Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

William E Stelzel

Anoop Gupta

Scott Randall Shell

Gary William Hall

Anh Phuong Tran

Andrew D Padawer

Miguel A Claudio

Katharine O Holdsworth

A pluggable file-based DRM (digital rights management) API (application program interface) layer for applications and engines. The invention defines a pluggable file-based DRM API layer such that mobile operators can choose to use any file-based DRM (FDRM) engine in their final product. An FDRM engine can be content agnostic (e.g., can range from an executable to a media file or ring-tone). In accordance with the invention, an application can become DRM aware by calling the novel file-based DRM APIs. Any FDRM engine can be plugged into the novel API layer such that applications can use the protected content. The API layer of the subject invention can be designed such that applications that are DRM aware by using the file-based DRM API layer can be DRM engine agnostic.

Pluggable file-based digital rights management API layer for applications and engines

Systems and methodologies that facilitate synchronization of a mobile device with a source, via employing a file change tracking database table created in non-volatile memory to designate files for synchronization. The subject invention includes a file modification logger that detects and track changes to files across multiple file systems. The file change tracking database table has a plurality of columns such as: a unique identification column that identifies a file, a file name, previous time the file was changed, and previous time the file was synchronized with a particular machine. A list of files that have changed between a current time and an earlier time can be designated for synchronization, by evaluating when was the file last changed and/or synchronized with a source device (e.g., a desktop, or a lap top.)

Persistent storage file change tracking

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Issaquah, WA, United States of America

William E Stelzel