Online personal library

• US 9,015,803 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2013
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pennar Software Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pennar Software Corporation
• Inventors: Chaganti, Sitapathi Rao, Chaganti, Damayanti, Chaganti, Naren
• Primary Examiner(s): LANIER, BENJAMIN E
• Application Number:
  US14/076,192
• Time in Patent Office: 528 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6272 by registering files or documents with a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/14 Travel agencies
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

In a server-computer implemented system for online document collaboration, a document stored online in a first account may be modified by one or more of an authorized first group of users, which modifications are received and applied to the document. Electronic notification that the document is modified is sent to one or more of an authorized second group of users, who can thereafter further modify the document, or indicate their approval or disapproval of the modifications made by the one or more of the authorized first group of users. The one or more of the authorized first group of users is authorized to make specific permitted changes to the document, and if an attempt is made to change the document in a manner not permitted, then an alarm condition is generated.

Claims

1. A server computer implemented method of online document collaboration by authorized users, the method comprising the following steps performed by a server computer system connected to the Internet:

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document, then;

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to further modify the first document, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

2. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication of the one or more modifications made to the first document.

3. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication that a notification has been sent to one or more of the second group of users that the first document is modified.

4. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of checking for viruses in the one or more modifications made to the first document.

5. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of altering storage space to accommodate modifications made to the first document.

6. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of verifying the first user based on:

(a) information accessible using an authorization key presented by the first user;

(b) expiration time for an authorization key presented by the first user;

(c) security level of the first user as determined by the server computer system;

(d) security level of a device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(e) type of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(f) identity of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(g) Internet address from which the first user accessed the server computer system;

(h) time of day when the first user accessed the server computer system;

or

(i) day of week when the first user accessed the server computer system.

7. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user such that the one or more modifications are visible only to a select group of users.

8. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more modifications made to the first document includes adding material to the first document, deleting material from the first document, adding a digital signature to the first document, underlining material in the first document, or highlighting material in the first document.

9. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or more modifications to the first document are received from the first user via an out-of-band connection established between the server computer system and the client computer.

10. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of generating an alarm condition if the first user is not authorized to modify the first document.

11. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of formatting the first document in a manner suitable to the client computer.

12. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of receiving one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features of the client computer.

13. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the server computer system is capable of preventing the first document from being accessed by no more than a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

14. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein if the first document is being used by a predetermined number of simultaneous users, the server computer system is capable of notifying a subsequent requester seeking access to the first document that the first document is unavailable for access at the time.

15. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein upon relinquishment of access to the first document by a user, the server computer system is capable of notifying a requester waiting to access the first document that the first document has become available for access.

16. The server computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein first document is a word-processor document, a spread sheet, or a presentation.

17. A server computer system comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors;

one or more storage devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more storage devices being capable of storing one or more documents;

a data communication device coupled to the one or more processors to establish a connection with one or more client computers via the Internet; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices comprising processor-executable instructions, the processor-executable instructions capable of causing one or more processors to perform the following method steps;

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document, then;

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to further modify the first document, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

18. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication of the one or more modifications made to the first document.

19. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication that a notification has been sent to one or more of the second group of users that the first document is modified.

20. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of checking for viruses in the one or more modifications made to the first document.

21. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of altering storage space to accommodate modifications made to the first document.

22. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of verifying the first user based on:

(a) information accessible using an authorization key presented by the first user;

(b) expiration time for an authorization key presented by the first user;

(c) security level of the first user as determined by the server computer system;

(d) security level of a device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(e) type of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(f) identity of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(g) Internet address from which the first user accessed the server computer system;

(h) time of day when the first user accessed the server computer system;

or

(i) day of week when the first user accessed the server computer system.

23. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user such that the one or more modifications are visible only to a select group of users.

24. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the one or more modifications made to the first document includes adding material to the first document, deleting material from the first document, adding a digital signature to the first document, underlining material in the first document, or highlighting material in the first document.

25. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the one or more modifications to the first document are received from the first user via an out-of-band connection established between the server computer system and the client computer.

26. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of generating an alarm condition if the first user is not authorized to modify the first document.

27. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of formatting the first document in a manner suitable to the client computer.

28. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of receiving one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features of the client computer.

29. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein the server computer system is capable of preventing the first document from being accessed by no more than a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

30. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein if the first document is being used by a predetermined number of simultaneous users, the server computer system is capable of notifying a subsequent requester seeking access to the first document that the first document is unavailable for access at the time.

31. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein upon relinquishment of access to the first document by a user, the server computer system is capable of notifying a requester waiting to access the first document that the first document has become available for access.

32. The server computer system of claim 17, wherein first document is a word-processor document, a spread sheet, or a presentation.

33. An apparatus comprising:

one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices comprising processor- executable instructions, the processor-executable instructions capable of causing one or more processors of a server computer system to perform the following method steps;

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document, then;

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to further modify the first document, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to store an indication of the one or more modifications made to the first document.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to store an indication that a notification has been sent to one or more of the second group of users that the first document is modified.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to check for viruses in the one or more modifications made to the first document.

37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to alter storage space to accommodate modifications made to the first document.

38. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to verify the first user based on:

(a) information accessible using an authorization key presented by the first user;

(b) expiration time for an authorization key presented by the first user;

(c) security level of the first user as determined by the server computer system;

(d) security level of a device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(e) type of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(f) identity of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(g) Internet address from which the first user accessed the server computer system;

(h) time of day when the first user accessed the server computer system;

or

(i) day of week when the first user accessed the server computer system.

39. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to store the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user such that the one or more modifications are visible only to a select group of users.

40. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the one or more modifications made to the first document includes adding material to the first document, deleting material from the first document, adding a digital signature to the first document, underlining material in the first document, or highlighting material in the first document.

41. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the one or more modifications to the first document are received from the first user via an out-of-band connection established between the server computer system and the client computer.

42. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the server computer system is capable of generating an alarm condition if the first user is not authorized to modify the first document.

43. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the server computer system is capable of formatting the first document in a manner suitable to the client computer.

44. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to receive one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features of the client computer.

45. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to prevent the first document from being accessed by no more than a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

46. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to notify a subsequent requester seeking access to the first document that the first document is unavailable for access at the time, if the first document is being accessed by a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

47. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to notify a requester waiting to access the first documents that the first document has become available for access upon relinquishment of access to the first document by a user.

48. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein first document is a word-processor document, a spread sheet, or a presentation.

49. A computer implemented method of online document collaboration by authorized users, the method comprising the following steps performed by a client computer connected to the Internet:

accessing a first document stored on a server computer system via a browser-controlled window executing on the client computer; and

sending to the server computer system one or more modifications made to the first document, wherein the server computer system is capable of performing the following method steps;

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document, then;

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to further modify the first document, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

50. The computer implemented method of claim 49, wherein the server computer system is capable of receiving one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features received from the client computer.

51. The computer implemented method of claim 50, wherein the one or more features of the client computer includes viewing area of the client computer, type of the client computer, memory of the client computer, storage capability of the client computer or the type of a file the client computer is capable of handling.

52. A data storage system, comprising:

one or more non-transitory computer data storage locations associated with each one of a plurality of identified users, the one or more storage locations capable of storing a document capable of being modified by one or more permitted users, said one or more permitted users being capable of accessing the modifiable document via browser-controlled window executing on a client computer, the client computer communicatively coupled to a server computer system,

wherein the server computer system is capable of performing the following method steps;

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document, then;

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to further modify the first document, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

53. The data storage system of claim 52, wherein at least a portion of the information relating to the first document is associated with a security classification, and wherein access to the first document is permitted based on a classification given to the first user as compared to the security classification associated with the first document.

54. A server computer implemented method of online document collaboration by authorized users, the method comprising the following steps performed by the server computer system:

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document,

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to approve or disapprove the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

55. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication of the one or more modifications made to the first document.

56. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication that a notification has been sent to one or more of the second group of users that the first document is modified.

57. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of checking for viruses in the one or more modifications made to the first document.

58. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of altering storage space to accommodate modifications made to the first document.

59. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of verifying the first user based on:

(a) information accessible using an authorization key presented by the first user;

(b) expiration time for an authorization key presented by the first user;

(c) security level of the first user as determined by the server computer system;

(d) security level of a device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(e) type of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(f) identity of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(g) Internet address from which the first user accessed the server computer system;

(h) time of day when the first user accessed the server computer system;

or (i) day of week when the first user accessed the server computer system.

60. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user such that the one or more modifications are visible only to a select group of users.

61. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the one or more modifications made to the first document includes adding material to the first document, deleting material from the first document, adding a digital signature to the first document, underlining material in the first document, or highlighting material in the first document.

62. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the one or more modifications to the first document are received from the first user via an out-of-band connection established between the server computer system and the client computer.

63. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of generating an alarm condition if the first user is not authorized to modify the first document.

64. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of formatting the first document in a manner suitable to the client computer.

65. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of receiving one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features of the client computer.

66. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein the server computer system is capable of preventing the first document from being accessed by no more than a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

67. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein if the first document is being used by a predetermined number of simultaneous users, the server computer system is capable of notifying a subsequent requester seeking access to the first document that the first document is unavailable for access at the time.

68. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein upon relinquishment of access to the first document by a user, the server computer system is capable of notifying a requester waiting to access the first document that the first document has become available for access.

69. The server computer implemented method of claim 54, wherein first document is a word-processor document, a spread sheet, or a presentation.

70. A server computer system comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors;

one or more storage devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more storage devices being capable of storing one or more documents;

a data communication device coupled to the one or more processors to establish a connection with one or more client computers via the Internet;

one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices comprising processor-executable instructions, the processor-executable instructions capable of causing the one or more processors to perform the following method steps;

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document,

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to approve or disapprove the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

71. The server computer system of claim 70, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication of the one or more modifications made to the first document.

72. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing an indication that a notification has been sent to one or more of the second group of users that the first document is modified.

73. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of checking for viruses in the one or more modifications made to the first document.

74. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of altering storage space to accommodate modifications made to the first document.

75. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of verifying the first user based on:

(a) information accessible using an authorization key presented by the first user;

(b) expiration time for an authorization key presented by the first user;

(c) security level of the first user as determined by the server computer system;

(d) security level of a device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(e) type of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(f) identity of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(g) Internet address from which the first user accessed the server computer system;

(h) time of day when the first user accessed the server computer system;

or

(i) day of week when the first user accessed the server computer system.

76. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of storing the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user such that the one or more modifications are visible only to a select group of users.

77. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the one or more modifications made to the first document includes adding material to the first document, deleting material from the first document, adding a digital signature to the first document, underlining material in the first document, or highlighting material in the first document.

78. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the one or more modifications to the first document are received from the first user via an out-of-band connection established between the server computer system and the client computer.

79. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of generating an alarm condition if the first user is not authorized to modify the first document.

80. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of formatting the first document in a manner suitable to the client computer.

81. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of receiving one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features of the client computer.

82. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein the server computer system is capable of preventing the first document from being accessed by no more than a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

83. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein if the first document is being used by a predetermined number of simultaneous users, the server computer system is capable of notifying a subsequent requester seeking access to the first document that the first document is unavailable for access at the time.

84. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein upon relinquishment of access to the first document by a user, the server computer system is capable of notifying a requester waiting to access the first document that the first document has become available for access.

85. The server computer system of claim 71, wherein first document is a word-processor document, a spread sheet, or a presentation.

86. An apparatus comprising:

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document,

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to approve or disapprove the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to store an indication of the one or more modifications made to the first document.

88. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to store an indication that a notification has been sent to one or more of the second group of users that the first document is modified.

89. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to check for viruses in the one or more modifications made to the first document.

90. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to alter storage space to accommodate modifications made to the first document.

91. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to verify the first user based on:

(a) information accessible using an authorization key presented by the first user;

(b) expiration time for an authorization key presented by the first user;

(c) security level of the first user as determined by the server computer system;

(d) security level of a device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(e) type of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(f) identity of device used by the first user to access the server computer system;

(g) Internet address from which the first user accessed the server computer system;

(h) time of day when the first user accessed the server computer system;

or

(i) day of week when the first user accessed the server computer system.

92. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to store the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user such that the one or more modifications are visible only to a select group of users.

93. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the one or more modifications made to the first document includes adding material to the first document, deleting material from the first document, adding a digital signature to the first document, underlining material in the first document, or highlighting material in the first document.

94. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the one or more modifications to the first document are received from the first user via an out-of-band connection established between the server computer system and the client computer.

95. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the server computer system is capable of generating an alarm condition if the first user is not authorized to modify the first document.

96. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the server computer system is capable of formatting the first document in a manner suitable to the client computer.

97. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to receive one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features of the client computer.

98. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to prevent the first document from being accessed by no more than a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

99. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to notify a subsequent requester seeking access to the first document that the first document is unavailable for access at the time, if the first document is being accessed by a predetermined number of simultaneous users.

100. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the processor executable instructions include instructions to cause the server computer system to notify a requester waiting to access the first documents that the first document has become available for access upon relinquishment of access to the first document by a user.

101. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein first document is a word-processor document, a spread sheet, or a presentation.

102. A computer implemented method of online document collaboration by authorized users, the method comprising the following steps performed by a client computer connected to the Internet:

accessing a first document stored on a server computer system via a browser-controlled window executing on the client computer; and

sending to the server computer system one or more modifications made to the first document,

wherein the server computer system is capable of performing the following method steps;

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document,

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to approve or disapprove the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first.

103. The computer implemented method of claim 102, wherein the server computer system is capable of receiving one or more features of the client computer, and sending the first document to the client computer after formatting the first document based on the one or more features received from the client computer.

104. The computer implemented method of claim 103, wherein the one or more features of the client computer includes viewing area of the client computer, type of the client computer, memory of the client computer, storage capability of the client computer or the type of a file the client computer is capable of handling.

105. A data storage system, comprising:

one or more non-transitory computer data storage locations associated with each one of a plurality of identified users, the one or more storage locations capable of storing a document capable of being modified by one or more permitted users, said one or more permitted users being capable of accessing the modifiable document via browser-controlled window executing on a client computer, the client computer communicatively coupled to a server computer system,

wherein the server computer system is capable of performing the following method steps;

establishing an account for each of a plurality of users, wherein each account is associated with storage space to store one or more documents;

storing a first document in the server computer system in a first account, the first document capable of being modified by a plurality of authorized users;

enabling access to the first document via a browser-controlled window executing on a client computer by one or more authorized users;

associating a set of restrictions with the first document, the restrictions including an ability to modify the first document in one or more permitted ways by one of a first group of users, the first group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system;

receiving a request to access the first document from a first user, wherein the first user is a member of the first group of users, wherein the request to access accompanies the first user'"'"'s identification information and authorization information;

verifying the identity of the first user;

if the first user is authorized to access the first document, then permitting the first user to access the first document via a first browser-controlled window executing on a client computer; and

if the first user is authorized to modify the first document,

(a) applying one or more modifications to the first document, the one or more modifications having been received from the first user;

(b) electronically notifying one or more of a second group of users that the first user modified the first document, the second group of users being users whose identities are known to the server computer system; and

(c) enabling a second user to approve or disapprove the one or more modifications made to the first document by the first user, wherein the second user is a member of the second group of users who are notified of the one or more modifications made by the first user to the first document, and wherein the second user is not the same as the first user.

106. The data storage system of claim 105, wherein at least a portion of the information relating to the first document is associated with a security classification, and wherein access to the first document is permitted based on a classification given to the first user as compared to the security classification associated with the first document.