System and server for managing shared files

A server apparatus connected through a network to a plurality of client apparatuses and managing files shared by the plurality of client apparatuses, comprising:

• a first storage device which stores the shared files;
• a second storage device which stores file management data including access status information of the shared files stored in said first storage device;
• a receiver which receives an access request to a file among the shared files by a first client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses;
• a decider which decides whether the file is being edited by any other client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses or not based on the file management data;
• and
• a file manager which when said decider decides that the file is being edited by no other client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses, allows the first client apparatus to open the file and permits editing of the file by the first client apparatus, and when the determiner determines that the file is being edited by a second client apparatus, presents to the second client apparatus a first graphic user interface for requesting the second client apparatus whether to permit or to reject editing of the portion by the first client apparatus, and when a notification to permit editing of the portion is received from the second client apparatus, allows the first client apparatus to open the file and permit editing of the portion by the first client apparatus.

A shared file management system, comprising:

• a plurality of client apparatus;
• and
• a server apparatus which manages files shared by the plurality of client apparatus through a network;
• wherein said server apparatus comprises:
• a first storage device which stores the shared files;
• a second storage device which stores file management data including access status information of the shared files stored in said first storage device;
• a receiver which receives an access request to a file among the shared files by a first client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses;
• a decider which decides whether the file is being edited by any other client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses or not based on the file management data;
• and
• a file manager which when said decider decides that the file is being edited by no other client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses, allows the first client apparatus to open the file and permits editing of the file by the first client apparatus, and when the determiner determines that the file is being edited by a second client apparatus, presents to the second client apparatus a first graphic user interface for requesting the second client apparatus whether to permit or to reject editing of the portion by the first client apparatus, and when a notification to permit editing of the portion is received from the second client apparatus, allows the first client apparatus to open the file and permit editing of the portion by the first client apparatus.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for managing files shared by a plurality of client apparatuses through a network, the program comprising the steps of:

• receiving an access request to a file among the shared files from a first client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses;
• deciding whether the file is being edited by any other client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses or not based on file management data which includes access information of the shared files;
• when it is decided that the file is being edited by no other client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses, allowing the first client apparatus to open the file and permit editing of the file by the first client apparatus;
• and
• when it is decided that the file is being edited by a second client apparatus among the plurality of client apparatuses, the second client apparatus editing the file including a portion which the first client apparatus intends to edit, presenting to the second client apparatus a first graphic user interface for requesting the second client apparatus whether to permit or to reject editing of the portion by the first client apparatus, and when a notification to permit editing of the portion is received from the second client apparatus, allowing the first client apparatus to open the file in a status wherein and permit editing of the portion by the first client apparatus.

A method of managing shared files, comprising:

• receiving a request to edit a file from a first client in a network;
• determining whether or not any other client in the network has an editing right to the file;
• receiving a designation of one or more portions of the file to edit from the first client when it is determined that another client in the network has the editing right to the file;
• and
• for each designated portion of the file designated by the first client, performing the steps of
• determining a second client that has an editing right to the designated portion of the file;
• making a request to the second client to allow the first client to edit the designated portion of the file;
• and
• granting the editing right to the designated portion of the file to the first client when the second client grants permission to allow the first client to edit the designated portion of the file,
• wherein each of the designated portions of the file is less than a whole of the file.