(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0046232 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 18, 2002
`Adams et al.
`
`US 20020046232A1
`
`(54) ORGANIZING CONTENT ON A
`DISTRIBUTED FILE-SHARING NETWORK
`(76) Inventors: Colin John Adams, Sydney (AU); Paul
`Scott McNally, Sydney (AU)
`Correspondence Address:
`CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
`350 WEST COLORADO BOULEVARD
`SUTE 500
`PASADENA, CA 91105 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`09/954,620
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 17, 2001
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep. 15, 2000 (AU)............................... AU PRO157/00
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................. G06F 15/16
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 709/200
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for and method of locating desired files in distrib
`uted file sharing over a computer network is disclosed,
`whereby each file 6 is categorized according to the content
`of the file 6 and information about files 6 resides on at least
`one central index server 3. Client terminals 1 publish files 6
`for other client terminals 1 in the computer network 2. The
`central index servers 3 store the list of files 6 in the system.
`Client terminals 1 query the central index servers 3 to
`determine the set of files 6 currently available in the system.
`A central index server 3 returns a list of files 6 and file
`locations which match the query results and are currently
`available. The client terminal 1 issuing the Search can
`retrieve the file 6 from the search results by requesting it
`from one of the client terminals 1 specified in the Search
`results.
`
`1b
`
`1a
`
`
`
`Dropbox Exhibit 1006 - Page 1
`Dropbox, Inc. v. Entangled Media, LLC
`IPR2024-00285 - U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 18, 2002
`
`US 2002/0046232 A1
`
`Figure 1
`
`Figure 2
`
`
`
`Dropbox Exhibit 1006 - Page 2
`Dropbox, Inc. v. Entangled Media, LLC
`IPR2024-00285 - U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260
`
`

`

`US 2002/0046232 A1
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`ORGANIZING CONTENT ON A DISTRIBUTED
`FILE-SHARING NETWORK
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`0001. The present invention relates to a new type of
`system for and method of distributed file sharing over a
`computer network, and in particular, to a System for and
`method of distributed file sharing over a computer network,
`whereby each file is categorized according to the content of
`the file and information about files resides on at least one
`central indeX computer.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`0002. In a networked data communications system, users
`have access to terminals which are capable of requesting and
`receiving information from local or remote information
`Sources. In Such a System a terminal may be any type of
`computer or computerised device, a personal computer (PC),
`a mobile or cellular phone, a mobile data terminal, a portable
`computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, or any
`other similar type of electronic device. The capability of the
`terminal to request and/or receive information can be pro
`Vided by an application program, hardware or other Such
`entity. A terminal may be provided with asSociated devices,
`for example an information Storage device Such as a hard
`disk drive.
`0003. In such a system an information source may be a
`Server or any other type of computer or terminal (for
`example, a PC computer) coupled to an information storage
`device (for example, a hard disk drive). The exchange of
`information (i.e., the request and/or receipt of information)
`between the terminal and the information Source, or two or
`more terminals, is facilitated by a connection referred to as
`a communication channel. The communication channel can
`be physically realised via a metallic cable (for example, a
`telephone line), Semiconducting cable, an electromagnetic
`Signal (for example, a radio frequency (RF) Signal), an
`optical fibre cable, a microwave link, a Satellite link or any
`other Such medium or combination thereof connected to a
`network infrastructure.
`0004. The network infrastructure may be a telephone
`Switch, a base Station, a bridge, a router, or any other Such
`Specialised component, which facilitates the connection
`between a terminal and the network. Collectively, the inter
`connected group of terminals, physical connections, infra
`Structure and information Sources is referred to as a com
`puter network or data communications network.
`0005 The computer network itself may take a variety of
`forms. It may be located within a local geographic area, Such
`as an office building, and consist of only a limited number
`of terminals and information Sources. This type of computer
`network is commonly referred to as a Local Area Network
`(LAN). On a broader Scale, it may be larger and Support
`more users over a wider geographic area, Such as acroSS a
`city. This type of network is commonly referred to as a Wide
`Area Network (WAN). On an even broader scale LAN and
`WAN networks may be interconnected across a country or
`globally. An example of a globally connected computer
`network is the Internet.
`0006 To a user the Internet appears to be a single unified
`computer network, although in reality it consists of many
`
`different types of computer platforms utilising many diverse
`data communications technologies. The technologies are
`connected together in Such a manner So they appear trans
`parent to the user. This transparency is made possible
`through the use of a Standard communications protocol Suite
`known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
`(TCP/IP).
`0007 Files are stored in various information storage
`devices associated with at least one terminal, thereby com
`prising an information Source. A user can access files from
`an information Source, if authorised, by connecting to a
`computer network and requesting the files for Viewing or
`downloading.
`0008 Presently, it is known to access files from a termi
`nal whereby the files are hosted on an information Source.
`Various types of files, for example audio files, Video files,
`text files, etc., can be downloaded to a local information
`Storage device, or simply accessed, for example as Streaming
`data, at an information Source.
`0009. A limitation with presently known systems and
`methods of file sharing or exchange is that it is difficult to
`locate files of interest to a user. That is, locating desired files
`on a distributed file-sharing network is presently problem
`atic.
`0010. A user may presently utilise a search engine to
`attempt to locate Internet websites of interest on the basis of
`key-word associations. However, the material produced is
`often irrelevant and not necessarily the type of file, for
`example audio, for which the user was looking.
`0011
`Furthermore, a user is often required to perform
`further searches within a possibly relevant web-site to
`attempt to locate the type of file for which they are Search
`ing, for example an audio file as opposed to an image file.
`0012. As an example, a user may desire an image of a
`particular perSon. Presently, by Searching the Internet for the
`perSon's name, only text, or irrelevant web-sites making
`fleeting textual reference to the perSon might be located.
`However, an image of the perSon may exist at Some location
`under an arbitrary file name, for example, 123abc.jpg.
`Without any other information associated with this jpeg
`image file, the jpeg image file of the particular person would
`not be identified as relevant to the user's Search request and
`would not be found.
`0013 Still furthermore, the Applicant’s are presently not
`aware of any System or method which can Selectively
`facilitate the locating of any specific type of file, for example
`audio, Video, image, text, executable, etc., which is relevant
`to a user's request.
`0014. This identifies a need for a new type of system for
`and method of distributed file sharing over a computer
`network which overcomes or at least ameliorates the prob
`lems inherent in the prior art.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`0015. In a preferred form of the present invention, the
`present invention provides a System for allowing a user to
`Search for and locate a file in a distributed file sharing
`computer network, the System including: a first client ter
`minal, and at least one further client terminal; at least one
`central indeX Server, the computer network providing a
`
`Dropbox Exhibit 1006 - Page 3
`Dropbox, Inc. v. Entangled Media, LLC
`IPR2024-00285 - U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260
`
`

`

`US 2002/0046232 A1
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`communication channel between the first client terminal and
`the at least one further client terminal, and the computer
`network providing a communication channel between the
`first client terminal and the at least one central indeX Server;
`files which are stored in any of the client terminals, the files
`having been categorised into file categories according to the
`content or type of the file; each central indeX Server Storing,
`for each file, information on the file including the file name,
`the file type, the category or categories in which the file is
`located, and, the location of the file in the computer network;
`a search results list which is transmitted to the first client
`terminal in response to the user's Search request, the Search
`results list generated by the at least one central indeX Server
`Searching file category information and file type informa
`tion; the Search results list containing a link to at least one
`file which is located on the further client terminal, if any files
`are identified in the Search.
`0016. Also preferably, the search results list is generated
`by the central indeX Server Searching file category informa
`tion and file type information, but not actual file names. The
`file may be any of the following types: audio, Video, image,
`text, ascii, executable, data, or compressed. Also, the file
`category may be a folder or directory on a client terminal. A
`further client terminal can be an information Source. In
`another form of the invention, changes to file categories or
`the contents of file categories are automatically updated on
`the central indeX Servers. Additionally, a file can be stored in
`more than one file category, and on more than one client
`terminal. It should be noted that the search results list can be
`considered to be generated by the user manually browsing
`the central indeX Server file categories from the first client
`terminal.
`0.017. In yet a further preferred form of the present
`invention, there is provided a method for allowing a user to
`Search for and locate a file in a distributed file sharing
`computer network, wherein there is provided: a first client
`terminal, at least one further client terminal, and at least one
`central indeX Server, the computer network providing a
`communication channel between the first client terminal and
`the at least one further client terminal, and the computer
`network providing a communication channel between the
`first client terminal and the at least one central indeX Server;
`files which are stored in any of the client terminals, the files
`having been categorised into file categories according to the
`content or type of the file; each central indeX Server Storing,
`for each file, information on the file including the file name,
`the file type, the category or categories in which the file is
`located, and, the location of the file in the computer network;
`the method comprising the Steps of
`0018 the user entering a search request for a file into
`the first client terminal;
`0019 the first client terminal transferring the search
`request to the central indeX Server, the central indeX
`Server Searching the file categories and file types
`located on the central index server for a file which
`matches the user request;
`0020 the central index server providing the file
`name, the file type, the category or categories in
`which the file is located, and the location of the file
`to the first client terminal for any located files;
`the user Selecting a file from the Search results
`0021)
`list;
`
`0022 the first client terminal being placed in com
`munication with the further client terminal in which
`the Selected file resides,
`0023 the selected file then being accessed by or
`downloaded to the first client terminal from the
`further client terminal.
`In other embodiments of the invention computer
`0024.
`authorisation or a password can be required to access the
`Selected file or the further computer terminal, and a client
`terminal need not be permanently connected to the computer
`network.
`0025. In still a further preferred form of the present
`invention, there is provided a method for organizing files,
`and allowing a user to Search for and locate a file, in a
`distributed file Sharing computer network, includes the Steps
`of a first user Saving a file into a file category, the file Stored
`on a first client terminal; automatically updating the change
`to the file category on file category information Stored on a
`central indeX Server and Storing the location of the file on the
`central indeX Server; a Second user accessing a Second client
`terminal, the Second client terminal being remote to the first
`client terminal, and browsing file categories by the Second
`client terminal querying the central indeX Server; the Second
`user locating a file category of interest and Selecting a file
`from the available list of files in the file category; the
`location of the selected file being transmitted from the
`central indeX Server to the Second client terminal; the Second
`client terminal making a peer-to-peer network connection to
`the first client terminal to obtain the selected file; and
`Subsequent to the file being downloaded to the Second client
`terminal, the file category information on the central index
`Server is updated to indicate that the Second client terminal
`is also a Source for the Selected file.
`0026. In one particular embodiment a file category is a
`directory on a hard-drive. Furthermore, the file categories
`may be hierarchical in Structure. In a further embodiment
`Security access validation may be required prior to a user
`being permitted to make changes to, or access, certain file
`categories.
`0027. In yet another form of the invention there is pro
`vided a system for and method of distributed file sharing
`over a computer network, Substantially according to the
`embodiment described in the Specification with reference to
`the accompanying figures. Accordingly, the present inven
`tion seeks to provide these and other features providing a
`system for and method of distributed file sharing over a
`computer network.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
`0028. The present invention will become apparent from
`the following description, which is given by way of example
`only, of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof,
`described in connection with the accompanying figures,
`wherein:
`0029 FIG. 1 illustrates a particular embodiment of the
`present invention wherein, the figure shows the broad Struc
`ture of the computer network.
`0030 FIG. 2 illustrates a particular embodiment of the
`present invention wherein, the figure shows an example of
`the relationship of files to file categories on a client terminal.
`
`Dropbox Exhibit 1006 - Page 4
`Dropbox, Inc. v. Entangled Media, LLC
`IPR2024-00285 - U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260
`
`

`

`US 2002/0046232 A1
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`0031. The present invention provides a system for and
`method of distributed file sharing over a computer network.
`For the purposes of the present invention, a client terminal
`is any type of terminal hereinbefore mentioned. Further
`more, a client terminal may be an information Source itself.
`A central indeX Server is typically an information Source.
`0.032 The following modes are described as applied to
`the written description and appended claims in order to
`provide a more precise understanding of the Subject matter
`of the present invention.
`0033) A preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of the
`present invention is shown in the figures. In FIG. 1, client
`terminals 1 are illustrated as being connected to the Internet
`2. The central indeX Servers 3 are also connected to the
`Internet 2. There is a communication channel 4, via the
`Internet, between two or more client terminals. Obviously,
`the present invention is not limited to the number of com
`puters or terminals illustrated in the figure. Furthermore, it
`is not a Specific requirement that the Internet 2 is used as the
`computer network.
`0034.
`In FIG. 2 an example of the relationship which
`may exist between a given client terminal 1, file categories
`5 and files 6 are illustrated. It should be noted that the figure
`is provided by way of example only and that the particular
`categorisation, or number of file categories or files shown, is
`not limiting. Each client terminal 1 having memory means
`allocates a component of memory to a file category 5. For
`example, a file category 5a may be associated with a specific
`folder in a computer hard drive. A file category 5 contains
`files 6 which are related according to the Subject matter of
`the file category 5. Any number of file categories 5 and files
`6 can be provided. For example, file category 5a may
`contain files 6a, 6b and 6d, and file category 5b may contain
`files 6a to 6f, as illustrated.
`0.035 A file 6 need not be stored only in a single category
`5, a file 6 can reside in multiple categories 5 on a client
`terminal 1, and can be indexed under Several categories 5 by
`a central index server 3. Even if a file 6 does initially reside
`in only a single category 5 on a client terminal 1, a central
`index server 3 may index the file 6 under more than one
`category 5.
`0036) Client terminals 1 publish files 6 for other client
`terminals 1 in the computer network 2. The central indeX
`servers 3 store the list of files 6 in the system, including the
`Subset of files currently available. Client terminals 1 can
`query the central indeX Servers 3 to determine the Set of files
`6 currently available in the system. Files 6 include, but are
`not limited to, text documents, images, movies, audio files,
`Spreadsheets and other types of documents.
`0037 Client terminals 1 search for files 6 by querying the
`central indeX ServerS 3. A central indeX Server 3 returns a list
`of files 6 and file locations which match the query results and
`are currently available. The client terminal 1 issuing the
`search can retrieve a file 6 from the search results by
`requesting it from one of the client terminals 1 specified in
`the Search results (a peer-to-peer transfer).
`0038. It should be noted that use of the term ‘search in
`this Specification should be taken to apply both to automatic
`
`Searches performed by computer Software and to manual
`Searching or browsing of categories and files by a user.
`0039 For example, a user may be searching for an image
`file of a particular perSon. The name of the image file may
`have an arbitrary name with no textual reference to the name
`of the perSon. The image file would be categorized in an
`appropriate file category which would have Some relation
`ship to the name of the perSon. ASSume the user is using
`client terminal 1a to Search for an image file, which unbe
`known to the user files 6a, 6b or 6d would suffice, by
`querying the central index server 3a or 3b. The central index
`server 3a returns a list of files 6a, 6b or 6d and file locations
`contained in file category 5a which match the query results
`and are currently available on client terminal 1c. The client
`terminal 1a issuing the Search can retrieve a file, for example
`file 6a, from the Search results by requesting it from the
`client terminal 1c, or other terminal if more than one client
`terminal is specified in the Search results (a peer-to-peer
`transfer).
`0040. Each file 6 in the computer network 2 is stored in
`one or more categories 5. Central indeX Servers 3 control the
`list of categories in the System.
`0041. The contents of the files 6 are stored on client
`terminals 1. Each file 6 is stored in a directory on the client
`terminal 1 which is associated with one of the central file
`categories 5. Each client terminal 1 may have a different Set
`of files 6 published.
`0042 Files 6 can belong to public or private categories 5.
`Only authorized users can view or publish files in private
`categories. Files in private categories are not reclassified or
`removed except by authorized users.
`0043. The set of categories 5 that each file 6 is stored in
`is Stored on the central indeX ServerS 3. A unique Signature
`of the file 6 is used to determine whether two files, e.g. 6a and
`6e, are the Same. Changes to the file category list are made
`manually on the central index servers 3 (computers). File
`category list changes are propagated to all users.
`0044) Users publish files by placing them into a directory
`that is associated with a file category 5. If the file 6 has not
`been published before, the first file category it will be
`asSociated with is the file category it was placed in by the
`user who first published the file 6.
`0045 Users with sufficient access rights may also manu
`ally modify the categories that a file is associated with.
`0046) The following example provides a more detailed
`outline of one embodiment of the present invention. This
`example is intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting
`of the Scope of the present invention.
`0047. Example Usage:
`0048 1. User A in Sydney saves a new Word docu
`ment called “Marketing Report.doc' into a Special
`folder using Software embodying the invention. The
`file is stored in a directory on the local hard disk
`drive. The directory is associated with a category
`called “FileCat.Marketing Documents” in the hier
`archy maintained by the central indeX Servers. The
`client Software is responsible for maintaining a data
`base of directories associated with categories on the
`central indeX Servers and the list of files in each
`directory.
`
`Dropbox Exhibit 1006 - Page 5
`Dropbox, Inc. v. Entangled Media, LLC
`IPR2024-00285 - U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260
`
`

`

`US 2002/0046232 A1
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`0049 2. The client software automatically detects
`the new file. A checksum of the file is generated and,
`after Security access is validated using a role based
`Security mechanism, the information is sent to the
`central index servers where the new file is added to
`the central index. The central indeX Servers also note
`that the file is available on User A's PC.
`0050) 3. User B in New York uses the invention to
`browse the hierarchical category tree, Similar to
`browsing a local hard disk drive. User B only sees
`the categories in the tree they have permission to
`access. They browse into the category “FileCat.Mar
`keting Documents” and view the files currently
`available in this category. The file list is obtained by
`the client Software by querying the central indeX
`SCWCS.
`0051 4. User B selects the file called “Marketing
`Report.doc" from the list of currently available files
`and instructs the Software to download the file. The
`Software on the central indeX Servers obtains a list of
`locations for the file based on the unique signature of
`the file and returns this list to the client Software on
`User B's computer. The software on User B's com
`puter then makes a peer-to-peer network connection
`to User A's computer to obtain the file. Peer-to-peer
`connections are made either via a direct TCP/IP
`connection, or via a relay Server that passes infor
`mation between nodes on the network.
`0.052
`5. Once the file is downloaded to User B's
`computer, the Software automatically adds User B's
`computer as a possible Source for the file "Marketing
`Report.doc' on the central indeX Servers.
`0053. It should be noted that the computer network as
`referenced in this Specification should be taken to include all
`forms of connected or communicating computers or termi
`nals having at least two terminals connected or communi
`cating as hereinbefore described. That is, the term computer
`network should be taken to include any type of terminal as
`hereinbefore defined, computer, computerised device,
`peripheral computer equipment, computerised accessory,
`mobile or cellular phone, digital electronic device or other
`Similar type of computerised electronic device or part
`thereof which is rendered Such that it is capable of commu
`nicating with at least one of any of the aforementioned
`entities. Said communication of information or data can
`occur over any data communications network, computer
`network, wireleSS network, internetwork, intranetwork, local
`area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet
`and developments thereof, transient or temporary network,
`combinations of the above or any other type of network
`providing for computerised, electronic or digital devices.
`Furthermore, references to the terms connecting, communi
`cating, transmitting, requesting, receiving, exchanging and
`the like, and permutations thereof, as applied to the term
`computer network and/or components thereof should be
`taken to pertain to the transfer of information or data.
`0054. Such transfers of information or data can be facili
`tated for by any form of entity/entities for facilitating Such,
`including, but not limited to, metallic wires or cables,
`Semi-conducting wires or cables, optical fibres and optical
`devices, wireleSS means, electromagnetic waves and the like
`and modulations thereof, acoustic waves and the like and
`
`modulations thereof, control of electric and/or magnetic
`fields, and/or the transportation of all forms of memory
`devices.
`0055 Thus, there has been provided in accordance with
`the present invention, a System for and method of distributed
`file sharing over a computer network which Satisfies the
`advantages Set forth above.
`0056. The invention may also be said broadly to consist
`in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in
`the Specification of the application, individually or collec
`tively, in any or all combinations of two or more of Said
`parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are
`mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art
`to which the invention relates, Such known equivalents are
`deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
`0057 Although the preferred embodiment has been
`described in detail, it should be understood that various
`changes, Substitutions, and alterations can be made herein by
`one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
`Spirit or Scope of the present invention.
`1. A System for allowing a user to Search for and locate a
`file in a distributed file sharing computer network, the
`System including:
`a first client terminal, and at least one further client
`terminal;
`at least one central indeX Server;
`the computer network providing a communication chan
`nel between the first client terminal and the at least one
`further client terminal, and the computer network pro
`viding a communication channel between the first
`client terminal and the at least one central indeX Server;
`files which are Stored in any of the client terminals, the
`files having been categorised into file categories
`according to the content or type of the file;
`each central indeX Server Storing, for each file, informa
`tion on the file including the file name, the file type, the
`category or categories in which the file is located, and,
`the location of the file in the computer network;
`a search results list which is transmitted to the first client
`terminal in response to the user's Search request, the
`Search results list generated by the at least one central
`indeX Server Searching file category information and
`file type information;
`the Search results list containing a link to at least one file
`which is located on the further client terminal, if any
`files are identified in the Search.
`2. The System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Search
`results list is generated by the central indeX Server Searching
`file category information and file type information, but not
`actual file names.
`3. The System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Search
`results list is generated by the user manually browsing the
`central indeX Server file categories from the first client
`terminal.
`4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the file is
`any of the following types: audio, Video, image, text, ascii,
`executable, data, or compressed.
`5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the file
`category is a folder or directory on a client terminal.
`
`Dropbox Exhibit 1006 - Page 6
`Dropbox, Inc. v. Entangled Media, LLC
`IPR2024-00285 - U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260
`
`

`

`US 2002/0046232 A1
`
`Apr. 18, 2002
`
`6. The System as claimed in claim 1, wherein a further
`client terminal is an information Source.
`7. The System as claimed in claim 1, wherein changes to
`file categories or the contents of file categories are auto
`matically updated on the central indeX Servers.
`8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a file can be
`Stored in more than one file category, and on more than one
`client terminal.
`9. A method for allowing a user to search for and locate
`a file in a distributed file sharing computer network, wherein
`there is provided: a first client terminal, at least one further
`client terminal, and at least one central indeX Server, the
`computer network providing a communication channel
`between the first client terminal and the at least one further
`client terminal, and the computer network providing a
`communication channel between the first client terminal and
`the at least one central indeX Server; files which are Stored in
`any of the client terminals, the files having been categorised
`into file categories according to the content or type of the
`file; each central indeX Server Storing, for each file, infor
`mation on the file including the file name, the file type, the
`category or categories in which the file is located, and, the
`location of the file in the computer network; the method
`comprising the Steps of:
`the user entering a Search request for a file into the first
`client terminal;
`the first client terminal transferring the Search request to
`the central indeX Server, the central indeX Server Search
`ing the file categories and file types located on the
`central index server for a file which matches the user
`request,
`the central indeX Server providing the file name, the file
`type, the category or categories in which the file is
`located, and the location of the file to the first client
`terminal for any located files,
`the user Selecting a file from the Search results list;
`the first client terminal being placed in communication
`with the further client terminal in which the selected
`file resides,
`the Selected file then being accessed by or downloaded to
`the first client terminal from the further client terminal.
`10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the search
`results list is generated by the user manually browsing the
`central indeX Server file categories from the first client
`terminal.
`
`11. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein, computer
`authorisation or a password can be required to access the
`Selected file or the further computer terminal.
`12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a client
`terminal need not be permanently connected to the computer
`network.
`13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein if a user
`makes changes to a file on a client terminal, including: to the
`name of a file; to the location of a file; or, to a file category,
`the information is automatically updated in the central indeX
`SCWCS.
`14. A method for organizing files, and allowing a user to
`Search for and locate a file, in a distributed file sharing
`computer network, includes the Steps of:
`a first user Saving a file into a file category, the file Stored
`on a first client terminal;
`automatically updating the change to the file category on
`file category information Stored on a central index
`Server and Storing the location of the file on the central
`indeX Server;
`a Second user accessing a Second client terminal, the
`Second client terminal being remote to the first client
`terminal, and browsing file categories by the Second
`client terminal querying the central indeX Server;
`the Second user locating a file category of interest and
`selecting a file from the available list of files in the file
`category,
`the location of the selected file being transmitted from the
`central indeX server to the Second client terminal;
`the Second clien