Patent US6178536B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6178536B1
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Coding scheme for file backup and systems based thereon
Assignee: Trend Micro Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-14
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Granted: 2001-01-23
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Expires: 2017-08-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention concerns a method and system for protection against corruption of data. In order to backup files to be stored in a storage medium, a set of redundant parity symbols is computed by encoding cross-sections across said files using a systematic code. These parity symbols and the files are then stored for later retrieval. If some of these files are erased, corrupted, damaged or infected by a virus, they are reconstructed by decoding the surviving files and the parity symbols.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Bret Sorkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/08; G06F11/10; G06F11/1004; G06F11/1076; G06F21/00; G06F21/50; G06F21/55; G06F21/56; G06F21/562; G06F21/565
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
Method for backing up at least one file of a plurality of files stored in a storage medium, comprising the steps of: computing a set of redundant parity symbols by encoding cross-sections across said plurality of files using a systematic code, and storing said parity symbols.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method for backing up at least one file of a plurality of files stored in a storage medium, comprising the steps of: computing a set of redundant parity symbols by encoding cross-sections across said plurality of files using a systematic code, and storing said parity symbols.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein from time to time a new set of parity symbols is computed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a new set of parity symbols is computed upon request by an application program or upon request by a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said systematic code is either an error-correction code or an erasure code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said systematic code is a block code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said systematic code is a sparse code, and in particular a two-tree code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said redundant parity symbols and said plurality of files are stored in different logical or physical storage sections of one and the same storage medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said redundant parity symbols and said plurality of files are stored in separate storage media.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
118 words
Method for reconstructing a lost or damaged file, or a part thereof, stored in a storage medium in conjunction with at least one other file as a plurality of files, said method comprising steps of: performing a preliminary step of generating and storing a set of redundant parity symbols which are computed by encoding cross-sections across said plurality of files using a systematic code, decoding said set of redundant parity symbols and said lost or damaged file, or a part thereof, and applying an exclusive-or operation using said decoded set of redundant parity symbols and said lost or damaged file, or a part thereof, as input, in order to reconstruct said lost or damaged file, or part thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
Method for reconstructing a lost or damaged file, or a part thereof, stored in a storage medium in conjunction with at least one other file as a plurality of files, said method comprising steps of: performing a preliminary step of generating and storing a set of redundant parity symbols which are computed by encoding cross-sections across said plurality of files using a systematic code, decoding said set of redundant parity symbols and said lost or damaged file, or a part thereof, and applying an exclusive-or operation using said decoded set of redundant parity symbols and said lost or damaged file, or a part thereof, as input, in order to reconstruct said lost or damaged file, or part thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said systematic code is either an error-correction code or an erasure code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said systematic code is a block code.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said systematic code is a sparse code, and in particular a two-tree code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said redundant parity symbols and said plurality of files are stored in different logical or physical storage sections of one and the same storage medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the reconstruction of a lost or damaged file, or a part thereof, is initiated by a verification module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said verification module identifies said lost or damaged file, or a part thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said verification module computes a current checksum and compares it to a saved checksum to identify said lost or damaged file.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said verification module checks whether a set of files, a file, or a part thereof, has been corrupted by a computer virus.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for backing up a plurality of files stored in a storage medium, comprising: an input port for feeding said plurality of files in an encoding unit, said encoding unit for computing a set of redundant parity symbols by encoding cross-sections across said plurality of files using a systematic code, and a storage section for storing said parity symbols.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for backing up a plurality of files stored in a storage medium, comprising: an input port for feeding said plurality of files in an encoding unit, said encoding unit for computing a set of redundant parity symbols by encoding cross-sections across said plurality of files using a systematic code, and a storage section for storing said parity symbols.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 18 , additionally comprising an update unit which is employed to update said set of redundant parity symbols if one or more files of said plurality of files are changed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein said update unit is provided with old and new values of said one or more changed files, and which updates those parity symbols of said set of redundant parity symbols which are affected by the file change.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 19 , comprising a timer which triggers from time to time the computation of said updated set of parity symbols.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein said computation of an updated set of parity symbols is triggered manually or automatically.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein said systematic code used by said encoding unit is either an error-correction code, or an erasure code.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein said systematic code used by said encoding unit is a block code.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein said systematic code used by said encoding unit is a sparse code, and in particular a two-tree code.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein said redundant parity symbols and said plurality of files are stored in different logical or physical storage sections of one and the same storage medium.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein said redundant parity symbols and said plurality of files are stored in separate storage media.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 18 , further comprising a verification module which identifies corrupted, damaged or lost files.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein said verification module comprises a virus detection software for identifying files infected by a virus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein said encoding unit is also employed for updating said set of parity symbols.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein said systematic codes employed by said encoding unit preserve the original bits of said plurality of files such that said plurality of files stored in a storage medium are in the clear.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 18 , wherein said plurality of files are computer files stored in a storage medium that is at least one of part of a computer or bidirectionally coupled to a computer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 18 , wherein said system is part of a file backup system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 18 , wherein said system is part of a virus disinfection system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 18 , wherein said system is part of an anti-virus protection system.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for anti-virus protection of files, comprising the steps of: extracting redundant information pertaining to each file to be protected, computing and storing parity bits for the extracted redundant information, wherein each said file to be protected is one of a set of files and said steps of extracting and computing comprise steps of computing a set of redundant parity bits by encoding cross-sections across said set of files using a systematic code, and then storing said parity bits, detecting viral damage to one or more of said files to be protected, using the stored parity bits and said redundant information for files not affected by viral damage to restore the redundant information for the one or more files affected by viral damage, and using said redundant information and the one or more files affected by viral damage to restore each such file to its state prior to viral infection.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for anti-virus protection of files, comprising the steps of: extracting redundant information pertaining to each file to be protected, computing and storing parity bits for the extracted redundant information, wherein each said file to be protected is one of a set of files and said steps of extracting and computing comprise steps of computing a set of redundant parity bits by encoding cross-sections across said set of files using a systematic code, and then storing said parity bits, detecting viral damage to one or more of said files to be protected, using the stored parity bits and said redundant information for files not affected by viral damage to restore the redundant information for the one or more files affected by viral damage, and using said redundant information and the one or more files affected by viral damage to restore each such file to its state prior to viral infection.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 36 , wherein at least one file of the set of files has a length that differs from a length of others of the set of files.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |