Method and apparatus for advertising objects

• US 20040172336A1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tradix AB
• Original Assignee: Tradix AB
• Inventors: Flodin, Kurt, Persson, Sten, Forsell, Peter
• Application Number:
  US10/373,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20040172336A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A method and apparatus for advertising objects offered in advertisements by a central server (104), which are accessible therefrom over the Internet to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing. A file request is received from a file requesting user terminal (102A) for a file indicated in an advertisement accessed from the central server. At least one file storing user terminal (102B) is then determined, for transferring the requested file directly from the file storing user terminal to the file requesting user terminal, or to another user terminal by remote control. File transfers to a specific registered user terminal over the Internet can be controlled by a customer from any user terminal, and regardless of whether the file is used for presenting advertised objects or otherwise.

Claims

1. A method of advertising objects, said objects being offered in advertisements stored in a central server, said advertisements being accessible from the central server over the Internet to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, the method comprising the following steps, executed in said central server:

A) receiving a request from a first user terminal for at least one electronic file used for describing and/or displaying one or more objects, the at least one file being indicated in an advertisement accessed from the central server by the first user terminal, wherein said at least one file is distinct from the one or more objects offered in the advertisement,

B) determining at least one second user terminal being registered with the central server as having the at least one requested file availably stored, in response to the received file request, and based on file information stored in a server database, and

C) initiating a communication connection between the first and second user terminals if the first user terminal requests a file transfer to the first user terminal, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the first user terminal.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the file is transferred from the second user terminal to the first user terminal by means of file transfer enabling computer programs installed in the first and second user terminals, respectively, without requiring any further action from the central server.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the initiating step C) includes sending a file transfer command from the central server to the first user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the first user terminal for pulling the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the first user terminal is first prompted to fetch said file transfer enabling computer program from the central server, if said computer program is not already installed in the first user terminal.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the second user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said file transfer command further includes said file transfer enabling computer program from the central server, if said computer program is not already installed in the first user terminal.

7. A method according to claim 2, wherein the initiating step C) includes sending a file transfer command from the central server to the second user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the second user terminal for pushing the at least one requested file to the first user terminal.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the first user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein a communication connection is initiated in step C) between the second user terminal determined in step B) and a third user terminal, if the first user terminal requests a file transfer to the third user terminal, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the third user terminal instead of to the first user terminal, wherein said first user terminal acts as a remote control user terminal from which the file request is received in step A).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program has previously been installed in the third user terminal, enabling the third user terminal to receive the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein a customer controlling the first and third user terminals has been assigned a login ID/password combination which is valid for at least the third user terminal, such that a remote file request can be sent from any terminal, provided that the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

12. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of registering the first user terminal with the central server as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the first user terminal enables the first user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step B) includes retrieving from a server database of the central server information on the at least one requested file, said server database comprising stored file information on a plurality of files and their associated user terminals in which those files are locally stored.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the retrieved file information includes a file format.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the retrieved file information includes a file size.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the retrieved file information further includes a network address of said second user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in said second user terminal.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of electronic files are indicated in the advertisement.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the central server serves as a trading site for offering objects to customers.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the advertisements stored in the central server concern objects offered for sale or exchange or hire/rent or giveaway or publication or as wanted.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the file request concerns at least one of the following file types:

text, image, voice, audio and video in any size and in any format or format combination.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of user terminals are determined in step B), wherein the at least one requested file is availably stored in each of the determined user terminals.

22. A method according to claim 21, comprising the further step of, before the initiating step C), selecting the most rapidly transmitting user terminals, out of the determined user terminals, for file transfer, from which the at least one requested file can be transferred by using the highest possible transmission rate.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the most rapidly transmitting user terminals are selected for file transfer based on transmission rates stored in the central server for the user terminals determined in step B).

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the stored transmission rate for each user terminal is updated dynamically by means of a previously installed transmission rate computer program adapted to measure the transmission rate for executed file transfers and report the measurement results by sending a transmission rate report to the central server.

25. A method according to claim 21, wherein different portions of the at least one requested file are transferred substantially simultaneously from the selected plurality of user terminals, to provide the complete at least one requested file to the first user terminal.

26. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of creating and storing in the central server at least one client profile for advertisements, wherein the client profile is defined by profile data and is associated with a set of advertisements.

27. A method according to claim 26, comprising the further step of assigning a login ID/password combination to the client profile, authorizing the client to modify the profile and to add or remove advertisements associated with the profile, if the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the assigned login ID/password combination can also be used for controlling file transfers to user terminals.

29. A method according to claim 26, wherein the profile data include at least one of:

contact information, geographical location, charging parameters, and one or more object categories.

30. A method according to claim 26, wherein the created at least one client profile can be used by customers for searching advertisements.

31. A method according to claim 26, wherein the created at least one client profile comprises a plurality of client subprofiles, each client subprofile being valid for a predetermined set of advertisements.

32. A method according to claim 1, wherein before steps A)-C) are executed, a client is registered with the central server including defining client data, said advertisement is created in the central server for the registered client based on the defined client data, and information on said at least one file indicated in the advertisement and the second user terminal is stored in the central server, wherein said second user terminal is controlled by the registered client and has the file originally stored.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the advertisement is automatically created for one or more objects if a predefined condition is fulfilled, according to the defined client data, wherein the advertisement is automatically created by means of an auto-client computer program adapted to check whether said predefined condition is fulfilled.

34. A method according to claim 33, said one or more objects having previously been offered for sale otherwise than by advertising in the central server, wherein the advertisement is automatically created if the one or more objects have remained unsold during a preset time period.

35. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of receiving from a file storing user terminal a file availability report comprising information on which files are available for file transfer, and updating the central server according to the received file availability report.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the file availability report is received periodically or when the file availability in the file storing user terminal is changed.

37. A method according to claim 1, wherein user messages, such as chat messages, can be exchanged between the first and second user terminals after the communication connection has been initiated in step C).

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein user messages are exchanged comprising a negotiation for an advertised object.

39. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second user terminals is a mobile phone.

40. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one file indicated in the advertisement is tagged with an identity code identifying the file, wherein the identity code is used for retrieving the file from said second user terminal.

41. A method according to claim 1, wherein a partially transferred file is stored in a user terminal receiving a file transfer, if a first file transfer attempt has been interrupted, and that only the remainder of the partially stored file is transferred in a second attempt.

42. A central server for advertising objects, said objects being offered in advertisements stored in the central server, said advertisements being accessible from the central server over the Internet to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, the central server comprising:

a receiving unit adapted to receive a request from a first user terminal for at least one electronic file used for describing and/or displaying one or more objects, the at least one file being indicated in an advertisement accessed from the central server by the first user terminal, wherein said at least one file is distinct from the one or more objects offered in the advertisement,

a server database for storing file information on a plurality of files and their associated user terminals in which those files are locally stored,

a logic unit adapted to determine at least one second user terminal being registered with the central server as having the at least one requested file availably stored therein, in response to the received file request, and

a transmitting unit adapted to initiate a communication connection between the first and second user terminals if the first user terminal requests a file transfer to the first user terminal, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the first user terminal.

43. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the central server is adapted to send file transfer enabling computer programs to the first and second user terminals, enabling the file to be transferred from the second user terminal to the first user terminal, without requiring any further action from the central server.

44. A central server according to claim 43, wherein the central server is further adapted to send a file transfer command to the first user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the first user terminal for pulling the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

45. A central server according to claim 44, wherein the central server is further adapted to first prompt the first user terminal to fetch said file transfer enabling computer program from the central server, if said computer program is not already installed in the first user terminal.

46. A central server according to claim 43, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the second user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

47. A central server according to claim 46, wherein said file transfer command further includes said file transfer enabling computer program from the central server, if said computer program is not already installed in the first user terminal.

48. A central server according to claim 43, wherein the central server is further adapted to send a file transfer command to the second user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the second user terminal for pushing the at least one requested file to the first user terminal.

49. A central server according to claim 48, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the first user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

50. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the transmitting unit is adapted to initiate a communication connection between the second user terminal and a third user terminal, if the first user terminal requests a file transfer to the third user terminal, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the third user terminal, wherein said first user terminal acts as a remote control user terminal.

51. A central server according to claim 50, wherein the transmitting unit is further adapted to send a file transfer enabling computer program to the third user terminal, enabling the third user terminal to receive the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

52. A central server according to claim 50, wherein the central server is further adapted to assign a login ID/password combination, which is valid for at least the third user terminal, to a customer controlling the first and third user terminals, such that a remote file request can be sent from any terminal, provided that the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

53. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the central server is further adapted to register the first user terminal with the central server as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the first user terminal enables the first user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.

54. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the logic unit is adapted to retrieve from the server database information on said second user terminal and the at least one requested file.

55. A central server according to claim 54, wherein the retrieved file information includes a network address of said second user terminal and the storing location of the at least one requested file in said second user terminal.

56. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the central server is adapted to serve as a trading site for offering objects to customers.

57. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the logic unit is adapted to determine a plurality of user terminals, wherein the at least one requested file is availably stored in each of the determined user terminals.

58. A central server according to claim 57, wherein the logic unit is further adapted to select the most rapidly transmitting user terminals, out of the determined user terminals, for file transfer, from which the at least one requested file can be transferred by using the highest possible transmission rate.

59. A central server according to claim 58, wherein the logic unit is further adapted to select the most rapidly transmitting user terminals for file transfer, based on transmission rates stored in the server database for the determined user terminals.

60. A central server according to claim 59, wherein the logic unit is further adapted to update the stored transmission rate dynamically for each user terminal, based on executed file transfers.

61. A central server according to claim 59, wherein the logic unit is further adapted to select a plurality of user terminals for file transfer, out of the determined user terminals, such that different portions of the at least one requested file can be transferred substantially simultaneously from the selected plurality of user terminals, to provide the complete at least one requested file to the first user terminal.

62. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the logic unit is adapted to create and store in the central server at least one client profile for advertisements, wherein the client profile is defined by profile data and is associated with a set of advertisements.

63. A central server according to claim 62, wherein the central server is further adapted to assign a login ID/password combination to the client profile, authorizing the client to modify the profile and to add or remove advertisements associated with the profile, if the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

64. A central server according to claim 63, wherein the assigned login ID/password combination can also be used for controlling file transfers to user terminals.

65. A central server according to claim 62, wherein the profile data include at least one of:

contact information, geographical location, charging parameters, and one or more object categories.

66. A central server according to claim 62, wherein the created at least one client profile can be used by customers for searching advertisements.

67. A central server according to claim 62, wherein the created at least one client profile comprises a plurality of client subprofiles, each client subprofile being valid for a predetermined set of advertisements.

68. A central server according to claim 42, comprising a registration unit adapted to register a client with the central server including defining client data, to create the advertisement in the central server for the registered client based on the defined client data, and to store in the server database information on said at least one file indicated in the advertisement and the second user terminal, wherein said second user terminal is controlled by the registered client and has the file originally stored.

69. A central server according to claim 68, wherein the registration unit is further adapted to create the advertisement for one or more objects automatically if a predefined condition is fulfilled, according to the defined client data, wherein the advertisement is automatically created by means of an auto-client computer program adapted to check whether said predefined condition is fulfilled.

70. A central server according to claim 69, said one or more objects having previously been offered for sale otherwise than by advertising in the central server, wherein the registration unit is further adapted to automatically create the advertisement if the one or more objects have remained unsold during a preset time period.

71. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the receiving unit is further adapted to receive from a file storing user terminal a file availability report comprising information on which files are available for file transfer, wherein the logic unit is adapted to update the server database according to the received file availability report.

72. A central server according to claim 42, wherein the logic unit is adapted to tag said at least one file indicated in the advertisement with an identity code identifying the file, wherein the identity code is used for retrieving the file from said second user terminal.

73. A method of advertising objects, said objects being offered in advertisements stored in a central server, said advertisements being accessible from the central server over the Internet to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, comprising the following steps, executed in said central server:

a) registering a client with the central server including defining client data,

b) creating an advertisement in the central server for the registered client based on the defined client data,

c) indicating in the advertisement at least one file being stored locally in at least one registered user terminal, wherein the at least one indicated file is used for describing and/or displaying one or more objects offered in the advertisement, and wherein the at least one indicated file is distinct from the one or more objects offered in the advertisement,

d) storing information in a server database of the central server on the at least one indicated file and the at least one file storing user terminal, and

e) initiating a communication connection for transferring the at least one indicated file from the file storing user terminal to a file requesting user terminal accessing the advertisement from the central server and requesting that file.

74. A method according to claim 73, comprising the further step of registering the file requesting user terminal with the central server as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the file requesting user terminal enables the file requesting user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.

75. A method according to claim 73, comprising the further step of creating and storing in the central server at least one client profile for the registered client, wherein the client profile is defined by profile data and is associated with a set of advertisements.

76. A method according to claim 75, comprising the further step of assigning a login ID/password combination to the client profile, authorizing the registered client to modify the profile and to add or remove advertisements associated with the profile, if the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

77. A method according to claim 76, wherein the assigned login ID/password combination can also be used for controlling file transfers to user terminals.

78. A method according to claim 75, wherein the profile data include at least one of:

contact information, geographical location, charging parameters, and one or more object categories.

79. A method according to claim 75, wherein the created at least one client profile can be used by customers for searching advertisements.

80. A method according to claim 75, wherein the created at least one client profile comprises a plurality of client subprofiles, each client subprofile being valid for a predetermined set of advertisements.

81. A method according to claim 73, wherein the advertisement is automatically created in step b) for one or more objects if a predefined condition is fulfilled, according to the defined client data, wherein the advertisement is automatically created by means of an auto-client computer program adapted to check whether said predefined condition is fulfilled.

82. A method according to claim 81, said one or more objects having previously been offered for sale otherwise than by advertising in the central server, wherein the advertisement is automatically created if the one or more objects have remained unsold during a preset time period.

83. A method according to claim 73, comprising the further steps of receiving from a file storing user terminal a file availability report comprising information on which files are available for file transfer, and updating the server database according to the received file availability report.

84. A method according to claim 83, wherein the file availability report is received periodically or when the file availability in the file storing user terminal is changed.

93. A central server according to claim 83, wherein said registration unit is further adapted to automatically create the advertisement for one or more objects if a predefined condition is fulfilled, according to defined client data, such that the advertisement is automatically created by means of an auto-client computer program adapted to check whether said predefined condition is fulfilled.

94. A central server according to claim 93, said one or more objects having previously been offered for sale otherwise than by advertising in the central server, wherein said registration unit is further adapted to automatically create the advertisement if the one or more objects have remained unsold during a preset time period.

85. A central server for advertising objects, said objects being offered in advertisements stored in a central server, said advertisements being accessible from the central server over the Internet to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, the central server comprising:

a registration unit adapted to register a client with the central server including defining client data, to create an advertisement in the central server for the registered client based on the defined client data, and to indicate in the advertisement at least one file being stored locally in at least one registered user terminal, wherein the at least one indicated file is used for describing and/or displaying one or more objects offered in the advertisement, and wherein the at least one indicated file is distinct from the one or more objects offered in the advertisement,

a server database for storing file information on a plurality of files and their associated user terminals in which those files are locally stored,

a receiving unit adapted to receive a request for the at least one indicated file from a user terminal accessing said advertisement from the central server,

a logic unit for determining at least one file storing user terminal in response to the received file request, and

a transmitting unit adapted to initiate a communication connection for transferring the at least one indicated file from a user terminal storing that file to the file requesting user terminal.

86. A central server according to claim 85, wherein said registration unit is further adapted to register the file requesting user terminal as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the file requesting user terminal enables the file requesting user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.

87. A central server according to claim 85, wherein said registration unit is further adapted to create at least one client profile for the registered client, wherein the client profile is defined by profile data and is associated with a set of advertisements.

88. A central server according to claim 87, wherein said registration unit is further adapted to assign a login ID/password combination to the client profile, authorizing the registered client to modify the profile and to add or remove advertisements associated with the profile, if the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

89. A central server according to claim 88, wherein the assigned login ID/password combination can also be used for controlling file transfers to user terminals.

90. A central server according to claim 89, wherein the profile data include at least one of:

contact information, geographical location, charging parameters, and one or more object categories.

91. A central server according to claim 87, wherein the created at least one client profile can be used by customers for searching advertisements.

92. A central server according to claim 87, wherein the created at least one client profile comprises a plurality of client subprofiles, each client subprofile being valid for a predetermined set of advertisements.

95. A central server according to claim 85, wherein said receiving unit is further adapted to receive from a file storing user terminal a file availability report comprising information on which files are available for file transfer, and that said logic unit is further adapted to update the server database according to the received file availability report.

96. A central server according to claim 95, wherein said receiving unit is further adapted to receive the file availability report periodically or when the file availability in the file storing user terminal is changed.

97. A method of advertising objects, said objects being offered in advertisements stored in a central server, said advertisements being accessible from the central server over the Internet to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, the method comprising the following steps, executed in said central server:

A) receiving a request from a first user terminal for at least one electronic file used for describing and/or displaying one or more objects, the at least one file being indicated in an advertisement accessed from the central server by the first user terminal, wherein said at least one file is distinct from the one or more objects offered in the advertisement,

B) determining at least one second user terminal being registered with the central server as having the at least one requested file availably stored, in response to the received file request, and

C) initiating a communication connection between the second user terminal and a third user terminal being registered with the central server, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the third user terminal.

98. A method according to claim 97, wherein the file is transferred from the second user terminal to the third user terminal by means of file transfer enabling computer programs installed in the second and third user terminals, respectively, without requiring any further action from the central server.

99. A method according to claim 98, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program has previously been installed in the third user terminal, enabling the third user terminal to receive the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

100. A method according to claim 99, wherein the initiating step C) includes sending a file transfer command from the central server to the third user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the third user terminal for pulling the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

101. A method according to claim 100, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the second user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

102. A method according to claim 99, wherein the initiating step C) includes sending a file transfer command from the central server to the second user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the second user terminal for pushing the at least one requested file to the third user terminal.

103. A method according to claim 102, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the third user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

104. A method according to claim 97, wherein a customer controlling the first and third user terminals has been assigned a login ID/password combination which is valid for at least the third user terminal, such that a remote file request can be sent from any terminal, provided that the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

105. A method according to claim 97, comprising the further step of registering the third user terminal with the central server as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the third user terminal enables the third user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.

106. A central server for advertising objects, said objects being offered in advertisements stored in a central server, said advertisements being accessible from the central server over the Internet to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, the central server comprising:

a receiving unit adapted to receive a request from a first user terminal for at least one electronic file used for describing and/or displaying one or more objects, the at least one file being indicated in an advertisement accessed from the central server by the first user terminal, wherein said at least one file is distinct from the one or more objects offered in the advertisement,

a server database for storing file information on a plurality of files and their associated user terminals in which those files are locally stored,

a logic unit adapted to determine at least one second user terminal being registered with the central server as having the at least one requested file availably stored, in response to the received file request, and

a transmitting unit adapted to initiate a communication connection between the second user terminal and a third user terminal being registered with the central server, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the third user terminal.

107. A central server according to claim 106, wherein the central server is adapted to send file transfer enabling computer programs to the second and third user terminals, enabling the file to be transferred from the second user terminal to the third user terminal, without requiring any further action from the central server.

108. A central server according to claim 107, wherein the central server is adapted to send a file transfer enabling computer program to the third user terminal, enabling the third user terminal to receive the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

109. A central server according to claim 108, wherein the central server is adapted to send a file transfer command to the third user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the third user terminal for pulling the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

110. A central server according to claim 109, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the second user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

111. A central server according to claim 108, wherein the central server is adapted to send a file transfer command to the second user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the second user terminal for pushing the at least one requested file to the third user terminal.

112. A central server according to claim 111, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the third user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

113. A central server according to claim 106, wherein the central server is adapted to assign a login ID/password combination to a customer controlling the first and third user terminals, which is valid for at least the third user terminal, such that a remote file request can be sent from any terminal, provided that the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

114. A central server according to claim 106, wherein the central server is adapted to register the third user terminal as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the third user terminal enables the third user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.

115. A method of supplying electronic files to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, said electronic files being accessible by means of a central server over the Internet, the method comprising the following steps, executed in said central server:

A) receiving a request from a first user terminal for at least one electronic file indicated by the central server when accessed by the first user terminal,

B) determining at least one second user terminal being registered with the central server as having the at least one requested file availably stored, in response to the received file request, and

C) initiating a communication connection between the second user terminal and a third user terminal being registered with the central server, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the third user terminal.

116. A method according to claim 115, wherein the file is transferred from the second user terminal to the third user terminal by means of file transfer enabling computer programs installed in the second and third user terminals, respectively, without requiring any further action from the central server.

117. A method according to claim 116, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program has previously been installed in the third user terminal, enabling the third user terminal to receive the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

118. A method according to claim 117, wherein the initiating step C) includes sending a file transfer command from the central server to the third user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the third user terminal for pulling the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

119. A method according to claim 118, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the second user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

120. A method according to claim 117, wherein the initiating step C) includes sending a file transfer command from the central server to the second user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the second user terminal for pushing the at least one requested file to the third user terminal.

121. A method according to claim 120, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the third user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

122. A method according to claim 115, wherein a customer controlling the first and third user terminals has been assigned a login ID/password combination which is valid for at least the third user terminal, such that a remote file request can be sent from any terminal, provided that the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

123. A method according to claim 115, comprising the further step of registering the third user terminal with the central server as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the third user terminal enables the third user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.

124. A central server for supplying electronic files to user terminals capable of web browsing or network browsing, said electronic files being accessible by means of the central server over the Internet, the central server comprising:

a receiving unit adapted to receive a request from a first user terminal for at least one electronic file indicated by the central server when accessed by the first user terminal,

a server database for storing file information on a plurality of files and their associated user terminals in which those files are locally stored,

a logic unit adapted to determine at least one second user terminal being registered with the central server as having the at least one requested file availably stored, in response to the received file request, and

a transmitting unit adapted to initiate a communication connection between the second user terminal and a third user terminal being registered with the central server, such that the at least one requested file can be transferred directly from the second user terminal to the third user terminal.

125. A central server according to claim 124, wherein the central server is adapted to send file transfer enabling computer programs to the second and third user terminals, enabling the file to be transferred from the second user terminal to the third user terminal, without requiring any further action from the central server.

126. A central server according to claim 125, wherein the central server is adapted to send a file transfer enabling computer program to the third user terminal, enabling the third user terminal to receive the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

127. A central server according to claim 126, wherein the central server is adapted to send a file transfer command to the third user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the third user terminal for pulling the at least one requested file from the second user terminal.

128. A central server according to claim 127, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the second user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

129. A central server according to claim 126, wherein the central server is adapted to send a file transfer command to the second user terminal to activate said file transfer enabling computer program in the second user terminal for pushing the at least one requested file to the third user terminal.

130. A central server according to claim 129, wherein said file transfer command includes a network address of the third user terminal and the storing location of the requested file in the second user terminal.

131. A central server according to claim 124, wherein the central server is adapted to assign a login ID/password combination to a customer controlling the first and third user terminals, which is valid for at least the third user terminal, such that a remote file request can be sent from any terminal, provided that the correct login ID/password combination is entered.

132. A central server according to claim 124, wherein the central server is adapted to register the third user terminal as having said at least one requested file availably stored therein after being transferred, wherein a file transfer enabling computer program installed in the third user terminal enables the third user terminal to send the at least one requested file to any other user terminal also requesting that file.