System, method, and computer program for enabling a user to synchronize, manage, and share folders across a plurality of client devices and a synchronization server

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program are provided for enabling a user to synchronize, manage, and share files and folders across a plurality of client devices and a synchronization server. In a user interface, a first view displays all folders, which a user has synchronized to the synchronization server and a drop-target zone to which the user is able to drag a folder from the local device to synchronize the folder with the synchronization server. A second view displays all files and folders, which the user has shared with other users. A third view displays a list of user contacts, where each contact is a drop-target zone on which a user is able to drag a folder to share the folder with the contact. A fourth view is provided in which a user is able to see activity related to a folder displayed in the first view.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for synchronizing folders, the method comprising:
 displaying, in a synchronized view on a user device, a plurality of folder indicators, each folder indicator representing a folder synchronized with a user account on a synchronization server,   wherein the folder indicators are displayed in the synchronized view regardless of whether contents related to each of the folder indicators resides on user device or other user devices associated with the user account,   wherein the synchronized view comprises: (i) a device independent mode that enables a user to view the folder indicators regardless of which of the user devices each of the folder indicators resides on, and (ii) a device specific mode that enables the user to view the folder indicators organized according to the user device each of the folder indicators resides on;   displaying a first drop-target zone configured to receive input that initiates an upload of a copy of at least one new folder to the synchronization server; and   displaying at least one new folder indicator related to a corresponding one of the at least one new folder in the synchronized view.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the input comprises dragging an object to the first drop-target zone. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 receiving a command at one of the displayed folder indicators; and   displaying information associated with the one of the folder indicators.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the information comprises at least one device to which the one folder indicator is synchronized. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising displaying a user interface object associated with one of the displayed folder indicators, wherein receiving input at the user interface object starts synchronization of contents associated with the one folder indicator. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein synchronization comprises downloading a copy of the contents associated with the one folder indicator to the user device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising displaying an indicator that the contents associated with the one folder indicator are synchronized. 
     
     
         31 . A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and including instructions for causing a computer processor to carry out steps comprising:
 displaying, in a synchronized view on a user device, a plurality of folder indicators, each folder indicator representing a folder synchronized with a user account on a synchronization server,   wherein the folder indicators are displayed in the synchronized view regardless of whether contents related to each of the folder indicators resides on the user device or other user devices associated with the user account,   wherein the synchronized view comprises: (i) a device independent mode that enables a user to view the folder indicators regardless of which of the user devices each of the folder indicators resides on, and (ii) a device specific mode that enables the user to view the folder indicators organized according to the user device each of the folder indicators resides on;   displaying a first drop-target zone configured to receive input that initiates an upload of a copy of at least one new folder to the synchronization server; and   displaying at least one new folder indicator related to a corresponding one of the at least one new folder in the synchronized view.   
     
     
         32 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , wherein the input comprises dragging an object to the first drop-target zone. 
     
     
         33 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to carry out steps comprising:
 receiving a command at one of the displayed folder indicators; and   displaying information associated with the one of the folder indicators.   
     
     
         34 . The computer program product of  claim 33 , wherein the information comprises at least one device to which the one folder indicator is synchronized. 
     
     
         35 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to carry out the steps of:
 displaying a user interface object associated with one of the displayed folder indicators; and   receiving input at the user interface object starts synchronization of contents associated with the one folder indicator.   
     
     
         36 . The computer program product of  claim 35 , wherein synchronization comprises downloading a copy of the contents associated with the one folder indicator to the user device. 
     
     
         37 . The computer program product of  claim 36 , further comprising instructions for causing the processor to carry out the step of displaying an indicator that the contents associated with the one folder indicator are synchronized. 
     
     
         38 . A user interface configured to:
 displaying, in a synchronized view on a user device, a plurality of folder indicators, each folder indicator representing a folder synchronized with a user account on a synchronization server,   wherein the folder indicators are displayed in the synchronized view regardless of whether contents related to each of the folder indicators resides on the user device or other user devices associated with the user account,   wherein the synchronized view comprises: (i) a device independent mode that enables a user to view the folder indicators regardless of which of the user devices each of the folder indicators resides on, and (ii) a device specific mode that enables the user to view the folder indicators organized according to the user device each of the folder indicators resides on;   displaying a first drop-target zone configured to receive input that initiates an upload of a copy of at least one new folder to the synchronization server; and   displaying at least one new folder indicator related to a corresponding one of the at least one new folder in the synchronized view.   
     
     
         39 . The user interface of  claim 38 , wherein the input comprises dragging an object to the first drop-target zone. 
     
     
         40 . The user interface of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 receiving a command at one of the displayed folder indicators; and   displaying information associated with the one of the folder indicators.   
     
     
         41 . The user interface of  claim 40 , wherein the information comprises at least one device to which the one folder indicator is synchronized. 
     
     
         42 . The user interface of  claim 38 , further comprising displaying a user interface object associated with one of the displayed folder indicators, wherein receiving input at the user interface object starts synchronization of contents associated with the one folder indicator. 
     
     
         43 . The user interface of  claim 42 , wherein synchronization comprises downloading a copy of the contents associated with the one folder indicator to the user device. 
     
     
         44 . The user interface of  claim 43 , further comprising displaying an indicator that the contents associated with the folder indicator are synchronized.