WO2001071638A1 - An internet storage service system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An Internet storage service system including: a main control server for conducting subscriber certification and subscriber registration and allocating the subscriber to a service server; a data backup device for storing the subscriber"s data; a web server placed within the main control server or apart from the main server for running homepages for advertisement purposes and subscriber registration; an automatic response service system supporting TCP/IP communication via PPP for the telephone user and placed in the front portion of the system so that there is no interaction with the server software; a network array device for storing the subscriber backup data placed within the data storage device on the same LANs; a service server formed with an N-machine arranged in parallel for storing, backing up and restoring the subscriber"s data; and a system management device monitoring the system status. The Internet storage service system further includes a user module program installed on the subscriber computer; a system management process for modifying and monitoring the contents of the Internet storage service system and operating with a Billing process; a CD-ROM making process for storing the subscriber data to CD-ROM; a Billing process for managing the service fees charged to the users by managing the log-in information recorded on the server process and the subscriber database information; and a subscriber compensation process for compensating the subscriber in the event that the data become lost or damaged.

Description

AN INTERNET STORAGE SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD

Technical Field

This invention relates to an Internet storage service system and, more

particularly, to an Internet storage service system, in which data of a registered

subscriber can be stored, backed up and restored and in which a subscriber can

estimate the value of the subscriber's data.

Background Art

In general, a conventional computer backup system merely provides a backup

system that stores the data in the storage devices, such as a hard disk or a fixed disk, in

order to prevent data pollution, data loss and the spread of a computer virus. With the

introduction of networked systems, the backup data can be interchanged between

computers and the information also can be exchanged through storage devices such as

floppy disk and magnetic tape. With the introduction of the World Wide Web (the Web),

information can be interchanged between computers on the Internet. However, since

anyone may be able to access the information of another computer, multiple information

accesses may occur within the storage device at the same time, and a computer virus

may be propagated. A computer virus protection program can only protect the system

from the specific virus types recognized by the program. Therefore, in order to treat

the newly created viruses, the protection program must be updated as frequently as

possible which can be costly and time consuming. Moreover, the program update must

be periodically monitored.

Many users connect to the Internet by using a protocol called TCP/IP (Transfer

Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) which allows a personal computer access to information and services. The Internet provides several layers of access to remote

users. A news layer provides various news and the information typically relates to

computers, such as a new virus, latest information on an upcoming system or a

hardware product. Telnet is used to provide remote login to other remote systems

connected to the Internet. NFS (Network File System) and RFS (Remote File System)

assign a portion of the local system for use as a file system on the network. Drives of

the remote system defined using NFS and RFS are available for setup by the other

remote systems on the Internet. The FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is also available on

the Internet to access files of the remote system. PPC is also used to provide

interconnection between the remote system and the Internet, and the PPC allows a

remote system to be defined by the Internet with a node and assigns a unique address

within the Internet system to allow other remote systems to access the remote system

defined by using PPC.

One of the problems with the Internet is that the local computer can have direct

access to the resources of another computer allowing a local computer to transfer a

boot sector virus to the file system disk of the remote computer such that the remote

computer will become infected the next time it is booted. NFS and RFS can utilize

security controls by setting up a discretionary control, such as a public access setup by

the user, and a mandatory control, which is a secured access defined through system

maintained security attributes for each object on the system when allowing a local file

system to be available on the network. However, a remote user with proper

authorization still has direct access to the remote system's storage device. And, thus it

is still possible to transport unwanted data and programs to the remote system. A LAN (Local Area Network) is another common way to interconnect computers.

Many companies now store most or all of their important data on a special shared

computer called the file server and the users access the files stored in the file server

via a high-speed data network called a LAN or WAN (Wide Area Network). A LAN

interconnects data equipment within a limited geographical area, allowing the user

computers to communicate with each other and share central resources such as printers,

data storage devices and long distance data communications. Using a LAN to

interconnect computers provides more efficient and faster means for data transfer than

the traditional file transfer methods. All users on a LAN can share resources such as

printers, data storage device, and telecommunication, thus saving the costs associated

with duplication of data and equipment. Moreover, a LAN can improve business

functions through interconnected workstations accessing E-mail and various shared

applications, such as the subscriber service inquiry. For example, when a user wants

to edit a word processing document stored in the shared file server, a user computer

sends an electronic request for the document via the LAN. The file server processes

the received request, and sends the corresponding document through the network to the

address of the electronic message server of the user computer. The user computer

then downloads the document onto its internal memory for editing. Once edited, the

user computer can . store the document locally, that is on hard disk of the user's

computer or a floppy disk, or transfer it back to the file server via the network where it

can later be restored by others.

A critical problem with a LAN is that a user can directly access resources of a

different computer. This creates the possibility that a computer virus can be transferred to a user's computer without the user's knowledge because only limited

detection capabilities are available. A computer virus is a special kind of computer

program that takes over the operation of a computer. A virus through an executable

computer program received from another computer can infect computers. Some

viruses could be fatal to the computer while other viruses are less harmful.

Nevertheless, all viruses are potentially damaging in terms of wasting computer

resources and causing all kinds of problems to the computer users. Virus protection

software can be loaded onto computers to protect them from virus infections, but this

anti-virus software can only protect against the specific types of viruses the software is

programmed to detect. Therefore, it is necessary to update the virus protection

software with the latest versions as often as possible. This can become expensive and

time consuming, and it often becomes troublesome to an administrator responsible for

updating the virus protection program regularly. However, even if the data are stored

on the backup devices using the above described method, it is still possible that the data

may be damaged or lost due to the problems that may arise while using the software,

operational mistakes by the user or computer hardware problems. Often times these

problems result from lack of understanding by the user.

As a result, an Internet storage service system is introduced as a means to

prevent the above mentioned problems by storing the important data of an individual or

a company at a remote place on the Internet or the computer network system. The

Internet storage service system provides the storage device in which the users' data are

stored away from their PCs in a remote place, and then the ID and the password are

assigned to the users. The subscriber's data are kept and managed automatically or manually. In the Internet storage service system, the data file is compressed and

transmitted in a specific form on the Internet in order to improve the transmission

efficiency. A cryptographic secret key and an encoding operation on the subscriber's

data is performed in order to protect the subscriber's data file.

An example of the conventional method as described above is illustrated in US

Patent No. 5,771,354. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the conventional Internet storage

service system according to the teachings of US Patent No. 5,771,354. The Internet

storage service system according to the US Patent No. 5,771,354, as illustrated in Fig. 1,

includes: an on-line service system 100; user computer 50; and a public communication

network 150 for transmitting the data between the on-line service system 100 and the

user computer 50. The on-line service system 100 consists of: a host computer 104,

such as IBM AS/400 having at least one main processor 106; a main memory device 108

for storing the temporary data; a communication controller 112 coupled to the main

processor 106; a printer 114; and a peripheral device controller 110 for controlling a

remote large disk storage device 116 and other large capacity storage devices 118 such

as tape for storing the subscriber's data; a subscriber private disk 164 for use in storing

the subscriber data; a subscriber's private service computer 160 for storing and

operating on the subscriber's data; and a modem 102, 162 for transmitting the data to

the user computer 50 via the public communication network 150. The above described

public communication network 150 utilizes a public data network such as ISDN

(Integrated Service Data Network) or X.25 and LANs. The user computer 50 may be a

personal computer having a modem 80 which is used for transmitting the subscriber

data to the on-line service system 100 via the public communication network 150. In the conventional Internet storage service system having the above-described

configuration, the virtual disk drive is set-up on the on-line service system 100 which

is then allocated to the subscriber for storing the data, and the subscriber data is stored

on the virtual disk drive using the user computer 50. That is, the memory space with

the fixed capacity is allocated on the on-line service system 100, which is then set-up

as the virtual disk drive. The subscriber's data are stored on the allocated virtual disk

drive through the public communication network 150. In the conventional Internet

Storage service system the virtual disk drive is considered as part of the user computer

50. Therefore, the conventional Internet storage service system is not a method in

which the subscriber's data are stored on a remote computer by using Internet or other

public communication network. The allocated memory space with a fixed space on the

remote computer is set-up as the virtual disk drive which is considered as part of the

disk drive on the subscriber's computer. As a result, the problem of accessing the

subscriber's computer from another computer still exists, and also the data file may be

subject to a computer virus. And, in the conventional Internet storage service system,

since the location of the subscriber backup data is recognized as the disk drive of the

subscriber computer, damaging or losing the subscriber's data still has not been

resolved.

Disclosure of Invention

To overcome the disadvantages in the prior art method, it is a primary object of

the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus in which the backup and the

restore operations are performed on the subscriber's data and the subscriber's group

data, and a new version of a virus prevention program is updated by checking the version of the virus prevention program when the subscriber logs in and the data file is

stored.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an optimal Internet storage

service system in which the subscriber's data can be stored by compressing and

enciphering the subscriber's data.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a compensation system

in the event that the subscriber's data file is lost or damaged.

In order to achieve the above described objects, an Internet storage service

system is provided comprising: a main control server for conducting subscriber

certification and subscriber registration, and allocating the subscriber to a service

server; a data backup device for storing the subscriber's data; and a web server placed

within the main control server or separately from the main server for running

homepages for advertisement purposes and subscriber registration,' an automatic

response service system supporting TCP/IP communication via PPP for the telephone

user and placed in the front portion of the system so that there is no interaction with the

server software; a network array device for storing the subscriber backup data and

placed within the data storage device on the same LANs; a service server formed with

the N-machine placed in parallel for storing, backing up and restoring the certified

subscriber's data; and a system management device for monitoring the system status.

Other objects are satisfied by an Internet storage service system that further

comprises: a main control server for performing the subscriber certification process and

the subscriber registration process, and allocating the subscriber to the service server;

a data backup device for storing the subscriber's data.' a web server placed with the main control server or separately for running homepages for advertisement purposes

and subscriber registration; a user module program for installation onto the subscriber's

computer in order to use the Internet storage service system according to the present

invention; a main control server process for performing the subscriber certification

process, the subscriber registration process and distributing the usage space when a

subscriber logs in; a service server process for performing the backup operation and

the restore operation of the data file of the certified or registered subscriber; a system

management process for performing the modification and the monitoring of the contents

of the Internet storage service system, and operating with the Billing process; a CD-

ROM making process for storing the subscriber data to CD-ROM; a Billing process for

managing the service fees charged to the users by managing the log-in information

recorded on the server process and the subscriber database information, and connecting

with the system management process; and a subscriber compensation process for

compensating the subscriber in the event that the data becomes lost or damaged.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram for the Internet storage service system related to the

conventional method.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram for the Internet storage service system related to this

invention.

Fig. 3 is a flow diagram of the overall operation for the Internet storage service

system related to this invention.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram for the process structure of the operation of the

Internet storage service system related to this invention. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the user module program of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of the main control server process of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the service server process of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the system management process of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the CD-ROM making process of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram of the Billing process of Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram of the subscriber compensation process of Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the overall operation of the Internet storage service

system in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of the subscriber registration operation of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of the subscriber login operation of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of the communication cryptograph operation of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of the data backup operation of Fig. 12 for storing the

subscriber data.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart of the data restoring operation of Fig. 12 for restoring the

subscriber data.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart of the verification operation of Fig. 12 for the subscriber

stored or restored data information.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart of the recoding information operation of Fig. 12 for the

modified data recoding information.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart of the storing operation of Fig. 12 for storing the

subscriber data.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart of the scheduling operation of Fig. 12. Fig. 22 is a flowchart of the subscriber information modification operation of Fig.

12.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart of the virus checking operation of Fig. 12.

Fig. 24 is a flowchart of the subscriber compensation operation of Fig. 12.

Fig. 25 is a block diagram of the database structure for the Internet storage

service system related to this invention.

Fig 26 is a block diagram of the input specification database for the main control

server process of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a block diagram of the output specification database for the main

control server process of Fig. 25.

Fig. 28 is a block diagram of the input specification database for the service

server process of Fig. 25.

Fig. 29 is a block diagram of the output specification database for the service

server process of Fig. 25.

Fig. 30 is a block diagram of the input specification database for the system

management process of Fig. 25.

Fig. 31 is a block diagram of the output specification database for the system

management process of Fig. 25.

Fig. 32 is a block diagram of the subscriber information database of Fig. 25.

Fig. 33 is a block diagram of the log-in information database of Fig. 25.

Fig. 34 is a block diagram of the subscriber backup file information of the

Internet storage service system related to this invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The Internet storage service system related to this invention has a Web version

that uses JAVA, ASP, and CGI, and comprises a user and server program; a control

server in which subscriber certification and the traffic environment is analyzed and then

the communication server is appropriately distributed to the subscriber; and a service

server for managing the user's program and the subscriber's data, and transferring the

subscriber's data to the storage device. The storage device may be organized in the

form of the NFS server or the disk array. The stored data may be backed up on the

off-line storage media such as magnetic tape connected to the network. The overall

operation of the Internet storage service system in accordance with the present

invention is described hereinafter with reference to the relevant drawings

Fig. 2 is an overall block diagram of the Internet storage service system of this

invention, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the overall operation of the Internet storage

service system of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the Internet storage

service system comprises a main control server 200 for performing subscriber

certification and registration and then distributing the subscriber to the service server; a

data backup device 210 for storing the subscriber data; and a Web server 220 for

starting the Homepage in which the service for the public information and the subscriber

registration is performed. The preferred embodiment of the Internet storage service

system in accordance with the present invention further comprises: an automatic

response service processing device 230, which is installed at the front portion of the

Internet storage service system and which is not associated with the server program,

supporting TCP/IP communication through PPP for subscribers using telephone lines; a network array device 240 which is the data storage device used in a LAN for storing the

subscriber's backup data; a service server 250 comprising the N-machines arranged in

parallel and performing the operations such as storing, backup and retrieving the

certified subscriber's data; and a system management device 260 monitoring the system

status.

Although the conventional system, comprises a main control server 200, a data

backup device 210 and a Web server 220, the construction and the function of those

devices are different in the present invention. That is, the main control server 200

performs a certification procedure when the a subscriber connects to the system by

comparing the subscriber information and the information stored in the system database,

and performs the registration of a non-certified subscriber and then records the new

subscriber information. When the registration process is completed, the main control

server 200 checks the status of the service server 250 and provides the connecting

path to the subscriber. The main control server 200 searches the subscriber

information in the database during the first certification operation of the subscriber and

then the login information is recorded on the system management device 260 and the

certification information is returned to the subscriber. The certification information is

used in the second certification operation. The main control server 200 provides the

new connecting path to the subscriber when the service server 250 is connected to the

subscriber.

The operating system of the main control server 200 in the preferred embodiment

uses the Windows NT 4.0 operating system or higher, but the operating system is not

limited to such operating system. The operating system of the main control server 200 may use UNIX or LINUX.

The hard-disk capacity of the main control server 200 is described hereinafter.

The hard-disk capacity of the main control server 200 equals the size of the operating

system plus the size of the database engine plus the number of all subscribes multiplied

5 by the size of the database per certified subscriber plus the size of the processing

module of the main control server 200.

The data backup device 210 of the conventional system uses disk or magnetic

tape whereas, the present invention uses the network array 240. In the present

invention, the data backup device 210 is used as the storage space of the subscriber

10 data, and the network array 240 which is storage space within the same LAN is used for

storing the backup of the subscriber's data. As a result, the subscriber's data are

stored in two separate places improving the protection of the subscriber's data. The

capacity of the network array 240 is set up according to the following formula: capacity

of the service server 250 multiplied by the number of service servers 250 plus the basic

15 installed capacity of the driver of the network array 240.

The Web server 220 is used to start the Homepage for the public information and

the subscriber registration. It is written using the IIS (Internet Information Server) 4.0

program or higher to run under the operating system of Windows NT 4.0 or higher.

Also, the Web server 220 may either be constructed apart from the main control server

20 200, or within the main control server 200.

The automatic response service processing device 230 supports TCP/IP

communication via PPP for the subscriber using a telephone line, and is installed in the

front portion of the Internet storage service system of the present invention and operates independently from the software of the main control server 200.

The service server 250 is organized as N-machines arranged in parallel, and

performs the backup and the retrieval of the certified subscriber data by controlling the

network array 240. Moreover, the service server 250 also performs the confirmation

of the subscriber by using the certification information provided by the main control

server 200, and acquires the IP address of the connected subscriber to restrict function

and accessibility. When the subscriber requests backup information, the service server

250 transfers the backup information along with the compressed and encrypted file to

the subscriber. The operating system of the service server 250 may use the Windows

NT 4.0 operating system or higher. The capacity of the hard-disk of the service

server 250 is set up as the size of the operating system plus the size of the processing

module of the service server 250, and the storing cycle is set up at one month.

The system management device 260 performs the subscriber registration and

cancellation procedures, the addition and deletion of subscriber data and monitors the

subscriber's status. The system management device 260 also searches and manages

the system log information individually, and performs the operation of storing the

backup data to the storage device such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM or magnetic tape.

Since storing the backup data onto a CD-ROM or a floppy disk cannot be performed in

real time, a system manager performs the backup operation manually. There are two

methods to store the backup data. The first method is storing with the preservation

mode the same as the server data, and the second method is storing on the CD-ROM or

the floppy disk with the encoded information supported by the subscriber.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation process of the Internet storage service system in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in Fig.

3, the first step is the request made by the subscriber for the connection onto the main

control server 200 via the Internet or the telephone (step 310). The main control

server 200 transfers the public key to the subscriber when it receives the subscriber's

5 connection request (step 311). And then, when the subscriber receives the public key

from the main control server 200, the subscriber transfers back the session key coded

with the public key to the main control server 200 (step 312) along with the request for

subscriber certification and or registration of the subscriber information (step 313).

Thereafter, the main control server conducts the verification process of the subscriber

10 certification/registration request before granting permission to register (step 314).

The main control server transfers the file list stored on the main control server

200 to the subscriber (step 316) upon receiving the request from the subscriber (step

315). The subscriber refers to the file list transferred from the main control server

200 as a guideline for which file is to be stored on the main control server 200 (step

15 317). Before the actual file is transferred to the main control server 200, the virus

checking and the file compression/coding are performed.

When the subscriber requests retrieval of the file from the main control server

200 (step 318), the request signal is transmitted and then the restored file list is

transferred to the main control server 200 (step 319). The main control server 200

20 then transfers the file stored in the main control server 200 to the subscriber (step 320).

And, when the subscriber sends the signal requesting deletion of the file from the

main control server 200 (step 321), the deletion file list is transferred to the main

control server 200 (step 322) which then removes the file stored in the main control server 200 and then transfers the deleted file list back to the subscriber (step 323).

The overall operation of the process of the Internet storage service system in

accordance with the present invention and, as referenced by appended drawings, Fig. 4-

Fig. 11, is described hereinafter. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the operation of the

Internet storage service system according to the present invention. The Internet

storage service system further comprises: a main control server for performing the

subscriber certification process and the subscriber registration process, and allocating

the subscriber to the service server; a data backup device for storing the subscriber's

data', a web server placed with the main control server or separately for running

homepages for advertisement purposes and subscriber registration; a user module

program for installing onto the subscriber's computer in order to use the Internet

storage service system according to the present invention; a main control server

process for performing the subscriber certification process, the subscriber registration

process and distributing the usage space when the subscriber logs in; a service server

process for performing the backup operation and the restore operation of the data file of

the certified or registered subscriber; a system management process for performing the

modification and monitoring the contents of the Internet storage service system, and

operating with the Billing process; a CD-ROM making process for storing the subscriber

data to CD-ROM; a Billing process for managing the service fees charged to the users

by managing the log-in information recorded on the server process and the subscriber

database information, and connecting with the system management process; and a

subscriber compensation process for compensating the subscriber in the event that the

data become lost or damaged. The user module program 410, as illustrated in Fig. 5, comprises: a subscriber

registration process 510 for performing subscriber registration for using the Internet

storage service system related to this invention through inputting subscriber information

such as the subscriber ID, password and security key; a data backup storing process

520 for performing the backup operation of the subscriber data; a virus protection

process 530 for performing a virus detection operation and a virus curing operation for

the subscriber data file, and the download operation of the new version of the virus-

preventing engine; a data retrieving process 540 for retrieving the stored subscriber

data; and a group management process 550 to allow sharing of the data file among the

subscribers in an identical group.

The data backup storing process 520, as illustrated in Fig. 5, includes the

following functions: an automatic backup specification function for conducting a backup

procedure for the subscriber data at a pre-set specified time; a backup recording

method having specific functions, such as storing only the newest data file, for storing

the backup file according to the date or selecting between the full backup method or the

incremental backup method; a password modification operation for changing the

subscriber's password; a backup file specification function for selecting either the disk,

the folder or the file format to back up the subscriber file; a data compression function

to compress the subscriber data file before transferring to the server in order to

increase communication efficiency; and a data code function for encoding the data file

with a security key assigned by the subscriber.

As shown in Fig. 6, the main control server process comprises-' a subscriber

management process 610 for processing the subscriber certification and the subscriber registration procedures, and managing the version of the user module program used by

the subscriber and the evaluation version of the user module program; and a database

management process 620 for managing the subscriber information database and the

subscriber data file information database.

The subscriber management process 610 distributes management of the load by

monitoring the usage status of the service server 250 and then transferring the

connected path to the subscriber.

The service server process 430, as referred to in Fig. 7, includes the following

processes: a file transfer control process 710 for controlling the receiving and

transmitting of files; and a file storage management process 720 for storing the

transmitted file from the subscriber using the proper file system.

The file transfer control process comprises: a subscriber confirmation process for

confirming the certification of the subscriber based on the certification information

provided from the main control server; an IP address filtering process for extracting the

IP address of the subscriber in order to restrict the subscriber's function and

accessibility; a file list transfer process for transferring the file list to the subscriber

when the backup information is requested; a file transfer protocol for transferring the

compressed and coded file via FTP (File Transfer Protocol); a file storing process for

storing the received file as the backup when the request is made by the subscriber; a

file comparison process for processing both the same file and a different file when the

received file is being stored; and a file deletion function for deleting the file from the

network array upon a request from the subscriber.

The file storage management process 720, as illustrated in Fig. 7, comprises: an index part which includes the file list information of the subscriber and the file

information on the network array 240, and displays the information of the data file; and

a data part in which the transmitted file from the subscriber is assigned a new name by

the service server process before it is stored on the network array 240 and the

corresponding information is recorded on the index part.

The system management process 440, as illustrated in Fig. 8 comprises: a system

setup process 810 for conducting subscriber IP address extraction, limitation of the IP

address, subscriber registration and termination and data insertion and deletion; a

system monitoring process 820 for monitoring the subscriber's status; a system log

information management process 830 for storing, classifying and deleting the system log

information; a media specification process 840 for selecting the general media, such as

a PC media, to store the backup data; a subscriber status monitoring process 850 for

monitoring the subscriber's information in real-time.' and a database management

process 860 for managing the database of the system server.

Referring to Fig. 9, the CD-ROM making process 450 is performed manually by

the manager. The CD-ROM making process may be performed through the backup

operation in the same manner as used with the server data or simply saving the data on

the recording media, such as CD-ROM or diskette type media, based on a request by the

subscriber. If a request for CD-ROM making is made, then the encoded information

must be inputted by the subscriber.

The Billing process 460, as referred to in Fig. 10, organizes the fee charge

particulars when the subscriber uses the backup service by calculating the total usage

time during the specific date, the number of the connections made, the capacity variance of the backup data, and the value of the backup data as determined by the customer to

determine the total cost for using the service.

Referring to Fig. 11, the subscriber compensation process 470 accesses the

stored log information of the lost or damaged subscriber's data from the server, and

estimates the data loss and damage and assesses the value of the lost and damaged data.

Thereafter, the evaluated amount for the lost or damaged data is reported to the

insurance company to compensate the subscriber.

The overall operation of the Internet storage service system according to the

present invention is described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 12 through Fig. 25.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the overall operation of the Internet storage service

system related to this invention. First, the subscriber performs the login operation in

order to use the Internet storage service system (step 1200). Thereafter the status of

the subscriber login is checked (step 1240), and if the login subscriber is a new

subscriber, then the subscriber registration operation for a new subscriber is performed

(step 1241), whereas if the login subscriber is not a new subscriber, then the Internet

storage service corresponding to the log -in subscriber is performed. The subscriber

certification process (step 1201) and the confirmation or recertification process (step

1202) are performed at the main control server 200 and the service server 250. And

then, the communication coding operation is performed in order to transfer the

subscriber's file between the subscriber and the Internet storage service system (step

1203). The environment setup (step 1210) to transfer the data file between the

subscriber and the Internet service system includes the steps of: storing the rule

specification (step 1211) for selecting the storage method of the subscriber data file; selecting the schedule specification (step 1212) for determining the storage schedule of

the subscriber data file; selecting the method for changing the information of the

registered subscriber (step 1213); and checking for the existence of the virus (step

1214).

The data storing step (step 1204), the data retrieving or restoring step (step

1205), the perusal step (step 1206) for storing/retrieving lists and the downloading step

for downloading the latest storing information (step 1207) are individually performed

based on the subscriber's request.

If the subscriber data file is lost or damaged (step 1220), a damage compensation

step (step 1221) is performed. Then, the status of the subscriber connection is

checked (step 1230) to determine whether the subscriber connection should be

terminated. If the subscriber connection is terminated, then the Internet storage

* service is ended. However, if the subscriber connection has not been terminated, then

the above-described steps may be selectively repeated according to the subscriber's

request.

The detailed operation of the Internet storage service system in accordance with

the present invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the relevant

drawings.

First, referring to Fig. 13 the new subscriber registration process (step 1241)

comprises the steps of: inputting the subscriber information, such as the subscriber ID,

the password and the subscriber identification number by the subscriber (step 1301);

checking the status of the subscriber identification number for possible error (step

1302); and repeating the above steps if it is determined that the subscriber identification number has an error. If it is determined that the subscriber identification number

consists of no error, then the inputted subscriber information is transferred to the main

control server 200 via the Internet (step 1303). And, if the connection to the main

control server 200 fails, the main control server 200 transfers a message indicating the

connection failure, and that message is displayed on the subscriber computer (step

1304). The subscriber ID transferred to the main control server 200 is checked to

determine whether the ID has been used twice at the same time (step 1305). In event

that there is another user using the same ID, then the step 1301 is performed again.

However, if it is determined that there is no other user with the same ID, then the

subscriber association with a specific group is checked (step 1306). If the subscriber is

associated with the specific group, then the information on the group association of the

subscriber in the group table is recorded (step 1307). Thereafter, the subscriber

information is registered on the main control server 200 (step 1308). Once the

registration process is completed, the storage space used by the subscriber is allocated

(step 1309), and a message indicating that the registration is complete is transferred to

the subscriber (step 1310).

The above-described step 1307 of recording the subscriber information in the

group table is described below.

When the backup information is being downloaded to the subscriber from the

service server 250, the group information to which the subscriber belongs is

downloaded also, and the group information is recorded on the subscriber database of

the main control server 200. The group is not recorded on the network array 240 so

that the subscriber may change groups. To obtain a list of users within the group when the subscriber requests a file list, the service server 250 is equipped with the path to

the main control server 200 so that the necessary information may be obtained from the

subscriber database.

When the login process is completed and the subscriber requests use of the

Internet storage service system of the present invention, the subscriber certification

step (step 1201) and the confirmation process (step 1202) are performed.

When the subscriber inputs the subscriber's ID and password (step 1401), the

verification process determines whether the computer used by the subscriber is the one

used when the subscriber registered for the first time (step 1402). If the computer is

not the computer which the subscriber used when the subscriber registered for the first

time, then the subscriber inputs the security key or the certification key (step 1403).

And then, the login information of the subscriber is transferred to the main control

server 200 (step 1404) to verify the inputted subscriber ID and password (step 1405).

If the verified subscriber ID or password does not match the registered information of

the subscriber, then step 1401 is repeated. If the inputted subscriber ID and password

match the registered information of the subscriber, then the computer virus protection

program used by the subscriber is checked to determine whether it is the current

version (step 1406). If the computer virus protection program used by the subscriber

is not the current version, then a request is made to download the latest version of the

virus protection program (step 1407) and the subscriber downloads the latest version of

the virus protected program from the main control server 200 (step 1408). The

subscriber login operation is completed once the service server 250 is allocated to the

subscriber. In the subscriber login step, the certification information for the subscriber

connected to the main control server 200 is used in the confirmation process in the

service server 250 performing the actual service processing. The certification

information is also used to transmit the session key defined by the certification

operation to the service server 250 from the main control server 200. The main

control server 200 manages the login status of the subscriber and the information of the

main control server 200 is shared with the service server 250 through the shared

memory of the system. The following items are shared by the main control server 200

and the service server 250 at the time the subscriber certification operation and the

confirmation operation are being performed: a connecting time; a subscriber ID; a group

name which identifies the group the subscriber belongs to; a most recent connecting

time; a coding key for the subscriber information; and a certification key for the

subscriber information.

If the confirmation process on the service server 250 is successfully completed,

the IP address of the subscriber is stored for use in the IP address filtering and

recordation functions. If the confirmation process indicates that the login by the

subscriber is not valid, then the termination message packet is transferred to the

subscriber and the connection is terminated. If the IP address filtering performed on

the service server 250 grants the subscriber access authority, then the service server

becomes ready to accept a request from the subscriber. If the IP address filtering on

the service server 250 denies the subscriber access authority, then a report packet

limiting the access authority is transferred and the connection is terminated.

After the certification process and the confirmation process for the subscriber is conducted in step 1201 and step 1202, the communication coding operation for the file

transfer between the subscriber and the service system, as illustrated in Fig. 15, is

processed in the following steps:

The subscriber and the main control server 200 use a defined DES key the first

time the subscriber signs on to the system to transfer a coded data file (step 1501).

The main control server 200 creates a private key and a public key for communication

when the subscriber connects to the main control server 200 (step 1502). The main

control server 200 transfers the public key encoded using the DES key to the subscriber

(step 1503). The subscriber who receives the transmitted public key creates a session

key (step 1504). The subscriber then transfers the session key to the main control

server 200 after encoding it using the public key (step 1505). The main control server

200 holds the session key and then uses the session key to decode the data (step 1506).

The session key generated in step 1502 is initially obtained by the main control

server 200 which then transfers the session key to the service server 250 so that the

service server 250 can use the session key in order to provide actual service.

The following provides a more detailed description of the coding procedure for

the on-line communication.

When the subscriber requests to be connected to the system for the first time, the

main control server 200 transfers the public key coded by the DES key to the

subscriber in order to receive the session key. The subscriber decodes the coded

public key with the DES key known to both the subscriber and the main control server

200, and the generated session key is transferred to the main control server 200 after

encoding it using the public key. The main control server 200 generates a communication packet to the subscriber using the session key received from the

subscriber. Since the encoding of the data file is processed by the subscriber when the

file is stored or retrieved, the main control server 200 is not used.

Once the connection between the subscriber and the Internet storage service

system is successful, the services are provided to the subscriber according to the

subscriber's request. With reference to the attached drawings, each service provided

by the Internet storage service system in accordance with the present invention is

described hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 16, the data storing procedure (step 1204) is performed when

the subscriber requests the backup of the data file to the service server 250.

In the data storing procedure (step 1204), when the subscriber requests backup of

the data file, the service server 250 receives and analyzes the corresponding

information in the form of the communication packet (step 1601). And then, the service

server 250 verifies the size of the backup data file based on the information analyzed in

step 1601 (step 1602). When the system is ready to provide the backup service, the

transfer of the file list is requested from the subscriber (step 1603). The subscriber

transfers the designated file to the service server 250 via a communication protocol

such as ZMODEM or FTP, and the service server 250 transmits a completion message

back to the subscriber when the files are successfully received, (step 1604). At this

time, the service server compares the file transferred by the subscriber to the file lists

stored on the service server 250 (step 1605), and if modification of the file is not

necessary, then the subscriber file is stored on the network array 240 (step 1606).

However, if modification of the file is required, then the over-write of the file is determined before storing (step 1607). The file list of the subscriber stored on the

network array 240 is extracted (step 1608), and it is analyzed to determine whether the

size of the backup data file exceeds the permitted storage space granted to the

subscriber (step 1609). If the size of the backup data file exceeds the permitted

storage space, then an error message is transmitted to the subscriber (step 1610) and

step 1601 is repeated. If the size of the backup data file does not exceed the permitted

storage space, then the computer virus inspection procedure is performed on the

subscriber's file (step 1611), and any computer viruses are automatically treated in the

event that a computer virus is discovered (step 1612).

When the above steps are completed, the subscriber file is compressed (step

1613), and encoded by the security key (step 1614). And then, the coded file is

transferred to the service server 250 (step 1616) for storage on the file system of the

network array (step 1617) and the subscriber information table and the file information

table is updated (step 1618), and the storage verification message is transferred to the

subscriber (step 1619).

The following is the data-restoring step (step 1205), as illustrated in Fig. 17.

When the file to be restored is selected from the file list of the service server 250

(step 1701), the service server 250 checks the file size (step 1702) to determine

whether the restoring process is ready. Once the process is ready, the subscriber

transfers the list of the information to be restored to the service server (step 1703), and

the service server 250 transmits the file to the subscriber (step 1704). The subscriber

decodes the received file using the security key (step 1705 and step 1706). And then,

the process of checking whether the same file as the received file exists on the subscriber computer is performed (step 1707). If the received file is the same as a file

on the subscriber's computer, then the overwrite command is requested from the

subscriber (step 1708). If the subscriber decides not to overwrite the existing file, then

the file received is designated to another folder within the subscriber's computer (step

1709). And then, the file is decompressed (step 1710) and stored on the subscriber

computer (step 1711), and the restoration complete message is sent back to the service

server 250 (step 1712).

In the event that a subscriber wishes to conduct the file storing or the file

restoring at computers other than the one where the initial registration was conducted,

for example, the file is stored on the office computer and it is restored on the home

computer or another computer, then the services are provided but with a certain level of

restriction for security reasons. For example, if the limitation of IP address is set up

on the system management device 260 and the IP address of the user's computer does

not match the pre-set IP address, then the request for file restoring is rejected.

Referring to the Fig. 18, the following are the steps for the storing/restoring list

verification process (step 1206). The subscriber transfers the date when the

transaction to the service server 240 occurred (step 1801), and then the log file stored

on the subscriber computer is opened (step 1802). And then, the log file corresponding

to the date and the storing information or the restoring information is read (step 1803)

and displayed on the subscriber computer (step 1804). Finally, the log file is closed

(step 1805).

Similarly, the latest stored information download process (step 1207), as

illustrated in Fig. 19, performs as follows. The subscriber requests the transfer of the storing file list from the service server 250 (step 1901), and then the storing file list is

transferred to the subscriber (step 1902), and the information is displayed on the

subscriber computer (step 1903). And then, a determination is made as to whether the

storing list file exists on the subscriber computer (step 1904). If it does not exist, then

the service is finished. If it does exist, then the file is opened (step 1905), and the file

list is stored (step 1906), and the file is closed (step 1907).

The following are the detailed description of the setting up procedure for the on¬

line communication for transferring data between the subscriber and the service server

250.

Referring to Fig. 20, in the storing function specification setup (step 1211), the

subscriber computer is checked to determine whether a subscriber file with an ".idx"

extension exists (step 2001). If it does not exist, then an error message is displayed

and the service is ended.

If the file exists, then the corresponding file is opened (step 2002) and encoded

(step 2003). Thereafter, the storing function specifications, such as the maximum

capacity and the automatic connection time are read for the file (step 2004), and then

displayed on the subscriber computer (step 2005). The storing function specification

may be modified by the subscriber if needed (step 2006) and then encoded using the

security key (step 2007) before storing (step 2008). After completion, the file with the

storing specification is closed (step 2009).

Referring to Fig. 21, the scheduling function setup (step 1212) is conducted in the

same manner as the storing function specification setup (step 1211) except for the

modification of the information of the storing schedule. Referring to Fig. 22, the user information change function setup (step 1213) is

conducted in the same manner as the storing function specification setup (step 1211)

and the scheduling function specification process (step 1213) except for the following

steps. When the user information is modified, the modified subscriber information is

transferred to the main control server 200 (step 2208) along with a request for the

modification of the subscriber information (step 2207). The main control server

transmits the verification message for the modification of the subscriber information to

the subscriber (step 2209).

The virus checking function setup (step 1214), as referred to in Fig. 23, is

performed in the same manner as the storing specification process (step 1211) and the

schedule specification step (step 1213), except for the information on the virus checking

functions.

The damage compensation function setup (step 1221), as illustrated in Fig. 24, is

performed in the following steps. When the request for verification on the loss or the

damage of the subscriber's file is received, the service server 250 transfers the

corresponding log information to the subscriber (step 2401), and also the storage log

information for the lost or damaged data file is transferred to the subscriber (step 2402).

The service server 250 compares the date the subscriber's data file was stored to the

date indicated on the subscriber's data file (step 2403), and if two dates are the same,

then the message stating that an error has occurred on the original data file is

transferred to the subscriber (step 2404).

If the two dates are not the same, then the subscriber data file is identified as the

lost or damaged file. And then, the service server 250 checks whether the subscriber reporting the data loss or damage is a paying subscriber (step 2405) to determine

whether or not the subscriber is entitled to compensation. If the subscriber is not a

paying subscriber, then a message stating that the subscriber is not entitled to

compensation is transferred to the subscriber (step 2406). On the other hand, if the

subscriber is a paying subscriber, then the value of the data file is estimated (step 2407)

and a request for compensation is sent to the insurance office (step 2408), and then the

subscriber is compensated (step 2409).

The database structure of the Internet storage service system in accordance with

the present invention with reference to the relevant attached drawings is described

hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 25, the database structure of the Internet storage service system

in accordance with the present invention comprises: an input database 2501 of the main

control server process 420; an output database 2502 of the main control server process

420; an input database 2503 of the service server process 430; an output database 2504

of the service server process 420; an input database 2505 of the system management

process 440; an output database 2506 of the system management process 440; a

subscriber information database 2507 for the subscriber information; and a log-in

information database 2508 for the log-in information.

Referring to the Fig. 26, input database 2501 of the main control server process

420 comprises the following items: subscriber request information that includes

information on registration and certification,' an encoded session key which is generated

using the public key,' subscriber registration request information that is recorded on the

subscriber database! subscriber certification request information to verify the subscriber as registered by searching the subscriber database", a comparison between

the version of the subscriber's data file and the data file of the service server 250; and

a modification request which requests an update of the subscriber's data file in the

event that the subscriber's data file version is lower than the data file version of the

service server 250. .

The output database 2502 of the main control service server process 420 as

illustrated in Fig. 27 comprises the following items: a security key to transfer the public

key to the subscriber after encoding with the defined DES key; certification verification

information including the log-in time, the subscriber ID, the group name and the last

log-in time; and a user program file for modifying the user program.

Referring to Fig. 28, the input database 2503 of the service server process 430

comprises: a function for verifying the status of the subscriber to check whether the

subscriber is the certified subscriber through the main control server 200; a function for

requesting the file list information for transferring the backup file list; a function for

requesting information on a file that needs to be backed up and starting the backup

process; a backup file which is actually being backed up using the transfer protocol such

as FTP or MODEM; a function for requesting the information of the restored file; a

function for requesting the information of the file to be removed; and a function for

representing the information of the file stored in the CD-ROM or the floppy diskette.

The output database 2504 of the service server process 430, as illustrated in Fig.

29, comprises file list information representing the list of the backup files.

The input database 2505 of the system management process 440, as illustrated in

Fig. 30, comprises: a system specification part including information for IP address filtering and the scope of IP address accessibility for limiting the accessibility at the

time of file backup or file restoring, and the information on the subscriber regarding

registration and termination; a system monitoring part for managing overall subscribers

or the individual subscriber per the service server 250; a system log management part

including log removal information representing the removed subscriber information, and

information for aligning the information according to the date, class or alphabetically;

and a media storage part for storing on the media the data information, such as a

subscriber ID, a password, a directory and a file name, and a data size that would be

classified into a CD-ROM or a floppy diskette.

The output database 2506 of the system management process 440, as illustrated

in Fig. 31, comprises: a system monitoring part for managing overall subscribers or the

individual subscriber per the service server 250; a system log management part having

the log information representing the information of the log file; and a media storage part

having the files that are suitable to store to the media.

The subscriber information database 2507 for recording the subscriber

information, as illustrated in Fig. 32, comprises: an initial sign-up date; an IP address at

the time of the registration; a subscriber computer name specified by the OS; a

subscriber ID; a password; a name of the office to which the subscriber belongs; a name

of the department where the subscriber works; a telephone number of the subscriber;

an E-mail address of the subscriber; an address of the subscriber; a post office number

of the subscriber; a last log-in time which changes each time the subscriber logs on; a

group to which the subscriber belongs! a comment and; position information on the

network array 240. The position information of the network array 240 is left blank at the time of the registration. When the subscriber connects for the first time, the

directory is created at the place where there is enough blank space, and the location is

recorded on the database file such that after the first connection a direct path is created

to the directory. If the subject directory does not exist, then the new directory is

created and updated on the database file accordingly.

The login information database 2508 having the login information, as illustrated in

Fig. 33, comprises: a connection time for confirmation or recertification of the

verification information; a subscriber ID for confirmation of the verification information;

a group name for confirmation of the verification information; a previous log-in time

recorded on the subscriber database; a security key', a confirmation flag; a current IP

address of the connected subscriber; subscriber capacity information for previously

stored files; modified or added backup data capacity; capacity of the downloaded data;

capacity of the data removed from the service server 250; capacity of the media

requested; the remaining space available at the time of the termination; a termination

time recorded by the service server 250; a total time for using the service', and

information on the network array 240 providing the position of the ID directory.

The login information database 2508 is composed of a SAM (Sequential Access

Method) file, not the database file.

As shown in Fig. 34, the backup file information stored with the subscriber file

associates the backup file information with the index and the data directory placed

below the backup root directory on the network array 240. The index file is placed

below the index directory on the network array 240, and the index file has the same file

name as the directory storing the data file. The index file name and the name of the directory storing the data file are identical to the subscriber ID. The index file

comprises overall path information for the original file; an original file name; a version

number of the data file which is used for verifying that the backup files are different

from each other; a backup file name,' and a SAM file composed of the information

regarding sharing status among the subscribers in same group.

The group information for the group is obtained by searching the subscriber

database of the main control server 200, and reading the file sharing information of the

subscribers in the same group. The group file information is generated by adding the

sharing file information to the index file of the subscriber, and then supplying the

generated group file information in the event that the subscriber requests the file list.

Since the actual backup file is the compressed file, and the file path is determined

internally, when it is stored on the network array 240, only the data file is stored and

not the file path. The service server grants the name of the backup data file in order to

avoid having the same file name. The backup file name is made up of 'ID name +

original file name + YYYYMMDDHHMMSS'. Wherein, 'YYYY' represents the year the

backup was created, the first 'MM' represents the month, 'DD' represents the date, 'HH'

represents the hour, the second 'MM' represents the minute, and 'SS' represents the

second. For example, if the original file name is 'NOTEPAD.EXE' and the subscriber ID

is 'BruceO', the backup file name is 'BruceO_Notepadexe_2OOOO3211OO8110 When

creating the backup file name, if the length of the original file name exceeds 20

characters, only the first 20 characters are used.

And, as shown in Fig. 35, the Internet storage service according to this invention

provides the method to store the data of the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) users. That is, as the PDA users 3410 and 3420 stores the data storing on the users PDA to

the Internet storage service according to this invention, in case which the PDA is lost or

the data of the users PDA is damaged, it provides the method to manage the users data

in safety.

The data to be managed between the PDA and the Internet storage service according

to this invention is shown by Fig. 36. That is, the telephone number, the address book,

the users schedule, PIMS (Personal Information Management System) data as such the

memo book and the account book, E-mail contents to be received or transmitted, and

the users general file such as document file and the text file can be stored.

Also, the Internet storage service according to this invention provides the method so

as to share the data of the storage by using the sharing method as described. That is, it

provides the method so as to share the data of the storage among the sharing users

entirely or optionally. Thus, as the storage area of the data is shared, the effective

service can be provided.

Also, the Internet storage service according to this invention provides the method to

transmit the users information storing on the storage to the designated person by using

E-mail. This method provides the function to transmit the information to the many users,

and in case of the E-mail transmission, it provides the function that the designated user

can be recognized the information of the transmitted file.

And, the Internet storage service according to this mvention provides the method that

the users voice information can be managed. That is, the users can store the voice

information, and it can be transmitted to the designated users by using E-mail.

And, as shown in Fig. 37, the Billing process 460 as described above provides the Internet billing service by using the receipts method not using the bankbook or the

credit card. That is, the Billing service by using the receipts method not using the

bankbook proceeds as follows : the Internet user requests the charged Internet storage

service by using the first web server 3710 or the second web server 3720, and then it is

verified the method of the receipts not using the bankbook, and it is connected to the

Billing process 460 of the Billing server 3730, and then it performs the procedure of the

receipts verification 3740, and the users is translated to the charged waiting person, and

then after the verification of the receipts method not using the bankbook, the users is

translated to the charged subscriber 3750.

Also, as shown in Fig. 37, the Billing service by using the credit card proceeds as

follows : the Internet user requests the charged Internet storage service by using the

first web server 3710 or the second web server 3720, and then the receipts method of

the credit card is verified on the receipts method verification procedure 3770, and it is

connected to the Billing process 460 of the Billing server 3730 by the server 3760 of

the vicarious execution company, and then the users is translated to the charged

subscriber 3750.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An Internet storage service system comprising: a main control server for

conducting subscriber certification and subscriber registration, and allocating a

subscriber to a service server; a data backup device for storing the subscriber's data',

and a web server for running homepages for advertisement purposes and subscriber

registration; an automatic response service system for communicating with the

subscriber,' a network array device for storing the subscriber's backup data; a service

server formed with an N-machine placed in parallel for storing, backing up and restoring

the subscriber's data; and a system management device for monitoring the system status.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said main control server transmits a

connection path to the subscriber after a current usage status of the service server is

checked, and the subscriber is connected through said connection path.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said service server transfers a file

list to the subscriber when the subscriber installs a new system software.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein a transferred data file is coded

using a DES key defined when the subscriber initially registers to transfer a coded data

file between the subscriber and the main control server, and a private key and a public

key generated by the main control server for coded communication when the subscriber

connects onto the Internet storage service system.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the data file is coded by using 128-

bit SEED coding algorithm.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein a backup file name is made up of an ID name, an original file name, and YYYYMMDDHHMMSS', and wherein 'YYYY'

represents a year the backup file was created, 'MM' represents a month, 'DD' represents

a date, 'HH' represents an hour, 'MM' represents a minute, and 'SS' represents a second.

7. An Internet storage service system comprising", a main control server for

performing a subscriber certification process and a subscriber registration process, and

allocating a subscriber to a service server; a data backup device for storing the

subscriber's data; a web server for running homepages for the purpose of advertisement

and subscriber registration; a user module program installed on the subscriber's

computer in order to use the Internet storage service system," a main control server

process for performing the subscriber certification process, the subscriber registration

process and distributing usage space when the subscriber logs in', a service server

process for performing a backup operation and a restore operation of the subscriber's

data; a system management process for modifying and monitoring the contents of the

Internet storage service system, and operating with the billing process; a CD-ROM

making process for storing the subscriber data to CD-ROM; a billing process for

managing the service fees charged to the users through managing login information

recorded on the server process and subscriber database information, and connecting with

the system management process; and a subscriber compensation process for

compensating the subscriber in the event that the data become lost or damaged.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the main control server process

comprises-' a subscriber management process for processing the subscriber certification

and the subscriber registration processes, and managing a version of the user module

program used by the subscriber and an evaluation version of the user module program; and a database management process for managing a subscriber information database and

a subscriber data file information database.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the subscriber management process

downloads an upgraded version of the user module program.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein said service server process

comprises: a file transfer control process for receiving and transmitting of the

subscriber's data files; and a file storing management process for storing the transmitted

subscriber is data.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said file transfer control process

comprises-' the subscriber confirmation process for confirming a certification of the

subscriber based on certification information provided from the main control server; an

IP address filtering process for extracting an IP address of the subscriber in order to

restrict the subscriber's function and accessibility', a file list transfer process for

transferring a file list to the subscriber when backup information is requested; a file

transfer protocol for transferring a compressed and coded file is via FTP (File Transfer

Protocol); a file storing process for storing a received file as a backup when a request is

made by the subscriber; a file comparison process for processing both a same file and a

different file when the received file is being stored; and a file deletion function for

deleting a file from a network array when a request is made from the subscriber.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said file storing management

process comprises: an index part which contains information including file list information

of the subscriber and file information on the network array, and displays information of

the data file; and a data part in which the transmitted file from the subscriber is assigned a new name by the service server process before storing on a network array and the

corresponding information is recorded on the index part.

13. The system according to claim 7, wherein said system management process

comprises: a system setup specification process for conducting subscriber IP address

extraction, limitation of the IP address, subscriber registration and termination, and the

data insertion and deletion; a system monitoring process for monitoring the subscriber's

status; a system log information management process for storing, classifying and deleting

system log information; a media specification process for selecting general media in

order to store backup data; a subscriber status monitoring process for monitoring

subscriber information for the subscriber who uses the system in real-time; and a

database management process for managing a database of the system server.

14. The system according to claim 7, wherein said billing process organizes fee

charge particulars when the subscriber uses a backup service by calculating a total usage

time for a specific date, a number of connections made, a capacity variance of backup

data, and a value of the backup data determined by the subscriber to determine the total

cost for using the service.

15. The system according to claim 7, wherein a shared memory system is used to

exchange information between the main control server process and the service server

process.

16. In an Internet storage service system, a method comprising the steps of:

performing a login operation in which a subscriber logs in to establish a connection with

the Internet storage service system; checking a status of the subscriber and if the login

subscriber is a new subscriber, then performing a new subscriber registration operation; otherwise, if the login subscriber is not a new subscriber, then performing an Internet

storage service corresponding to the login subscribers; validating the status of the

subscriber using a main control server; confirming the validation of the subscriber on a

service server; encoding a communication in order to transfer a subscriber file from the

subscriber to. the Internet storage service system', providing an environment set up for:

storing data for backing up the subscriber file upon request by the subscriber! restoring

the subscriber file upon request by the subscriber; providing a storing/restoring list when

the subscriber requests! downloading latest information of the stored subscriber's data

file upon request by the subscriber; and compensating the subscriber in the event that

the subscriber data file is lost or damaged.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein providing an environment setup

further includes: establishing a storing rule specification process to specify a method for

storing the subscriber file; performing a schedule specification process for specifying a

storing schedule for the subscriber file; establishing a subscriber information change

process for specifying a method to change registered customer information; and

establishing a virus checking specification for checking and curing a virus contained in

the subscriber file.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein subscriber certification

information is used to confirm the validation of the subscriber when the confirmation

operation is performed on the service server.

19. An Internet storage service system comprising: an input database of a main

control server process; an output database of a main control server process; an input

database of a service server process," an output database of a service server process; an input database of a system management process; an output database of a system

management process; a subscriber information database containing subscriber

information; and a login information database containing login information.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said login information database

containing login information comprises SAM (Sequential Access Method) files.

21. An Internet storage service system characterized to provide the data storage

method of the PDA users, and the type of the stored data is the telephone number, the

address book, the users schedule, PIMS (Personal Information Management System) data

as such the memo book and the account book, E-mail contents to be received or

transmitted, and the users general file such as document file and the text file.

22. An Internet storage service system characterized to provide the sharing

method that the users data is shared among the users registered the sharing function.

23. An Internet storage service system characterized to provide the method that

the users voice information can be managed. That is, the users can store the voice

information, and it can be transmitted to the designated users by using E-mail.

24. An Internet storage service system characterized to provide the method that

Internet billing service by using the receipts method not using the bankbook or the credit

card