Decentralized nodal network for providing security of files in distributed filesystems

Abstract

A secure method of maintaining and accessing files (for example, multimedia files) is provided. Each file is divided into fragments or slices and each slice is encrypted and stored on a separate node. Each node is also required to maintain an instance of a public block-chain (or distributed ledger) which holds conventional block-chain transaction information for managing payment for access to the files. Preferably, each node is also paid in digital currency both as a conventional block-chain miner for maintaining the public block-chain and also for maintaining the slices.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A computer implemented method of securely managing files among a plurality of computer nodes connected to a server over an internet, comprising the steps of:
 (a) receiving a plurality of files from one or more of the nodes;   (b) determining a number of the plurality of nodes currently connected to the server;   (c) for each of the plurality of files:   dividing the file into a number of unique slices of predetermined size,   encrypting each of the unique slices,   distributing the unique slices to the currently connected nodes such that no currently connected node receives all of the unique slices; and   (d) Repeating steps (b) and (c).   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein in the dividing of step (c), the number of unique slices is equal to at least the number of nodes, and wherein in the distributing of step (c), each currently connected node receives at least one of the unique slices. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of files are media files selected from audio files, video files, text files, image files, and audio-video files. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
 (a) receiving a request for a first file of the plurality of files from a first node of the plurality of nodes;   (b) transmitting a private encryption key to the first node;   (c) retrieving the unique slices corresponding to the first file from the currently connected nodes;   (d) decrypting the unique slices;   (e) accessing assembly information for the first file;   (f) reassembling the unique slices into an instance of the first file;   (g) encrypting the instance with a public key associated with the private key; and   (h) transmitting the instance to the first node.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein prior to step c, the method includes receiving payment for the instance in crypto-currency. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of transmitting the assembly information to each of the plurality of connected nodes as a distributed ledger transaction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the distributed ledger transaction includes information indicative of a price of the first file. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a viewing limit is associated with the first file, and wherein the method further includes destroying the instance when the viewing limit is exceeded. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transmitting payment in crypto-currency to an owner of the first file, where the step of transmitting payment comprises sending a distributed ledger transaction to each of the connected nodes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transmitting payment in crypto-currency to an owner of each of the plurality of nodes, where the step of transmitting payment comprises sending a distributed ledger transaction to each of the connected nodes, wherein an amount of said payment is proportional to an amount of storage on each node allocated to storing the unique slices. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the payment is also proportional to an amount of distributed ledger mining performed by each node. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transmitting payment in crypto-currency to an owner of each of the plurality of nodes, where the step of transmitting payment comprises sending a further distributed ledger transaction to each of the connected nodes, wherein an amount of said payment is proportional to an amount of distributed ledger mining performed by each node allocated to storing the unique slices. 
     
     
         19 . Non-transitory computer readable media, having stored thereon, computer executable process steps operable to control a computer to perform the steps of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         20 - 29 . (canceled)