Pocket backup storage system with cloud integration

Abstract

A variety of personal backup services now allow users to synchronise their files across multiple devices such as laptops and smartphones. These applications typically operate by synchronising each device with a centralised storage service across the Internet. However, access to the Internet may occasionally not be available, leaving any unsynchronised content in a vulnerable state. To address this, we introduce a cooperative backup storage system that could alternatively make use of storage capacity provided by other devices within close proximity, using ad-hoc or local network connectivity. Such devices can provide a secondary storage tier in case of Internet connectivity issues, and could also be used to forward files to central storage at a later time.