Shared internet storage resource, user interface system, and method

• US 7,171,472 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: XDrive LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hald, Martin, O'Brien, Brett, Whiteley, Sean, McGregor, Lucas
• Primary Examiner(s): Jean; Frantz B.
• Application Number:
  US11/089,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20050204063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 709/213, 709/226, 709/219, 709/229, 707/1, 707/10, 707/205
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23103 using load balancing strategies, e.g. by placing or distributing content on different disks, different memories or different servers storage management G06F3/0604; allocation of resources considering the load in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/505; techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system G06F9/5083; access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. load balancing, in data networks H04L67/1001
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99938 Concurrency, e.g. lock management in shared database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

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.

Claims

1. A shared file storage resource for a computer network, comprising:

an allocatable file storage resource;

a server, said server coupled to said storage resource, said server;

allocating individual user file space for a plurality of users on said storage resource;

receiving files for storage on said storage resource;

transmitting files stored on said storage resource;

generating control-protocol codes for transmitting said files;

receiving file commands for controlling files on said storage resource;

transmitting display codes indicating file status on said storage resource, said display codes representing said storage resource as a network drive;

a first network connection, said first network connection coupling said server to the computer network;

a workstation, said workstation;

receiving files for storage on said storage resource;

transmitting files stored on said storage resource;

receiving file commands for controlling files on said storage resource; and

transmitting display codes indicating file status on said storage resource, said display codes representing said storage resource as a network drive;

whereby

a user may store, retrieve, and control files in a unique and secure file storage area on said allocatable storage resource available throughout the computer network and detached from said workstation.

2. The shared file storage resource for a computer network as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display codes further comprise:

a browser-interpretable object, such as a JavaScript object, said object displaying file status on said storage resource as a web page.

3. The shared file storage resource for a computer network as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a standalone program running on said workstation, said standalone program interpreting said display codes and providing a seamless interface to said user, said seamless interface presenting said storage resource as a local or network resource to said user and allowing said user to manipulate files on said storage resource in the same manner as local storage resources such as a floppy disk drive or a local hard drive.

4. The shared file storage resource for a computer network as set forth in claim 1, wherein said computer network, further comprises:

the Internet.