Patent ID: 8359358

Claim:
A method for transmitting a file folder from a sending end to a receiving end using an instant messaging system, the method comprising: receiving a selection of a file folder that is to be transmitted from a sending end to a receiving end using an instant messaging system from a user; in response to receiving the selection of the file folder that is to be transmitted, generating a directory structure file of the file folder, the directory structure file comprising properties including a size of the file folder, paths and path lengths of files in the file folder, wherein generating the directory structure file comprises traversing the file folder and computing the properties of the directory structure file; sending the directory structure file from the sending end to the receiving end using the instant messaging system; determining files in the file folder that need to be transmitted from the sending end to the receiving end; and transmitting the files in the file folder that need to be transmitted to the receiving end using the instant messaging system and without compressing the files in the file folder.