Instant messaging blind join
First Claim
1. A blind join apparatus for use with an instant messaging client, the blind join apparatus comprising:
- at least one set of pre-configured blind join options specifying a level of participation permitted by an invitee invited to anonymously join an instant messaging session in progress;
blind join invitation generation logic configured toreceive a selection of one of said at least one set of pre-configured blind join options by a present participant of said instant messaging session in progress, andextend a blind join invitation to a specified instant messaging contact, said blind join invitation comprising a specified invitee and said selected one of said at least one set of pre-configured blind join options; and
,blind join invitation acceptance logic configured to accept a blind join invitation at a level of participation limited by blind join options specified in said blind join invitation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A blind join apparatus, method and system for use with an instant messaging client. The blind join apparatus can include at least one set of pre-configured blind join options specifying a level of participation permitted by an invitee invited to anonymously join an instant messaging session in progress. Blind join invitation generation logic can be configured to extend a blind join invitation to a specified instant messaging contact. Specifically, the blind join invitation can include a specified invitee and a selected one of the at least one set of pre-configured blind join options. Finally, blind join invitation acceptance logic can be configured to accept a blind join invitation at a level of participation limited by blind join options specified in the blind join invitation.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A blind join apparatus for use with an instant messaging client, the blind join apparatus comprising:
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at least one set of pre-configured blind join options specifying a level of participation permitted by an invitee invited to anonymously join an instant messaging session in progress; blind join invitation generation logic configured to receive a selection of one of said at least one set of pre-configured blind join options by a present participant of said instant messaging session in progress, and extend a blind join invitation to a specified instant messaging contact, said blind join invitation comprising a specified invitee and said selected one of said at least one set of pre-configured blind join options; and
,blind join invitation acceptance logic configured to accept a blind join invitation at a level of participation limited by blind join options specified in said blind join invitation. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of establishing anonymous participation in an instant messaging session comprising the steps of:
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posting messages received from visible participants in the instant messaging session along with identifiers associating each posted message with one of said visible participants; forwarding an invitation from a participant in the instant messaging sessions to an invitee to blindly join the instant messaging session; and
,if said invitee accepts said invitation, forwarding subsequently posted messages to said invitee without notifying said visible participants that said subsequently posted messages have been forwarded to said invitee. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A machine readable storage having stored thereon a computer program for establishing anonymous participation in an instant messaging session, said computer program comprising a routine set of instructions for causing the machine to perform the steps of:
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posting messages received from visible participants in the instant messaging session along with identifiers associating each posted message with one of said visible participants; forwarding an invitation from a participant in the instant messaging sessions to an invitee to blindly join the instant messaging session; and
,if said invitee accepts said invitation, forwarding subsequently posted messages to said invitee without notifying said visible participants that said subsequently posted messages have been forwarded to said invitee. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification