Methods, systems, and computer program products for processing a data object identification request in a communication

• US 10,021,052 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2017
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motion Offense, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Sitting Man LLC
• Inventors: Morris, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US15/724,223
• Time in Patent Office: 280 Days
• Field of Search: 709206, 709205, 715752, 715760, 707999005
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/168 Details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems, e.g. browsing and visualisation, 2d or 3d GUIs query results presentation G06F16/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided that are configured to: display, at a first node, at least one first interface with a first user interface element and a second user interface element; display, at the first node, at least one second interface; generate a first message; display, at the second node, at least one third interface; generate a second message that does not include a file attachment with the second message; display, at the first node, at least one fourth interface with a reference to at least one file; and allow access, at the first node, to the at least one file.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

displaying, at a first node, at least one first interface with a first user interface element and a second user interface element, utilizing first hypertext markup language-equipped code that is received via at least one network, the at least one first interface for use in creating a file request requesting at least one file;

receiving, utilizing the at least one first interface at the first node, a file description via the first user interface element that includes a textbox, the file description describing the at least one file to be requested in connection with the file request;

sending, from the first node via the at least one network, the file description describing the at least one file to be requested in connection with the file request;

receiving, utilizing the at least one first interface at the first node, an indication of at least one of a date or a time via the second user interface element, the file request being based on the at least one of the date or the time;

sending, from the first node via the at least one network, the indication of the at least one of the date or the time on which the file request is based;

displaying, at the first node, at least one second interface with a third user interface element and a fourth user interface element, utilizing second hypertext markup language-equipped code that is received via the at least one network, the at least one second interface for use in causing the file request to be sent;

receiving, utilizing the at least one second interface at the first node, indicia associated with at least one email address via the third user interface element, the at least one email address for being used to send the file request;

sending, from the first node via the at least one network, the indicia associated with the at least one email address for being used to send the file request;

detecting, at the first node, a selection of the fourth user interface element, where the detection of the selection of the fourth user interface element indicates that the file request is to be caused to be sent;

sending, from the first node via the at least one network, an indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element for causing the file request to be sent;

after sending the indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element and based on the file description, the indication of the at least one of the date or the time, and the indicia associated with the at least one email address;

receiving, at a second node via the at least one network, a first message addressed to the at least one email address and including the file request, the first message indicating the at least one of the date or the time on which the file request is based, and further including a fifth user interface element and at least one sentence including the file description describing the at least one file that is requested in connection with the file request;

detecting, at the second node, a selection of the fifth user interface element of the first message, where the detection of the selection of the fifth user interface element indicates that the at least one file is to be uploaded to satisfy the file request at least in part;

sending, from the second node via the at least one network, an indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element of the first message for indicating that the at least one file is to be uploaded to satisfy the file request at least in part;

after sending the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element, displaying, at the second node, at least one third interface with a sixth user interface element and a seventh user interface element, utilizing third hypertext markup language-equipped code that is received via at least one network, the at least one third interface for use in uploading the at least one file to satisfy the file request at least in part;

receiving, utilizing the at least one third interface at the second node, a selection of the at least one file utilizing the sixth user interface element;

sending, from the second node via the at least one network, an indication of the at least one file for being used to upload the at least one file to satisfy the file request at least in part;

detecting, utilizing the at least one third interface at the second node, a selection of the seventh user interface element, where the detection of the selection of the seventh user interface element indicates that the at least one file is to be caused to be uploaded;

sending, from the second node via the at least one network, an indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element for causing the at least one file to be uploaded;

after sending the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element, receiving, at the first node, a second message that includes an eighth user interface element, and that does not include a file attachment with the second message, the second message indicating that the file request has been satisfied at least in part;

detecting, at the first node, a selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message;

sending, from the first node via the at least one network, an indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message;

after sending the indication of a selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message, displaying, at the first node, at least one fourth interface with a reference to the at least one file for use in providing access to the at least one file;

detecting, utilizing the at least one fourth interface at the first node, a selection of the reference to the at least one file, where the detection of the selection of the reference indicates that access to the at least one file is requested; and

providing access, at the first node, to the at least one file, utilizing the reference.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one first interface and the at least one second interface are separate windows displayed utilizing a single web page.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message is received utilizing a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) and the second message is received utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message and the second message are both received utilizing a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message is at least partially pre-written and is automatically generated without user involvement after the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element is sent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the date or the time of the indication of the at least one of the date or the time is a criterion, and access is provided to the at least one file based on whether the criterion is met.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the file description is capable of being received in response to a first single user input, and the indication of the at least one of the date or the time is capable of being received in response to a second single user input that immediately follows the first single user input.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message does not include the file attachment, for avoiding the at least one file from having to be communicated to and stored at the first node until the communication and the storage is initiated by a user of the first node.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a first user of the first node is capable of requesting the at least one file and accessing the at least one file, by permitting a second user of the second node to store the at least one file on at least one server that is accessible by the first user of the first node, without requiring the at least one file to be communicated from the second node to the first node as a message attachment, and further wherein the at least one file is to be uploaded to completely satisfy the file request.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a first node configured to;

display, at the first node, a first user interface element, a second user interface element, and a third user interface element, the first user interface element, the second user interface element, and the third user interface element for use in creating a file request requesting one or more desired files;

receive, at the first node, text associated with one or more desired files via the first user interface element that includes a textbox, the text describing the one or more desired files in connection with the file request;

send, from the first node via at least one network, the text associated with the one or more desired files describing the one or more desired files in connection with the file request;

receive, at the first node, an object associated with at least one email address via the second user interface element, the at least one email address for being used to send the file request;

send, from the first node via the at least one network, the object associated with the at least one email address for being used to send the file request;

detect, at the first node, a selection of the third user interface element, where the detection of the selection of the third user interface element indicates that the file request is to be caused to be sent; and

send, from the first node via the at least one network, a message associated with the selection of the third user interface element for causing the file request to be sent;

said first node further configured to communicate with a second node that is configured to;

after the message associated with the selection of the third user interface element is sent and based on the object associated with the at least one email address;

receive, at the second node via the at least one network, a first message addressed to the at least one email address and including the file request, the first message including a fourth user interface element and at least one sentence including the text associated with the one or more desired files describing the one or more desired files in connection with the file request;

detect, at the second node, a selection of the fourth user interface element of the first message, where the detection of the selection of the fourth user interface element indicates that at least one file is to be uploaded to address the file request;

send, from the second node via the at least one network, a message associated with the selection of the fourth user interface element of the first message for indicating that the at least one file is to be uploaded to address the file request;

after the message associated with the selection of the fourth user interface element is sent, display, at the second node, a fifth user interface element and a sixth user interface element, at least the sixth user interface element for use in uploading the at least one file to address the file request;

detect, at the second node, a selection of at least one file;

send, from the second node via the at least one network, a message associated with the at least one file for being used to upload the at least one file to address the file request;

detect, at the second node, a selection of the sixth user interface element, where the detection of the selection of the sixth user interface element indicates that the at least one file is to be caused to be uploaded; and

send, from the second node via the at least one network, a message associated with the selection of the sixth user interface element for causing the at least one file to be uploaded;

said first node further configured to;

after the message associated with the selection of the sixth user interface element is sent, receive, at the first node, a second message that includes a seventh user interface element, and that does not include a file attachment with the second message, the second message indicating that the file request has been addressed;

detect, at the first node, a selection of the seventh user interface element of the second message;

send, from the first node via the at least one network, a message associated with the selection of the seventh user interface element of the second message;

after the message associated with the selection of the seventh user interface element of the second message is sent, display, at the first node, an eighth user interface element associated with a reference to the at least one file for use in providing access to the at least one file; and

provide access, at the first node, to the at least one file utilizing the reference.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first node is configured such that:

the first message and the second message are emails;

the object is the at least one email address or an alias associated with the at least one email address;

the second message is at least partially pre-written and is automatically generated without user involvement after the message associated with the selection of the sixth user interface element is sent;

the at least one file is conditionally shared based on whether a date-related criterion or a time-related criterion is met;

the second message does not include the file attachment, for avoiding the at least one file from being communicated to and stored at the first node until the communication of the at least one file is initiated by a first user of the first node via at least one server that stores the at least one file.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions; and

one or more processors in communication with the at least one non-transitory memory, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to;

cause, at a first node, display of at least one first interface with a first user interface element and a second user interface element, utilizing first hypertext markup language-equipped code that is sent via at least one network, the at least one first interface for use in creating a file request requesting at least one file;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, a file description via the first user interface element that includes a textbox, utilizing the at least one first interface, the file description describing the at least one file in connection with the file request;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, an indication of at least one of a date or a time via the second user interface element, utilizing the at least one first interface, the file request being based on the at least one of the date or the time;

cause, at the first node, display of at least one second interface with a third user interface element and a fourth user interface element, utilizing second hypertext markup language-equipped code that is sent via the at least one network, the at least one second interface for use in causing the file request to be sent;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, indicia associated with at least one email address via the third user interface element, utilizing the at least one second interface, the at least one email address for being used to send the file request;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, an indication of a selection of the fourth user interface element, utilizing the at least one second interface, where the receipt of the indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element indicates that the file request is to be caused to be sent;

in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element and based on the file description, the indication of the at least one of the date or the time, and the indicia associated with the at least one email address;

generate a first message addressed to the at least one email address and including the file request, the first message indicating the at least one of the date or the time on which the file request is based, and further including a fifth user interface element and at least one sentence including the file description describing the at least one file in connection with the file request;

send, to a second node via the at least one network, the first message;

receive, from the second node via the at least one network, an indication of a selection of the fifth user interface element of the first message, where the receipt of the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element indicates that the at least one file is to be uploaded in response to the file request;

in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element, cause, at the second node, display of at least one third interface with a sixth user interface element and a seventh user interface element, utilizing third hypertext markup language-equipped code that is sent via at least one network, the at least one third interface for use in uploading the at least one file in response to the file request;

receive, from the second node via the at least one network, an indication of a selection the at least one file utilizing the sixth user interface element, utilizing the at least one third interface;

receive, from the second node via the at least one network, an indication of a selection of the seventh user interface element, utilizing the at least one third interface, where the receipt of the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element indicates that the at least one file is to be caused to be uploaded;

in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element, generate a second message that includes an eighth user interface element, and that does not include a file attachment with the second message, the second message indicating that the file request has been responded to;

send, to the first node via the at least one network, the second message;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, an indication of a selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message;

in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message, cause, at the first node, display of at least one fourth interface with a reference to the at least one file for allowing access to the at least one file at the first node.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the indicia associated with the at least one email address includes an alias associated with the at least one email address.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the indicia associated with the at least one email address includes the at least one email address.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one first interface and the at least one second interface are displayed utilizing a single web page.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one first interface and the at least one second interface are separate windows displayed utilizing a single web page.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first message is sent utilizing a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) and the second message is sent utilizing a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first message and the second message are both sent utilizing a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP).

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the second message is at least partially pre-written and is automatically generated without user involvement in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one of the date or the time of the indication of the at least one of the date or the time is a criterion, and the indication of the at least one file is received based on whether the criterion is met.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the file description is capable of being received in response to a first single user input, and the indication of the at least one of the date or the time is capable of being received in response to a second single user input that immediately follows the first single user input.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the second message does not include the file attachment, for avoiding the at least one file from having to be communicated to and stored at the first node until the communication and the storage is initiated by a user of the first node.

23. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a first user of the first node is capable of requesting the at least one file and accessing the at least one file, by permitting a second user of the second node to store the at least one file on at least one server that is accessible by the first user of the first node, without requiring the at least one file to be communicated from the second node to the first node as a message attachment.

24. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the display of at least one fourth interface is caused utilizing fourth hypertext markup language-equipped code that is sent via at least one network, and the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, an indication of a selection of the reference to the at least one file, utilizing the at least one fourth interface; and

in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the indication of a selection of the reference to the at least one file, allow access, at the first node, to the at least one file.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of:

said at least one first interface is an email interface;

said at least one second interface is an email interface;

said at least one third interface is an email interface;

said at least one fourth interface is an email interface;

said at least one first interface is a single interface;

said at least one second interface is a single interface;

said at least one third interface is a single interface;

said at least one fourth interface is a single interface;

said at least one first interface is an interface portion;

said at least one second interface is an interface portion;

said at least one third interface is an interface portion;

said at least one fourth interface is an interface portion;

said at least one first interface is an interface element;

said at least one second interface is an interface element;

said at least one third interface is an interface element;

said at least one fourth interface is an interface element;

said at least one first interface is different from the said at least one second interface;

said at least one first interface include a plurality of first interfaces;

said at least one second interface includes a plurality of second interfaces;

said at least one third interface includes a plurality of third interfaces;

said at least one fourth interface includes a plurality of second interfaces;

said display of the at least one first interface is caused by sending at least one message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one first interface is caused by sending a communication including a message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one first interface is caused by at least one inter-process message;

said display of the at least one first interface is caused by serving the at least one first interface via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one second interface is caused by sending at least one message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one second interface is caused by sending a communication including a message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one second interface is caused by at least one inter-process message;

said display of the at least one second interface is caused by serving the at least one first interface via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one third interface is caused by sending at least one message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one third interface is caused by sending a communication including a message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one third interface is caused by at least one inter-process message;

said display of the at least one third interface is caused by serving the at least one third interface via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one third interface is in response to the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element;

said first message is received in response to the indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element being sent;

said second message is received in response to the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element being sent;

said at least one fourth interface is displayed in response to the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message being sent;

said display of the at least one third interface is after the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element with at least one operation therebetween;

said display of the at least one third interface is after the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element with no operation therebetween;

said first message is received after the indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element being sent with at least one operation therebetween;

said first message is received after the indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element being sent with no operation therebetween;

said second message is received after the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element being sent with at least one operation therebetween;

said second message is received after the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element being sent with no operation therebetween;

said at least one fourth interface is displayed after the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message being sent with at least one operation therebetween;

said at least one fourth interface is displayed after the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element of the second message being sent with no operation therebetween;

said indication of the selection the at least one file is received utilizing the sixth user interface element, by utilizing the sixth user interface element to access another interface;

said indication of the selection the at least one file is received utilizing the at least one third interface, by utilizing the at least one third interface to access another interface;

said indication of the selection the at least one file is received utilizing the sixth user interface element, by utilizing the sixth user interface element to access another interface for file selection;

said indication of the selection the at least one file is received utilizing the at least one third interface, by utilizing the at least one third interface to access another interface for file selection;

said indication of the selection the at least one file is received utilizing the sixth user interface element, by utilizing the sixth user interface element to access a visual element for file selection;

said indication of the selection the at least one file is received utilizing the at least one third interface, by utilizing the at least one third interface to access a visual element for file selection;

said display of the at least one fourth interface is caused by sending at least one message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one fourth interface is caused by sending a communication including a message via the at least one network;

said display of the at least one fourth interface is caused by at least one inter-process message;

said display of the at least one fourth interface is caused by serving the at least one fourth interface via the at least one network;

said first hypertext markup language-equipped code is included in a first web page, the second hypertext markup language-equipped code is included in a second web page, the third hypertext markup language-equipped code is included in a third web page, and the fourth hypertext markup language-equipped code is included in a fourth web page;

said at least one first interface includes a user interface for a keyword based schema;

said first user interface element includes a match textbox user interface element for allowing a user to enter a keyword expression;

said at least one first interface includes a checkbox;

said second user interface element includes a match user interface element for allowing a user to enter a keyword expression;

said first user interface element and said second user interface element include sub-elements of a single user interface element;

said file description includes a criterion;

said file description includes one or more words;

said at least one of the date or the time includes a criterion;

said at least one of the date or the time includes the date;

said at least one of the date or the time includes the time;

said at least one of the date or the time includes the date and the time;

said at least one of the date or the time includes a textual description of at least one of the date or the time;

said at least one of the date or the time includes a selection of at least one of the date or the time;

said third user interface element includes a menu;

said third user interface element includes a textbox;

said third user interface element includes list box;

said third user interface element includes a drop-down lists;

said indicia associated with the at least one email is generated based on a user selection of the at least one email address;

said indicia associated with the at least one email is generated based on a user locating the at least one email address;

said indicia associated with the at least one email is generated based on a user input in connection with an email-related user interface element;

said indicia associated with the at least one email is generated based on a user entry of text associated with the at least email;

said indicia includes a text string that is associated with the at least one email address;

said fourth user interface element, the fifth user interface element, the seventh user interface element, the eighth user interface element, each include different buttons;

said fourth user interface element, the fifth user interface element, the seventh user interface element, the eighth user interface element, each include different controls;

said fourth user interface element includes a send icon;

said fifth user interface element includes a data object identification response icon;

said seventh user interface element includes an access button;

said seventh user interface element includes a reply button;

said eighth user interface element includes a context menu;

said eighth user interface element includes a get command option;

said eighth user interface element includes an access button;

said eighth user interface element includes a link;

said reference includes a uniform resource identifier;

said reference includes a link;

each instance of the causing includes directly causing;

each instance of the causing includes indirectly causing;

the file request being based on the at least one of the date or the time, by at least one operation in connection with at least one of the file request or a response thereto is conditionally allowed based on whether the at least one of the date or the time has passed;

said indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element, the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element, each include a signal;

said indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element, the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element, each include a message;

said indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element, the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element, each result from user input received via at least one input device in communication with the one or more processors;

said indication of the selection of the fourth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element, the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element, the indication of the selection of the eighth user interface element, each result from a selection of a reference associated with a corresponding user interface element;

said sixth user interface element prompts is capable of being utilized by causing a display of a file explorer interface;

said sixth user interface element prompts is capable of being utilized by causing a display of an interface for use in selecting the at least one file;

said sixth user interface element includes a list of a plurality of files;

said sixth user interface element includes a button control;

said sixth user interface element includes an access button;

said indication of the selection of the at least one file results completely from a manual operation;

said indication of the selection of the at least one file results, at least in part, from a manual operation;

said indication of the selection of the at least one file results from an automated operation;

said indication of the selection of the at least one file results in a communication of the at least one file over the at least one network;

said indication of the selection of the at least one file includes the at least one file itself;

said indication of the selection of the at least one file includes receipt of information associated with the at least one file;

said first message includes a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) message, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) message, a file transfer protocol (FTP) message, one or more transmission control protocol (TCP) data units, one or more IP packets, a;

email message, or a short message service message;

said second message includes a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) message, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) message, a file transfer protocol (FTP) message, one or more transmission control protocol (TCP) data units, one or more IP packets, a;

email message, or a short message service message;

said first message and said second message are transmitted via the same protocol;

said first message and said second message are transmitted via different protocols;

said first email is generated based on the file description, the indication of the at least one of the date or the time, and the indicia associated with the at least one email address, by being generated in response to the receipt of all of the file description, the indication of the at least one of the date or the time, and the indicia associated with the at least one email address;

or

said first email is generated based on the file description, the indication of the at least one of the date or the time, and the indicia associated with the at least one email address, by being generated only after the receipt of all the file description, the indication of the at least one of the date or the time, and the indicia associated with the at least one email address.

26. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the seventh user interface element, a creation of a representation of the at least one file is caused, at the first node, in a location among one or more folders on a file explorer interface that is not a web page and is displayed utilizing a client-based file explorer application, such that the at least one file is accessible via both the second message and the file explorer interface.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the second message is sent without including the at least one file as an attachment of the second message, and a storage at the first node does not store the at least one file when the creation of the representation of the at least one file is caused, both for avoiding the at least one file from having to be communicated to and stored at the first node until the at least one file is requested by a user at the first node using the representation or the reference.

28. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions; and

one or more processors in communication with the at least one non-transitory memory, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to;

send a first communication over at least one network that results in display, at a first node, of a first user interface element, a second user interface element, and a third user interface element, the first user interface element, the second user interface element, and the third user interface element for use in creating a file request requesting one or more desired files;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, text associated with one or more desired files via the first user interface element that includes a textbox, the text describing the one or more desired files in connection with the file request;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, an object associated with at least one email address via the second user interface element, the at least one email address for being used to send the file request;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, a message associated with a selection of the third user interface element, where the receipt of the message associated with the selection of the third user interface element indicates that the file request is to be caused to be sent;

in response to the receipt of the message associated with the selection of the third user interface element and based on the text associated with the one or more desired files and the object associated with the at least one email address;

generate a first message addressed to the at least one email address and including the file request, the first message including a fourth user interface element and the text associated with the one or more desired files describing the one or more desired files in connection with the file request;

send, to a second node via the at least one network, the first message;

receive, from the second node via the at least one network, a message associated with a selection of the fourth user interface element of the first message for indicating that at least one file is to be uploaded in response to the file request;

in response to the receipt of the message associated with the selection of the fourth user interface element, send a second communication over the at least one network that results in display, at the second node, of a fifth user interface element for use in uploading the at least one file in response to the file request;

receive, from the second node via the at least one network, a message associated with a selection at least one file for being used to upload the at least one file in response to the file request;

receive, from the second node via the at least one network, a message associated with a selection of the fifth user interface element;

in response to the receipt of the message associated with the selection of the fifth user interface element, generate a second message that includes an sixth user interface element, and that does not include a file attachment with the second message, the second message indicating that the file request has been responded to;

send, to the first node via the at least one network, the second message;

receive, from the first node via the at least one network, a message associated with a selection of the sixth user interface element of the second message;

in response to the receipt of the message associated with the selection of the sixth user interface element of the second message, send a third communication over the at least one network that results in display, at the first node, of a reference to the at least one file; and

allow access, at the first node, to the at least one file via the reference.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus is configured such that:

the first message and the second message are email messages;

the first communication, the second communication, and the third communication each include hypertext markup language-equipped code for being displayed via at least one web page;

the object includes the at least one email address or an alias associated with the at least one email address;

the second message is at least partially pre-written and is automatically generated without user involvement after the receipt of the message associated with the selection of the fifth user interface element; and

the message associated with the at least one file is conditionally received based on whether a date-related criterion or a time-related criterion is met.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in response to the receipt of the indication of the selection of the fifth user interface element, a creation of a representation of the at least one file is caused, at the first node, in a location among one or more folders on a file explorer interface that is not a web page and is displayed utilizing a client-based file explorer application, such that the at least one file is accessible via both the second message and the file explorer interface, wherein the apparatus is further configured such that the second message is sent without including the at least one file as an attachment of the second message, and a storage at the first node does not store the at least one file when the creation of the representation of the at least one file is caused, both for avoiding the at least one file from having to be communicated to and stored at the first node until the at least one file is requested by a user at the first node using the representation or the reference.