System and method for generating a consistent user name-space on networked devices

US8335836B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Brian S. Aust · Redmond, US
• David G. De Vorchik · Seattle, US
• Yun Lin · Kirkland, US
• Timothy P. McKee · Seattle, US
• Jason F. Moore · Kirkland, US
• Shishir Pardikar · Redmond, US
• Mohammed Samji · Bellevue, US
• David C. Steere · Bellevue, US
• Navjot Virk · Bellevue, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 2012
• Grant date: Dec 18, 2012
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F16/188
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Implementing a consistent user name-space on networked computing devices includes various components and methods. When a network connection between a local or host computing device and one or more remote computing devices is present, remote items are represented using the same methodology as items located on the host computing device. To the user, remote and local items are indistinguishable. When the network connection is lost or items located on a remote computer are otherwise unavailable, the unavailable items remain represented on the host computing device. Unavailable items are represented in a way that informs the user that the items may not be fully accessed.