Instant messaging based virtual file system

Abstract

An instant messaging system generates an instant messaging application user interface display object enabling the user to select one or more buddies, or a predefined group from their buddy list, and then to select a file to share with the selected buddies or group. The instant messaging system then controls sharing of the file within the selected buddies or group, by allowing only one of the sharing users to check out and modify the shared document at a given time. The instant messaging system user interface displayed to each user also displays the list of files that are shared with that user. The instant messaging system user interface further provides a current status for each shared file, including an indication of one of the sharing users that currently has the shared file checked out.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to instant messaging and / or collaboration systems, and more specifically to a method and system for providing an instant messaging based virtual file system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]As it is generally known, instant messaging (IM) systems are often used as a pivotal tool in modern collaborative work environments. Instant messaging applications allow geographically dispersed groups of users to work together, while creating and sharing documents and artifacts. Teams of business users come together through the instant messaging application, as an alternative or supplement to using electronic mail applications, in order to work on a common task. However, in existing systems, members of a work team that interact using instant messaging while sharing a document can quickly get into a situation in which no one knows which team member has the latest version of the document.[0003]In previous systems, individuals have...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a solution for sharing files through an instant messaging system. The system generates a user interface that allows users to select a group of sharing users and select a file to share. The system controls sharing of the file within the sharing group, for example, by only one user checking out and modifying the shared document at a time. The system also provides a chat history for each shared file and allows users to access a read-only, local copy of the shared file on their client computer systems. The system also allows the author of a shared file to have special privileges with regard to the shared file, such as deleting it or granting access rights to others. The disclosed system provides advantages such as quick and easy collaboration on files, convenient management of collaboration context, and synchronization of updates across the sharing group. Overall, the patent describes an automated solution for effectively supporting sharing of files through an instant messaging system.

Problems solved by technology

However, in existing systems, members of a work team that interact using instant messaging while sharing a document can quickly get into a situation in which no one knows which team member has the latest version of the document.

While these existing systems do provide file sharing across geographically dispersed users, they operate outside the preferred, primary collaboration environment of instant messaging, and accordingly require extra work to manage control over who can access the shared resources and who controls them at any given time.

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