Encapsulation and decapsulation for data disintegration
US8520855B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2143
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A configuration for encapsulating data that is unreadable after a predetermined timeout. To encapsulate data a random data key is generated and split into shares. A threshold number of shares are needed to reconstruct the key. The shares are stored at random locations within one or more networks. Each location is configured to delete the stored data after a predetermined time period. Encapsulated data is created by creating a vanishing data object (VDO) comprising the encrypted data, and data sufficient to locate at least a threshold number of key shares from their stored locations. The VDO becomes inaccessible after enough shares of the data are deleted such that the data key cannot be restored. However, if prior to timeout a sufficient number of data key shares are located and retrieved the data key can be reconstructed. The reconstructed data key is then used to decrypt the original data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.