a plurality of data storage devices, server systems connected to a plurality of network data storage devices, etc.). The system  100  includes a communication network  130  (e.g., internet protocol (IP) network, a local area network (LAN), internet, etc.) and a backup system management server  120 . 
         [0027]    Each data center A  110   a,  B  110   b  through Z  110   z  includes a plurality of logical data sites  1 ,  2  through  9 ,  112   a,    112   b  through  112   z,    114   a,    114   b  through  114   z,  and  116   a,    116   b,  through  116   z,  respectively. Each client device A  140   a,  B ] 40   b,  C  140   c  through Z  140   z  includes a client backup module  142   a,    142   b,    142   c,  through  142   z,  respectively. The data centers  110   a - 110   z,  the client devices  140   a - 140   z,  and/or the backup system management server  120  communicate via the communication network  130 . 
         [0028]    The backup system management server  120  can manage the backup of user data from the client devices  140   a - 140   z  to one or more of the logical data sites at one or more of the data centers  110   a - 110   z.  The backup system management server  120  can manage the restoration of user data from one or more of the logical data sites at one or more of the data centers  110   a - 110   z  to the client devices  140   a - 140   z.  The backup system management server  120  can communicate with the client backup module  142   a - 142   z  on each client device  140   a - 140   z  to manage the backup and/or restoration of the user data (e.g., pause backup, start backup, select backup set, start restoration, schedule backup, communicate a backup policy, update a backup set, etc.). 
         [0029]    In some examples, the restoration of the user data is to the originating client device (e.g., the client device from which the user data originated from, the client device connected to the computing device which the user data originated from, etc.). In other examples, the restoration of the user data is to another client device that is not the originating client device (e.g., new user computer, etc.). 
         [0030]    In other examples, each data center  110   a - 110   z  includes a data center management server (not shown) for managing the backup and/or the restoration of the user data. In some examples, each logical site includes a site management server for managing the backup and/or the restoration of the user data. In other examples, the backup system management server  120  manages the backup and/or the restoration of the user data by managing one or more of the data center management servers and/or one or more of the site management servers. 
         [0031]    Although  FIG. 1  illustrates a single communication network  130 , the system can include a plurality of communication networks and/or the plurality of communication networks can be configured in a plurality of ways (e.g., a plurality of interconnected local area networks (LAN), a plurality of interconnected wide area network (WAN), a plurality of interconnected LANs and/or WAN s, etc.). 
         [0032]    Although  FIG. 1  illustrates the data centers A  110   a,  B  110   b  through Z  110   z,  the logical data sites  1 ,  2  through  9  (e.g.  112   a - 112   z ), and the client device A  140   a,  B  140   b,  C  140   c  through Z  140   z,  the system  100  can include any number of data centers, logical data sites, and/or client devices. In some examples, data centers A, B, and C include ten logical data sites and data centers D, E, F, and G include twenty logical data sites. In other examples, ten thousand client devices are associated with each logical data site. In this example, data center G is associated with two hundred thousand client devices since data center G includes twenty logical data sites and each logical data site is associated with ten thousand client devices. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary data center  210 . The data center  210  includes a data center management server  212 , logical data sites A  214   a,  B  214   b  through Z  214   z,  and a communication network  218 . Each logical data site A  214   a,  B  214   b  through Z  214   z  includes a site management server A  215   a,  B  215   b  through Z  215   z  and one or more storage volumes  216   a,    216   b  through  216   z  (e.g., logical storage volumes, storage devices, distributed storage devices, etc.). The data center management server  212  and/or the site manager servers  215   a,    215   b  through  215   z  can manage the plurality of logical data sites  214   a - 214   z.    
         [0034]    Each logical data site A  214   a,  B  214   b  through Z  214   z  can store and/or retrieve the backup of user data associated with a plurality of users (e.g., subscribers to a backup subscription service, users in a corporate network, etc.). The storage volumes  216   a - 216   z  at each logical site  214   a - 214   z  can store and/or retrieve the backup of the user data. 
         [0035]    In some examples, the backup of the user data is stored on a single storage volume (e.g., single storage device, single logical storage volume, redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) storage device, etc.). In other examples, the backup of the user data is stored on one or more storage volumes (e.g., distributed backup among a plurality of storage devices, redundant backup among a plurality of logical storage volumes, redundant backup among a plurality of RAID storage devices, etc.). 
         [0036]    In some examples, the data center management server  212  manages the backup and/or the restoration for the data center  210  and the site manager server manages the storage and/or retrieval at the respective logical data site. 
         [0037]    Although  FIG. 2  illustrates a data center  210  with the logical data sites A  214   a,  B  214   b  through Z  214   z,  the data center  210  can include a single logical data site or any number of logical data sites (e.g., twenty, forty, one hundred, etc.). Although  FIG. 2  illustrates the data center management server  212  and/or the site management server, the storage and/or retrieval of the backups of user data can be managed individually by either the data center management server  212  or the site management server at each respective logical site. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a logical data site  304 . The logical data site  304  includes a site management server  305  and storage servers A  310   a,  B  314   b  through Z  320   z.  The storage server A  310   a  includes a storage volume A  312   a.  The storage server B  314   b  includes a storage volume B 1   316   b  and a storage volume B 2   318   b.  The storage server Z  320   z  includes storage volumes Z 1   322   z  through Z 3   328   z.  Any number of storage volumes can be grouped within a storage server. Each storage volume includes a plurality of user data backup (not shown). The site management server  305  can communicate with the storage servers A  310   a,  B  314   b  through Z  320   z  to backup and/or restore the backup of the user data. 
         [0039]    Although  FIG. 3A  illustrates storage servers A  310   a,  B  314   b  through Z  320   z  and storage volumes  312   a,    316   b,    318   b,    322   z  through  328   z,  the logical data site  304  can include any number of storage servers and/or storage volumes. For example, the logical data site  304  can include four storage servers and each storage server includes forty storage volumes. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the site management server  305  can include a database server and a server managing storage bandwidth resources for the logical data site  304 . In these embodiments, the site management server  305  can control one or more communications servers that act as intermediary between client communication module  805  and the storage servers A  310   a,  B  314   b  through Z  320   z,    
         [0041]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a logical data site  334 . The logical data site  334  includes a site management server  335  and a storage server  320 . The storage server  320  includes storage volumes A  330   a,  B  330   b  through Z  330   z.  Each storage volume A  330   a,  B  330   b  through Z  330   z  includes plurality of user data  1 ,  2  through  9  (e.g., the user data is the backup of the user data stored on a client device associated with the user). The site management server  335  can communicate with the storage server  320  and/or the storage volumes A  330   a,  B  330   b  through Z  330   z  to backup and/or restore the backup of the user data. 
         [0042]    In some examples, the site management server  335  can communicate with the storage volumes to transfer user data between the storage volumes. In some examples, the site management server  335  can communicate with one or more site management servers (not shown) at one or more other logical data sites (not shown) to transfer user data between the logical data sites, 
         [0043]    Although  FIG. 3B  illustrates storage volumes A  330   a,  B  330   b  through Z  330   z  and user data  1 ,  2  through  9 , the logical data site  334  can include any number of storage volumes and/or user data. For example, the logical data site  334  can include twenty storage volumes and each storage volume includes user data associated with one thousand users. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary data center  410  for the backup of user data from one or more client devices  440   a,    440   b,  and  440   c.  The data center  410  includes a logical data site  412 . The logical data site  412  includes a storage volume  414 . The storage volume  434  includes user data backups A  432   a,  B  432   b,  and C  432   c.  The user data backups A  422   a,  B  422   b,  and C  422   c  correspond to user data A  432   a,  B  432   b,  and C  432   c,  respectively. The user data A  432   a,  B  432   b,  and C  432   c  are stored on the client devices, computer A  440   a,  personal digital assistant  440   b,  and computer B  440   c,  respectively. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the user data A  432   a,  B  432   b,  and C  432   c  stored on the client devices is backed up to the storage volume  414  on the logical data site  412  in the data center  410 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates exemplary user data  510  and user data backup  520 . The user data  510  includes a plurality of files, image files  511 , document files  512 , video files  513 , sound files  514 , database files  515 , and email files  516 , and/or other information (e.g., registry information, user preference information, etc.) stored on a client device in a file tree structure (e.g., hierarchal database, hierarchal flat file, etc.). The user data backup  520  includes a plurality of files, image files  521 , document files  522 , video files  523 , sound files  524 , database files  525 , and e a files  526 , and/or other information that is selected for backup by the user, automatically by the management server (e.g., site management server, data center management server, etc.), and/or based on backup templates and/or backup policies. The technology as described herein can be utilized to backup the user data as the user data backup. 
         [0046]    Although  FIG. 5  illustrates certain types of files e.g., image files, document files, etc.), the technology as described herein can backup any type of information and/or data stored on the client device and/or a storage device connected to the client device (e.g., external storage device, network connected storage device, etc.). 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary site management server  600 . The site management server  600  includes a communication module  605 , a user authentication module  610 , a backup management module  615 , a user preference module  620 , a backup set management module  625 , an output device  660 , an input device  665 , a processor  670 , and a storage device  675 . The modules and/or devices can be hardware and/or software. The modules and/or devices illustrated in the site management server  600  can, for example, utilize the processor  670  to execute computer executable instructions and/or include a processor to execute computer executable instructions (e.g., an encryption processing unit, afield programmable gate array processing unit, etc.). It should be understood that the site management server  600  can include, for example, other modules, devices, and/or processors known in the art and/or varieties of the illustrated modules, devices, and/or processors. It should be understood that the modules and/or devices illustrated in the site management server  600  can be located within the site management server  600  and/or connected to the site management server  600  (e.g., directly, indirectly, etc.), but outside of the physical components of the management server (e.g., personal computer, mobile device, etc.). 
         [0048]    The communication module  605  communicates data to/from the site management server  600 . The user authentication module  610  authenticates users to the site management server  600 . The backup management module  615  manages and/or controls backups to/from the site management server  600 . The user preference module  620  manages preferences of users and/or collects information associated with user selections and/or preferences. In some embodiments, the user preference module  620  manages the backup policies associated with various client devices. 
         [0049]    The output device  660  outputs information and/or data associated with the site management server  600  (e.g., information to a printer (not shown), information to a speaker, etc.). The input device  665  receives information associated with the site management server  600  (e.g., instructions from a user, instructions from a computing device, etc.) from a user (not shown) and/or a computing system not shown). The input device  665  can include, for example, a keyboard, a scanner, an enrollment device, a scale, etc. 
         [0050]    The processor  670  executes the operating system and/or any other computer executable instructions for the management server (e.g., executes applications, etc.). The site management server  600  can include random access memory (not shown). The random access memory can temporarily store the operating system, the instructions, and/or any other data associated with the management server. The random access memory can include one or more levels of memory storage (e.g., processor register, storage disk cache, main memory, etc.). 
         [0051]    The storage device  675  stores the files, user preferences, backup policies, access information, an operating system and/or any other data or program code associated with the site management server  600 . The storage device can include a plurality of storage devices. The storage device  675  can include, for example, long-term storage (e.g., a hard drive, a tape storage device, flash memory, etc.), short-term storage (e.g., a random access memory, a graphics memory, etc.), and/or any other type of computer readable storage. 
         [0052]    Although  FIG. 6  illustrates the exemplary site management server  600 , any of the management servers described herein (e.g., data center management server) can include the components and functionality described with respect to the site management server  600 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary storage server  700 . The storage server  700  includes a data access module  705 , a storage volume management module  710 , a lock management module  715 , a user data backup transfer module  720 , a backend scavenger module  725 , a file check module  730 , an output device  760 , an input device  765 , a processor  770 , and a storage device  775 . The modules and/or devices can be hardware and/or software. The modules and/or devices illustrated in the storage server  700  can, for example, utilize the processor  770  to execute computer executable instructions and/or include a processor to execute computer executable instructions (e.g., an encryption processing unit, a field programmable gate array processing unit, etc.). It should be understood that the storage server  700  can include, for example, other modules, devices, and/or processors known in the art and/or varieties of the illustrated modules, devices, and/or processors. It should be understood that the modules and/or devices illustrated in the storage server  700  can be located within the storage server  700  and/or connected to the storage server  700  (e.g., directly, indirectly, etc.), but outside of the physical components of the management server (e.g., personal computer, mobile device, etc.). 
         [0054]    The data access module  705  accesses data stored on the storage server  700 . The storage volume management module  710  manages user data storages on a storage volume, a logical data site and/or data center. 
         [0055]    The lock management module  715  manages locks for locking user data during transfer of user data, maintenance, etc. In some embodiments, the lock management module  715  can manage different types of locks, including a copy lock protecting file copying, an exclusive lock protecting user data from any access to user data, a scavenger lock protecting for read and occasional deletion of expired or corrupt files, a lock protecting user data for reading and writing, a read lock protecting user data for reading, and/or any other type of computer locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the locks can be local to a storage volume, storage server, or logical data site, etc. 
         [0056]    The user data backup transfer module  720  manages transfer of user data backup between logical data sites and/or data centers. In some embodiments, the user data backup transfer module  720  transfers user data backup from a source logical data site to a destination logical data site which are located in two different data centers. 
         [0057]    The backend scavenger module  725  deletes files no longer required by client for backup. In some embodiments, the client device determines when to purge unwanted files, and updates the backup status files accordingly. Using the updated backup status files, the backend scavenger module  725  deletes files from storage volumes. The backend scavenger module  725  purges data for expired computers, deletes obsolete backup files, requests resend of missing files, performs server file integrity checks, aggregates client log files, gathers server file statistics to logs and database, and/or manages free space in the file system (e.g., NTFS, proprietary file system). 
         [0058]    The file check module  730  deletes invalid files (e.g., expired files, suspended files, etc.). The file check module  730  verifies integrity of server files, gathers computer parameters from database, records activity to logs and database, and/or reads storage volume configurations from database, etc. In some embodiments, the file check module  730  moves invalid files to a predetermined folder on each storage volume, and the backend scavenger module  725  performs the actual deletion of the invalid files. In other embodiments, using a proprietary file system, the file check module  730  marks the invalid files for purging, and the file system internally manages the deletion of files marked for purging. 
         [0059]    The output device  760  outputs information and/or data associated with the storage server  700  (e.g., information to a printer (not shown), information to a speaker, e(c.). The input device  765  receives information associated with the storage server  700  (e.g., instructions from a user, instructions from a computing device, etc.) from a user (not shown) and/or a computing system (not shown). The input device  765  can include, for example, a keyboard, a scanner, an enrollment device, a scale, etc. 
         [0060]    The processor  770  executes the operating system and/or any other computer executable instructions for the management server (e.g., executes applications, etc.). The storage server  700  can include random access memory (not shown). The random access memory can temporarily store the operating system, the instructions, and/or any other data associated with the management server. The random access memory can include one or more levels of memory storage (e.g., processor register, storage disk cache, main memory, etc.). 
         [0061]    The storage device  775  stores the files, user preferences, backup policies, access information, an operating system and/or any other data or program code associated with the storage server  700 . The storage device can include a plurality of storage devices. The storage device  775  can include, for example, long-term storage (e.g., a hard drive, a tape storage device, flash memory, etc.), short-term storage (e.g., a random access memory, a graphics memory, etc.), and/or any other type of computer readable storage. 
         [0062]    Although  FIG. 7  illustrates the exemplary storage server  700 , any of the management servers described herein (e.g., site management server) can include the components and functionality described with respect to the storage server  700 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary client device  800 . The client device  800  includes a communication module  805 , a user authentication module  810 , a client backup module  815 , an operating system module  820 , an application module  825 , a folder discovery module  830 , a backup policy management module  835 , an output device  860 , an input device  865 , a processor  870 , and a storage device  875 . The modules and/or devices can be hardware and/or software. The modules and/or devices illustrated in the client device can, for example, utilize the processor to execute computer executable instructions and/or include a processor to execute computer executable instructions (e.g., an encryption processing unit, afield programmable gate array processing unit, etc.). It should be understood that the client device  800  can include, for example, other modules, devices, and/or processors known in the art and/or varieties of the illustrated modules, devices, and/or processors. It should be understood that the modules and/or devices illustrated in the client device  800  can be located within the client device  800  and/or connected to the client device  800  (e.g., directly, indirectly, etc.), but outside of the physical components of the client device  800  (e.g., personal computer, mobile device, etc.). 
         [0064]    The communication module  805  communicates data and/or information to/from the client device  800 . The user authentication module  810  authenticates users for the client device  800  and/or the client backup module. The client backup module  815  backs-up, restores and/or identifies user data for backup and restoration. The operating system module  820  operates an operating system on the client device  800 . The application module  825  operates one or more applications on the client device  800 . The folder discovery module  830  scans the client device  800  searching for folders satisfying parameters specified in a backup policy associated with the client device  800 . The backup policy management module  835  manages the backup policy associated with the client device  800 . 
         [0065]    The output device  860  outputs information and/or data associated with the client device  800  (e.g., information to a printer (not shown), information to a speaker, etc.). The input device  865  receives information associated with the client device (e.g., instructions from a user, instructions from a computing device, etc.) from a user (not shown) and/or a computing system (not shown). The input device  865  can include, for example, a keyboard, a scanner, an enrollment device, a scale, etc. 
         [0066]    The processor  870  executes the operating system and/or any other computer executable instructions for the client device (e.g., executes applications, etc.). The client device  800  can include random access memory (not shown). The random access memory can temporarily store the operating system, the instructions, and/or any other data associated with the client device. The random access memory can include one or more levels of memory storage (e.g., processor register, storage disk cache, main memory, etc.). 
         [0067]    The storage device  875  stores the files, user preferences, backup sets, backup policies, access information, an operating system and/or any other data or program code associated with the management server (e.g., site management server, data center management server, etc.). The storage device  875  can include a plurality of storage devices. The storage device  875  can include, for example, long-term storage (e.g., a hard drive, a tape storage device, flash memory, etc.), short-term storage (e.g., a random access memory, a graphics memory, etc.), and/or any other type of computer readable storage. In some embodiments, the storage device  875  includes one or more hard drives. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate exemplary backup policy templates used by the folder discovery module  830 .  FIG. 9A  illustrates an exemplary backup policy template  900   a.  The backup policy template  900   a  is shown to include a list of file types  920   a  of interest including “.doc” and “.pdf”. In some embodiments, file types listed in the backup policy may be considered to have a higher than default priority (e.g. priority higher than zero) such that files of these file types are considered important to the user. The backup policy template  900   a  is shown to further include a threshold file count  940  having a value of three. The backup policy template  900   a  can include a list of excluded folders  925   a  that should be skipped during the search performed by the folder discovery module  830  (e.g. “C:\Windows” and “C:\Program Files”). The list of excluded folders  925   a  are assumed not to have any user-generated content (i.e., have a backup priority of zero). The backup policy template  900   a  includes a list of folders already selected for backup  930   a  (e.g. “C:\Documents and Settings”). During the search, the folder discovery module  830  skips the folders listed in the backup folders list  930   a.    
         [0069]    The backup policy template  900   a  includes a list of folders previously presented to the user  935   a  (e.g. “C:\Photos”). In some embodiments, the list of previously presented folders  935   a  includes a unique identifier (not shown) for a client device  800  associated with the backup policy template  900   a.  In these embodiments, the folder discovery module  830  verifies that the current device matches the client device specified in the backup policy template  900   a,  and will ignore the previously presented folders list if the client device identifiers do not match. The backup policy template  900   a  can include a list of individual files already selected for backup (not shown). For example, if a “Test” folder contains three “.doc” documents and two of the three “word” documents are already selected for backup, then the two “word” documents selected for backup would not be counted towards the required threshold file count (e.g., three). In some embodiments, the list of file types, threshold file count, list of folders being backed up, list of previously presented folders and other configuration parameters can be stored in multiple backup policy templates or other locations. The backup policy template  900   a  can define levels of backup priority for various file types. For example, file types with a higher than default priority may be listed in the types of files of interest in the policy template. The policy template can contain additional configuration parameters (e.g., next scheduled scan time, maximum number of folders that can be presented to a user at a time, individual files selected for backup, individual files to be excluded from the scan, drives to be excluded from the scan, etc.). 
         [0070]    Using the backup policy template  900   a,  the folder discovery module  830  searches for folders having at least three “.doc” and/or “.pdf” files, excluding folders listed in the excluded folders list  925   a,  backup folders list  930   a,  and the previously presented folders list  935   a.  In some embodiments, if no folders are listed in the excluded folders list  925   a  in the backup policy template  900   a,  then the folder discovery module  830  does not proceed with searching the storage device  875  for folders having important files not already being backed up. 
         [0071]    After the folder discovery module  830  finishes searching the storage device  875  for folders storing user-generated content in non-standard locations, the discovered top level folders  1310  are displayed to the user in a dialog  1300  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Once the user selects folders from the list of recommended folders  1310  and/or dismisses the dialog  1300 , the backup policy management module  835  updates the backup policy template  900   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 9B . The folder discovery module  830  updates the previously presented folders list  935   a  with the list of folders  1310  presented to the user in the dialog  1300  (i.e., regardless of whether the user selects any of the folders  1310  for backup). As illustrated in the backup policy template  900   b,  the previously presented folders list is updated to contain “C:\Claire”, “C:\Foto Application\AppData\PersonalDate”, and “C:\Helen\Project Foo\Important Documents\Backup”. The list of backup folders  930   b  can be updated with the list of folders that the user selected for backup in the interface  1300 . 
         [0072]    The configuration values that store various lists of folders (e.g., list of excluded folders  925   a ) in the backup policy can accumulate over time and lead to unexpected behavior (e.g., explosion in the size of the policy template). To keep the size of the backup policy under control, the backup policy management module  835  can periodically iterate through the various lists of folders stored in the backup policy, and remove folders that no longer exist on the file system of the client device from the lists of folders in the backup policy. For example, if the user deletes the “C:\Claire” folder  1015   a  from the client device  800 , during the next scheduled scan, the backup policy management module  835  will remove the “C:\Claire” folder  1015   a  from the list of previously presented folders  935   b  in the backup policy template  900   b.    
         [0073]    The backup policy templates  900   a  and  900   b  can be in any format including comma separated tile, XML format, binary format. ASCII format, or any other format. The backup policies (e.g.,  900   a  and  900   b ) can be maintained and stored on the client device storage device  875 . In some embodiments, the client backup module  815  backups up the backup policies to one or more storage servers  700 . As a result, the backup policies can be stored on the storage server  775 . The contents of the backup policies can be determined by the user preference module  620 , and/or the backup policy management module  835 . In some embodiments, the user preference module  620  maintains a default backup policy. In some embodiments, the user is allowed to edit the backup policy (e.g., the file types the user considers important for backup). In these embodiments, the user preference module  620  can analyze the backup policy editions made by multiple users and update the backup policies of other users in a similar fashion. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate exemplary user created folders in a non-standard location on the client device  800 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the “C:\Claire” folder  1015   a  contains three subfolders  1020   a,  and four individual files  1025  including three Word documents, and a Power Point document. The “C:\Claire” folder  1015   a  was created by the user on C:\drive which is not a standard location for user files. Accordingly, during backup of the user&#39;s files, the “Claire” folder may not be included in the list of folders being backed up. 
         [0075]      FIG. 10B  and  FIG. 10C  illustrate two subfolders of the “Claire” folder  1015   a.    FIG. 10B  illustrates a “My Documents” subfolder  1015   b  of the “Claire” folder  1015   a,  containing three Adobe Acrobat documents  1020   b,  one Microsoft Word document  1025   b,  as well as one Microsoft Excel document and three audio documents.  FIG. 10C  illustrates a “My Pictures” subfolder  1015   c  of the “Claire” folder  1015   a,  containing five “JPEG” documents. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 11A-11E  illustrate another set of exemplary user created folders in a non-standard location on the client device  800 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11A , folder “C:\Helen\Project Foo\Important Documents\Backup”  1115   a  contains five subfolders, and a Microsoft Excel document  1120   a.  The “Backup” folder  1115   a  was created by the user on “C:\Helen\Project Foo\Important Documents” folder which is not a standard location for user files. Accordingly, during backup of the user&#39;s files, the “Backup” folder  1115   a  may not be included in the list of folders being backed up and the contents of the “Backup” folder  1115   a  may be lost (e.g., disk failure).) 
         [0077]      FIG. 11B-11E  illustrate four subfolders of the “Backup” folder  1115   a.    FIG. 11B  illustrates a “2007 Performance Reviews” subfolder  1115   b  of the “Backup” folder  1115   a,  containing four Microsoft Word documents and a single Microsoft Excel document  1120   b.    FIG. 11C  illustrates a “2008 Performance Reviews” subfolder  1115   c  of the “Backup” folder  1115   a,  containing five Microsoft Word documents and a single Microsoft Excel document  1120   c.    FIG. 11D  illustrates a “Performance Review Templates” subfolder  1115   d  of the “Backup” folder  1115   d,  containing four Microsoft Word documents,  FIG. 11E  illustrates a “Profits” subfolder  1115   e  of the “Backup” folder  1115   d,  containing two Microsoft Excel documents  1120   e.    
         [0078]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary user interface  1200  allowing the user to update backup settings. The interface  1200  displays a check box  1215  for including recommended default backup selections in the user&#39;s backup. In some embodiments, the site management server  600  maintains a set of recommended backup selections. The interface  1200  displays a check box  1220  for allowing the user to enable scanning of the user&#39;s computer and suggesting additional folders to be added to backup. The interface  1200  displays a “Scan Now” button  1225 , which would force an immediate re-scan of the user&#39;s computing device, including folders previously shown to the user during previous scans performed by the folder discovery module  830  of the client device  800  and not selected for backup. To view and edit the backup schedule of the user&#39;s computing device, the user can click on the “View/edit backup schedule” button  1230 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary user interface  1300  displaying a list of folders  1310  outside of locations selected for backup. The user selecting the check box  1220  can trigger display of the user interface  1300  to the user. In some embodiments, the list of folders  1310  is advantageously a list of top-level folders reducing the total number of folders displayed in the interface  1300 . In some embodiments, selecting any of the folders  1310  would enable the client backup module  815  to backup the selected folders including all their subfolders. The list of folders  1310  is generated by the folder discovery module  830  using a backup policy template associated with the client device  800 . For example, using the exemplary backup policy  900   a,  the folder discovery module  830  found three folders  1310  that have three or more “.doc” or “.pdf” files. In some embodiments, all the files stored in the selected folders will be backed up, including both the files being of the types included in the backup policy (e.g., “.doc”, “.pdf&#39;). In other embodiments, only the files of the types explicitly included in the backup policy will be backed up. By unselecting check box  1320 , the user can disable any further scanning of the user&#39;s computing device  800  for folders that are not already being backed up but potentially storing important documents. 
         [0080]    The interface  1300  can be scrollable both vertically, in order to handle a long list of folders, and horizontally, to show a deeply nested folder path. In some embodiments, the check boxes next to each folder  1310  are initially unchecked, and the user can manually check boxes next to the folders that they would like to backup. In other embodiments, the check boxes next to each folder  1310  are checked by default, and the user can manually uncheck them. In other embodiments, a second check box (not shown) can be included next to each folder  1310  indicating whether the user does not want to be prompted about this folder during future scans. In these embodiments, the second checkbox is checked by default for each folder  1310 , and the user can manually uncheck the second checkbox so that the future scanning performed by the folder discovery module  830  does not exclude the corresponding folder path. 
         [0081]    In some embodiments, after the user selects some or all of folders  1310  to be added to backup, the client back-up module  815  immediately backs up the selected folders. In other embodiments, the client back-up module  815  will back up the selected folders during the next scheduled backup time. In other embodiments, the folder discovery module  830  can perform the first backup of the selected folders. 
         [0082]    Once the user dismisses the interface  1300 , the backup policy management  835  updates the backup policy associated with client device  800 . For example, if the user dismissed the interface  1300  without selecting any folders for backup, the folder discovery module  830  updates the list of previously presented folders  935   a  in the backup policy template  900   a  with the list of folders  1310  as illustrated in the backup policy template  900   b  such that these folders will not be searched by the folder discovery module  830  during the next scan of the client device  800 . In another example, if the user selected one or more of the folders  1310  for backup, the folder discovery module  830  updates the list of backup folders  930   a  to include the selected folders. In some embodiments, the folder discovery module  830  adds all the folders  1310 , regardless of whether the user selected any of the folders  1310 , to the previously presented folders  935   a  in the backup policy template  900   a.    
         [0083]    In some embodiments, the total number of folders shown in the interface  1300  can be limited by a predetermined maximum folder count parameter stored in the backup policy associated with the client device  800 . For example, the predetermined maximum folder count parameter can be set to  25 . In this embodiment, if the folder discovery module  830  detects more than the predetermined maximum folder count parameter, the interface  1300  displays the maximum number of folders, and the folder discovery module  830  runs again in a shorter interval, instead of waiting until the next scheduled scan time. 
         [0084]    In some embodiments, each folder path shown in the interface  1300  is a hyperlink. When the user clicks one of the hyperlinks, a corresponding folder is opened so that the user can view the contents of the folder. The interface  1300  can include a button or a check box to force an immediate rescan, including searching through folders previously shown in the interface  1300  and not selected for backup. 
         [0085]    In  FIG. 14 , a flowchart  1400  relating to scanning the client device  800  for folders storing important files is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The folder discovery module  830  scans (step  1410 ) the client device for folders satisfying parameters specified in a backup policy associated with the client device  800 . The folder discovery module  830  can scan all drives on the client device  800 . 
         [0086]    For example, the backup policy associated with the client device  800  is the exemplary backup policy template  900   a,  in which the file types of interest  920   a  include “.doc” and “.pdf” file types, the threshold file count  940   a  is set to three, a list of folders to exclude from the search  925   a  is specified, a list of folders already being backed up  930   a  is specified, and a list of folders previously presented to the user to include in backup  935   a  is specified. Using the backup policy  900   a,  the folder discovery module  830  scans the client device  800  for folders containing at least the three “.doc” and “.pdf” files. The folder discovery module  830  determines whether the found folder is listed in the list of folders to exclude from the search  925   a.  The folder discovery module  830  determines whether the found folder is already being backed up using the backup folders list  930   a.  The folder discovery module  830  determines whether the found folder is in the list of folders already presented to the user  935   a  (i.e., in the interface  1300  or similar interface). If, for example, the client device  800  includes folders illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-C , the folder discovery module  830  discovers the “Claire” folder  1015   a  because the “Claire” folder  1015   a  contains the requisite three Word documents, and because the “Claire” folder  1015   a  was not listed in the list of backed up folders  930   a,  the list of excluded folders  925   a,  or the list of previously presented folders  935   a.    
         [0087]    In some embodiments, when the folder discovery module  830  discovers a folder (e.g., “Claire” folder  1015   a ) containing at least the minimum number of files of types specified in the backup policy, the folder discovery module  830  does not examine the subfolders of the found folder (e.g., “My Documents” folder  1015   b ) to determine whether the subfolders contain the required number of files of interest. In these embodiments, even though the “My Documents” folder  1015   b  also contains four files (i.e., more than three) of file types specified in the backup policy  900   a,  the folder discovery module  830  does not analyze this subfolder. In these embodiments, the interface  1300  displays the “C:\Claire” folder but not any of the subfolders that contain the minimum required number of important files. In other embodiments, the folder discovery module  830  examines all or some subfolders associated with the found folder, and displays to the user all the folders and their subfolders satisfying the configuration parameters of the backup policy. In these embodiments, selecting a folder for backup in interface  1300  does not cause backup of all the subfolders of the selected folder. 
         [0088]    Using the backup policy associated with the client device  800 , the folder discovery module  830  finds folders satisfying the parameters specified in the backup policy. The folder discovery module  830  advantageously consolidates (step  1420 ) or aggregates the discovered list of folders to reduce the list of folders displayed to the user. In some embodiments, when two or more subfolders of a folder satisfy all the required parameters specified in the backup policy, the folder discovery module  830  consolidates the subfolders into the top level folder. For example, the “Backup” folder  1115   a  illustrated in  FIG. 11A  does not contain three or more “.doc” or “.pdf” files. However, the “2007 Performance Review” subfolder  1115   b  contains four “.doc” documents, the “2008 Performance Review” subfolder  1115   c  contains five “.doc” documents, and the “Performance Review Templates” subfolder  1115   d  contains four “.doc” documents. In addition, none of the three folders are listed in the excluded folders list  925   a,  the list of folders being backed up  930   a,  or the list of folders previously presented  935   a.  Accordingly, these three subfolders of the “Backup folder”  1115   a  satisfy all the parameters specified by the backup policy template  900   a.  The folder discovery module  830  consolidates subfolders into the “Backup” folder  1115   a,  and presents ( 1430 ) the path of the “Backup” folder to the user as illustrated in the interface  1300 , instead of presenting the paths of the three subfolders (i.e., “2007 Performance Review” subfolder  1115   b  path, “2008 Performance Review” subfolder  1115   c  path, and “Performance Review Templates” subfolder  1115   c  path). 
         [0089]    The user interface  1300  presents (step  1430 ) the consolidated list of folders discovered by the folder discovery module  830 . In some embodiments, before presenting a list of found folders to the user, the folder discovery module  830  checks whether any of the found folders have been selected for backup (e.g., while the scanning was in progress, the user selected additional folders for backup). For example, if the folder discovery module  830  determines that one of the discovered folders has subsequently been selected for backup or if individual files have been selected for backup such that the threshold file count is no longer met, then the folder discovery module  830  strips that folder from the list of folders to be presented to the user. 
         [0090]    Once the user dismisses the interface  1300 , the backup policy management module  835  updates (step  1440 ) the backup policy (e.g., backup policy template  900   a ) associated with the client device  800 . If the user selects any of the presented folders in the interface  1300  for backup, the backup policy management module  835  adds these folders to the list of folders already being backed up  930   a.  The backup policy management module  835  updates the list of folders already presented to the user  935   a  with all the folders displayed to the user in the interface  1300 . 
         [0091]    In some embodiments, the folder discovery module  830  performs the scan of the client device  800  on a periodic basis. The folder discovery module  830  can spawn a new thread to perform the scanning on a predetermined periodic basis. For example, the scan (e.g., new thread) can run once a week. In some embodiments, the thread may be anew, long-running, low-priority background thread. When the thread finishes searching for folders of interest, it may record finish time, and put itself to sleep. Each time the thread wakes up, it checks if it is time for a new scan. 
         [0092]    The above-described systems and methods can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer hardware, firmware, and/or software. The implementation can be as a computer program product i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier). The implementation can, for example, be in a machine-readable storage device, for execution by, or to control the operation of data processing apparatus. The implementation can, for example, be a programmable processor, a computer, and/or multiple computers. 
         [0093]    A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled and/or interpreted languages, and the computer program can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a subroutine, element, and/or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site. 
         [0094]    Method steps can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps can also be performed by and an apparatus can be implemented as special purpose logic circuitry. The circuitry can, for example, be a FPGA (field programmable gate array) and/or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Modules, subroutines, and software agents can refer to portions of the computer program, the processor, the special circuitry, software, and/or hardware that implements that functionality, 
         [0095]    Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer can be operatively coupled to receive data from and/or transfer data to one or more mass storage devices for storing data (e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks). 
         [0096]    Data transmission and instructions can also occur over a communications network. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices. The information carriers can, for example, be EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, internal hard disks, removable disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROM, and/or DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, and/or incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry. 
         [0097]    To provide for interaction with a user, the above described techniques can be implemented on a computer having a display device. The display device can, for example, be a cathode ray tube (CRT) and/or a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor. The interaction with a user can, for example, be a display of information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer (e.g., interact with a user interface element). Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user. Other devices can, for example, be feedback provided to the user in any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback). Input from the user can, for example, be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, and/or tactile input. 
         [0098]    The above described techniques can be implemented in a distributed computing system that includes a back-end component. The back-end component can, for example, be a data server, a middleware component, and/or an application server. The above described techniques can be implemented in a distributing computing system that includes a front-end component. The front-end component can, for example, be a client computer having a graphical user interface, a Web browser through which a user can interact with an example implementation, and/or other graphical user interfaces for a transmitting device. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, wired networks, and/or wireless networks. 
         [0099]    The system can include clients and servers. A client and a server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other, 
         [0100]    The communication networks can include, for example, packet-based networks and/or circuit-based networks. Packet-based networks can include, for example, the Internet, a carrier internet protocol (IP) network (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), campus area network (CAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), home area network (HAN)), a private IP network, an IP private branch exchange (IPBX), a wireless network (e.g., radio access network (RAN), 802.11 network, 802.16 network, general packet radio service (GPRS) network, HiperLAN), and/or other packet-based networks. Circuit-based networks can include, for example, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a private branch exchange (PBX), a wireless network (e.g., RAN, Bluetooth, code-division multiple access (CDMA) network, time division multiple access (TDMA) network, global system for mobile communications (GSM) network), and/or other circuit-based networks. 
         [0101]    The client device can include, for example, a computer, a computer with a browser device, a telephone, an IP phone, a mobile device (e.g., cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) device, laptop computer, electronic mail device), and/or other communication devices. The browser device includes, for example, a computer (e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer) with a world wide web browser (e.g., Microsoft® Internet Explorer® available from Microsoft Corporation, Mozilla® Firefox available from Mozilla Corporation). The mobile computing device includes, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
         [0102]    Comprise, include, and/or plural forms of each are open ended and include the listed parts and can include additional parts that are not listed. And/or is open ended and includes one or more of the listed parts and combinations of the listed parts. 
         [0103]    As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, an integrated circuit, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components can communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal). 
         [0104]    Moreover, various functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media can be non-transitory in nature and include both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any physical connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc (BD), where disks usually reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
         [0105]    Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. 
         [0106]    One skilled in the art will realize the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.