Microsoft patents file folders that merge similar documents into one item
Microsoft describes a system that groups multiple similar files into a single placeholder on your computer. When you click the placeholder, it shows the individual files and lets you open or edit them while keeping them synced with their original storage locations.
In the filing’s own words
Information is received indicating a plurality of files that are determined to be associated with a user's computing activity in the computing system and meet a criterion for being variants of one another. A polymorphic placeholder is generated that corresponds to the plurality of files. The plurality of files are selected based on a threshold relevance to the criterion, and the plurality of files are abstracted from underlying storage locations in the computing system.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method for implementing placeholder files in a file system for managing data in a computing system, the method comprising: determining that a plurality of files are associated with a user's computing activity in the computing system and meet a criterion for being variants of one another; in response to the determining, generating, on the file system, a polymorphic placeholder corresponding to the plurality of files, wherein the plurality of files are selected based on a threshold relevance to the criterion; generating a mapping of the plurality of files to underlying storage locations represented by the plurality of files; rendering the polymorphic placeholder on a user interface indicating the polymorphic placeholder as a file item within the file system, wherein the plurality of files are hidden from view when the polymorphic placeholder is rendered; in response to a user interaction with the polymorphic placeholder, rendering options for interacting with the plurality of files; based on the mapping, retrieving one of the plurality of files from a corresponding underlying storage location in response to selection via the options on the user interface; and based on the mapping, synchronizing changes to the retrieved file with a file at the corresponding underlying storage location represented by the retrieved file.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC)
- Official title
- POLYMORPHIC PLACEHOLDERS FOR FILE SYSTEMS
- Publication number
- US20260320002A1
- Application number
- 19180069
- Filed
- Apr 15, 2025
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 16/174 Physics & computingG06F 16/178 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.