Abstract: Information source agent systems and methods for distributed content storage and management using content signatures that use file identicality properties are provided. A data management system is provided that includes a content engine for managing the storage of file content, a content signature generator that generates a unique content signature for a file processed by the content engine, a content signature comparator that compares content signatures and a content signature repository that stores content signatures. Information source agents are provided that include content signature generators and content signature comparators. Methods are provided for the efficient management of files using content signatures that take advantage of file identicality properties. Content signature application modules and registries exist within information source clients and centralized servers to support the content signature methods.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for distributed content storage and management are provided. The distributed content storage and management system includes an indexed archive system; information source agents, information source clients; and a network to couple the information source clients to the indexed archive system. In an alternate embodiment, a legacy back-up system is also used. The index archive system includes an information entryway for gathering file information, a triage engine, an indexing engine, a metadata engine, and a content engine. These engines generate content indexes, metadata and metadata indexes from received files and store them along with the file content into a set of repositories, including an indexing repository, a metadata repository and a content repository. Methods are provided for the efficient retrieval and indexing of files, and for the storage of files, file content, content indexes, metadata and metadata indexes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cost effectively making video content available to users are disclosed. In particular, a prescient abundant viewer (PAW) is described. A PAW includes a content receiver, a media vault encoder, a media vault interface, a media vault decoder, a digital rights management module and an access rights module. A PAW stores and accesses content on a media vault. A PAW includes a smart card reader to support a plethora of authentication, billing, and access privilege scenarios. In another embodiment, a PAW includes a media vault interface and a media vault decoder. According to an embodiment of the invention, a media vault includes a high capacity IDE drive with special encoding to support sophisticated digital rights management and access rights management. Methods are provided for the storing, distribution and viewing of digital content stored on a media vault.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for distributed content storage and management are provided. The distributed content storage and management system includes an indexed archive system; information source agents, information source clients; and a network to couple the information source clients to the indexed archive system. In an alternate embodiment, a legacy back-up system is also used. The index archive system includes an information entryway for gathering file information, a triage engine, an indexing engine, a metadata engine, and a content engine. These engines generate content indexes, metadata and metadata indexes from received files and store them along with the file content into a set of repositories, including an indexing repository, a metadata repository and a content repository. Methods are provided for the efficient retrieval and indexing of files, and for the storage of files, file content, content indexes, metadata and metadata indexes.