Folder Discovery Module for Non-Standard Backup Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer backup systems often fail to identify and backup important data located in non-standard folders on user devices, leading to data loss due to natural disasters or device failures, as they are not designed to scan for data in customized or unconventional locations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that scans client devices for folders using pre-defined criteria associated with a backup policy, consolidates identified folder paths, and presents them to users for selection, incorporating a folder discovery module to identify and prioritize relevant data paths, including user-defined and non-standard locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backup services use standard folder paths only, then backup process is simple and reliable, but important data in non-standard locations is not backed up
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of the client device to discover folders containing important data before executing the backup process. The folder discovery module proactively identifies non-standard locations by scanning for characteristic file types and patterns, allowing the backup service to prepare a comprehensive list of folders to backup in advance, thus ensuring completeness without adding complexity to the actual backup execution
Solution Approach 2:
The folder discovery module autonomously scans the client device and identifies folders containing important data using pre-defined criteria, without requiring user intervention or manual configuration. The system self-determines which non-standard folders to include in the backup by analyzing file types, folder structures, and data patterns, making the backup process adaptive to user-specific organizational habits
2Loss of information
If backup services scan all folders on client device, then all data including non-standard locations is discovered, but scanning time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning process applies different quality levels to different regions of the file system. Instead of uniformly scanning all folders with the same depth and intensity, the system focuses scanning resources on areas more likely to contain important data (such as user home directories, document folders, and locations with characteristic file types), while reducing or skipping scans in system directories and locations known to contain non-backup data
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a focused scan on specific file types and folder patterns that are most likely to contain important user data, rather than attempting to scan every single folder and file on the device. By targeting specific data characteristics (document types, image files, project folders), the system achieves sufficient data discovery completeness with reduced scanning time and processing overhead
3Ease of operation
If users manually configure backup locations, then precise control over backup paths is achieved, but user effort and configuration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The folder discovery module automatically scans the client device and identifies folders containing important data using pre-defined criteria, eliminating the need for users to manually configure backup paths. The system autonomously determines which non-standard folders to include by analyzing file types, folder structures, and data patterns, providing both ease of operation and accurate identification of relevant folders
Solution Approach 2:
The system presents the discovered folder list to the user for review and confirmation, allowing users to verify that the automatically identified folders match their expectations. This feedback loop enables users to correct any misidentifications or add additional folders if needed, combining automated discovery precision with user control while minimizing configuration effort
Data Source
AI summary
The identifying folder paths for backup techniques include a method, a system, and/or a computer software product. In some embodiments of these techniques, the method includes scanning a client device for folders. The method further includes identifying one or more folder paths on a client device according to a pre-defined criteria associated with a backup policy for the client device. The method further includes consolidating the one or more folder paths into a consolidated list of folder paths. The method further includes presenting the consolidated list of one or more folder paths to a user. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.