Shared internet storage resource, user interface system, and method

Abstract

The Shared Internet Storage Resource provides Internet-based file storage, retrieval, access, control, and manipulation for a user. Additionally, an easy-to-use user interface is provided both for a browser or stand-alone application. The entire method provides means by which users can establish, use, and maintain files on the Internet in a manner remote from their local computers yet in a manner that is similar to the file manipulation used on their local computers. A high capacity or other storage system is attached to the Internet via an optional internal network that also serves to generate and direct metadata regarding the stored files. A web server using a CGI, Java®-based, or other interface transmits and retrieves TCP/IP packets or other Internet information through a load balancer/firewall by using XML to wrap the data packets. File instructions may be transmitted over the Internet to the Shared Resource System. The user's account may be password protected so that only the user may access his or her files. On the user's side, a stand-alone client application or JavaScript object interpreted through a browser provide two means by which the XML or other markup language data stream may be received and put to use by the user. Internet-to-Internet file transfers may be effected by directly downloading to the user's account space.

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A system for providing shared Internet storage resources, the system comprising:
 one or more storage resources accessible by the Internet and including a plurality of storage areas for a plurality of users, the plurality of users comprising members of the public that subscribe to a service provided by a service provider; and   one or more servers configured with a set of programmable instructions to:
 provide user access to one or more of the plurality of storage areas via a client application that communicates with the one or more servers through the Internet, the client application allowing a first user to upload files to and download files from at least one storage area allocated to the first user; 
 receive a request from the first user to authorize a second user to access files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user; and 
 regulate access by the second user to the at least one storage area of the first user in accordance with the request. 
   
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein to provide user access to one or more of the plurality of storage areas, the one or more servers perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request from the first user to access at least one storage area, the request including authentication data associated with the first user;   verifying the authenticating data associated the first user; and   providing access, in response to verifying the first user, to the at least one storage area associated with the first user.   
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the authentication data associated with the first user comprises a user name and password. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files comprises one or more security protocols for limiting access to the files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files further comprises a selection of files the second user is authorized to access. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files comprises instructions to make one or more files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user publicly accessible. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files comprises instructions to make one or more files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user privately accessible. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein to authorize the second user to access files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user, the one or more servers perform operations comprising:
 allowing the second user to upload files to and download files from the at least one storage area allocated to the first user.   
     
     
         73 . A computer-implemented method for providing shared Internet storage resources, the method comprising the following operations performed by at least one processor:
 providing a plurality of storage areas for a plurality of users accessible by the Internet, the plurality of users comprising members of the public that subscribe to a service provided by a service provider;   providing user access to one or more of the plurality of storage areas via a client application that communicates with one or more servers through the Internet, the client application allowing a first user to upload files to and download files from at least one storage area allocated to the first user;   receiving a request from the first user to authorize a second user to access files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user; and   regulating access by the second user to the at least one storage area of the first user in accordance with the request.   
     
     
         74 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 73 , wherein providing user access to one or more of the plurality of storage areas comprises:
 receiving a request from the first user to access at least one storage area, the request including authentication data associated with the first user;   verifying the authenticating data associated the first user; and   providing access, in response to verifying the first user, to the at least one storage area associated with the first user.   
     
     
         75 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 74 , wherein the authentication data associated with the first user comprises a user name and password. 
     
     
         76 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 74 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files comprises one or more security protocols for limiting access to the files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user. 
     
     
         77 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 76 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files further comprises a selection of files the second user is authorized to access. 
     
     
         78 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 74 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files comprises instructions to make one or more files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user publicly accessible. 
     
     
         79 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 74 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files comprises instructions to make one or more files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user privately accessible. 
     
     
         80 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 74 , wherein authorizing the second user to access files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user comprises:
 allowing the second user to upload files to and download files from the at least one storage area allocated to the first user.   
     
     
         81 . A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations for providing shared Internet storage resources, the operations comprising:
 providing a plurality of storage areas for a plurality of users accessible by the Internet, the plurality of users comprising members of the public that subscribe to a service provided by a service provider;   providing user access to one or more of the plurality of storage areas via a client application that communicates with one or more servers through the Internet, the client application allowing a first user to upload files to and download files from at least one storage area allocated to the first user;   receiving a request from the first user to authorize a second user to access files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user; and   regulating access by the second user to the at least one storage area of the first user in accordance with the request.   
     
     
         82 . The medium of  claim 81 , wherein providing user access to the plurality of storage areas comprises:
 receiving a request from the first user to access at least one storage area, the request including authentication data associated with the first user;   verifying the authenticating data associated the first user; and   providing access, in response to verifying the first user, to the at least one storage area associated with the first user.   
     
     
         83 . The medium of  claim 82 , wherein the authentication data associated with the first user comprises a user name and password. 
     
     
         84 . The medium of  claim 81 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files comprises security protocols for limiting access to the files stored within the at least one storage area of the first user. 
     
     
         85 . The medium of  claim 84 , wherein the request from the first user to authorize the second user to access files further comprises a selection of files the second user is authorized to access.