Claims
- 1. A distributed data storage system comprising:
a) X-Drive means; b) network means; and c) client means; wherein
said client means communicates to said X-Drive means through said network means; said X-Drive means permits data resident on said X-Drive to be accessed by said client means through said network means; said X-Drive means incorporates one or more OSI Model layers (Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, and/or Physical) to permit said X-Drive means to operate autonomously of said client means; and said X-Drive means is capable of controlling and brokering data access among multiple said client means and/or X-Drive means.
- 2. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said network means is either flat or hierarchical, and said network means employs standard networking equipment such as routers, switches, and hubs.
- 3. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said X-Drive means is not in geographic proximity to said client means.
- 4. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said client means is comprised of any combination and number of computers, information appliances, and other X-Drive means.
- 5. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said X-Drive means coordinates RAID functionality with one or more additional X-Drive means.
- 6. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said X-Drive means operates on a virtual storage area network using VPN tunnels or dedicated time division multiplexed channels to one or more additional X-Drive means.
- 7. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said X-Drive means interoperate with one or more additional X-Drive means behind a router, switch, or hub.
- 8. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said X-Drive means has multiple network ports for failover protection.
- 9. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said X-Drive means have multiple network ports and perform routing and switching.
- 10. The distributed data storage system of claim 1 wherein said X-Drive means simultaneously services a multitude of said client means.
- 11. A distributed data storage system comprising:
a) wide area network means; b) one or more spatial region means further comprising one or more local area network means; c) one or more X-Drive means, each of said X-Drive means having local information regarding its geographic location; d) logical data means resident on said one or more X-Drive means; and e) one or more client means; wherein
said wide area network means connects said one or more spatial region means and permits said one or more local area network means to communicate across said one or more spatial region means; said one or more X-Drive means are individually resident on one of said one or more local area network means; said one or more client means are individually resident on one of said one or more local area network means; and said logical data means may be accessed by said one or more client means via communication with said one or more X-Drive means via said one or more local area network means via said wide area network means.
- 12. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said network means is either flat or hierarchical, and any of said network means employs standard networking equipment such as routers, switches, and hubs.
- 13. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said X-Drive means is not in geographic proximity to any of said client means.
- 14. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said client means is comprised of any combination and number of computers, information appliances, and other X-Drive means.
- 15. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said X-Drive means coordinates RAID functionality with one or more additional X-Drive means.
- 16. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said X-Drive means operates on a virtual storage area network using VPN tunnels or dedicated time division multiplexed channels to one or more additional X-Drive means.
- 17. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said X-Drive means interoperate with one or more additional X-Drive means behind a router, switch, or hub.
- 18. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said X-Drive means has multiple network ports for failover protection.
- 19. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said X-Drive means have multiple network ports and perform routing and switching.
- 20. The distributed data storage system of claim 11 wherein said X-Drive means simultaneously services a multitude of said client means.
- 21. A distributed data storage configuration method comprising:
(1) connecting an X-Drive to a configuration host; (2) defining MAC/IP identification on said X-Drive; (3) determining a GPS locale from a GPS receiver and/or the Internet and loading said GPS locale on said X-Drive; (4) testing and/or formatting and/or initializing said X-Drive mechanics; (5) associating said X-Drive onto a storage network; (6) processing and servicing network file requests on said X-Drive.
- 22. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive moves data to and from DASDs in clients for data migration.
- 23. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive moves data to and from DASDs in clients for data mirroring.
- 24. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive moves data to and from DASDs in clients for data backups.
- 25. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive performs background virus scanning, data compression, or other duties for clients using spare resources and bandwidth.
- 26. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive incorporates quality of service functionality.
- 27. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive incorporates packet routing functionality.
- 28. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive incorporates packet switching functionality.
- 29. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive incorporates firewall functionality.
- 30. The distributed data storage configuration method of claim 21 wherein said X-Drive encrypts and/or decrypts data at the media level.
- 31. A distributed data storage access method comprising:
(1) receiving a data request from a data requester; (2) selecting a lookup table entry from a MAC/IP/Latency/GPS table based on said data request; (3) transmitting a data access request to a selected X-Drive based on said table entry; (4) processing said request in said selected X-Drive to produce a data request result; (5) if said data request result is that no data is available or no response is possible, selecting a new entry in said lookup table and returning said lookup table entry to said data requester, and proceeding to step (2); (6) if said data request result is that the data has been located and a logical unit number is available for accessing said data request, locating data on said X-Drive corresponding to said data request and accessing said located data as directed by said data request; and (7) if said data request result is that the data is not available on said X-Drive, but available on yet another MAC address with corresponding LUN, referencing said corresponding LUN and forwarding said data access request to said corresponding LUN.
- 32. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said lookup table provides MAC/IP and latency data for available X-Drives.
- 33. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said lookup table provides global positioning data for available X-Drives.
- 34. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drives store data usage statistics including request time and geospatial information pertaining to both said requester and said requested data.
- 35. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drives off-load data retrieval and management functions from clients.
- 36. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drives cooperate with one another to achieve data processing and management goals.
- 37. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said logical file is abstracted to the client by the targeted X-Drive.
- 38. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said logical file is referenced by a centralized database.
- 39. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said logical file is referenced by a distributed database.
- 40. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said logical file is referenced by an instantaneous and temporary link.
- 41. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said logical file is reconstructed on or migrated to the initiating X-Drive.
- 42. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said logical file refers to block data within a larger entity, such as a database.
- 43. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drive employs usage statistics and automatically migrates data to geospatial points of most frequent access.
- 44. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drive optimizes data migration against usage statistics, against resource availability, and against programmed quota, network traffic, security, and redundancy requirement rules.
- 45. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drives are mobile.
- 46. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drives further comprise mobile data centers.
- 47. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said clients and said requesters are mobile.
- 48. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drives communicate securely with one another using data encryption.
- 49. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein network interfaces and concentrators including routers, switches, and hubs employ X-Drives to cache network traffic.
- 50. The distributed data storage access method of claim 31 wherein said X-Drives provide policy-managed “guest accounts” to facilitate data migration.
- 51. A data distribution system comprising:
a) data content resident on X-drive means, said data content produced by one or more content publishers; b) network means; c) target means; d) one or more data consumer(s); wherein
said network means connects both local and spatially diverse resources and entities; said X-Drive means is connected to said network means and serves as a content distributor and/or receiver via said network means; said target means is connected to said network means; said one or more consumer(s) retrieve said data content from said X-drives via said network means for utilization on said target means.
- 52. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said consumer(s) may contribute content up to said publisher for redistribution consideration.
- 53. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said publishers also act as data consumers.
- 54. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said consumer(s) also act as publishers.
- 55. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said data content is distributed among one or more content publishers.
- 56. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein a textual creative work is distributed.
- 57. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said data content is audio and/or video.
- 58. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said data content is software.
- 59. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said data content is encrypted.
- 60. The data distribution system of claim 51 wherein said data content cached for delayed playback on said target means.
- 61. A data distribution method comprising:
(1) storing a software product/application created by a content publisher on a provider X-Drive; (2) communicating between said provider X-Drive to one or more consumer X-Drives referenced by a target system; (3) distributing said software from said provider X-Drive to said consumer X-Drive; (4) propagating said software automatically to other consumer X-Drives via data mirroring, backup, and/or data migration protocols; and (5) optionally propagating software updates from said provider X-Drive to said consumer X-Drive.
- 62. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said provider and consumer X-Drives store software version, usage constraint, and time-stamp information for each item in distribution.
- 63. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said provider and consumer X-Drives incorporate authentication and secure communication methodologies.
- 64. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said consumer X-Drive optionally rejects said software updates.
- 65. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said consumer X-Drive optionally requests software updates based on aging or other criteria.
- 66. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said target systems optionally selects the best available software version published.
- 67. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said content publisher has the option of rolling a content X-drive back to a previously published software product/application.
- 68. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said target system has the option of rolling a content X-drive back to a previously published software product/application.
- 69. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said X-Drive has the option of automatically rolling back to a previously published software product/application in the event a software failure is detected.
- 70. The software distribution method of claim 61 wherein said target systems can each have unique check-pointed software product/application versions associated with said target system on said consumer X-Drive.
- 71. A data brokering and metering system comprising:
a) database means; b) X-Drive means further comprising metering means and access control means; c) network means; d) billing agent means; e) browser/display agent means; f) data consumer means; wherein
said database means is stored on said X-Drive means; said access control means authenticates said data consumer means and transactions for said metering means, and ensures secure communication over said network means to permit said data consumer means access to said database means under control of said metering means and said billing agent means; said metering means determines how much said billing agent means should pay to a data agent for access to said database means by said data consumer means; said billing agent means bills and collects compensation from said data consumer means and pays said data agent means; and said metering means, said billing agent means, said X-Drive means, and said data consumer means communicate via said network means.
- 72. A data brokering and metering method comprising:
(1) Establishing a relationship between a data consumer and a data agent with a common billing agent; (2) Programming distribution, access, and pricing information for said data product by said data agent; (3) Distributing a data product resident on an X-Drive, controlled by said data agent, to an X-Drive controlled by said data consumer; (4) Authenticating said data consumer then permitting access by said data consumer to said data product on said data consumer's X-Drive; (5) optionally logging consumer data access transactions in said data agent's X-Drive; (6) optionally applying pricing policy to consumer data access transactions; (7) Optionally invoicing said billing agent for data said consumer transactions; (8) Optionally securely propagating said data product to other consumer X-Drives via data mirroring, backup, and/or data migration protocols.
- 73. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said X-Drives store data product version, usage constraint, and time-stamp information for each item in distribution.
- 74. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said data product is displayed using a TV set-top box.
- 75. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said data product is used as input to a digital stereo receiver.
- 76. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said data product is used as input to a wireless access device.
- 77. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said X-Drives operate within a virtual private network.
- 78. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein the said X-Drives communicate directly with a display device.
- 79. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein the said X-Drive incorporates firewall functionality.
- 80. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein the said X-Drive incorporates encryption.
- 81. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein the said X-Drive protects data content in the event that network connectivity with said data agent's X-Drive is lost.
- 82. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein the said X-Drive erases local access keys in the event tampering is detected.
- 83. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein the said X-Drive accepts smart cards for authentication, access control, and/or a debit account for pre-paid access.
- 84. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said X-Drive accepts a CD-ROM, DVD, tape, Compact Flash, or other recordable media which contains a secured said data product.
- 85. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said X-Drive accepts and processes streaming content broadcast across a data network.
- 86. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein data authentication is controlled by access keys comprising access control lists.
- 87. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein data product consumer authentication further comprises biometric identification.
- 88. The data brokering and metering method of claim 72 wherein said X-Drive optionally accumulates, rejects, and/or removes non-authenticated data products under programmable policies.
- 89. A video display calibration system comprising:
a) digital interface and control means; b) translinear function generator means; c) horizontal sweep generator means; d) vertical sweep generator means; and e) video display means. wherein
said digital interface and control means permits interface/control of said translinear function generator means through a digital interface; said translinear function generator means accepts input from said horizontal sweep generator and said vertical sweep generator; said translinear function generator makes time-varying gain adjustments to the inputs of said video display means.
- 90. A video display calibration method comprising:
(1) configuring a translinear function generator through a digital interface; (2) accepting continuous input from a horizontal sweep generator into said translinear function generator; (3) accepting continuous input from a vertical sweep generator into said translinear function generator; (4) applying translinear functions in said translinear function generator to said horizontal sweep generator input and generating a translated horizontal sweep output; (5) applying translinear functions in said translinear function generator to said vertical sweep generator input and generating a translated vertical sweep output; (6) applying translinear functions in said translinear function generator to the results of said translated horizontal sweep output and said translated vertical sweep output and generating analog control signal outputs for a video display device.
- 91. The video display calibration method of claim 90 wherein said translinear function generator is under analog control.
- 92. The video display calibration method of claim 90 wherein said translinear function generator incorporates closed-loop performance feedback and auto-calibrates.
- 93. The video display calibration method of claim 90 wherein said video display device is a CRT.
- 94. The video display calibration method of claim 90 wherein said video display device is a LCD.
- 95. The video display calibration method of claim 90 wherein said video display device is a plasma display.
PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] Applicants claim benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 and hereby incorporate by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application for “DISTRIBUTED DATA STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD”, Ser. No. 60/351,668, docket RAH-2002-003, filed Jan. 24, 2002, and submitted to the USPTO with Express Mail Label ET702590370US.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60351668 |
Jan 2002 |
US |