Identification of files of a collaborative file storage system having relevance to a first file

• US 9,110,908 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2013
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Python4fun Inc
• Original Assignee: Python4fun Inc
• Inventors: Srikrishna, Devabhaktuni, Coram, Marc A., Hogan, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): LEROUX, ETIENNE PIERRE
• Application Number:
  US14/088,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20140081963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 633 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/5, 707/709, 717/106, 345/635, 375/240.01
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/148 File search processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing related files in a collaborative file storage system are disclosed. One method includes identifying a plurality of files within the collaborative file storage system, wherein the plurality of files each have a relationship with the first file, and wherein the collaborative file storage system allows sharing of the plurality of files between multiple users through a network. The method further includes generating, by a system server, a list of inquiries based on the plurality of files, providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one collaborator of the first file, receiving from the at least one collaborator at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of files based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of files for access if the first file is selected.

Claims

1. A method of identifying files of a file storage system having relevance to a first file, comprising:

identifying a plurality of files within the file storage system, wherein the plurality of files each have a relationship with the first file, and wherein the file storage system allows sharing of the plurality of files between multiple users through a network;

generating, by a system server, a list of inquiries based on the plurality of files, wherein the list of inquiries includes search terms used in a search that identified the plurality of files;

providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one collaborator of the first file;

receiving from the at least one collaborator at least one response to the list of inquiries;

selecting a subset of the plurality of files based on the at least one response;

storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of files for access if the first file is selected;

providing, by the system server, the selected subset of the plurality of files to a user who has performed a search on a search term that yields a plurality of results containing the first file; and

identifying the at least one collaborator to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the file storage system includes a collaborative file storage system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the file storage system includes a desktop file storage system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one collaborator comprises at least one author of the first file.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating, by the system server, a second list of inquiries based on the plurality of files;

providing, by the system server, the second list of inquiries to at least one second collaborator of the plurality of files;

receiving from the at least one second collaborator of the plurality of files at least one second response to the second list of inquiries;

re-selecting the subset of the plurality of files based on the at least one response and the at least one second response;

storing information related to the re-selected subset of the plurality of files for access if the first file is selected.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing, by the system server, the selected subset of the plurality of files to a user that selects the first file.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein identifying the at least one collaborator comprises providing the user with a name, qualifications or institution of the at least one collaborator.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the at least one collaborator comprises providing the user with a name, qualifications or institution of the at least one collaborator.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a hyperlink between the first file and the selected subset of the plurality of files, wherein the hyperlink influences a ranking of search results that include at least one of the first file and the plurality of files.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of files are each identified by a plurality of subject-matter searches, wherein each search identifies one of the plurality of files and the first file.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of subject-matter searches is refined by the at least one response.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of subject-matter searches uses a keyword search application programming interface to access records in a file storage system.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of inquiries includes search terms used in a search that identified the first file and the plurality of files, thereby establishing a relationship between the first file and the plurality of files by text analysis or collaborative filtering.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the search terms comprise strings of words.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the search terms comprise noun phrases.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the search terms comprise collaborator names cited by the first file.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the search terms comprise a term within the first file.

18. The method of claim 13, the search is based on at least one of a word string, a collaborator, or an image.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the search terms are included within text of citations of the first file.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of files include a publication date, wherein each of the publication dates are more recent than at least one of a first revision or a last revision date of the first file.