Method and system for collecting information from computer systems based on a trusted relationship
First Claim
1. A method for retrieving data from devices, at each device the method comprising:
- receiving at this device from a previous device a request for data, the request requesting that data is to be collected from the device and returned to a requesting device;
when this device is to provide the requested data,updating by this device the request with requested data collected from this device;
when the request includes all the requested data, returning to the previous device the updated request;
when the request does not include all the requested data, forwarding to a next device the updated request; and
when this device is not to provide requested data, forwarding to a next device the request; and
when the request is returned from the next device, returning to the previous device the returned requestwherein the requesting device cannot determine from which devices the requested data was collected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for retrieving data from devices in a way that seeks to preserve privacy and ensure the integrity of the retrieved data is provided. A retrieval system is implemented on a network of devices that communicate with each other via a secure communications link. Each device is directly connected to one or more “friend” devices that it trusts. The retrieval system operates by forwarding a request for data from one friend device to another friend device. Each friend device may optionally add data to the request until all the requested data is added. The request with the retrieved data is returned to the device that initiated the request.
95 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for retrieving data from devices, at each device the method comprising:
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receiving at this device from a previous device a request for data, the request requesting that data is to be collected from the device and returned to a requesting device; when this device is to provide the requested data, updating by this device the request with requested data collected from this device; when the request includes all the requested data, returning to the previous device the updated request; when the request does not include all the requested data, forwarding to a next device the updated request; and when this device is not to provide requested data, forwarding to a next device the request; and when the request is returned from the next device, returning to the previous device the returned request wherein the requesting device cannot determine from which devices the requested data was collected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for retrieving data from devices, at each device the method comprising:
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receiving from a previous device a request for data; when this device is to provide the requested data, updating the request with requested data; when the request includes all the requested data, returning to the previous device the updated request; when the request does not include all the requested data, forwarding to a next device the updated request; and when this device is not to provide requested data, forwarding to a next device the request; and when a request is returned from the next device, returning to the previous device the returned request wherein this device is to provide requested data based on a probability distribution.
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13. A method for retrieving data from devices, at each device the method comprising:
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receiving from a previous device a request for data; when this device is to provide the requested data, updating the request with requested data; when the request includes all the requested data, returning to the previous device the updated request; when the request does not include all the requested data, forwarding to a next device the updated request; and when this device is not to provide requested data, forwarding to a next device the request; and when a request is returned from the next device, returning to the previous device the returned request wherein this device delays in returning a request to prevent the previous device from ascertaining whether this device provided the requested data. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for retrieving data from devices, at each device the method comprising:
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receiving from a previous device a request for data; when this device is to provide the requested data, updating the request with requested data; when the request includes all the requested data, returning to the previous device the updated request; when the request does not include all the requested data, forwarding to a next device the updated request; and when this device is not to provide requested data, forwarding to a next device the request; and when a request is returned from the next device, returning to the previous device the returned request wherein a device that starts the retrieval adds data to the requested data to make it difficult for another device to ascertain which device started the retrieval.
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16. A network of devices that provide requested data of users, comprising:
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a plurality of devices that each receives from previous devices requests for requested data of users, the requests originating from requesting devices, selectively updates the requests with the requested data so that a requesting device that originates a request cannot determine which devices updated the request with the requested data and thus maintaining privacy of the users, forwards the selectively updated requests to a next device, receives the returned requests from the next device, and returns the received returned requests to the previous device for returning to the requesting devices; and a communications link connecting each device to a previous device and a next device.
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17. A network of devices that provide requested data, comprising:
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a plurality of devices that each receives from previous devices requests for requested data, selectively updates the request with the requested data, forwards the request to a next device, receives the returned request from the next device, and returns the received returned request to the previous device; and a communications link connecting each device to a previous device and a next device wherein a device selectively delays forwarding requests to help prevent another device from detecting whether that device updated the request.
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Specification