Storage-enabled facilities

• US 8,102,978 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zimba, Stephan P., Aultman, Joseph L. Sr., Olsson, Stefan, Slemmer, John Blake, Parsons, Chris, Nichols, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elahee, Md S
• Application Number:
  US12/576,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20100268744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.19, 379/88.13, 379/88.25, 370/353, 370/352, 709/227, 705/14.23
• US Class Current: 379/88.25
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling network facilities with data storage capability. A data connection is established to a storage device. Customer-defined electronic data is communicated to the storage device via the data connection. At least some of the electronic data may be managed according to a service level agreement.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing a remote data storage service to a subscriber, the remote data storage service comprising a network of shared, interconnected storage devices located in telecommunications central offices, the remote data storage service having a four layered framework comprising;

a fourth layer comprising a network transport that interconnects a third layer of the framework,

the third layer comprising a plurality of storage points of presence to communicate archival electronic data along the network of shared, interconnected storage devices, the plurality of storage points of presence interconnected via the network transport to communicate the archival electronic data along the network of shared, interconnected storage devices,

a second layer comprising a storage operating system that facilitates monitoring and management of the remote data storage service from a storage network operating center, and

a first layer comprising an application program;

receiving a selection from the subscriber of a central office in which the archival electronic data will be stored;

receiving the archival electronic data from the subscriber;

storing the archival electronic data in a storage point of presence of the plurality of storage points of presence associated with the central office selected by the subscriber; and

allowing the subscriber to manage the archival electronic data stored in the storage point of presence located within the central office.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising archiving the transferring the archival electronic data to another storage point of presence of the plurality of storage points of presence.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising archiving the archival electronic data to a mobile telephone switching center.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising retrieving a service level agreement.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing digital content within the central office.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising downloading the digital content to the subscriber.

7. A system, comprising:

a processor executing a software application that causes the processor to;

provide a remote data storage service to a subscriber, the remote data storage service comprising a network of shared, interconnected storage devices located in telecommunications central offices, the remote data storage service having a four layered framework comprising;

a fourth layer comprising a network transport that interconnects a third layer of the framework,

the third layer comprising a plurality of storage points of presence to communicate archival electronic data along the network of shared, interconnected storage devices, the plurality of storage points of presence interconnected via the network transport to communicate the archival electronic data along the network of shared, interconnected storage devices,

a second layer comprising a storage operating system that facilitates monitoring and management of the remote data storage service from a storage network operating center, and

a first layer comprising an application program;

receive a selection from the subscriber of a central office in which the archival electronic data will be stored;

receive the archival electronic data;

store the archival electronic data in a storage point of presence of the plurality of storage points of presence associated with the central office selected by the subscriber;

allow the subscriber to manage the archival electronic data stored in the storage point of presence located within the central office.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the software application causes the processor to receive a request for content.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the software application causes the processor to retrieve requested content from a central storage.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the software application causes the processor to stream the requested content to the subscriber.

11. The system according to claim 7, wherein the software application causes the processor to match stored content to a profile associated with the subscriber.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the software application causes the processor to notify the subscriber when the stored content matches the profile.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the software application causes the processor to charge a fee when the stored content matches the profile.

14. The system according to claim 7, wherein the software application causes the processor to charge a fee for storing the subscriber data.

15. A method, comprising:

establishing a data connection over a local loop;

communicating customer-defined electronic data over the data connection;

providing a remote data storage service comprising a network of shared, interconnected storage devices located in telecommunications central offices, the remote data storage service having a four layered framework comprising;

a fourth layer comprising a network transport that interconnects a third layer of the framework,

the third layer comprising a plurality of storage points of presence to communicate the customer-defined electronic data along the network of shared, interconnected storage devices, the plurality of storage points of presence interconnected via the network transport to communicate the customer-defined electronic data along the network of shared, interconnected storage devices,

a second layer comprising a storage operating system that facilitates monitoring and management of the remote data storage service from a storage network operating center, and

a first layer comprising an application program;

receiving a selection from a customer of a central office in which the customer-defined electronic data will be stored;

storing the customer-defined electronic data in a storage point of presence of the plurality of storage points of presence associated with the central office selected by the customer; and

allowing the customer to manage the customer-defined electronic data that is stored on the storage point of presence located within the central office.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising transferring the customer-defined electronic data to a different central office.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising permitting access to other storage points of presence located in other central offices.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising storing digital content to the storage point of presence.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising charging a fee for storing the customer-defined electronic data.