I
`Umted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`|||l|||||||||IlllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`
`USOOS732214A
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,732,214
`
`Subrahmanyam
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`
`[54] SYSTEM FOR UNIVERSAL ARCHIVAL
`SERVICE WHERE TRANSFER Is INITIATED
`BY USER OR SERVICE AND STORING
`RI‘ [1
`IIUI
`17131;?USE:£151?ng Ifggllifié‘ggATIONs
`C0
`ID C
`NF EN E
`
`[75]
`
`.
`Inventor? PaS'IPathl Manta Submhmanyam
`Freehold. NJ.
`
`[73] Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.. Murray
`Hill~ NJ.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 395,560
`.
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 28, 1995
`
`[51]
`Int. (31.6 ...................................................... G06F 13/00
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. .................... 395/200.12; 395/200.09
`[58] Field of Search ....................... 358/402; 364/242.94,
`364/2344; 380/2. 25; 395/230. 600. 650.
`700- 800
`
`[56]
`
`.
`References Clted
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,292,669
`2322,53
`,
`51111499
`5 121 495
`,
`,
`5,133,065
`5,136,706
`5,212,772
`
`9/1981 Wollum Cl 21.
`......................... 395/884
`
`- 395%??3:
`#11331 $6111.: a 31-
`seung ......................
`
`. 340/825.34
`5,1992 Ankney et a]
`
`6/1992 N
`emes
`395/603
`...... 395/575
`7/1992 Chefletz et a1
`
`8/1992 Courts ..................... 395/622
`
`5/1993 Masters .............................. 395/182.18
`
`5/1993 Martin et 21.
`..... 395/425
`5,214,768
`
`5/1993 Mild eta].
`. 395/619
`5,214,731
`3133;”; fig: 3131......
`3:32:32
`"-33%?
`
`.......
`e
`.
`,
`..
`..... 395/250
`5,357,614 10/1994 Pattisam et a1.
`
`
`5/1995 Ezzet et a]. ................ 395/275
`5,414,817
`
`..... 340/827
`5,426,427
`6/1995 Chinnock et a1.
`
`........
`.. 370/1101
`5,446,740
`8/1995 Yien et al.
`......... 395/600
`5,495,607
`2/1996 PIS/8110 et a1.
`.
`
`5/1996 Wood ................
`. 395/182.13
`5,515,502
`8/1996 Creswell et a1,
`..
`....... 379/67
`5,544,229
`
`
`5,574,906 11/1996 Morris ...............
`. 395/601
`5,581,606 12/1996 Gineys ...................................... 378/88
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2 595 487
`2 646 539
`
`3/1986
`4/ 1989
`
`France .
`France .
`
`Primary Examiner—Thomas C, Lee,
`Assistant Examiner—Anderson 1. Chen
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A method and system for information archiving on a net-
`work that is universally accessible to users. A stationary or
`mobile user may archive information on demand. Ahook up
`into_ the network. is . established Via a communication
`medium. and an inmal protocol accesses the archivmg
`service and communicates dgmfls of what is to be archived
`The communication medium is then used to Iransmit and
`‘
`-
`-
`~
`-
`store the .mformatlon 1n a specu‘led fashion on the netxyork.
`to be relneved at a future me. The hook up may be inmated
`,
`filth“ by the “56‘ 0’ by the network.
`
`22 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`301
`
`ESTABLISH COMMCATIDN
`SESSION (CUSTOMER INITIATEDI
`
`
`
`305
`
`303
`
`CUSTOMER PREMISES
`SELECTS RETRIEVAL OPTION
`
`307
`
`CUSTOMER PREMISES REQUESTS
`ARCHIVE COMPETITION LIST
`
`CUSTOMER PREMISES SPECIFIES
`FILE (51
`FROM {TN-SITE ARCHIVAL LIST
`
`
`
`NETHLW TRANSMITS ARCHIVE
`CINECTIUN LIST T0
`CUSTOIER PREMISES
`
`CUSTDTER PREMISES SPECIFIES
`FILE [5] FIRM ARCHIVE CONNECTION LIST
`
`
`
`
`DATA TRANSFER
`TO TARGETED DESTINATIDNS
`
`313
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 1
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`5,732,214
`
`a$82_“mum“,arag_-aas:“T;Eaua_IuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuL
`
`H.Em
`
`$825
`
`mmacz_$82_
`
`_
`
`$82$82aa2ES:25%_
`
`
`was:_as:aVEEZ_£55aa__-_
`
`Eozmz
`
`7xxiiillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllJE<>HEBH§$
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`...0553%$52a
`8memm.58:
`
`$3sz$555
`
`$0?.mmamause
`
`
`
`.....55532.
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 2
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 2
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 7
`
`5,732,214
`
`FIG. 2
`
`ESTABLISH
`COMMUNICATION
`SESSION
`
`
`
`201
`
`
`
`
` DATA TRANSFER
`
`
`
`
`TU ARCHIVAL NUDE
`
`203
`
`ARCHIVAL NUDE
`STORAGE
`
`
`
`205
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 3
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 3
`
`

`

`
`
`CUSTOMER PREMISES REOUESTS
`ARCHIVE CONNECTION LIST
`
`CUSTOMER PREMISES SPECIFIES
`FILE (3)
`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`5,732,214
`
`FIG. 3
`
`301
`
`ESTABLISH COMMWICATION
`SESSION (CUSTOMER INITIATEO)
`
`
`
`
`
`303
`
`CUSTOMER PREMISES
`SELECTS RETRIEVAL OPTION
`
`307
`
`305
`
`FROM ON—SITE ARCHIVAL LIST
`
`
`
` CUSTOMER PREMISES SPECIFIES
`TO TARGETED DESTINATIONS 313
`
`NETHORK TRANSMITS ARCHIVE
`CONNECTION LIST TO
`CUSTOMER PREMISES
`
`FILE (5) FROM ARCHIVE CONNECTION LIST
`
`DATA TRANSFER
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 4
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`5,732,214
`
`i
`
`117
`
`
` 126
`
`HIHELESS MODE
`
`103
`
`PEWDHK FIG.4
`
`E ;
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 5
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`5,732,214
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CUSTOMER INITIATES
`CALL TO ARCHIVE SERVICE
`
`LEC HANDS OFF CALL
`TO INTEREXCHANGE NETWORK
`
`
`
`TS QUERIES NCP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FILE TRANSFER
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`501
`
`503
`
`505
`
`509
`
`CALL ROUTER T0 AN
`(CONNECTION ESTABLISHED)
`
`507
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 6
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 24, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`5,732,214
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`NETMUW LAUNCHES
`CALL TO CUSTOMER PREMISES
`
`501
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NETWORK MEDIATES CALL
`SETUP T0 CUSTOMER PREMISES
`
`503
`
`
`FILE TRANSFER FROM
`CUSTOMER PREMISES T0
`
`ARCHIVE NUDE FOR STORAGE
`
`
`505
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 7
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 7
`
`

`

`m_
`
`US. Patent
`
`n.mHm
`
`
`
`M,_gag53.2..2.5%m“r
`
`
` 7"Emma?5528£923w_gamma?3:BEEh_ass_F.........................Lm_as$4.33
`3
`
`M
`
`2.,nB_5,ua_m._”.8389.
`2q!lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllJ
`
`
`v2
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 8
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 8
`
`
`
`

`

`5,732,214
`
`1
`SYSTEM FOR UNIVERSAL ARCHIVAL
`SERVICE WHERE TRANSFER IS INITIATED
`BY USER OR SERVICE AND STORING
`INFORMATION AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
`FOR USER SELECTED DEGREE OF
`CONFIDENCE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates generally to information
`storage. and more particularly. to a method and system for
`archiving information on a communications network.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The need to archive information is fundamental and
`essential to any information processing system. With tradi-
`tional
`large scale computing machines archival services
`were provided by the computer center. In some case. “off
`site" storage was provided to guard against physical destruc-
`tion on site. Presently. such services are rarely provided. and
`further. with the prevalence of personal machines. such
`traditional methods generally are not applicable to current
`archiving needs.
`That is. outside a mainframe environment them are cur-
`rently no convenient archival means that typically come
`with some type of computer center related centralized archi—
`val support. It may be understood that all currently adver-
`tised and proposed services for the present and near future.
`including those publicly associated with the “information
`superhighway" (e.g.. Interactive television etc.). use a net-
`work to distribute information that is already archived; these
`services are not intended to provide an archival service for
`the end user. In the world of desktop personal computers
`(PCs). notebook computers. and personal digital assistants.
`archiving is a particular nuisance that each user has to
`perform individually. and archival services are either
`unavailable. or inconvenient. As a result individual users
`rarely archive information. Some related reasons and justi—
`fications why individual users overlook archiving include.
`for example:
`that archiving is ancillary to the primary
`purpose for which a user employs an information processing
`device and thus requires “better spent” time not only for
`implementing and maintaining an archive but also for learn-
`ing and ascertaining the best archiving means; that primary
`storage media are sufficiently reliable; and therefore. assum-
`ing the latter and former assumptions are generally true. that
`archiving is generally not worth the effort and time invest—
`ment. Most people also confront the inevitable. and often
`costly. consequences of the risk associated with foregoing
`archiving. i.e.. (after the disk has crashed. or after a file has
`been deleted either accidentally or intentionally by an inad-
`equate archival mechanism).
`Nevertheless. despite such information losses and subse—
`quent resolve to effect archiving. being organized about
`archiving is still diflicult. Anyone who has edited a text or
`a program or an irnagelmusic file usually has multiple
`versions of the underlying information; these are typically
`scattered over several floppies, and perhaps hard disks
`and/or other archival devices. These devices tend to rapidly
`age and become technologically obsolete; for example. it is
`not possible even today to read some disks (e.g.. low density
`floppies) that were written as recently as 2—3 years ago. To
`keep numerous floppies coherently accessible is itself an
`arduous task; to keep them dust-free or prevent them from
`being damaged by magnetic fields (TVs. pin up magnets.
`etc.). and other forces is practically impossible. especially
`for a typical user at home.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
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`
`SD
`
`55
`
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`
`2
`There remains. therefore. a need for further improvements
`in information archiving. and particularly. a need for
`improved archiving that may be readily employed and
`accessed by individual users in the home. as well as mobile
`users and business locations.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention overcomes the above. and other.
`limitations by providing a network-based method and sys-
`tem for information archiving. The method of archiving
`information on a network includes the steps of: establishing
`a connection between the network and a user premises. the
`network being universally accessible with respect
`to a
`plurality of user premises; transmitting the information from
`the user premises to the network; and storing the information
`on the network. Establishing the connection may be initiated
`either by the user or by the network.
`A system incorporating the method includes a communi-
`cation link that is selectively enabled to establish a connec-
`tion between user equipment and a network. the communi-
`cation link including at least one access mode and providing
`for universal access of the network with respect to a plurality
`of users; and an archival node associated with the network.
`the archival node adapted to store information transmitted
`from the user equipment to the network over the commu—
`nication link. An access mode may. for example. include any
`of the following means: a regular phone line with a modem;
`a television “set—top" box that embodies such capabilities;
`high-speed connections into either the network. or wireless
`modes of accessing the network. The archiving node may
`also include storage media to store user/customer profiles
`containing information such as preferred formats. protocols.
`and time or frequency for network initiated archiving. In
`addition. the archiving node may include file servers for
`elfecting processing. such as file conversion or compression.
`either before archival storage or before transmitting a
`retrieved file to a user.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be described in greater detail below by
`way of reference to the accompanying drawings. wherein:
`FIG. 1 shows. in simplified form. an exemplary general-
`ized network embodying the principles of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is an operational flow chart of an exemplary
`process for implementing network based archiving in accor-
`dance with the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an operational flow chart of an exemplary
`process for implementing information retrieval in accor-
`dance with the present invention;
`FIG. 4 depicts. in simplified form. an exemplary tele—
`phone network embodying the principles of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 is an operational flow chart of an exemplary
`process for implementing a customer-initiated network
`based archiving session according to the exemplary tele-
`phone network of FIG. 4. in accordance with the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is an operational flow chart of an exemplary
`process for implementing network—initiated network based
`archiving session according to the exemplary telephone
`network of FIG. 4. in accordance with the present invention;
`and
`
`FIG. 7 depicts. in simplified form. an exemplary archival
`node. according to the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring to FIG. 1. an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion for a network-based archival method and system
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 9
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 9
`
`

`

`3
`
`5,732,214
`
`4
`
`includes a customer premises 11 and a private or public
`network 13. which includes network nodes 19 and archiving
`nodes 15. A customer premises 11 is generally any location
`containing customer (user or subscriber) information pro
`cessing equipment and may be situated. for example. in a
`home. an oflice (e.g.. business location). or may be a mobile
`unit (e.g.. personal digital assistant). The network 13 may be
`any real or virtual network that has facilities to store and
`retrieve data (e.g.. archiving nodes 15). which preferably
`includes encodings of voice. images. and other am’facts.
`Examples of such networks include the existing long-
`distance phone network (with storage capabilities at selected
`nodes). an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network
`similarly augmented with storage capability. or any form of
`a local area network (LAN). wide area network. or metro—
`politan area network that is similarly equipped. As sche-
`matically illustrated in FIG. 1. an archiving node 15 may be
`linked to one or more network nodes 19. (and may be at the
`same physical location as a network node 19). and is adapted
`for communication therewith.
`
`In accordance with the present invention. and as may be
`understood from the description of FIG. 1. the archival
`service is universally accessible to users or subscribers. Any
`user. who is preferably a subscriber to the archiving service
`(i.e.. one who pays to have the service available for a
`pre-determined time period) and/or a regular customer to the
`provider of the archiving service (one who pays the provider
`periodically for services provided. archiving or otherwise)
`may access the network 13 which provides the archiving
`service. Preferably. however. the archiving service is also
`accessible to a user who is not a subscriber or regular
`customer but wishes to archive information using the archi—
`val service (e.g.. “pay-per-use”). That is.
`the archiving
`service. and concomitantly network 13. is publicly available
`and not limited to access only by individuals or entities that
`have some common aifiliation with the archiving service
`provider other than being users of the archiving service (e.g..
`commonly employed by the network provider). For
`example. archiving of information on an olfice/workplace
`LAN by employees given access to the LAN by the
`employer would not be considered an archiving service
`having universal access (even if accessible by employees
`working at home or off-site independent contractors) since
`only employees or other individuals/entities associated with
`the employer have access to the network and any related
`archiving services. In this example. in order to provide
`universal access to the private LAN provided by the
`employer. the network provider (i.e.. the employer) must
`provide means for any individual or entity that does not have
`an association with the network provider to access and use
`the network for archiving. Universal access. then. refers to
`availability of access to the network/archiving service by
`independent entities. Universal access. however. does not
`mean that the network/archiving service provider cannot
`refuse to provide (or limit access to) the network/archiving
`services to certain individuals/entities (e.g.. refusing to “sign
`on” as a customer. or requesting a pre-payment/subscription
`plan from. an individual/entity having a bad credit history).
`Referring to an operational flow chart illustrated in FIG.
`2. an embodiment of the present invention proceeds as
`follows in accordance with the system represented by FIG.
`1. In accordance with a method of the present invention.
`access to archival services (i.e., establishing a connection for
`an archiving session. step 201) is achieved by a combination
`of an access mode and an access protocol (the combination
`referred to schematically as including network access means
`17 of FIG. 1). FIG. 1 schematically illustrates that a con—
`
`nection between the customer premises 1] and the archiving
`services of the network 13 provides access to the network 13
`at an initial point or node of the network. the location of
`which depends on any one of many factors. including one or
`more of the following:
`the access mode. the location of
`customer premises 11. and the network architecture. For
`example. an initial point on the network may be a network
`node that is directly connected to an archiving node or a
`network node that is connected to an archiving node via
`additional network components (e.g.. additional network
`nodes).
`An access mode refers to any signal communications
`means that provides a connection between the backbone
`network 13 and the customer’s equipment. This access mode
`may. for example. include any of the following means: a
`regular phone line with a modem; a television “set—top” box
`that embodies such capabilities; high-speed connections into
`either the phone or backbone network. or wireless modes of
`accessing the backbone or server network. Such access may
`be done either directly or indirectly (i.e.. by using some
`intermediate networks or modes that eventually enable
`access to the intended backbone network). Generally. any
`access mode through which any one of a plurality of users
`may communicate with the network is referred to as the
`communication link betWeen the users and the network. As
`described above. the communication link provides for uni-
`versal access of the network/archiving service.
`For any given access mode. an access protocol refers to
`any method and associated signaling protocol by which a
`connection is established between a user and the network in
`order to access or provide the archival services. As an
`example. a user may dial a special access number (e.g.. an
`800 number) which would provide access to the network
`service. The identity of the user can then be established by
`“logging in” to the network using a user identification code
`(login ID) and/or by providing a user—specific “personal
`identification num ” (PIN) that may also be used for
`billing purposes. For an information processing device that
`is exclusively associated with a particular subscriber (and
`preferably.
`includes a local level of security to prevent
`unauthorized use thereof). the “logging in” procedure may
`occur without user intervention such that a device identifi-
`cation code. or the equivalent of an automatic number
`identification code (ANT) is transmitted to the network to
`identify the device. Generally. however. access to the
`network-based archiving service is preferably based on user
`identification. since most users prefer access to such a
`service regardless of the information processing device
`being used; also. billing is generally performed on a user
`basis rather than on an information processing device basis.
`Nevertheless. even where “logging in” is based on user
`identification. it may still be preferable to also provide
`device identification information for purposes of maintain-
`ing an archive connection list (e.g.. a list including date.
`time. device. file archived) in the network that may be
`accessed by a user to review a list of files archived to the
`network from various devices.
`After a connection is established over the communication
`link according to an access mode and access protocol. the
`actual data transfer (step 203) can then be done using
`standard data transfer techniques that are well known to
`those skilled in the art. In addition. an encryption method-
`ology (e.g.. National Security Agency Data Encryption
`Standard) may be employed during data transfer to provide
`security. As known to one skilled in the art. encryption may
`require additional hardware (e.g.. an “encryption chip”) for
`efficient implementation of encryption methods. The trans—
`
`10
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`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 10
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 10
`
`

`

`5.732.214
`
`5
`
`ferred data can be ASCII (stored compressed in the standard
`fashion). or a combination of ASCII/data files along with
`other media such as voice. images/video etc. Generally. it is
`not necessary for the network to be informed by the access-
`ing device as to what type of data is being transferred;
`however. as will be further understood hereinbelow. provid—
`ing the network with this information as part of the data
`transfer format and protocol may be preferable for the
`network to implement additional features such as data
`compression or data format conversion. and/or for billing
`purposes. The data transferred to the network is archived on
`a storage device at a network information archiving node 15
`(step 205).
`In addition to those mentioned. one may appreciate that
`there are myriad features and options for information
`archiving that may further be provided to users of a network-
`based archiving system according to the present invention.
`These features and options may also be used for billing
`purposes in order to apportion cost to subscribers based on
`relative use of the archiving service resources. By way of
`example. some features and options for information
`archiving include: the degree of protection from loss. the
`length of storage. and the degree of compression.
`A user may wish to select the degree of protection from
`loss for archived information. and the network-based
`archiving system may then store the information accordingly
`(e.g.. at multiple locations). Existing communications net-
`works are already designed to be fault tolerant along several
`dimensions. That is. they incorporate several features to
`guard against machine crashes and man-made as well as
`natural disasters such as cable breaks and fire. Thus. one
`skilled in the art may readily implement different degrees of
`protection on current networks. In addition. a user may wish
`to select the desired length of storage for all or each type of
`stored information.
`
`Any compression that does not introduce information loss
`is completely transparent to the user and can be used by the
`underlying system. In addition. there may be some degree of
`information loss that is tolerable. or even desirable. to the
`user in certain cases. For instance. video images may be
`compressed significantly by storing only representative
`frames of scenes when they change. optionally annotated
`with text/hypertext. In cases where compression is informa-
`tion lossy. but there is only a gradual degradation in the
`information archived. the cost of storage can be designed as
`a function of the compressed data stored.
`It may be appreciated that the hereinabove access protocol
`may be initiated either by the customer premises 11
`(“customer initiated access mode”) or by the network 13
`(“network initiated access mode”). For instance. at the time
`the archiving service is provisioned. or at any subsequent
`time (e.g.. via a customer service representative or by
`on-line commands to the archiving service). the user may
`enable the network initiated access mode by requesting that
`the network be the initiating device for establishing a
`connection with the user’s equipment (e.g.. by “dialing-up”
`the user’s personal access number to reach a fax or phone
`that is connected to a storage device. e.g.. via a personal
`computer). and initiate a transfer that is based on a pre-
`arranged (or even dynamically determined) access code and
`details of what is to be transferred (e.g.. data that has been
`modified since the last archive. data in a particular file. etc.).
`The user may specify the frequency and/or time that the
`communication will be initiated by the network (e.g.. once
`each day. once each day after normal business hours. etc.).
`The customer initiated access mode is directly available to
`the customer and preferably may also include an automatic
`
`6
`(Le. without direct user initiation) customer initiated access
`feature. wherein the customer equipment automatically ini-
`tiates access of the archiving service upon the occurrence of
`a predetermined event. By way of example of an automatic
`customer initiated access mode and of a network initiated
`access mode. a local area network communications server at
`a customer premises 11. either in response to inquiry from
`the network 13 archiving system or upon its own initiation
`based on a predetermined condition (e.g.. quantity of new
`information stored on local area network. time elapsed since
`previous information transfer). may communicate informa-
`tion to the telecommunications network for archiving.
`Referring to the operational flow shown in FIG. 3. darn
`retrieval at a later time can be done by accessing the archival
`service (step 301) in a similar manner (e.g.. via a modem) as
`subscriber accessing of the archival service for data
`archiving (e.g.. dialing a 800 number and logging on). and
`then following a retrieval protocol to retrieve the data from
`the network and transfer it to the customer equipment (e.g..
`personal computer) that initiates the access and/or to another
`device at the same customer premises 13 and/or to a device
`at a location different from the customer premises 13. For
`instance. such a retrieval protocol may include downloading
`a file requested by the user according to the user’s own
`record of archived files (e.g.. on—site archival list) (steps
`303305.313). Such a retrieval protocol may include trans-
`mitting an archive connection list from the network to the
`user. who then may select one or more archived files for
`downloading from the network to one or more devices (steps
`303. 307. 309. 313). Furthermore. it may be appreciated that
`a selected device may require a different data format. and
`that the network may first convert the archived information
`to the proper format prior to transmission to the designated
`target device. For instance. where the target device is a
`facsimile machine. but the stored information is in ASCII. an
`appropriate data conversion may be performed upon
`retrieval from the network—based archiving system storage
`device and prior to transmission to the target device. Knowl—
`edge by the network of any required data format conversion
`may be provided by any one of the following sources: the
`user that initiates access. information stored in the network
`for any subscribing device. the target device upon establish-
`ment of a connection with and by the network. Preferably.
`the initiating user determines which of these three options to
`employ (e.g.. for a target device. the network may store a
`default data format which may be overridden by the initi-
`ating user).
`As mentioned above. preferably. each device maintains an
`on-site (e.g.. within the device itself. or a storage means
`accessible by the device independent of the network) archi-
`val list of files that are archived on the network. Access to
`the on-site archival list and/or to specific entries on the
`on-site archival list may further be limited by a local security
`protocol according to user specific security designations
`(e.g.. “public”. or “private” for a user or group of users. or
`“semiprivate”. etc.). As a further example of a local security
`protocol for machines (e.g.. PCs) connected in a local area
`network wherein a user may log into the local area network
`from any machine. the archive access protocol may only
`provide a given user with an on-site archival list of files
`associated with the given user. In this way. when access to
`the archival system is via a customer initiated access mode.
`it is not necessary for the network 13 to transfer an archival
`connection list to the customer unless the customer wishes
`to access archived files that were transferred to the network
`archiving system from customer premises not associated
`with the current customer premises (and hence. not associ-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3D
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Google Ex. 1003, pg 11
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`Google Ex. 1003, pg 11
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`

`

`5,732,214
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`7
`ated with the current on-site archival list). Another option
`that may be available to the user. regardless of whether an
`on-site archival
`list or an archival connection list
`is
`employed.
`is to perform data indexed searching (e.g..
`keywords. subject. etc.) for information/files that were
`archived by the user.
`It may be understood that in view of the present invention.
`there are many possible specific implementations of user
`interfaces for retrieving data from (as well as transferring
`data to) the network archiving system. and that some of the
`options and related functions required by respective network
`13 systems (e.g.. network node communications server.
`archiving node communications server. etc.) and customer
`premises 11 equipment (e.g.. software interface) are pro-
`vided as an example thereof. and which may be imple-
`mented by one skilled in the art.
`In view of the foregoing detailed description. it may be
`appreciated. therefore. that the method and system of the
`present
`invention provides a service on a network that
`enables a user at home (alternatively in an oflice/small
`business/large business etc). or even a roving user on the
`road or in the air. to archive information on demand. A hook
`up into the network may be accomplished in any one of
`several ways. and an initial protocol accesses the archiving
`service and communicates details of what is to be archived.
`The communication medium is then used to transmit and
`store the information in a specified fashion. to be retrieved
`at a future time. Further. the above protocol may either be
`under explicit control of the user. or be provided by a
`customized (e.g.. dependent on user specific information
`stored in a customer profile on the network) archiving
`program that interrogates the user’s system and incremen-
`tally stores modified data (and/or data in a specific file)
`during “off—peak" times in the network. or both. As a further
`embodiment of user controlled protocol (i.e.. user initiated
`access). an archiving program may run in the background of
`a user’s system. and iniu‘ate a communication with the
`network under predetermined conditions (e.g.. periodically.
`or based on the amount of information accumulated since
`the previous archiving session. etc.). Remote/wireless access
`to the network may also be provided. For example. a
`scenario where this access is particularly useful occurs when
`local memory is nearly full in a personal digital assistant
`(PDA): the RAM/ROM store can be archived remotely. thus
`allowing for continued functioning of the device even
`though a spare RAM card. etc. is not locally available to the
`PDA.
`
`One skilled in the art recognizes that the present invention
`is not limited to the system shown in FIG. 1. which is merely
`illustrative. and is susceptible to many modifications and
`adaptations. As an example of another embodiment of the
`present invention. shown in FIG. 4. in simplified form. is
`exemplary telephone network 100 which may be adapted to
`implement the principles of the present invention. Telephone
`network 100 comprises stationary customer premises sta-
`tions 102. 104. 114. and 116 (e.g.. fixed business or home
`location). mobile customer premises 103 and 105. local
`exchange carrier (LEC) networks 106. 108. 110 and 112.
`wireless nodes 115. 117. and 119 (e.g.. cellular base
`stations). and long distance network 118. illustratively the
`AT&T network. Customer premises stations 102. 103. 104.
`105. 114 and 116. are representative of a plurality of network
`endpoints. the remainder of which are not shown for clarity
`of exposition.
`LEC networks 106. 108. 110 and 112 contain switching
`machines (e.g.. toll switches ‘TSs”) 120. 122. 124. 126.
`respectively. each switching machine capable of connecting
`
`8
`
`a plurality of network endpoints to long distance network
`118. Such switching machines are well known and may be.
`for example. an AT&T SESS® switch. These switches are
`stored-program control switches which contain the service
`logic required to intercept calls which require special han-
`dling by the network. and to send queries to the network.
`Long distance network 118 comprises switching machines
`128 and 130. network control point (NCP) 132 and. in
`accordance with the invention. archiving node (AN) 136.
`NCP 132 is of a type well known in the art. Switching
`machines employed in communications networks are well
`known. Switching machines 128 and 130 are illustratively
`AT&T’s No. 41388TM switch. In addition. it is understood by
`one skilled in the art that the long distance network 118
`includes a network of such switches. network control points.
`and archiving nodes. in addition to other elements which are
`not depicted in FIG. 1.
`Switching machines 128 and 130. NCP 132. and AN 136
`are interconnected in the manner shown by signaling net—
`work 138. represented by dashed lines. Customer premises
`stations 102. 104. 114 and 116. wireless node s