# How Computers Safely Resume Interrupted Data Backups

> A method for computers to pause a large data backup and resume exactly where they left off without restarting the entire process from scratch.

- **Patent:** US 8307004
- **Original title:** Manipulating electronic backups
- **Owner:** Apple Inc
- **Granted:** 2012
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 5
- **Field:** consumer_electronics, software

## What it does

This patent describes a system that tracks the progress of a data backup, allowing it to be interrupted by a user or a system event like a crash. When the backup resumes, the system compares timestamps on the existing backup files against the last successful backup to determine which data is already safe. It then only processes the remaining uncompleted portion of the data. This prevents the need to re-copy files that were already successfully stored before the interruption.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover cloud-based synchronization services that do not use local timestamp-based file system backups.
- Does not cover methods for data compression or deduplication during the backup process.
- Does not cover the specific hardware interface used to store the backup data.

## The clever bit

The system uses timestamp comparisons against the last completed backup to identify valid progress, essentially creating a 'checkpoint' system for file-level backups that can survive a system crash or power-off.

## Real-world examples

1. Apple Time Machine on macOS
2. Local file system backup utilities

## Why it matters

Before this, interrupting a large backup often meant losing all progress, forcing users to restart a potentially multi-hour process. This technology was essential for the reliability of consumer-grade backup software, specifically Apple's Time Machine, which allows users to disconnect their external drives or shut down their computers without worrying about backup corruption.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Computers Safely Resume Interrupted Data Backups cover?

A method for computers to pause a large data backup and resume exactly where they left off without restarting the entire process from scratch.

### Who owns patent US 8307004?

Apple Inc owns this patent, granted in 2012.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on November 6, 2032, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 8307004 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 5 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

Before this, interrupting a large backup often meant losing all progress, forcing users to restart a potentially multi-hour process. This technology was essential for the reliability of consumer-grade backup software, specifically Apple's Time Machine, which allows users to disconnect their external drives or shut down their computers without worrying about backup corruption.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover cloud-based synchronization services that do not use local timestamp-based file system backups.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8307004/amazon-dynamodb

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8307004

---

_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._