Methods and apparatuses for selectively displaying information to an invited participant

Abstract

In one embodiment, an invited participant accesses a customized web page using an electronic device. Content is displayed on the customized web page to the invited participant. A determination is made whether the invited participant has viewed the content on the customize web page by tracking usage of the customize web page. In response to determining that the invited participant has not viewed the content, a determination is made whether the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content. In response to determination that the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant, a determination is made whether the previously-uninvited participant is approved to access the customized web page and view the content. In response to the previously-uninvited participant having been approved, an invitation is issued to the previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content.

1 . A method comprising:
 allowing an invited participant to access a customized web page using an electronic device;   displaying content on the customized web page to the invited participant;   determine whether the invited participant has viewed the content on the customize web page by tracking usage of the customize web page;   in response to determining that the invited participant has not viewed the content, determining whether the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content;   in response to determination that the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant, determining whether the previously-uninvited participant is approved to access the customized web page and view the content; and   in response to the previously-uninvited participant being approved, issuing an invitation to the previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the previously-uninvited participant is approved further comprises:
 determining a relationship between the previously-uninvited participant and the invited participant; and   automatically approving the previously-uninvited participant based on a type of the relationship.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the type of the relationship is a co-worker relationship. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the type of the relationship is a family member relationship. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the type of the relationship is pre-approved by a host of the customized web page. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the previously-uninvited participant is approved further comprises:
 asking a host of the customized web page to approve or reject inclusion of the previously-uninvited participant.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to determining that the invited participant has viewed the content, displaying additional content on the customized web page to the invited participant.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the content and the additional content is part of a sequence of content programmed by a host of the customized web page. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a computer that includes a display and one or more user interface components. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory storing instructions for one or more software modules, the one or more software modules, when executed by the processor, operable to:
 display content on a customized web page to an invited participant, 
 determine whether the invited participant has viewed the content on the customize web page by tracking usage of the customize web page, 
 determine whether the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content, 
 in response to determination that the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant, determine whether the previously-uninvited participant is approved to access the customized web page and view the content, and 
 in response to the previously-uninvited participant being approved, issue an invitation to the previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more software modules, when executed by the processor, are further operable to:
 determine a relationship between the previously-uninvited participant and the invited participant, and   automatically approve the previously-uninvited participant based on a type of the relationship.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the type of the relationship is a co-worker relationship. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the type of the relationship is a family member relationship. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the type of the relationship is pre-approved by a host of the customized web page. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more software modules, when executed by the processor, are further operable to:
 ask a host of the customized web page to approve or reject inclusion of previously-uninvited participant.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more software modules, when executed by the processor, are further operable to:
 in response to determination that the invited participant has viewed the content, display additional content on the customized web page to the invited participant.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the content and the additional content is part of a sequence of content programmed by a host of the customized web page. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for allowing an invited participant to access a customized web page;   means for displaying content on the customized web page to the invited participant;   means for determine whether the invited participant has viewed the content on the customize web page by tracking usage of the customize web page;   means for determining whether the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content, in response to determining that the invited participant has not viewed the content;   means for determining whether the previously-uninvited participant is approved to access the customized web page and view the content; and   means for issuing an invitation to the previously-uninvited participant to access the customized web page and view the content, in response to determination that the invited participant has invited a previously-uninvited participant.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein further comprising
 means for determining a relationship between the previously-uninvited participant and the invited participant; and 
 means for automatically approving the previously-uninvited participant based on a type of the relationship. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein further comprising
 means for asking a host of the customized web page to approve or reject inclusion of the previously-uninvited participant.