Microsoft Assigned Four Patents

Distributed storage for collaboration servers
Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, has been assigned a patent (8,650,216) developed by Simon Skaria, Sammamish, WA, and Andrew Sean Watson, Seattle, WA, for “distributed storage for collaboration servers.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “Distributed storage of collaboration data is managed over internal and external data stores in a collaboration service environment based on categorization of the data. The categorization may be based on type of data (e.g. structured vs. unstructured), how the data is accessed, an expected storage life for the data, back-up requirements, and the like. Data that can be stored externally according to its category is then directed to the external storage through a storage provider. A unique identifier associated with the location of the externally stored data is saved in one of the internal data stores for seamless retrieval of data in a transparent manner to the user.”

The patent application was filed on May 31, 2012 (13/485,575).

Efficient data transfer to/from storage medium of computing device
Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, has been assigned a patent (8,645,435) developed by four co-inventors for the “efficient data transfer to/from storage medium of computing device.”

The co-inventors are Sachin Chiman Patel, Bellevue, WA, Andrew Martin Pearson, Yadhu N. Gopalan, Redmond, WA, and Richard Thomas Palm, Woodinville, WA.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “An application issues an application command to a file system of the computing device, where the application command includes a location of data at a source. The file system allocates space on a medium for the data and compiles a list including an identification of each portion of the medium that is to be used to store the data. The file system then issues a file system command to a block driver of the medium, where the file system command includes the location of the data at the source and the compiled list. The block driver contacts the source, requests the data at the location thereof, and writes the data to the portions of the medium included in the compiled list.”

The patent application was filed on Aug. 14, 2008 (12/191,424).

Storage codes for data recovery
Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, has been assigned a patent (8,645,799) developed by Jin Li, Sammamish, WA, Viveck Cadambe, Irvine, CA, and Cheng Huang, Redmond, WA, for “storage codes for data recovery.”

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A random permutation code is described which provides efficient repair of data nodes. A specific implementation of a permutation code is also described, followed by description of a MISER-Permutation code. Finally, an optimal repair strategy is explained that involves an iterative process of downloading the most effective available parity data, updating costs of remaining parity data, and repeating until the data is recovered.”

The patent application was filed on Dec. 31, 2010 (12/983,225).

Secure storage and retrieval incorporating human participation
Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, has been assigned a patent (8,683,549) developed by five co-inventors for “secure storage and retrieval incorporating human participation.”

The co-inventors are Arthur H. Baker, Brian J. Guarraci, Redmond, WA, Andrew Stewart Tucker, Seattle, WA, Gennady Medvinsky, Redmond, WA, and Tanmoy Dutta, Sammamish, WA.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: ” A computer related security mechanism requires that a human participate in an access verification sequence. Upon a request to access secure data, a puzzle is provided to the requester. Proper solution of the puzzle requires human participation. The puzzle is chosen such that its solution is within the capabilities of a human, but beyond the current state of the art for computer systems. The puzzled can be visually and/or audibly rendered to the user. In one configuration, the puzzle is obtained via a library of pluggable puzzle generators. Puzzle generators in the library can be replaced as the state of the art of computing technology improves.”

The patent application was filed on March 23, 2007 (11/690,685).