Distributed Data Storage System and Method

• US 20160135318A1
• Filed: 11/10/2014
• Published: 05/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Julian Benedict Dean
• Original Assignee: Julian Benedict Dean
• Inventors: Dean, Julian Benedict
• Granted Patent: US 9,705,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/14 Protection against unauthorised use of memory or access to memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/28 Indicating or preventing prior or unauthorised use, e.g. cassettes with sealing or locking means, write-protect devices for discs write-protect devices for tapes G11B23/042, G11B23/08714; dummy cassettes for locking in the drive G11B33/005
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/08 Insulation or absorption of undesired vibrations or sounds
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/1446 Reducing contamination, e.g. by dust, debris
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/142 Contactless power supplies, e.g. RF, induction, or IR
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A system for storing long-term digital data comprises data storage equipment including one or more data storage devices 26 stored in a sealed data storage module 10, which is positioned within a data centre enclosure 101, which contains a body 12 that is surrounded by a strengthening shield 14. The body contains a network of tunnels 16. One or more data storage modules 10 are stored in a tunnel 16 that is inaccessible to human beings and comprises robotic movement means. Data can be stored before or after the data storage device 26 is sealed within the data storage module body. A utility distribution system can be positioned in proximity to the data storage module 10 for the utility distribution module to provide contactless power and network connection to the data storage module and for the data storage module to retrieve and transmit to the utility distribution module 34 data that is held in the data storage device 26. Powering of the data storage module occurs only when access to the data storage devices is required. One the other or both of the data storage module 10 and the tunnel 16 is operable to self-destruct when tampering is detected. The data storage module can also process the data stored under user instruction and store the results, including secure encryption and decryption of data.

Claims

1. A system for storing data, the system comprising:

at least one data storage module comprising an impervious sealed body containing data storage equipment, where the data storage equipment comprising a data storage device operable to store data to be archived; and

a data centre enclosure is operable to receive and to securely store the at least one data storage module, the data centre enclosure comprising at least one tunnel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises:

a robotic management system operable to move the at least one data storage module within the at least one tunnel;

a utility distribution module operable to distribute power and network connectivity to the at least one data storage module; and

an airlock door operable to control access to the at least one tunnels.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one data storage module comprises:

a data transfer module operable to transfer a representation of stored data from the at least one data storage module;

the system further comprising a utility distribution module, positionable in proximity to the at least one data storage module, the utility distribution module comprising an external data transfer unit operable wirelessly to receive a representation of archived data from the data transfer module.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a storage housing, adapted to contain the at least one data storage module disposed therein.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the storage housing comprises one of:

a tunnel; and

a micro storage enclosure.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the storage housing comprises:

a tunnel adapted to contain a utility distribution module, the utility distribution module including the external data transfer unit;

wherein the tunnel further comprises a robotic moving apparatus operable to move the at least one data storage module within the tunnel.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein:

the tunnel is one of a plurality of tunnels, and therein the robotic moving apparatus is operable to move one or mote data storage enclosures between the plurality of tunnels.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein the robotic moving apparatus comprises at least one of:

one or more railway tracks laid along the tunnel;

one or more pulleys moving and guiding a cable disposed along the tunnel; and

one or more robotic vehicles operable to pull and/or push data storage data storage enclosures.

9. The system of any of claim 7 or 8 where in the robotic moving apparatus comprises at least one of:

one or more railway tracks laid along the tunnel;

one or more pulleys moving and guiding a cable disposed along the tunnel; and

one or more robotic vehicles operable to pull or push data storage data storage enclosures wherein;

either the utility distribution module is maintained static within the tunnel and a selected data storage module is moved to be in proximity to the utility distribution module;

or

the at least one data storage module is maintained statically disposed within the tunnel and the utility distribution module is moved into proximity with a selected data storage module;

or

both the utility distribution module and the data storage module are moved within a tunnel until the utility distribution module is positioned in proximity to a selected data storage module;

or

or both the utility distribution module and the data storage module remain static and in connection between them is effected by other means.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one data storage module comprises:

a power supply;

the system further comprising an external power source;

wherein the power supply is operable to co-operate with the external power source to provide electrical energy to power the at least one data storage module.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein

the power supply is a contactless power supply;

and

the external power source is a contactless external power source.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one data storage device comprises at least one of:

hard disc drive memory;

ferroelectric integrated circuit memory;

ferromagnetic integrated circuit memory; and

flash memory.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein a body of the at least one data storage module is made from at least one of:

welded stainless steel;

welded metal;

brazed metal; and

composite material.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein:

the body is surrounded by a strengthening shield.

15. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

the tunnel is fabricated from stainless steel and is surrounded by concrete.

16. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

a floor of the tunnel is one of substantially level and substantially vertical.

17. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

the at least one data storage module is operable to self-destruct in an event of tampering.

18. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

the data centre enclosure is operable to self-destruct in an event of tampering.

19. The system according to claim 1 wherein a data transfer is achieved according to at least one of:

contactless data transfer; and

data transfer by way of contacts, plugs and sockets in a wall of the at least one data storage module; and

data transfer by optical means.

20. A method of storing data, the method comprising:

employing a data storage module to store data to be archived;

providing the data storage module as an impervious sealed body containing data storage equipment; and

securely storing the data storage module within a data centre enclosure operable to receive and securely store at least one data storage module

providing at least one tunnel in the data centre enclosure; and

employing a robotic management system to position the data storage module within the data centre enclosure.

21-29. -29. (canceled)