Systems and Methods for File Loading

Abstract

The application describes systems and methods for loading a data file with a data pad having a pattern that enables identification of the data file during certain file operations. In one aspect, a file loading system comprises a datastore configured to store a plurality of data files where the plurality of data files include a plurality of original data files and at least one loaded data file. The system also includes a removable media storage device capable of interfacing with the datastore. The system further includes a processor arranged to access the plurality of data files in the datastore and convert a first original data file of the plurality of original data files into a first loaded data file. The first loaded data file includes information and a first data pad of added data. The first data pad includes a first pattern of data elements. The processor also monitors operations associated with the plurality of data files to detect a first data transfer operation from the datastore to the removable media storage device. Furthermore, the processor identifies a data file associated with the first data transfer operation as the first loaded data file by detecting the first pattern of data elements within the data file associated with the first data transfer operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A file loading system comprising:
 a datastore configured to store a plurality of data files, the plurality of data files including a plurality of original data files and at least one loaded data file;   a removable media storage device capable of interfacing with the datatstore; and   a processor arranged to:
 access the plurality of data files in the datastore, 
 convert a first original data file of the plurality of original data files into a first loaded data file by adding a first data pad to original data of the first original data file, wherein the first data pad includes a first pattern of data elements, 
 monitor operations associated with the plurality of data files to detect a first data transfer operation from the datastore to the removable media storage device, and 
 identify a data file associated with the first data transfer operation as the first loaded data file by detecting the first pattern of data elements within the data file associated with the first data transfer operation. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the data file is in response to detecting the first data transfer operation. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first data transfer operation includes one of a copy, move, download, and transfer function. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to block the transfer of the first loaded data file to the removable media storage device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an amount of added data is further determined based on at least one of the sensitivity of one or more of data files, the data transfer rate of a network in which the datastore resides, the data storage capacity of the removable media storage device, the data capacity of the datastore, and the processing power of the first computer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable media storage device is concealably transportable by a human. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein converting is based on the sensitivity of the first original data file, wherein the sensitivity is based on at least one of the value of the information, the need for secrecy of the information, and the need for privacy of the information. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor converts the first original data file in response to an operation associated with the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor interleaves portions of the original data with portions of the data pad in the first loaded data file. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of data elements includes a known pattern of data elements. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of data elements includes a derivable pattern of data elements. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of data elements is unique to the first loaded data file. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of data elements is based on a pseudorandom function. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first pattern of data elements is based on a pattern key. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor stores at least one key related to the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor uses the at least one key to confirm that the pattern of the data pad within the one or more of the plurality of data files is correct. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor monitors the system to determine whether at least one of a file stripping application is running, a file fragmentation application is running, and a file transfer application is running. 
     
     
         18 . A method for file loading comprising:
 storing a plurality of data files in a datastore, the plurality of data files including a plurality of original data files and at least one loaded data file;   interfacing the datastore with a removable media storage device;   accessing the plurality of data files in the datastore;   converting a first original data file of the plurality of original data files into a first loaded data file by adding a first data pad to original data of the first original data file, wherein the first data pad includes a first pattern of data elements;   monitoring operations associated with the plurality of data files to detect a first data transfer operation from the datastore to the removable media storage device; and   identifying a data file associated with the first data transfer operation as the first loaded data file by detecting the first pattern of data elements within the data file associated with the first data transfer operation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  comprising identifying the data file in response to detecting the first data transfer operation. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transient computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to perform the method of:
 storing a plurality of data files in a datastore, the plurality of data files including a plurality of original data files and at least one loaded data file;   interfacing the datastore with a removable media storage device;   accessing the plurality of data files in the datastore;   converting a first original data file of the plurality of original data files into a first loaded data file by adding a first data pad to original data of the first original data file, wherein the first data pad includes a first pattern of data elements;   monitoring operations associated with the plurality of data files to detect a first data transfer operation from the datastore to the removable media storage device, and   identifying a data file associated with the first data transfer operation as the first loaded data file by detecting the first pattern of data elements within the data file associated with the first data transfer operation.