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 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.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
39 Citations
32 Claims
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1. 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19)
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5. (canceled)
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9. (canceled)
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16-17. -17. (canceled)
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20. 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. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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21-24. -24. (canceled)
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26-28. -28. (canceled)
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29. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a device to participate in retrieval of data, by a method comprising:
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determining whether data is to be provided to a request for data; when it is determined that data is to be provided, adding data to the request; selectively forwarding the request for data to a next device to provide additional data; and returning to a previous device the request with added data. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32-39. -39. (canceled)
Specification