Patent ID: 7509356

Claim:
A system for backing up desired data from data to be used by an associated software application, the data comprising substantive information and non-substantive information and the system comprising: A) a communication link configured to transfer information between the system and a backup-storage facility for storing backed up data; and B) a processor coupled to the communication link and configured to: (i) map the desired data to a change-resistant format; (ii) identify desired substantive information comprising the substantive information of the change-resistant formatted desired data; (iii) identify stored substantive information comprising the substantive information of stored data; (iv) compare the desired substantive information with the stored substantive information; (v) make a determination whether, to the associated software application, there is any difference between the desired substantive information and the stored substantive information; (vi) in accordance with the determination, select portions of the change-resistant formatted desired data to be transferred; and (vii) transfer the portions thus selected over the communication link for storage.