Patent ID: 7552182
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for storing e-mail for a first user, the method comprising: storing at least one capacity limit for the first user's e-mailbox; receiving an e-mail that increases accumulated storage volume of e-mails in the first user's e-mailbox beyond the at least one capacity limit; accessing indications of available storage space for e-mailboxes of other users designated as overflow e-mailboxes, wherein such an overflow e-mailbox designation indicates agreement by a user of such an overflow e-mailbox to loan at least a portion of the e-mailbox; selecting one of the overflow e-mailboxes responsive to indicated availability of storage space therein, wherein the selected overflow e-mailbox is an e-mailbox of a second user; and storing a pointer for the first user responsive to the selection, wherein the pointer points to the selected second user's e-mailbox, wherein space in the first user's e-mailbox is reduced by using a loaned portion of storage space in the second user's e-mailbox for the received e-mail in lieu of space in the first user's e-mailbox.