Server-side recycle bin system

Abstract

A server-side recycle bin system for retaining computer files and information is disclosed. The system comprises a local computer system, and a server including a server-side recycle bin. One or more persistent storage devices, providing the files and directories to be protected, are present either as part of the local computer system or as part of the server. The local computer system and the server may be connected via a wide area computer network, a local area network, the Internet, of any other method or combination of methods. A file manager application running on the local computer system interacts with a file serving application on the server such that there is generated a retained file in the server-side recycle bin.

1. A server-side recycle bin system for retaining computer files and information, comprising:
 a) a local computer system for use by a user; and  
 b) a server connected to the local computer system, the server comprising a persistent storage device;  
 the server further comprising a server-side user recycle bin located within the persistent storage device; and  
 wherein a file manager application running on the local computer system and a file serving application running on the server interact to generate a retained file residing in the server-side user recycle bin.  
 
     
     
       2. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 1 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving manager  application interact to restore said retained file to a location on the persistent storage device but outside the user recycle bin. 
     
     
       3. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 2 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving manager  application interact to generate a user recycle bin index viewable from the local computer system. 
     
     
       4. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 2 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving manager  application interact to delete the contents stored in the user recycle bin. 
     
     
       5. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 2 , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via the Internet. 
     
     
       6. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 2 , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via a local area network. 
     
     
       7. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 2 , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via a wide area network. 
     
     
       8. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 5 , wherein the local computer system comprises a personal computer. 
     
     
       9. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 5 , wherein the local computer system comprises a handheld computer. 
     
     
       10. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 5 , wherein the local computer system comprises an Internet enabled device. 
     
     
       11. A server-side recycle bin system for retaining computer files and information, comprising:
 a) a local computer system comprising a persistent storage device; and  
 b) a server connected to the local computer system, the server comprising a server-side recycle bin;  
 wherein a file manager application running on the local computer system and a file serving application running on the server interact to generate a retained file residing in the server-side recycle bin, which retained file is a copy of a file, the file residing on the persistent storage device of the local computer and having been indicated for deletion.  
 
     
     
       12. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 11 ,  A server- side recycle bin system for retaining computer files and information, comprising:  
   a )  a local computer system comprising a persistent storage device; and    
   b )  a server connected to the local computer system, the server comprising a server - side recycle bin;    
   wherein a file manager application running on the local computer system and a file serving application running on the server interact to generate a retained file residing in the server - side recycle bin, and  wherein the file manager application and the file serving manager  application interact to restore said retained file to a location on the persistent storage device of the local computer system.  
 
     
     
       13. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 12 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving manager  application interact to generate a recycle bin index viewable from the local computer system. 
     
     
       14. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 12 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving manager  application interact to delete the contents stored in the recycle bin. 
     
     
       15. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 12 , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via the Internet. 
     
     
       16. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 15 , wherein the local computer system comprises a personal computer. 
     
     
       17. A server-side recycle bin system for retaining computer files and information, comprising:
 a) a local computer system;    b) a server computer comprising at least one server-side recycle bin;    c) means for retaining deleted files and information; and    d) a connection means for allowing communication between the local computer system and the server computer system.    
     
     
       18. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 17 , further comprising means for restoring deleted files and information from the server-side recycle bin. 
     
     
       19. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 18 , further comprising means for generating a recycle bin index viewable from the local computer system. 
     
     
       20. The server-side recycle bin system of  claim 18 , further comprising means for deleting the contents stored in the recycle bin. 
     
     
       21. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 11   , wherein the file manager application and the file serving application interact to restore said retained file to a location on the persistent storage device of the local computer system.   
     
     
       22. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 11   , wherein the file manager application and the file serving application interact to generate a recycle bin index viewable from the local computer system.   
     
     
       23. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 11   , wherein the file manager application and the file serving application interact to delete the contents stored in the recycle bin.   
     
     
       24. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 11   , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via the Internet.   
     
     
       25. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 24   , wherein the local computer system comprises a personal computer.   
     
     
       26. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 24   , wherein the local computer system comprises a handheld computer.   
     
     
       27. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 24   , wherein the local computer system comprises an Internet enabled device.   
     
     
       28. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 11   , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via a local area network.   
     
     
       29. The server- side recycle bin system of    claim 11   , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via a wide area network.   
     
     
       30. A method for retaining computer files, comprising:
   a )  providing a local computer system for use by a user;        b   )    providing a server connected to the local computer system, the server comprising a persistent storage device, the server further comprising a server - side user recycle bin located within the persistent storage device; and        c )  a file manager application running on the local computer system and a file serving application running on the server interacting to generate a retained file residing in the server - side user recycle bin.     
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving application further interact to restore said retained file to a location on the persistent storage device but outside the user recycle bin. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving application further interact to generate a user recycle bin index viewable from the local computer system. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the file manager application and the file serving application further interact to delete the contents stored in the user recycle bin. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via the Internet. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34 , wherein the local computer system comprises a personal computer. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 34 , wherein the local computer system comprises a handheld computer. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 34 , wherein the local computer system comprises an Internet enabled device. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via a local area network. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the local computer system and the server are connected via a wide area network.