Method and apparatus for determining and utilizing value of digital assets

Abstract

Systems and methods for protecting digital assets associated with a computing device are described herein. An example of a method according to the disclosure includes assigning at least one asset worth value to respective digital assets associated with a device, computing at least one device worth value using the at least one asset worth value assigned to the digital assets associated with the device, identifying at least one device worth value threshold, performing a comparison of the at least one device worth value to the at least one worth value threshold, and initiating at least one action with respect to the digital assets associated with the device based on the comparison.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computing device comprising:
 means for assigning asset worth values to respective digital assets associated with a device;   means for computing at least one device worth value based on the asset worth values;   means for comparing the at least one device worth value to at least one threshold; and   means for initiating at least one action with respect to the digital assets associated with the device based on a result of the means for comparing.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for assigning comprises means for assigning the asset worth values based on one or more value classifications. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for computing comprises means for computing the at least one device worth value based on one or more value classifications. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for assigning comprises means for assigning the asset worth values based on an attribute of the respective digital assets or metadata associated with the respective digital assets. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for computing comprises means for computing the at least one device worth value as a norm of asset worth values assigned to at least a portion of the digital assets. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for initiating comprises at least one of:
 means for generating a notification of the at least one device worth value; 
 means for restricting access to at least a portion of the digital assets associated with the device; 
 means for encrypting at least a portion of the digital assets associated with the device; or 
 means for maintaining backup copies of at least a portion of the digital assets associated with the device. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising means for obtaining the at least one threshold or a configuration for the at least one action via an external source. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising means for accessing at least a portion of the digital assets from a remote store. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the means for initiating at least one action is triggered by a remote entity. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product residing on a processor-readable medium and comprising processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor to:
 assign asset worth values to respective digital assets associated with a device;   compute at least one device worth value based on the asset worth values;   compare the at least one device worth value to at least one threshold; and   initiate at least one action with respect to the digital assets associated with the device based on a comparison result of the at least one device worth value and the at least one threshold.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to assign are further configured to cause the processor to assign the asset worth values based on one or more value classifications. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to compute are further configured to cause the processor to compute the at least one device worth value based on one or more value classifications. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to assign are further configured to cause the processor to assign the asset worth values based on an attribute of the respective digital assets or metadata associated with the respective digital assets. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to compute are further configured to cause the processor to compute the at least one device worth value as a norm of asset worth values assigned to at least a portion of the digital assets. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to initiate are further configured to cause the processor to initiate at least one of:
 generating a notification of the at least one device worth value; 
 restricting access to at least a portion of the digital assets associated with the device; 
 encrypting at least a portion of the digital assets associated with the device; or 
 maintaining backup copies of at least a portion of the digital assets associated with the device. 
 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein the processor-readable medium further comprises processor-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to obtain the at least one threshold or a configuration for the at least one action via an external source. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein at least a portion of the digital assets are stored at a remote store. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 10  wherein initiation of the at least one action is triggered by a remote entity.