Cleversafe Assigned Six Patents

Memory utilization balancing in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (8,874,868) developed by Andrew Baptist, and Greg Dhuse, Chicago, IL, for “memory utilization balancing in a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A method begins by a processing module identifying a memory loading mismatch between a first memory device and a second memory device of a dispersed storage unit, wherein the first memory device is assigned a first range of slice names and the second memory device is assigned a second range of slice names. The method continues with the processing module determining an estimated impact to reduce the memory loading mismatch and when the estimated impact compares favorably to an impact threshold, modifying the first and second ranges of slices names to produce a first modified range of slice names for the first memory device and a second modified range of slice names for the second memory device based on the memory loading mismatch and transferring one or more encoded data slices between the first and second memory devices in accordance with the first and second modified ranges of slice names.”

The patent application was filed on April 29, 2011 (13/097,338).

Appending data to existing data stored in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (8,874,991) developed by Jason K. Resch, Chicago, IL, for “appending data to existing data stored in a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A method begins by a processing module receiving a request to store data in dispersed storage network (DSN) memory and determining whether the data is to be appended to existing data. When the data is to be appended, the method continues with the processing module encoding, using an append dispersed storage error coding function, the data to produce a set of encoded append data slices, generating a set of append commands, wherein an append command of the set of append commands includes an encoded append data slice of the set of encoded append data slices and identity of one of a set of dispersed storage (DS) units, and outputting at least a write threshold number of the set of append commands to at least a write threshold number of the set of DS units.”

The patent application was filed on March 6, 2012 (13/413,302).

Pre-fetching data segments stored in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (8,874,990) developed by four co-inventors for “pre-fetching data segments stored in a dispersed storage network.”

The co-inventors are Wesley Leggette, Oak Park, IL, Ilya Volvovski, Andrew Baptist, and Jason K. Resch, Chicago, IL.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A method begins by a processing module receiving a data segment retrieval request regarding a data segment, which is stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory. The method continues with the processing module processing the data segment retrieval request, determining pre-fetch segment buffering information, and when the pre-fetch segment buffering information indicates pre-fetching one or more other data segments, generating one or more pre-fetch segment retrieval requests for the one or more other data segments, receiving, one or more sets of at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices, decoding, in accordance with a dispersed storage error coding function, the one or more sets of at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices to reproduce the one or more other data segments, and updating a pre-fetch segment buffer with the one or more other data segments.”

The patent application was filed on March 6, 2012 (13/413,261).

Rebuilding data on dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (8,880,799) developed by eight co-inventors for “rebuilding data on a dispersed storage network.”

The co-inventors are Lynn Foster, Oak Park, IL, Jason Resch, Chicago, Ilya Volvovski, John Quigley, Greg Dhuse, Vance Thornton, Dusty Hendrickson, Chicago, and Zachary Mark, Chicago, IL.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A rebuilder application operates on a dispersed data storage grid and rebuilds stored data segments that have been compromised in some manner. The rebuilder application actively scans for compromised data segments, and is also notified during partially failed writes to the dispersed data storage network, and during reads from the dispersed data storage network when a data slice is detected that is compromised. Records are created for compromised data segments, and put into a rebuild list, which the rebuilder application processes.“

The patent application was filed on March 31, 2008 (12/080,042).

Pessimistic data reading in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (8,880,940) developed by Greg Dhuse, Chicago, IL, for “pessimistic data reading in a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ” A method begins by a processing module receiving a data retrieval request and determining a read threshold number of dispersed storage (DS). The method continues with the processing module sending read request messages to DS units and receiving encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module determining an incremental number of encoded data slices based on the number of received encoded data slices, determining an incremental number of DS units, and sending a read request message to each of the incremental number of DS units when the number of received encoded data slices compares unfavorably to a decode threshold number. The method continues with the processing module dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded data slices to produce data when the number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the decode threshold number of encoded data slices.”

The patent application was filed on Oct. 1, 2013 (14/042,844).

Utilizing LAN and dispersed storage network memory to access data
Cleversafe, Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (8,880,978) developed by Jason K. Resch, Chicago, IL, Gary W. Grube, Barrington Hills, IL, and Timothy W. Markison, Mesa, AZ, for “utilizing a local area network memory and a dispersed storage network memory to access data.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A method begins by a processing module encoding data based on a decode threshold parameter and a pillar width parameter to produce a set of encoded data slices and selecting a local area network (LAN) pillar width value of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for storage in LAN available memories, wherein the LAN pillar width value is based on the decode threshold parameter, the pillar width parameter, and quantities of the LAN available memories. The method continues with the processing module selecting a wide area network (WAN) pillar width value of encoded data slices of the set of encode data slices for storage in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory of a wide area network, wherein the WAN pillar width value is based on the decode threshold parameter and the pillar width parameter.”

The patent application was filed on March 6, 2012 (13/413,469).