Managed peer-to-peer content backup service system and method using dynamic content dispersal to plural storage nodes

Abstract

Systems, method, computer program stored on computer readable media, and business method for providing and operating a distributed network based secure storage of business or consumer digital data or content. System, method, computer program stored on computer readable media and business model for dynamically managed peer-to-peer media content backup that uses a plurality of subscriber personal computer based storage devices to store backups of other subscriber data in a manner that is secure and redundant.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention pertains generally systems and methods for distributed network based secure storage of consumer digital data or content, and more particularly to a system, method, computer program stored on computer readable media and business model for dynamically managed peer-to-peer media content backup that uses a plurality of subscriber personal computer based storage devices to store backups of other subscriber data in a manner that is secure and redundant.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]As more people begin to use digital cameras, digital video cameras, electronic music players, or other type of electronic devices, information appliances, and the like they are generating larger and larger amounts of digital data and other content. This data and content may usually include content that is associated with irreplaceable memories such as digital photographs and videos, in addition to music that has been purchased through on-line music stores or other p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In one aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides a server computer for operating a distributed data storage system having data security, redundancy, and retrieval features, the server including: a processor and a memory coupled to the processor; a network communications interface for coupling the server computer to a network; a database for storing data pertaining to the distributed storage in the distributed data storage system and coupled to or coupleable with the processor; a network node reliability monitor for monitoring the reliability of the plurality of nodes on which the data is stored and for generating storage node reliability information; and an information dispersal and control unit for initially dispersing data for backup storage to a plurality of network storage nodes and for dynamically redispersing the data over time according to the storage node reliability information.

[0017]In another aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides a system for operating a distributed data storage system having data security, redundancy, and retrieval features, the system comprising: a server computer including: a processor and a memory coupled to the processor; a network communications interface for coupling the server computer to a network; a database for storing data pertaining to the distributed storage in the distributed data storage system and coupled to or coupleable with the processor; a network node reliability monitor for monitoring the reliability of the plurality of nodes on which the data is stored and for generating storage node reliability information; and an information dispersal and control unit for initially dispersing data for backup storage to a plurality of network storage nodes and for dynamically redispersing the data over time according t

Problems solved by technology

As a higher percentage of this content or other digital asset is only stored in the digital world, loss of this content or these assets due to local computer hard disk failure, computer virus or other malicious code or hacker attack, physical computer or information appliance theft, or fire, water or other natural disaster becomes a truly catastrophic event.

People are frequently reminded of their own potential vulnerability to loss when they watch broadcast news, browse the Internet, read books or periodicals, or otherwise become aware of home fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, home invasions, or just general thefts and break-ins, the result of which is the loss of digital content or assets as well as of non-digital assets that might have been converted to a digital form through a scanning or other paper or printed media to digital conversion process.

Conventional existing digital content back-up solutions are less user friendly and frequently require users to have some computer technical knowledge and often to have a strong technical knowledge and ability in order to effectuate even a local backup of the digital content or asset by such means as copying or writing (e.g., burning) the content to an optical media such as to a CD or DVD, copying the content or asset a directly attached local storage such as for example to an external Universal Serial Bus (USB) hard disk drive, or copying the content or asset between multiple personal computers (PCs).

Even when a person has purchased appropriate storage devices, and where required, a software solution to aid with performing the backup, the requirement to setup external storage devices is a significant deterrent to performing the backup for the typical user.

Additionally, the physical storage solution that a user chooses is often not adequate to protect against common losses.

For example, theft, fire, water damage will often target or affect all the computer and entertainment equipment in the consumer's home, which will likely include the backed-up device and potentially the backup media if separated from the backup device.

Viruses may also be present for long periods of time on the user's machine before detection and can infect the backup material and files as well as the original machine.

Therefore, even when a person has been diligent about backing up the digital content or asset, it may still be subject to partial or complete loss using conventional practices, systems, and methodologies.

In a partial but largely unsuccessful attempt to solve at least some problems associated with digital content, a limited number of online backup techniques have emerged in an attempt to solve some of the problems associated with the existing in-home or consumer back-up solutions.

Some of these solutions attempt to provide storage outside the home to alleviate the concerns of fire or water damage and theft, but they often require the user to actively manage their content backup process.

Since digital still cameras and digital video cameras are producing higher resolution content, up to perhaps 8 mega pixels per still image from 3 mega pixels per still image only a few years ago, increasingly the user may quickly exceeds the free storage space allocation, and be subject to monthly excess storage fees.

While this provides a solution that enables local retrieval of accidentally erased content, it does not protect against any other type of disaster or loss, including for example, losses that are do to hard disk drive hardware or controller failures, theft, fire or water damage, virus or malicious code attack, or a plethora of other computer problems or failure modes.

However, this approach alone does not take into account the needs of a consumer directed backup system where some nodes may be determined to be unreliable and the benefits and needs for dynamic redispersal of information over time.

It also does not take into account different redundancy requirements that may exist in a consumer oriented managed peer to peer backup service.

Unfortunately, none of these attempted distributed storage solutions provide the features and capabilities needed for a consumer storage device based free to the user on-line backup storage with retrieval and recovery features.

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