Five new patents have appeared at the US Patent & Trademark Office. Here's a summary of each.

Patent number 20100257215 is for configurable offline storage. A method and apparatus for a configurable offline data store are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for a first set of one or more records from a client application, wherein the first set is remotely stored. The method further includes determining a second set of one or more records that is associated with the first set, wherein the second set is remotely stored. The method further includes fetching over a network the first set and the second set from a server data store unit; storing the first set and the second set in a client data store unit and providing access to the first set and the second set when the network is not operational. Bruce Gaya is the inventor.

Patent number 20100257179 involves methods and systems for managing data. Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata or indexes of content of files are disclosed. In one exemplary method, notifications to update a metadata database or an index database are combined into a combined notification. According to other aspects, an order among logical locations on a storage device is determined in order to specify a sequence for scanning for files to be indexed. According to another aspect, a method includes determining whether to index a file based on a path name of the file relative to a plurality of predetermined path names. The inventors are Yan Arrouye, Dominic Giampaolo and Andrew Carol.

Patent number 20100257396 is for time synchronization of multiple time-based data streams. Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata or indexes of content of files. In one exemplary method, notifications to update a metadata database or an index database are combined into a combined notification. According to other aspects, an order among logical locations on a storage device is determined in order to specify a sequence for scanning for files to be indexed. According to another aspect, a method includes determining whether to index a file based on a path name of the file relative to a plurality of predetermined path names. The inventors are James D. Batson, John S. Bushell, Gregory R. Chapman and Christopher L. Flick.

Patent number 20100253239 involves brightness control of a status indicator light. An apparatus and method for controlling the brightness and luminance of a light, such as an LED, is disclosed. The embodiment may vary the brightness and luminance of the LED in a variety of ways to achieve a variety of effects. The exemplary embodiment may vary the rate at which the LED's luminance changes, such that an observer perceives the change in the LED's brightness to be smooth and linear as a function of time, regardless of the ambient light level. Changes to the LED's luminance may be time-constrained and/or constrained by a maximum or minimum rate of change. Bryan Hoover is the inventor.

Patent number 20100254111 is for a system for coupling interfacing parts. An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first sub assembly having a first housing component. The first housing component has an opening. The electronic device also includes a second sub assembly having a second housing component. The second housing component cooperates with the first housing component to enclose components of an electronic device. The at least one internal component is accessible through the opening. The at least one internal component is also movable relative to the second sub assembly so as to properly align with the opening. The at least one internal component is additionally magnetically attracted towards the first housing component near the opening. The inventors are Chris Ligtenberg, John DiFonzo, Brett William Degner and John Brock.