Columbia Data Products, Inc.

Louis Perry Witt, Jr

Robbie A Green

Alan L Welsh

Brian M McFadden

Raymond C Young

Patricio R Muirragui

Donald D Cross

Richard M Tolpin

Kai Zhang

Corrine S Duncan

Corinne S Duncan

A persistent snapshot is taken and maintained in accordance with a novel method and system for extended periods of time using only a portion of a computer readable medium of which the snapshot is taken. Multiple snapshots can be taken in succession at periodic intervals and maintained practically indefinitely. The snapshots are maintained even after powering down and rebooting of the computer system. The state of the object of the snapshot for each snapshot preferably is accessible via a folder on volume of the snapshot. A restore of a file or folder may be accomplished by merely copy that file or folder from the snapshot folder to a current directory of the volume. Alternatively, the entire computer system may be restored to a previous snapshot state thereof. Snapshots that occurred after the state to which the computer is restored are not lost in the restore operation. Different rule sets and scenarios can be applied to each snapshot. Furthermore, each snapshot can be written to within the context of the snapshot and later restored to its pristine condition. Software for implementing the systems and methods of snapshots in accordance with the present invention may comprise firmware of a hard disk drive controller or a disk controller board or within the HDD casing itself. The present invention further comprises novel systems and methods in which the systems and methods of taking and maintaining snapshots are utilized in creating and managing temporal data stores, including temporal database management systems. The implications for data mining and exploration, data analysis, intelligence gathering, and artificial intelligence (just to name a few areas) are profound.

Persistent snapshot management system

A persistent snapshot is taken and maintained in accordance with a novel method and system for extended periods of time using only a portion of a computer readable medium of which the snapshot is taken. Multiple snapshots can be taken in succession at periodic intervals and maintained practically indefinitely. The snapshots are maintained even after powering down and rebooting of the computer system. The state of the object of the snapshot for each snapshot preferably is accessible via a folder on volume of the snapshot. A restore of a file or folder may be accomplished by merely copying that file or folder from the snapshot folder to a current directory of the volume. Alternatively, the entire computer system may be restored to a previous snapshot state thereof. Snapshots that occurred after the state to which the computer is restored are not lost in the restore operation. Different rule sets and scenarios can be applied to each snapshot. Furthermore, each snapshot can be written to within the context of the snapshot and later restored to its pristine condition. Software for implementing the systems and methods of snapshots in accordance with the present invention may comprise firmware of a hard disk drive controller or a disk controller board or within the HDD casing itself. The present invention further comprises novel systems and methods in which the systems and methods of taking and maintaining snapshots are utilized in creating and managing temporal data stores, including temporal database management systems. The implications for data mining and exploration, data analysis, intelligence gathering, and artificial intelligence (just to name a few areas) are profound.

Persistent snapshot methods

A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a check for the presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

RSM removal initiation sequence

A user's intention to perform a computer operation is confirmed in order to safeguard against accidental performance of the operation. The operation is initiated only after a user's intention to perform the operation is confirmed. The user's intention is confirmed by removing from a computer configuration a removable storage medium (i) after a program on the removable storage medium has been read and (ii) before a check for the continued presence of the removable storage medium within the computer configuration is performed in accordance with the program. The user's intention is confirmed without requiring the use of a user-input device of a computer.

Bootstrap RSM removal initiation sequence

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Orlando, FL, United States of America

Louis Perry Witt, Jr