Cleversafe/IBM Assigned Thirty-Five Patents

Authenticating data access request to dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,143,499) developed by Resch, Jason K., and Leggette, Wesley, Chicago, IL, for a “authenticating a data access request to a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a data accessing module of a dispersed storage network, (DSN) sending a data access request to a data storage module. The method continues with the data storage module sending an authentication request to an authenticating module. The method continues with the authenticating module outputting a verification request destined for the data accessing module, wherein the verification request includes a verification code that is generated based on the authentication request. The method continues with the data accessing module outputting a verification response that includes a modified verification code that is generated based on the verification code and a credential. The method continues with the authenticating module outputting an authentication response to the data storage module, wherein the authentication response is generated based on the verification response. The method continues with the data storage module facilitating the data access request when the authentication response is favorable.“

The patent application was filed on January 6, 2014 (14/148,198).

Managing memory utilization in distributed storage and task network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,141,468) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “managing memory utilization in a distributed storage and task network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a distributed storage, (DS) processing module retrieving a data slice from a local memory and performing a partial task on the data slice. When the performing of the partial task is complete, the method continues with the DS processing module determining whether at least a retrieval number of slices of a set of slices of a data segment that includes the data slice is available from a set of DST execution units. When the at least a retrieval number of slices is available, the method continues with the DS processing module deleting the data slice from the local memory. When the at least a retrieval number of slices of the set of slices is not available, the method continues with the DS processing module determining whether execution of a task on the data segment is complete and deleting the data slice when the execution is complete.“

The patent application was filed on April 18, 2013 (13/865,679).

Adjusting data storage address mapping in maintenance free storage container
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,141,458) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “adjusting a data storage address mapping in a maintenance free storage container.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A maintenance free storage container includes a plurality of storage servers, wherein the maintenance free storage container allows for multiple storage servers of the plurality of storage servers to be in a failure mode without replacement. The maintenance free storage container further includes a container controller operable to establish a first mapping of a plurality of virtual storage servers to at least some of the plurality of storage servers and facilitate storage of encoded data slices in the at least some of the plurality of storage servers. The container controller is further operable to when evaluation of storage server utilization information triggers an adjustment, adjust the first mapping to produce a second mapping, facilitate storage of new encoded data based on the second mapping, and facilitate modification of storage of the encoded data slices stored in accordance with the first mapping based on the data storage adjustment criteria.“

The patent application was filed on April 18, 2012 (13/450,186).

Efficiently accessing encoded data slice in memory container utilizing memory bin
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,141,307) developed by Resch, Jason K., and Ma, Siyuan, Chicago, IL, for a “efficiently accessing an encoded data slice in a memory container utilizing a memory bin.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by receiving encoded data slices for storage. At least some of the encoded data slices have different data sizes. The method continues by accessing memory container information of the storage unit that includes a listing of virtual memory containers of the storage unit and, for each virtual memory container, bin identifier information. Each virtual memory contain is divided into bins, where the bins of a virtual memory container are of a substantially similar storage size. At least some of the virtual memory containers have different bin storage sizes. The method continues by mapping encoded data slices to virtual memory containers of the plurality based on data size of the encoded data slices and bin storage sizes of the virtual memory containers. The method continues by storing the encoded data slices in the virtual memory containers based on the mapping.“

The patent application was filed on February 18, 2014 (14/182,755).

Verifying encoded data slice integrity in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,141,297) developed by Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “verifying encoded data slice integrity 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 dispersed storage, (DS) processing module of a storage device receiving an encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices, where the set of encoded data slices has associated therewith a set of integrity values, and where integrity information is generated from the set of integrity values. The method continues with the DS processing module generating an integrity value for the encoded data slice and obtaining at least a portion of the integrity information from another storage device. The method continues with the DS processing module generating a comparative integrity value for the encoded data slice based on the at least a portion of the integrity information and facilitating storage of the encoded data slice in memory of the storage device when the integrity value compares favorably to the comparative integrity value.“

The patent application was filed on May 9, 2013 (13/890,510).

Pre-fetching data segments stored in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,137,303) developed by Leggette, Wesley, Volvovski, Ilya, Chicago, IL, Baptist, Andrew, Mt. Pleasant, WI, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “pre-fetching data segments 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 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 October 27, 2014 (14/524,037).

Identifying slice name information error in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,137,022) developed by Vas, Sebastien, Sunnyvale, CA, and Mark, Zachary J., Chicago, IL, for a “identifying a slice name information error 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 sending list digest requests to a set of dispersed storage, (DS) units. The method continues with the processing module receiving list digest responses from at least some of the set of DS units and determining whether an inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses. The method continues with the processing module requesting at least a portion of each of the slice name information lists from first and second DS units of the set of DS units and identifying a slice name information error associated with the inconsistency based on the at least a portion of each of the slices name information lists of the first and second DS units when the inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses.“

The patent application was filed on December 30, 2013 (14/143,471).

Storing data in multiple formats including dispersed storage format
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,135,115) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “storing data in multiple formats including a dispersed storage format.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a processing module of a dispersed storage network, (DSN) receiving data in a redundant array of independent disks, (RAID) format and converting from the RAID format to an original format of the data. The method continues with the processing module dispersed storage error encoding a data segment of the data in the original format to produce a set of encoded data slices, where a set of encoded data slices includes a decode threshold sub-set of encoded data slices and an error correcting sub-set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module converting the decode threshold sub-set of encoded data slices into a RAID formatted data segment, storing the RAID formatted data segment in RAID memory, and storing at least the error correcting sub-set of encoded data slices in DSN memory.“

The patent application was filed on August 8, 2014 (14/454,852).

Adjusting dispersal parameter of dispersedly stored data
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,135,114) developed by Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “adjusting a dispersal parameter of dispersedly stored data.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a processing module storing data files utilizing a dispersed storage error coding function that includes a pillar width parameter and a decode threshold parameter. The method continues with the processing module determining whether to adjust redundancy of the dispersed storage error coding function based on performance of the DSN. When the redundancy of the dispersed storage error coding function is to be adjusted, changing a ratio between the pillar width parameter and the decode threshold parameter and adjusting storage of one or more sets of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices based on the changing of the ratio.“

The patent application was filed on September 9, 2014 (14/481,245).

Modifying dispersed storage network event records
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,135,098) developed by Dhuse, Greg, and Vedpathak, Yogesh Ramesh, Chicago, IL, for a “modifying dispersed storage network event records.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a dispersed storage, (DS) processing module identifying a performance anomaly within a dispersed storage network, (DSN). The method continues with the DS processing module identifying a set of collections of records corresponding to the performance anomaly, wherein one of the set of collections of records includes an event record including information regarding an event, a first record including information regarding a dispersed storage, (DS) processing module processing an event request to produce a plurality of sub-event requests, and a plurality of records including information regarding a set of DS units processing the plurality of sub-event requests. The method continues with the DS processing module determining whether a reliable significance indication of the performance anomaly is determinable, and when the reliable significance indication of the performance anomaly is not determinable, modifying data collection criteria for one or more of the sets collections of records.“

The patent application was filed on July 12, 2012 (13/548,033).

Sending zero information gain formatted encoded data slice
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,128,870) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “sending a zero information gain formatted encoded data slice.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a dispersed storage, (DS) processing module determining whether to send an encoded data slice of set of encoded data slices in accordance with a zero information gain, (ZIG) format. When the encoded data slice is to be sent in accordance with the ZIG format, the method continues with the DS processing module selecting a partial encoding threshold number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices, wherein the partial encoding threshold number of encoded data slices does not include the encoded data slice and generating a set of ZIG encoded data slices based on a ZIG function and the partial encoding threshold number of encoded data slices, wherein the set of ZIG encoded data slices represents recovery information of the encoded data slice. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the set of ZIG encoded data slices.“

The patent application was filed on September 8, 2014 (14/480,139).

Distributedly storing raid data in RAID memory and dispersed storage network memory
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,122,628) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “distributedly storing raid data in a RAID memory and a dispersed storage network memory.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a processing module receiving redundant array of independent disks, (RAID) data and determining whether to store the RAID data in at least one of a RAID format and in a dispersed storage network, (DSN) format. The method continues with the processing module converting at least a portion of the RAID data into at least one set of encoded data slices when the at least a portion of the RAID data is to be stored in the DSN format. The method continues with the processing module outputting the at least one set of encoded data slices to a DSN memory.“

The patent application was filed on May 12, 2014 (14/275,814).

Updating set of memory devices in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,122,596) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “updating a set of memory devices in a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by tracking age related failure levels of memory devices within the storage unit. The method continues by maintaining a data location table that maps a range of DSN addresses allocated to the storage unit to the memory devices and further records storing of encoded data slices having specific DSN addresses within the memory devices. The method continues, when the age related failure level for a memory device compares unfavorably to a first failure level threshold, by determining to reassign a portion of DSN addresses assigned to the memory device. The method continues by identifying a second memory device having a corresponding age related soft failure level comparing favorable to the first failure level threshold. The method continues by reassigning the portion of the DSN addresses from the memory device to the second memory device and updating the data location table.“

The patent application was filed on April 21, 2014 (14/257,398).

Storing RAID data as encoded data slices in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,116,832) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “storing RAID data as encoded data slices 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 data for storage and interpreting the data to identify the data as RAID data. The method continues with the processing module interpreting the RAID data to identify at least one of RAID block data and RAID parity data. When the RAID data includes RAID block data and RAID parity data the method continues with the processing module encoding the RAID block data in accordance with error coding dispersal storage function parameters to produce at least one set of encoded data slices and outputting the at least one set of encoded data slices to a dispersed storage network memory.“

The patent application was filed on August 13, 2014 (14/458,686).

Correcting errant encoded data slice
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,116,831) developed by Dhuse, Greg, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “correcting an errant encoded data slice .”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a processing module decoding a set of encoded data slices to produce a decoded data segment and determining whether the decoded data segment includes an error. When the decoded data segments includes the error, the processing module identifies one or more errant encoded data slices by decoding another set of encoded data slices to produce another decoded data segment. The method continues with the processing module determining whether the other decoded data segment includes the error. When the other decoded data segment does not include the error, the processing module identifies the one or more errant encoded data slices and corrects the one or more errant encoded data slices. When the other decoded data segment includes the error, the processing module repeats, for yet another set of encoded data slices, the decoding step, the determining step, and the identifying and correcting step or the repeating steps.“

The patent application was filed on September 13, 2011 (13/231,332).

Failsafe directory file system in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,116,626) developed by Gladwin, S. Christopher, Chicago, IL, Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “failsafe directory file system in a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A file directory system comprises a directory file, a directory address for the directory file, and a directory address failsafe mechanism. The directory file includes one or more directory entries and one or more corresponding addresses for the one or more directory entries. The directory address failsafe mechanism functions to dispersed storage error encode the directory address to produce a plurality of encoded components of the directory address and transmit the plurality of encoded components of the directory address to a plurality of agent modules.“

The patent application was filed on April 21, 2014 (14/257,341).

Data transmission utilizing partitioning and dispersed storage error encoding
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,112,535) developed by Gladwin, S. Christopher, Chicago, IL, for a “data transmission utilizing partitioning and dispersed storage error encoding.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a first device obtaining data for transmission to a second device and partitioning the data to produce a plurality of data portions. The method continues with the first device dispersed storage error encoding the plurality of data portions using a plurality of sets of error coding dispersal storage function parameters to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices and transmitting the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the second device via a network. The method continues with a second device receiving at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices and dispersed storage error decoding the at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices to produce a decoded data portion for each set of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with the second device recapturing the data from a plurality of decoded data portions.“

The patent application was filed on October 3, 2011 (13/251,566).

Utilizing local memory and dispersed storage memory to access encoded data slices
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,110,834) developed by Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “utilizing local memory and dispersed storage memory to access encoded data slices.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a processing module establishing a dispersed storage, (DS) error coding function based on a number of local memories associated with the computing device, wherein a decode threshold number of the DS error coding function corresponds to the number of local memories. The method continues with the processing module encoding a data segment of data utilizing the DS error coding function to produce a set of encoded data slices, of which the decode threshold number of encoded data slices is required to recover the data and the set of encoded data slices includes a pillar width number of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module storing the decode threshold number of encoded data slices in the local memories and outputting a remaining number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to the dispersed storage network, (DSN) memory for storage therein.“

The patent application was filed on September 9, 2014 (14/480,945).

Non-temporarily storing temporarily stored data in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,110,833) developed by Gladwin, S. Christopher, Chicago, IL, Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, Dhuse, Greg, Chicago, IL, Shirley, Jr., Thomas Franklin, Wauwatosa, WI, Leggette, Wesley, Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, and Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, for a “non-temporarily storing temporarily stored data 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 dispersed storage, (DS) processing module receiving data from a plurality of sources and queuing the data for storage in a dispersed storage network, (DSN). The method continues with the DS processing module utilizing temporary dispersed storage error encoding parameters for efficient and reliable error encoded temporary storage of the data in the DSN. For a data object of the data temporarily stored in the DSN, the method continues with the DS processing module determining non-temporary storage parameters for the data object, retrieving first encoded data slices regarding the data object from the DSN, reconstructing the data object from the first encoded data slices in accordance with the temporary dispersed storage error encoding parameters, encoding the reconstructed data object in accordance with the non-temporary storage parameters for the data object to produce second encoded data slices, and storing the second encoded data slices in the DSN.“

The patent application was filed on May 8, 2013 (13/889,557).

Adjusting data dispersal in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,110,819) developed by Cilfone, Bart, Resch, Jason K., and Gladwin, S. Christopher, Chicago, IL, for a “adjusting data dispersal in a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins with a processing module determining that storage of data requires updating, wherein the data is stored as a plurality of sets of encoded data slices in DSN memory. For a first type of updating, the processing module increases the total number while maintaining the decode threshold number. The processing module then, for each set of encoded data slices, creates another encoded data slice in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function and the increased total number and sends the new encoded data slices to the DSN memory. For a second type of updating, the processing module increases the total number and the decode threshold number. The processing module then recovers the data and encodes it in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function using the increased total number and the increased decode threshold number to produce an updated plurality of sets of encoded data slices.“

The patent application was filed on January 6, 2014 (14/148,652).

Securing data segment for storage
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,110,593) developed by Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “securing a data segment for storage.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a dispersed storage, (DS) processing module encrypting a data segment utilizing an encryption key to produce an encrypted data segment and performing a deterministic function on the encrypted data to produce a transformed representation of the encrypted data. The method continues with the DS processing module masking the encryption key utilizing the transformed representation of the encrypted data to produce a masked key, partitioning the masked key into a plurality masked key partitions, partitioning the encrypted data segment into a plurality of encrypted data segment partitions, and combining the plurality of masked key partitions with the plurality of encrypted data segment partitions to produce a plurality of combined partitions. For a combined partition of the plurality of combined partitions, the method continues with the DS processing module encoding the combined partition using a dispersed storage error coding function to produce a set of encoded data slices.“

The patent application was filed on July 15, 2014 (14/331,676).

Storing data and metadata in distributed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,104,719) developed by Leggette, Wesley, Chicago, IL, for a “storing data and metadata in a distributed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins with receiving a data search criteria. The method continues by accessing a master database that includes a plurality of entries, wherein an entry includes a data name field, a metadata field, a data DSN address, and a metadata DSN address. The method continues by indexing the database based on a comparison of the data search criteria with metadata contained in the metadata field of the entries. The method continues by, when one or more entries of the database have the metadata that substantially matches the data search criteria, utilizing the data DSN address of the one or more entries to retrieve one or more sets of encode data slices. The method continues by decoding the one or more sets of encoded data slices to retrieve one or more data segments corresponding to the data search criteria.“

The patent application was filed on April 7, 2014 (14/246,253).

Securing data in dispersed storage network using encoding equation
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,104,691) developed by Resch, Jason K., and Leggette, Wesley, Chicago, IL, for a “securing data in a dispersed storage network using an encoding equation.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by dividing a data segment into data segment portions. The method continues by encoding the data segment portions to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data segment portions. A data segment portion is encoded by, first, selecting an encoding equation and an encoding constant(s). The encoding continues by setting a first variable to the data segment portion. The encoding continues by setting a second variable to one of a set of pillar numbers. The encoding continues by executing the encoding equation using the encoding constant, the first variable, and the second variable to produce one of the plurality of sets of encoded data segment portions. The method continues by arranging the plurality of sets of encoded data segment portions into a plurality of encoded data slices. The method continues by sending the plurality of encoded data slices to distributed storage units of a distributed storage network.“

The patent application was filed on January 16, 2013 (13/742,577).

Obtaining signed certificate for dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,104,541) developed by Resch, Jason K., Leggette, Wesley, Chicago, IL, and Baptist, Andrew, Mt. Pleasant, WI, for a “obtaining a signed certificate for a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a dispersed storage, (DS) processing module generating a certificate signing request, (CSR) that includes a certificate and a certificate extension, wherein the certificate includes information regarding a requesting device and wherein the certificate extension includes information regarding an accessible dispersed storage network, (DSN) address range for the requesting device. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the CSR to a certificate authority of a DSN and receiving a signed certificate from the certificate authority, wherein the signed certificate includes a certification signature of the certificate authority authenticating the certificate and the certificate extension. The method continues with the DS processing module storing the signed certificate for use when generating a DSN access request, wherein the DSN access request is requesting access to dispersed storage error encoded data in the DSN at an address within the accessible DSN address range.“

The patent application was filed on July 8, 2014 (14/325,604).

Storing data integrity information utilizing dispersed storage
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,098,441) developed by Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “storing data integrity information utilizing dispersed storage.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a processing module generating an integrity check value for each encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices to produce a set of integrity check values. The method continues with the processing module encoding the set of integrity check values to produce encoded integrity check values. The method continues with the processing module sending the encoded integrity check values for storage in a memory system.“

The patent application was filed on July 9, 2013 (13/937,400).

Detecting computing system basic input/output system issue
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,098,409) developed by Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “detecting a computing system basic input/output system issue.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins where a processing module accesses at least some of a set of basic input/output system, (BIOS) memories to retrieve a decode threshold number of encoded BIOS slices, where a BIOS program is dispersed storage error encoded to produce the set of encoded BIOS slices. The method continues with the processing module reconstructing the BIOS program from the decode threshold number of encoded BIOS slices. The method continues with the processing module detecting a BIOS issue based on one or more of an operational issue with one or more BIOS memories of the set of BIOS memories, a rebuild issue with one or more encoded BIOS slices of the one or more sets of encoded BIOS slices, and a modification to the BIOS program. The method continues with the processing module determining a BIOS change regarding the BIOS issue and implementing the BIOS change.“

The patent application was filed on June 11, 2014 (14/302,390).

Distributed storage network for modification of data object
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,098,376) developed by Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “distributed storage network for modification of a data object.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”In a dispersed storage network, data objects are dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices that are each stored in corresponding sets of storage units. To recover a data object, a read threshold number of encoded data slices from each set of encoded data slices of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices are required. Upon determining that an update is available for the storage units, a dispersed storage managing unit determines an updating sequence pattern that ensures that while one or more storage units are taken off line for the update, a sufficient number of storage units remain on line such that at least the read threshold number of encoded data slices are available for each set of encoded data slices.“

The patent application was filed on May 30, 2014 (14/291,205).

Distributing multi-media content to plurality of potential accessing devices
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,094,428) developed by Gladwin, S. Christopher, Chicago, IL, Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “distributing multi-media content to a plurality of potential accessing devices.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by receiving a first sub-set of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices. The first sub-set of encoded data slices includes less than a decode threshold number of encoded data slices. The method continues by sending accessing information regarding access to the multi-media content subsequent to receiving the first sub-set of encoded data slices. The method continues by receiving, as a favorable response to the accessing information, at least one of the encoded data slices of the second sub-set of encoded data slices such that at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slices have been received from the set of encoded data slices. The method continues by decoding the at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slices to recover the data segment.“

The patent application was filed on June 24, 2014 (14/312,823).

Retrieving access information in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,094,402) developed by Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, Grube, Gary W., Barrington Hills, IL, Gladwin, S. Christopher, Chicago, IL, Shirley, Jr., Thomas Franklin, Wauwatosa, WI, and Markison, Timothy W., Mesa, AZ, for a “retrieving access information 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 obtaining a set of recovered random numbers, decoding encrypted share slices to produce a set of encrypted shares, and obtaining a set of personalized authenticating values regarding user access to data. The method continues with the processing module generating a set of hidden passwords based on the set of personalized authenticating values, generating a set of blinded passwords based on the set of hidden passwords and a set of blinded random numbers, and generating a set of passkeys based on the set of blinded passwords and the set of recovered random numbers. The method continues with the processing module generating a set of decryption keys based on the set of blinded random numbers and the set of passkeys, decrypting the set of encrypted shares to produce a set of shares, and decoding the set of shares to reproduce the data.“

The patent application was filed on December 30, 2013 (14/143,583).

Virtualized data storage vaults on dispersed data storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,092,439) developed by Gladwin, S. Christopher, Dhuse, Greg, Thornton, Vance, Motwani, Manish, Volvovski, Ilya, Chicago, IL, Leggette, Wesley, Oak Park, IL, Bellanca, Jamie, Toledano, Sarah, Foster, Lynn, Chicago, IL, Oak Park, IL, and Mark, Zachary, Chicago, IL, for a “virtualized data storage vaults on a dispersed data storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins with a slice server receiving a request to access a virtual digital data storage vault. The method continues by determining whether the virtual digital data storage vault is a first virtual digital data storage vault or a second virtual digital data storage vault. The slice server supports a portion of each of the first and the second virtual digital data storage vaults. When the virtual digital data storage vault is the first or the second virtual digital data storage vault, the method continues by determining whether the request is valid. When the request is valid, the method continues by executing the request to generate a response.“

The patent application was filed on May 12, 2011 (13/106,577).

Indicating error within dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,092,386) developed by Baptist, Andrew, Mt. Pleasant, WI, Leggette, Wesley, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “indicating an error within 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 sending access requests to a threshold number of storage units of a dispersed storage network, (DSN) and receiving, from each of at least some of the threshold number of storage units, an access response or an error response. When one error response is received from a storage unit of the at least some of the threshold number of storage units in response to one of the access requests, the method continues with the processing module ascertaining a likely cause for an error corresponding to the error response. The method continues with the processing module determining, based on the likely cause for the error, whether to resend the one of the access requests to the storage unit, issue a modified access request to the storage unit, or send the one of the access requests to another storage unit.“

The patent application was filed on June 18, 2013 (13/920,708).

Facilitating access of dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,092,385) developed by Baptist, Andrew, Mt. Pleasant, WI, Leggette, Wesley, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “facilitating access of a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method begins by a dispersed storage, (DS) processing module generating a temporary public-private key pair, a restricted use certificate, and a temporary password for a device. The method continues with the DS processing encoding a temporary private key to produce a set of encoded private key shares and encoding the restricted use certificate to produce a set of encoded certificate shares. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the set of encoded private key shares and the set of encoded certificate shares to a set of authentication units. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the temporary password to the device such that, when the device retrieves the set of encoded private key shares and the set of encoded certificate shares, the device is able to recapture the temporary private key and the restricted use certificate for accessing a dispersed storage network, (DSN).“

The patent application was filed on August 16, 2012 (13/587,224).

Utilizing reachability set to manage network upgrade
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,092,294) developed by Kumar, Sanjaya, South Elgin, IL, Hoffman, Steve, Hendrickson, Dusty, and Cilfone, Bart, Chicago, IL, for a “systems, apparatus, and methods for utilizing a reachability set to manage a network upgrade.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A method of upgrading software components within a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A list of identifiers corresponding to devices within the dispersed data storage network is assembled. Each member of the list is assigned to an upgrade set based on the devices that are reachable by the vaults associated with the device.“

The patent application was filed on April 20, 2009 (12/426,623).

Access control in dispersed storage network
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,092,148) developed by Leggette, Wesley, Chicago, IL, for a “access control in a dispersed storage network.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ” A method begins dispersed storage error encoding data in accordance with dispersed storage error encoding parameters to produce a plurality of set of encoded data slices. The method continues by determining access control information for the plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues by determining whether one or more encoded data slices of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices has individual access control information. The method continues when the one or more encoded data slices has individual access control information by creating a plurality of sets of appended slices, which is done by appending corresponding individual access control information to each of the one or more encoded data slices and appending a representation of the access control information to remaining encoded data slices of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues by outputting the appended slices.“

The patent application was filed on March 24, 2014 (14/223,219).

Dispersed storage write process
Cleversafe, Inc., Chicago, IL, has been assigned a patent (9,092,140) developed by Cilfone, Bart, Chicago, IL, Baptist, Andrew, Mt. Pleasant, WI, Dhuse, Greg, Volvovski, Ilya, and Resch, Jason K., Chicago, IL, for a “dispersed storage write process.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ”A dispersed storage, (DS) method begins by issuing a plurality of write commands to a plurality of DS storage units. The method continues by receiving a write acknowledgement from one of the plurality of DS storage units to produce a received write acknowledgement. The method continues by issuing a plurality of commit commands to the plurality of DS storage units when a write threshold number of the received write acknowledgements have been received. The method continues by receiving a commit acknowledgement from a DS storage unit of the plurality of DS storage units to produce a received commit acknowledgement. The method continues by issuing a plurality of finalize commands to the plurality of DS storage units when a write threshold number of the received commit acknowledgements have been received.“

The patent application was filed on April 16, 2013 (13/863,475).