George Ta Hu, 5711000 Champagne Point Rd, Kirkland, WA 98034

6360364, Mar 19, 2002

Mar 17, 1999

09/271929

James S. L. Chen - Redmond WA
Stephen D. Flanagin - Redmond WA
George T. Hu - Redmond WA

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

G06F 9445

717 11, 711171

A base computer installs an application program to a portable computer by determining a size associated with the application being installed. The portable computer contains a built-in memory used for both program execution and data storage. Additionally, one or more memory expansion cards may be coupled to the portable computer. The base computer determines the storage space available in the built-in memory in the portable computer. If the storage space available in the built-in memory of the portable computer can accommodate the application, then the base computer installs the application to the built-in memory. If the storage space available in the built-in memory of the portable computer cannot accommodate the application, then the base computer determines whether a memory expansion card is coupled to the portable computer. If a memory expansion card is coupled to the portable computer, then the base computer installs the application to the memory expansion card. If multiple memory expansion cards are coupled to the portable computer, the base computer generates a list of all storage devices and requests that the user select the storage device for installing the application.

6633924, Oct 14, 2003

Oct 2, 1997

08/944948

Charles Wu - Bellevue WA, 98008
George T. Hu - Redmond WA, 98052
Jeffrey R. Blum - Seattle WA, 98102

G06F 900

709328, 707203, 709203

The invention includes a method of synchronizing objects between first and second object stores. A synchronization manager in accordance with the invention maintains a reference store containing identifying data segments corresponding respectively to a plurality of objects that have previously been synchronized between the first and second object stores. An application program that maintains the first object store has associated interfaces that allow the synchronization manager to compare and manipulate objects. One such interface allows the synchronization manager to submit an identifying data segment associated with a particular object. In response, this interface returns a handle that corresponds to the submitted identifying data segment. Another interface accepts a handle that refers to an identifying data segment, and determines if the object corresponding to the identifying data segment has been changed in the first object store since the last synchronization. If it has, the synchronization manager takes steps to update the second object store.

7669208, Feb 23, 2010

Aug 19, 2003

10/643710

Charles Wu - Bellevue WA, US
George T. Hu - Redmond WA, US
Jeffrey R. Blum - Seattle WA, US

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

G06F 13/00

719328, 719316, 707100

The invention includes a method of synchronizing objects between first and second object stores. A synchronization manager in accordance with the invention maintains a reference store containing identifying data segments corresponding respectively to a plurality of objects that have previously been synchronized between the first and second object stores. An application program that maintains the first object store has associated interfaces that allow the synchronization manager to compare and manipulate objects. One such interface allows the synchronization manager to submit an identifying data segment associated with a particular object. In response, this interface returns a handle that corresponds to the submitted identifying data segment. Another interface accepts a handle that refers to an identifying data segment, and determines if the object corresponding to the identifying data segment has been changed in the first object store since the last synchronization. If it has, the synchronization manager takes steps to update the second object store.

6240472, May 29, 2001

Oct 22, 1998

9/176779

George T. Hu - Kirkland WA

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

G06F 1312
G06F 1338
G06F 300

710 72

A method and system for sharing a communications port by running a communications program that only occupies the communications port when a user action indicates that the communications port is needed. The communications port is released when it is determined that the user no longer needs it, however the communications program continues to run. The communications program is implemented in a shell extension that separates its functionality into two states, a resident state that is essentially available at all times but does not occupy the communications port, and an exclusive state that intelligently occupies the communications port when needed. When a user intuitively opens a folder related to device communication, the communications program enters the exclusive state, and returns to the resident state when the folder is closed, thereby freeing the communications port for use by other programs. While in the resident state, the user can connect for network communications while leaving the communications port available.

6272545, Aug 7, 2001

Oct 22, 1998

9/177168

Steve Flanagin - Redmond WA
George Hu - Redmond WA
Haresh G. Ved - Bellevue WA
Charles Wu - Bellevue WA

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

G06F 1516

709228

A system and method of interaction between a computer, such as a desktop computer, and a plurality of mobile devices include storing a first identifier on a first mobile device and the computer, and storing a second identifier on a second mobile device and the computer, wherein the second identifier is different than the first identifier. A set of settings are stored in the computer referenced to each stored identifier for each respective mobile device. Upon connection of one of the mobile devices to the computer, the identifier stored in the connected mobile device is compared with the identifier stored on the computer. Interaction between the connected mobile device and the computer is controlled as a function of the stored respective set of settings if corresponding identifiers are found.

6125369, Sep 26, 2000

Oct 27, 1997

8/958658

Charles Wu - Bellevue WA
George T. Hu - Redmond WA

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

G06F 1730

707201

Disclosed herein is a system for synchronizing object instances between first and second object stores. The system includes a primary computer and a portable computer that is connectable with the primary computer for data communications. A first object store manager executes on the portable computer to maintain the first object store, and a second object store manager executes on the primary computer to maintain the second object store. In addition, a synchronization manager executes on the primary computer. The synchronization manager compares object instances from the first and second object stores in response to initially connecting the portable computer for data communications with the primary computer, and synchronizes any objects whose instances differ from each other. After the initial synchronization, the first object store manager initiates a notification to the synchronization manager whenever an instance of a particular object in the first object store changes. In response, the synchronization manager synchronizes the instances of the identified object in the first and second object stores.

6324544, Nov 27, 2001

Oct 21, 1998

9/176706

Salim Alam - Redmond WA
Vinayak A. Bhalerao - Redmond WA
Charles Wu - Bellevue WA
George Hu - Redmond WA
John I. Ferrell - Bellevue WA

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

G06F 1730

707201

First and second computing devices each contain an object store which store objects indicative of file data. Synchronization components are provided to synchronize the objects while efficiently overcoming problems associated with synchronizing files.

6128661, Oct 3, 2000

Apr 10, 1998

9/058685

Steve Flanagin - Redmond WA
Stephen Hou - Redmond WA
George Hu - Redmond WA
Haresh G. Ved - Bellevue WA

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

G06F 1516

709227

A system and method of interaction between a computer, such as a desktop computer, and a mobile device include storing an identifier on the mobile device and the computer. A set of settings are stored in the computer referenced to the identifier for the mobile device. A connection method is selected from a plurality of connection methods. Upon connection of the mobile device to the computer pursuant to the selected method, the identifier stored in the mobile device is compared with the identifier stored on the computer. Interaction between the connected mobile device and the computer is controlled as a function of the stored set of settings if corresponding identifiers are found.