Patent ID: 7849165
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A data storage system for storing data files for a plurality of accounts, the data files being retrievable at any computer capable of connecting to a system computer over the Internet; said data storage system comprising: said system computer having a system storage device and means for storing and selectively retrieving data files for each respective account, said system computer being operatively connected to the Internet; said each respective account having a primary account user and a plurality of subaccounts, each of said subaccounts having file rights controlled access to personal subaccount files stored on the system storage device and each of said subaccounts having file rights controlled access to shared account files stored on the system storage device; means for said primary account user to set access levels to shared files and personal files for each of said subaccount users; an account user computer comprising a display and storage device and being operatively connected to the Internet; means for verifying account user information for each account user computer seeking to access the system computer over the Internet; said system computer including means for displaying on the account user computer display for each verified account user a list of the personal subaccount files and shared account files on the system storage device for the verified account user in accordance with the access level set by said primary account user; means to instruct the account user computer to recognize the contents of the system storage device for the verified account as a local storage device for said account user computer once the account has been verified such that data files can be read from and written to the system storage device; means for accessing data files from the account user computer storage device and storing it onto the system computer storage device; and means for instructing the account user computer to cease recognizing the contents of the system storage device for the verified account as a local storage device for account user computer after the user sends a logoff instruction to the system computer.