Patent ID: 7567969

Claim:
A file management apparatus for managing one or more files stored in a storage apparatus, the file management apparatus comprising: a controller; and a memory unit that stores first management information and second management information, wherein the file management apparatus is coupled to a client computer, wherein said first management information includes: a first classification list including a plurality of first keywords; a second classification list Including a plurality of second keywords; and a third classification list including a plurality of third keywords, wherein said second management information: associates said second classification list with a first user at first, and associates said first classification list with said first user next to said second classification list; and associates said first classification list with a second user at first, associates said third classification list with said second user next to said first classification list, and associates said second classification list with said second user next to said third classification list, wherein said controller provides a first directory group to said first user via said client computer, using said first management information and said second management information, the first directory group including: a second directory A whose name is a second I said plurality of second keywords and a second directory B whose name is a second keyword B included in said plurality of second keywords under a root directory; a first directory A whose name is a first keyword A included in said plurality of first keywords and a first directory B whose name is a first keyword B included in said plurality of first keywords under said second directory A; and a first file under said first directory A, and wherein said controller provides a second directory group to said second user via said client computer, using said first management information and said second management information, said second directory group including: said first directory A and said first directory B under a root directory: a third directory A whose name is a third keyword A included in said plurality of third I included in said plurality of third keyword under said first directory A; said second directory A and said second directory B under said third directory A; and said first file under said second directory A.