Patent ID: 7657931
Filing Date: 2010-02-02
Classification: G06F,G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for quantifying the relative degree of uniqueness of data items in a repository of data items identified by digital fingerprints of their content, the method comprising: depositing blocks of data into the repository, with a plurality of blocks of data that are independently deposited but have an identical content stored as a single data item in the repository; creating an access-authorization credentials, that permits a repository client that has deposited the identical content into the repository to access the single data-items; determining with a processing system, in response to a request by the repository client, the number or an approximation of the number of access authorization credentials that allow access to the single data item; determining with a processing system, in response to a request by the repository client, the number or an approximation of the number of access authorization credentials that allow access to a second data item stored in the repository that is distinct from the single data item; returning the determined numbers to the repository client; and comparing the determined numbers to provide an estimate of the relative uniqueness of the single data item in comparison to the second data items.