Removable storage media with improved data integrity

Abstract

A technique for storing or backing up data to a removable media such as a CD or DVD with an enhanced probability that such data can be successfully read or recovered from such media subsequent to the writing/storing/backing-up of the data. This enhanced probability is achieved by storing the data to be copied to the media in multiple different physical locations of the media, such that a plurality of duplicate copies of the data exists on the media. Because there are multiple copies of the data stored on the media, the probability of being able to successfully read at least one good copy of the data is enhanced. For example, if one of the copies cannot be successfully read due to an unrecoverable error, another of the copies can be used to satisfy the read or restore operation. It is also possible to read all copies of the data in response to a read/restore operation, and any differences in the read data will indicate an error with at least one of the copies. Selection of which copy to select and use to satisfy the read request is based on a vote, where the copies are matched against one another, and the copy having the most matches with other copies is deemed to be the good copy and is used to satisfy the read or restore operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.