US 12265715

A comprehensive analysis of United States Patent 12,265,715 reveals a system for managing data storage with customizable operational policies. The patent, assigned to Gaea LLC, details a method for a storage device to handle data based on user-defined rules, offering flexibility in how data is stored and retrieved.

Patent Details:

• Title: Data storage device with configurable policy-based storage device behavior
• Assignee: Gaea LLC
• Inventors: Joshua Johnson, Curt Bruner, Jeffrey Reh, Christopher Squires, Brian Wilson
• Filing Date: January 10, 2024
• Issue Date: April 1, 2025
• Abstract: The patent describes an apparatus containing a storage device and a device controller. The controller is equipped with memory that stores an application. This application, when executed, directs the controller to receive a storage request with content, retrieve a storage device policy that designates a set of storage locations, select a location based on this policy, store the content in the chosen location, and record the storage information.

At the time of this analysis, there is no specific litigation indexed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for US Patent 12,265,715. However, the assignee, Gaea LLC, has been involved in patent litigation against major technology companies.

Overview of Independent Claims:

The independent claims of this patent form the core of its protected invention. They describe a data storage system that can adapt its behavior based on a set of rules, or a "storage device policy." This allows for a more intelligent and flexible approach to data management than traditional storage devices.

Claim 1: A Method for Policy-Based Data Storage

This claim outlines a method for a data storage device to manage incoming data. In simple terms, when the device receives a request to store data, it doesn't just place it in the next available spot. Instead, it consults a pre-defined "storage device policy." This policy could, for example, dictate that certain types of data are stored in a more secure or a faster-access area of the storage medium. The device then selects the appropriate location based on this policy, stores the data, and records where it put it. This allows for customized storage strategies based on the nature and importance of the data.

Claim 8: A Data Storage Device with a Configurable Controller

This claim focuses on the physical apparatus itself. It describes a data storage device that includes a storage medium (like a hard disk or solid-state drive) and a "device controller." This controller is the "brain" of the operation. It contains memory that holds an application with a set of instructions. When a request to store data comes in, the controller's application executes a series of steps: it receives the data, checks the storage policy, chooses a storage location as directed by that policy, writes the data to that location, and then makes a record of this action. This claim essentially covers the hardware that is configured to perform the method described in Claim 1.

Claim 15: A Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium

This claim protects the software that enables the policy-based storage. It describes a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as a hard drive, flash memory, or a server from which the software can be downloaded) that contains instructions for a device controller. When these instructions are executed by a processor, they cause the storage device to perform the same intelligent storage process: receive a storage request, consult a storage policy, select an appropriate storage location, store the data, and log the storage information. This claim ensures that the unique software and its underlying logic are protected, regardless of the specific hardware it runs on.