Method and System for Providing a Presentation on a Network

The present invention relates to a networked presentation system for providing a presentation to a plurality of client nodes on a communications network such as the Internet, and more particularly to a presentation system wherein network transmission characteristics are utilized in determining the presentation materials presented at each client node during a performance of the presentation.

Interactive or live presentations via a telecommunications network (i.e., "telepresentations" such as teleconferences etc.) are becoming a viable alternative to face-to-face meetings due to the greater cost effectiveness of such telepresentations. However, there is still substantial expense in conducting such a telepresentation, particularly when the presentation members (i.e., presentation leaders and audience members) reside at a large number of geographically scattered sites. In particular, each of the sites may require specialized video conferencing systems with high data transmission lines for connecting the telepresentation members. Thus, due to the expense of provisioning and maintaining such networked conferencing systems, corporations typically have only a small number of such conferencing systems at strategically located telepresentation centers for conducting such telepresentations. However, there are numerous drawbacks to this approach, such as:

(1.1) The dedicated telepresentation centers are expensive to maintain;

(1.2) Presentation participants are still required to travel to these centers; and

(1.3) Potential members of such a presentation who are not able to access such a center are excluded from the presentation.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a network presentation distribution system that alleviates these drawbacks, wherein such a system would allow individuals to access and/or participate in a presentation using standard telephony and Internet network connections found in most offices and many homes.

The present invention is a network presentation distribution system for providing a presentation, via one or more communication networks, to a plurality of presentation members simultaneously. That is, the present invention distributes a presentation synchronously to presentation members via the one or more communication networks, wherein a communication network is defined as both the physical components and the communication protocol(s) utilized on the network components and wherein the term, "presentation members" (also denoted "users"), includes both audience members (also denoted "clients") and presentation leaders. Moreover, the present invention provides interactive and/or real-time presentations to presentation members that are geographically scattered when each such member has access to one or more commonly available communication networks such as the Internet and a conventional telephony network for telephone-to-telephone voice communication. For example, the present invention may communicate the video portion of a presentation to a user site via the Internet (more generally, via any TCP/IP network) while a corresponding audio portion may be communicated to the user site via a conventional telephony network and a conventional telephone at the user site. However, other embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, both the video and audio portions of the presentation may be provided solely by a TCP/IP network such as the Internet, assuming that there is sufficient communication bandwidth to synchronize presentation transmissions to the presentation members.

The present invention distributes a presentation (synonymously also denoted a "show") to presentation members by a novel distribution of presentation materials among network server nodes of a TCP/IP network (hereinafter assumed to be the Internet for simplicity). That is, due to the typically "bursty" nature of transmissions between nodes of such a network, a version of the presentation may be accessed synchronously from different network server nodes, or different versions of the presentation may be accessed synchronously from one or more of the network server nodes. Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides for a plurality of at least one of:

(2.1) One or more network server nodes (each hereinafter also denoted synonymously as a "network server," "content webserver", "content supplying node", and "supplying node"), whereby audience members receive presentation materials; and/or

(2.2) Different versions of the same presentation, accessible from the one or more of the content webservers, wherein each version may be for a different group of audience members such as a group for Japanese speaking audience members, or audience members affiliated with a particular organization.

Note that each of the one or more presentation versions includes one or more presentation segments (hereinafter also denoted simply "segments") that provide different portions of the presentation. More precisely, subcollections each having one or more segments are provided as presentation "elements" in that each such subcollection is intended to be an indivisible portion of a presentation performance. Moreover, each version of a presentation typically has its subcollections of segments (i.e, presentation elements) ordered according to their presentation sequence. Moreover, substantially every segment (or subcollections thereof) in one version corresponds with a segment (or subcollections thereof) having the same presentation order, in each of the other versions. Thus, assuming corresponding segments (or subcollections thereof) in different versions have approximately the same presentation duration, any of the corresponding alternative segments (or subcollections thereof) from different versions can be presented as a replacement for another such corresponding segment (or subcollection) during the presentation. Thus, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide corresponding alternative segments (or subcollections thereof) having substantially different network transmission requirements so that such corresponding alternative segments (or subcollections thereof) can be substituted for one another depending on the performance of the communications network. For example, the segments (subcollections) of a first version of a presentation may require a network transmission rate sufficient for real time or animated video and the segments for another version of the presentation may only require a transmission rate sufficient for graphic slides. Thus, of a set of corresponding segments (subcollections), one segment (subcollection) may merely be an audio presentation via a telephone, whereas an alternative segment (subcollection) may be a multimedia presentation element that is a combination of one or more of the following types of HTML multimedia data: audio, images, animation or video, wherein such a multimedia element plays over a set period of time and can be as simple as a single image or as complex as a combination of images, audio, animation and video. Furthermore, segments may include interactive questions that audience members answer by, e.g., clicking on their display screens.

Note that it is also an aspect of the present invention that an ordering of predefined segments (or subcollections thereof) is capable of being presented and archived, and subsequently represented. Moreover, such an ordering can take into account alternative segments for the presentation. Thus, multiple sequentially-ordered scripts can be created so that the leader can choose to change scripts in the middle of a presentation based on user feedback. Accordingly, a presentation leader has the ability to stop presentation of a particular script and its current subcollection of segments and change to a different subcollection of segments to be delivered to the audience. Subsequently, the leader can then resume the initial script at any time.

Accordingly, to take advantage of this novel distribution of presentation materials, the present invention coordinates and controls computations and presentations at each client network node for each presentation audience member (hereinafter each such network node also may be synonymously denoted as a "client node," "user network node" or simply "user node") substantially simultaneously. In particular, one or more presentation controlling network connected nodes (each hereinafter also denoted a "host node") is provided for transmitting presentation controlling commands to the client nodes so that there is retrieval of the presentation segments from one or more versions of the one or more network content server nodes depending on, for example, performance characteristics of network transmissions. Thus, it is an aspect of the present invention to dynamically and adaptively switch between content webservers and/or versions of the presentation according to network transmission characteristics at each client network node so that the clients at the client nodes have presented to them simultaneously, synchronously and in real time, corresponding (in content) segments of the presentation. For example, a first client (at a first client node) may experience the presentation as an ordered series of presentation segments, wherein the first and second ordered segments are presented in full animation, wherein the first of the ordered segments is obtained from a first content webserver and the second segment of the ordered segments is obtained from a second content webserver. Moreover, synchronously with the presentation to the first client, a second client (at a second client node) may experience the presentation in a slide show format from a third content webserver, wherein the initial two segments presented are corresponding alternative segments to the first and second segments presented to the first client. Additionally, a third client may synchronously experience the first segment of the presentation via network transmissions from the first content webserver but subsequently experience the corresponding slide show alternative to the second segment from the third content webserver due to, for example, network transmission slowdowns.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to synchronously provide audio and video portions of the presentation through different communication channels (a communication channel being a physical signal transport path together with a particular signal protocol). For example, in one embodiment of the present invention (denoted hereinafter the "Telephony/Internet embodiment"), the audio portion of the presentation is communicated audibly directly to a standard telephone using conventional voice grade telephony transmissions, and the corresponding video portion of the presentation is transmitted via a different network such as the Internet (more generally referred to herein as a "communications network") using, e.g., a modem to interpret the transmission signals.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide the same audio presentation portion to each client, and in this manner, maintain the continuity of the presentation between clients. Thus, regardless of the version of the video presentation provided, the clients have their presentations synchronized by at least experiencing simultaneously the same audio presentation.

It is also an aspect of the present invention to allow presentation members to communicate with one another. For example, in the Telephony/Internet embodiment, a client may communicate with other presentation members (including the presentation leader) during the presentation via the phone and/or by Internet messaging.

In providing the above capabilities of the network presentation distribution system of the present invention, one or more of the previously mentioned presentation controlling network nodes ("host nodes") are utilized, wherein these nodes direct the flow of the presentation data between the presentation members. For example, in the Telephony/Internet embodiment, such a host node, upon receiving the presentation instructions from a presentation leader indicating the next presentation segment(s) to be presented, transmits Internet presentation control signals to each of the client nodes identifying the next collection of corresponding versions of video segments from which each client node is to select a video segment for presenting. Additionally, the host node coordinates any accompanying audio portion for this segment so that the timing for the presentation of these audio and video portions of the segment(s) are synchronized.

Moreover, during a presentation a host node provides a leader of the presentation with the ability to establish and control audience member involvement in the presentation. In particular, in the Telephony/Internet embodiment, this aspect of the invention is provided by the leader controlling the functionality of one or more phone bridges through which all the audio communication during the presentation may be routed. Accordingly, at any point the leader can speak into a microphone and broadcast his/her live voice to the audience members through the phone bridge(s). This live voice audio is automatically mixed with any segment audio concurrently being provided by the phone bridge(s). The leader can control the volume of the segment audio routed through the phone bridge(s) via controls at a leader control station (or simply "leader station"). When enabled by one of the phone bridges, the leader can also control the relative volume of his/her microphone. Otherwise the audio presentation portion routed through the phone bridge(s) is balanced by the automatic gain control on the phone bridge(s).

It is also an aspect of the present invention that any audience member can "request the microphone," from the leader to speak to the presentation audience. Accordingly, the leader has the ability to allow an audience member to speak to the entire audience. The leader can, of course, also choose to stop such audience participation at any time. Thus, the presentation leader may enable and disable audience member involvement during the presentation.

It is also an aspect of the present invention that whenever an on-screen question is answered by audience members, the results are automatically collected and can be graphed. The leader can choose to display the graphical results to all of the audience members. An audience profile database may be created with the data obtained from each audience member. Note that the audience profile database is maintained beyond any one presentation if such is desired.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention that in parallel with all of the other types of interactions between presentation members, text messaging between the leader and any or all of the audience members is done through a messaging window. Further, audience members can send private messages to the leader as well as each other. These messages can be read during the presentation without interrupting the flow of the presentation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, note that both the video and audio portions for a presentation may be provided by the Internet. Moreover, the present embodiment and the Telephony/Internet embodiment discussed above may be intermixed during a presentation so that some clients may receive the entire presentation via the Internet (more generally, via a communications network having physical transport and protocol(s) for supporting multimedia presentations) whereas other clients may receive the audio portion of the presentation via telephony transmissions of conventional voice communication through a telephone handset.

Thus, audience members may simultaneously receive a coordinated sequence of multimedia data controlled by the leader to be displayed, e.g., by an Internet browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Moreover, the present invention supports standard media types, e.g., GIF animation, as well as plug-in components such as Java and Shockwave for presenting the data (audio, graphic images, animation and video) in real time at an audience member's browser. Furthermore, several variations of presentation content can be delivered based on, e.g., the current bandwidth available and the client's affiliated network server(s).

Accordingly, the following advantages are provided by the present invention.

(3.1) Allocated Bandwidth for Server Data Availability:

The present invention allows the leader to selectively organize the number of audience members drawing data from a particular communications network server. By limiting the number of audience members on such a server to no more than 75, and controlling the presentation services provided to audience members, presentation related data availability is enhanced for audience members.

(3.2) Enhanced Reliability Through Distributed Components:

The present invention supports presentation content being distributed to any number of communications network (web) servers for enhanced reliability. Thus, if one of these network servers becomes inaccessible during a presentation, the present invention utilizes a notion of "virtual servers" (i.e., a collection of a number of communications network servers from which presentation data can be selectively transmitted) for determining an alternative communications network server. Accordingly, this allows the clients (audience members) using the affected communications network server to be switched to another network server in the virtual server collection during the presentation.

(3.3) Evens out "Bursting" of Data by Distributing Its Delivery:

Although each segment of a presentation is treated as a unique (multi)media element, the present invention is capable of delivering an entire collection of presentation segments to a client node while the presentation is being performed. This enables a more smooth flow of data during the presentation even though the segments may be transferred to client nodes in bursts.

(3.4) Monitors Transmission Bandwidth and Alternate Data:

Even with enhanced presentation data availability and distributed communications network (e.g. web) servers, there is still the possibility of data delays from a slow network server of a saturated communications network (e.g., Internet) service provider. Accordingly, the present invention monitors: (a) characteristics of network transmissions of presentation materials to client nodes, e.g., the transmission network bandwidth (e.g., the data transmission rate), and (b) the amount of data cached on each client's node. Thus, when the data required for a segment is not timely cached prior to its intended performance at a client's node, alternate segment data is automatically requested from the communications network by the client node. In particular, the client node may request the segment data from an alternate communications network server through network address (URL) selection of the alternate communications network server.

(3.5) Allows Presentation Participants to Reconnect and Synchronize with a Presentation in Progress:

If a presentation participant is disconnected from the communications network (e.g., Internet) during a presentation, there is a simple reconnect option to put the participant back in the presentation synchronized with the rest of the participants. Note that since the audio portion may be provided via a separate telephony (voice communication) network, it is likely that the disconnected participant is able to maintain the continuity of the presentation.

(3.6) Utilizes Controlled Client Requests:

For a given presentation, the present invention directs each client node to request presentation content from a given set of communications network servers rather than having such servers push presentation content to the client node. Among other advantages, this enables dynamic control of the pace of the presentation by a presentation leader while each client node selects specific display materials to attain that pace. Moreover, this strategy of requesting presentation content is typically not blocked by network firewalls such as are common in communicating with secure corporate intranets.

(3.7) Allows a Presentation to be Provided in Several Languages Simultaneously:

The present invention's distributed network processing architecture makes it possible to present concurrently a presentation with content provided in natural languages specific to the audience members. For example, for the same presentation performance, different audience members may have the audio portion of the presentation presented in different languages, e.g., English and Japanese. Moreover, the video content (e.g., on HTML pages) can be specified so that written text provided in the presentation can be displayed in different natural languages, depending on audience member preference.

(3.8) Cooperates with Firewalls:

The present invention allows confidential presentation data to be kept within a corporate intranet behind a firewall (i.e., a network security feature that restricts communications with devices not included in the intranet, and in particular, that restricts the access to data stored within the intranet). Thus, the present invention allows a show or presentation to be controlled externally from the firewall, while at least the confidential data remains within the firewall and is presented to only those within the firewall under the direction of a leader that is potentially outside the firewall. Further, because the present invention employs a "client-request" technology, where each presentation member's browser requests information from a communications network server, typically data transmissions in response to such requests are not blocked by most firewalls.

Other features and benefits of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying figures herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B re a block diagram showing the functional components of the present invention such as the Internet;

FIGS. 2A-2D present a flowchart of the steps performed (by the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 2B) for presenting a multimedia presentation to a plurality of clients, each at a different client node.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a presentation script for the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating the components of the presentation system 50 of the present invention is provided, wherein solid arrows denote presentation data flows and dashed arrows denote control data flows. Note that the presentation system 50 utilizes the following high-level components:

(4.1) Client Sites 54: Client sites 54, where audience members receive a presentation. Typically, at least some of the client sites 54 are sufficiently geographically dispersed so that a face-to-face presentation is not possible. Additionally, note that each client site 54 has at least one of a client node 56 (e.g., a personal computer), and a telephone 62, wherein the client node 56 may receive video (and possibly audio as well) information from a communications network 70 such as the Internet, and the phone 62 may be used for receiving an audio portion of the presentation routed separately through one or more voice grade telephony networks (collectively labeled 74). Accordingly, if the client node 56 is resident at a client site 54, then a network interface software package is required for receiving, e.g., video presentation information from the communications network 70 (e.g., including the Internet). For many networks (such as those including the Internet), this software package includes a network browser 78 such as the Internet browsers offered by Microsoft and Netscape, together with a client presentation software system 88 that coordinates with the browser 78 for requesting, receiving and displaying presentation segments (from the network 70) as appropriate during the presentation.

(4.2) Leader Stations 92: One or more presentation leader stations 92 that provide the leader(s) of a presentation with the ability to control the content of the presentation, the pace of the presentation, and any interactive communication with and between presentation audience members. Note that each leader station 92 includes the client presentation software 88 and a network browser 78 so that each leader can also view the presentation as it is perceived by audience members. Additionally, the leader station(s) 92 also have leader-specific presentation application software 94 for allowing a leader to control and direct a presentation.

Note that each leader station 92 is connected to components of the operations center 58 either through the communications network 70, or directly using a 28.8 kilobits per second or ISDN 128 kilobit dial-up phone connection. The operations center 58 amplifies a presentation leader's scope of control using Internet Standard protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, FTP, etc.) to simultaneously transmit commands to a large group of clients. There may be one or more leader stations 92 per presentation performance. The leader tasks can be divided among a plurality of leader stations 92 to create, e.g., moderator, presenter, and show-control leader stations. These leader stations 92 may be co-located or geographically dispersed.

(4.3) Operations Center 58: An operations center 58 for coordinating, at least at a high level, presentation start-up and presentation communication under the direction of a presentation leader at a leader station 92.

(4.4) Content Webservers 96: One or more content network server sites 96 (also denoted content webservers 96a, and alternate content webservers 96b) for providing presentation data to client sites 54 requesting such data via client nodes 56. Note that for the client sites 54 illustrated, the content webservers 96a represent the presentation information suppliers of first choice. However, if difficulties (or expected difficulties) are encountered at one of the client sites 54 regarding receiving presentation segments prior to their time for display, then the client presentation software 88 at the client site is capable of requesting, via the browser 78 at the client site, presentation segments from an alternate content webserver 96b prior to or during the presentation.

(4.5) Phone Bridge 100: One or more phone bridges 100 for supporting voice communication during a presentation is provided. The phone bridges 100 route the audio portion of a presentation to certain client sites 54, thereby providing communications between the leader(s) and the audience members, and also providing communication between the audience members themselves.

Each phone bridge 100 receives its commands via a direct dial up phone connection from a phone bridge control 240 (discussed hereinbelow). The present invention may utilize a variety of phone bridges 100 to deliver audio and collect responses (e.g., voting by audience members on presentation presented issues). Note that each phone bridge 100 is enabled either directly through an application program interface (API), or by simulating a remote operator for the phone bridge. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize the following features provided by the phone bridges: an interactive mode, an audio only mode, call-back mode, and sub-conferencing (virtual conference table) mode, wherein these terms may be defined respectively, as: the leader and audience members are able to speak simultaneously to all presentation participants (interactive mode), the leader speaks to all audience members while all audience member phones have muted microphones (audio only mode), the phone bridge calls audience members (using a phone number provided via presentation registration and/or a connection with the client presentation software 88 at the client's client node) for connecting for the audio portion of the presentation (via, e.g., the public switched telephone network) (call-back mode), subgroups of the audience and/or leaders are in the interactive mode with each other while in audio mode for the presentation performance (virtual conference table).

In cases where the presentation audience is mixed, with some members participating via teleconferencing or video conferencing and others viewing the presentation, voting for those who do not have an interactive network 70 connection can be accomplished with phone 62 pulse responses to one of the phone bridges 100. In particular, these votes can be transferred to the operations center 58, and (as with any audience member responses) optionally transferred to the profile database 120 described hereinbelow. Note that at the leader's discretion, a phone bridge 100 can be used to implement a help desk, wherein audience members requesting help before or during a presentation can be connected with a help desk operator for technical or customer support. The phone bridges 100 can also be used by the leader to implement subconference chat groups for localized question and answer sessions following a presentation performance.

(4.6) Content Manager 104: A content manager system 104 for managing presentation scripts and data. The content manager 104 logs and confirms the locations and addresses of content webservers 96 where the content for each presentation will reside. The content manager 104 distributes presentation data, such as scripting information for a presentation, thereby providing:

(a) initial groupings of audience members according to, e.g., natural language preferred, organizational affiliation, geographical location, and/or intervening network connections and devices (e.g., firewalls and other security features, local area network connections), and/or

(b) sequencing of presentation segments to the operations center 58 (and more particularly, the host(s) 200 described hereinbelow).

Additionally, the content manager 104 distributes presentation content (e.g., presentation segments) to the content webservers 96 and verifies that the content is capable of being presented to audience members immediately before a presentation time. Note that the verification process makes sure that all the links in the presentation or show can be resolved appropriately. Finally, at the end of a presentation performance, the content manager 104 may remove the presentation content from one or more of the content webservers 96.

Further note that the content manager 104 includes a reservation system 108 for maintaining a schedule for presentation and for reserving resources of the operations center 58, and any presentation leader support such as leader stations 92. The content manager 104 also includes an invitation subsystem 112 that is capable of maintaining invitation lists of candidate audience members, together with corresponding addresses (e.g., e-mail addresses) for various presentation performances. Additionally, the invitation subsystem 112 is capable of accessing client profile information for past audience members residing in the profile database 120. Accordingly, by comparing client profile information in the profile database 120 with the information in various invitation lists, and/or presentation descriptions (e.g., keywords, etc.), prospective audience members for a particular presentation can be notified of future similar presentations via, e.g., e-mail.

Additionally, the content manager 104 is also responsible for accessing and maintaining a show content archival database 126. Thus, following a live presentation performance using the present invention, the content manager 104 is capable of downloading the presentation content from the various content webservers 96 as well as presentation information retained in the operations center 58 into the show content archival database 126 for storage and/or possible replay. Note that the audio portion of a presentation is stored as a single continuous recording made by one of the phone bridges 100 during the presentation. Further note that the presentations stored in the show content archival database 126 are capable of being transmitted to various network 70 sites for subsequently time-delay delivery if desired.

(4.7) Software Download and Client Support System 130: The present invention includes a software download and client support system 130 for providing presentation enabling software (e.g. client presentation software 88) to both client sites 54 and leader stations 92. Additionally, the software download and client support system 130 supplies presentation software to the leader stations 92 that allows leaders to control and direct their presentation performances. Finally, the system 130 provides client support via, e.g., the telephony network 74.

(4.8) Pre-show Control System 136: A pre-show control system 136 for providing audience members and potential audience members with presentation related information both for registering for presentation performances and for establishing initial network (70 and/or 74) connections immediately prior to a presentation performance, so that presentation content can be provided to each audience member's client site 54. Thus, the pre-show control 136 provides audience members and prospective audience members with presentation booking information such as presentation topics, presentation performance dates, times, identification of leaders and/or lists of participants. Further, the pre-show control 136 also provides presentation content and script information to the operations center 58. Within the pre-show control subsystem 136, there is a registration module 140 and an associated network interface (not shown.), wherein audience members confirm their registration for a presentation performance, via, for example, network 70. Note that confirmation of presentation performance registration includes, if necessary, a download of presentation specific software that provides a client with an icon on the client's client node 56 as a reminder of the scheduled presentation performance date and time for which the client has registered. Further, if the presentation for which the client has registered requires one or more software audio or video software systems, then the downloaded application software checks for these systems on the client's client node 56 and subsequently advises the client if one or more of the software systems required must be downloaded prior to the presentation performance.

Further note that the presentation application software downloaded to a client node 56 from the registration module 140 may be used for: configuring the client node 56 appropriately for the subsequent presentation performance, running tests at the client node for assuring that the presentation will be presented properly, allowing the client node to pre-load certain content portions of a presentation, and/or providing the client with access to the lobby system 144 (discussed hereinbelow) for establishing initial network (70 and/or 74) connection(s) immediately prior to a presentation performance.

Note that the software application downloaded from the registration module 140, in one embodiment, also allows a client to preview highlighted web pages of the upcoming presentation. Moreover, this software may allow the client to reconfigure and re-test his/her client node 56 for determining whether a desired configuration has been provided for a presentation performance.

Regarding the lobby system 144 also contained in the pre-show control 136, the lobby system provides the initial connection point(s) for the audience members immediately prior to a presentation performance for which the audience members have registered. Accordingly, once network 70 and/or 74 connections have been established, the lobby system 144 connections are transferred to the operations centers 58 at commencement of the presentation performance.

(4.9) Accounting System 150: In one embodiment, an accounting system 150 is provided for the present invention for managing its financial operations. In particular, the accounting system 150 includes a billing system 154 for maintaining a chart of accounts for both billing clients (and/or their affiliated organizations) having received a presentation, and billing presentation leaders (and/or their affiliated organizations) requesting the services of the present invention for distributing performances of their presentations.

Additionally, the accounting system 150 also includes a reporting subsystem 158 that outputs reports related to presentation performances, to clients and presentation leaders.

Referring now to the operations center 58, a high level internal structure of this component will now be described. This component includes one or more host modules 200 for coordinating: (a) the dissemination and timing of presentation content under the direction of a presentation leader(s), (b) the interactions between the leader(s) and the audience members as well as between members of the audience themselves, (c) the gathering of feedback information from audience members according to, for example, answers to questions posed to the audience members during a presentation performance, and (d) providing results from audience participatory responses to the leader(s) and/or audience members. Accordingly, note that in one embodiment of the present invention, the computer on which a host 200 is resident has the following features: 64 megabytes of RAM, 166 MHz Pentium processor, NT operating system, Ethernet network card, in a configurable CUBIX backplane available through CUBIX, Inc., 2800 Lockheed Way, Carson City, Nev.

Each such host 200 is capable of managing one hundred or more interactions with clients and/or subordinate hosts 210 wherein the subordinate hosts are distributed on the network 70 to thereby increase an operation center host's span of control by 100 or more clients and/or further subordinate hosts per subordinate host to create an unlimited audience. Note that each host 200 receives presentation script information from the content manager 104 in preparation for initiating the performance of a presentation Further, each host 200 receives from the lobby system 144 audience member identifications for each presentation performance controlled by the host immediately prior to the performance of the presentation. Note that each such audience member identification typically includes: (a) a unique six digit client identifier which is encoded into the client presentation software 88 for each presentation performance client, and (b) a three digit group identifier for assigning one or more webservers 96 to provide presentation content. Note that the software download and client support system 130 encodes these two identifiers into the client presentation software 88 prior to distribution to client nodes 56.

The host 200 also receives content webserver 96 identifications, and presentation script identifications from a show scheduler 204. This scheduler 204 provides the functionality of the present invention for scheduling presentation performance times and the resources needed for performing each presentation. Thus, the show scheduler 204 provides the pre-show control 136 with scheduled show times and dates, and, as mentioned above, provides a host 200 responsible for a presentation with content webserver 96 identifications and presentation script identifications immediately prior to the performance of the corresponding presentation. Note that in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the show scheduler 204 may be utilized to reserve resources at various content website servers 96 as well as phone bridges 100 in addition to other resources of the operations center 58. Note also that the show scheduler 204 provides show schedule data to a security system 208, this latter system described hereinbelow. However, in other embodiments of the show scheduler 204, resources may be allocated for a presentation according to the number and geographical locations of clients desiring to participate in a particular presentation.

For each presentation performance, the presentation controlling host 200 also receives, from a presentation performance specific resource file or data base 212: (a) content webserver 96 network addresses (e.g., for the Internet, these addresses being URLs) identifying the network 70 sites having presentation content data; (b) audience member lists of clients that have registered for the presentation performance and can therefore become audience members, if they choose to; (c) groupings of registered clients; and (d) script names and locations from which to retrieve the presentation script from the content manager 104. Accordingly, note that the records of the corresponding resource file 212 associate presentation identifiers with content webserver 96 URLs and path names on these webservers where presentation content data resides. Thus, since the presentation scripts received by the hosts 200 from the content manager 104 are generic in that the scripts have variables or placeholders for content webserver 96 identities, each host 200 uses information from the corresponding resource file 212 (retrieved according to presentation identification) for resolving the undefined content webserver variables of the generic scripts, and thereby instantiating presentation scripts and presentation data with specific content webserver 96 references. Note that the resource file 212 may be created from information in a scheduling data base (not shown) populated with, e.g., content webserver 96 groupings (each grouping for supplying presentation content to a particular group of audience members) and audience member group identifications. The grouping of the webservers and the audience member groupings are both indicated by the three digit group identifier also encoded into each copy of the client presentation software 88 distributed by the software download and client support system 130 as previously discussed.

Each host 200 also sends commands to an audio system 220 for controlling presentation audio content that has been previously recorded for performance of the presentation to which the audio content is associated. In particular, a host 200 controlling a particular presentation sends audio presentation coordinating commands that direct and control the audio system 220. The audio client 224 provides the following functionality in response to host commands. The audio client 224 may (a) utilize a plurality of specialized audio players 236 depending on the audio compression of the audio portion of a presentation to be provided to the client sites 54 via the phone bridge 100, and/or via the network 70 in an alternative embodiment, (b) establish a connection to the audio server 228 at a specified network 70 location (note that in one embodiment the audio server may be accessible as an addressable node on the network 70), and (c) start, pause, resume, position within, and stop an audio playback with an identified audio file or stream. Note that in performing the functionality described above, the audio client 224 may receive the following types of commands from a host 200: a network 70 node address (URL) containing the location and the name of an audio file or stream, and the current state wherein the possible states are: playing at a particular position, paused, or stopped.

The audio client 224 controls at least two other modules of the audio system 220, in particular, the audio server 228 and the audio player 236. For a presentation to be performed, the audio server 228 is preloaded with audio presentation data by the content manager 104 prior to the performance of the presentation. The audio server 228, in turn, supplies the audio portion of selected presentation segments to the audio player 236 as directed by the audio client 224. Accordingly, the audio player 236 prepares the audio information for output to one or more of the phone bridges 100. More particularly, the audio player 236 performs the following functions: (a) receives audio IP from the audio server 228, (b) buffers IP packets received from the audio server, (c) decodes compressed audio data from IP audio packet, (d) controls an audio device (computer card) to create analog, line level, or direct public switched telephone network (PSTN) output audio signals. Thus, at the request of the audio client 224, the audio player 236 outputs audio segment information to an audio client 224 designated phone bridge(s) 100 for subsequent transmission to identified client sites 54, thereby providing presentation audio to clients in real time during a presentation performance. Thus, the hosts 200 and the audio system 220 coordinate so that the pre-recorded audio portions of each presentation are delivered to the phone bridge(s) 100 and distributed to the client sites 54 in a coordinated manner with corresponding video and/or graphic presentation segments.

It is important to note that several variations of presentation content can be provided to clients based on the available bandwidth on network 70, as well as adjunct networks of various kinds that coordinate with network 70 for transmitting presentation information to client sites 54; e.g., such adjunct networks may be local area networks, virtual private networks, and corporate intranets. Further, note that the audio client 224 can direct the audio server 228 and the audio player 234 to supply corresponding pre-recorded audio versions of presentation segments in different languages. Accordingly, the audio player may simultaneously output to one or more of the phone bridges 100 a plurality of different audio versions of pre-recorded materials for a presentation that are in different languages.

Each host 200 also directs the operation of the one or more phone bridges 100 via a phone bridge control module 240. The phone bridge control module 240 provides an interfacing control system between the host 200 and the phone bridges 100 so that details of particular phone bridge 100 control commands and details of operations of phone bridges 100 need not be embedded in host 200 system software. Accordingly, under the direction of commands from the host 200, the phone bridge control module 240 is capable of directing one or more phone bridges 100 to provide the following types of audio transmissions during a presentation:

(5.1) Direct phone bridge(s) 100 to route various audio presentation portions to particular client site phones 62 as well as leader stations 92;

(5.2) Establish appropriate telephony connections so that an audience member can address all presentation participants;

(5.3) Establish one or more audio subgroups from the collection of audience members of a presentation. In particular, for some types of presentations wherein periodic conferring among subgroups is deemed advantageous, such audio subgroups can be considered as a vehicle for providing subconferencing capabilities;

(5.4) Assuming that subconference groups of audience members are capable of being provided by the phone bridge(s) 100, the phone bridge control 240 is able, if directed, to configure the phone bridge(s) for allowing a subconference group to address all audience members and subsequently return to conferring privately among the audience members of the subconference;

(5.5) Instruct the phone bridge(s) 100 to monitor telephone lines of audience members for input regarding answers to questions posed to audience members and whose responses are provided via the pressing of digits on phones 62 at client sites 54;

(5.6) Enable full interactive audio to all audience members where each audience member is capable of speaking to other presentation performance participants.

(5.7) Place a single audience member or the entire audience into audio (listen only) mode without deactivating the audio presentation performance from the audio system 220.

Each host 200 is also in communication with the security subsystem 208 referred to hereinabove. Note that all external communications from third parties to a host 200 is routed through the security subsystem 208. This subsystem provides various kinds of communication security measures such as:

(6.1) A data packet filtering router (not shown) for filtering out network 70 communications from unknown network 70 sources;

(6.2) A communications protocol and port-specific firewall (not shown) for rejecting certain communications addressed to specific ports unless the communications are provided in a particular protocol such as HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP;

(6.3) An encryption tunnel (not shown) for encrypting communications to be transmitted on the network 70 (via the internal webservers 248 that interface with the network 70), and for decrypting communications received from the network 70 (via the internal network servers);

(6.4) A validation subsystem (not shown) for validating participants requesting access to operations center 58 resources. Validations performed here includes validating presentation performance identifiers provided by client site 54 network 70 addresses, passwords provided by clients, and client presentation software 88 embedded identifiers; and

(6.5) Virus detection software.

Note that the security subsystem 208 resides on a separate computational device from that of the host 200. Further, note that the security subsystem 208 may translate network 70 received communications into a proprietary protocol before sending such communications to other components of the operations center 58. Moreover, for network 70 communications intended for different operations center processes and/or related to different presentation performances, different levels of security may be implemented. Thus, network 70 communications for one presentation performance might include only minimal protection such as virus protection and protocol translation prior to transmitting communications to, e.g., the host(s) 200, or to the internal webserver(s) 248. Alternatively, at an opposite extreme, wherein high security is desired for a presentation, all of the features (6.1) through (6.5) may be performed for communications received form the network 70, and at least encryption is performed for communications transmitted across network 70 to, e.g., client sites 54.

The present invention also provides and/or facilitates further security features. For example, for corporations that want to guarantee the security of their data during network presentations, the distributed server architecture of the present invention allows for content webservers 96 to be placed within a secure corporate intranet 260. More particularly, such content webservers 96 may be behind a firewall 264, such that the firewall is between such content webservers and the presentation controlling host(s) 200. Thus, proprietary corporate data may reside behind the firewall 264 while presentation control may be performed externally.

Additionally, data access security can vary according to the needs of the presentation participants and/or their affiliated organizations. Thus, at one extreme, there is substantially no data security for the presentation data. Accordingly, the data may be available to anyone who knows a content webserver's network 70 address. This security level is similar to publishing data by creating World Wide Web pages on web sites and, in fact, presentations performed using the present invention can use actual World Wide Web websites as a source for presentation data.

A simple physical security capability may be used by the present invention for protecting presentation data by controlling the time span for which the data is accessible to clients. This involves keeping the data inaccessible when a presentation is not being performed. For example, presentation data may be maintained on private content webservers 96 or in private directories until near show time, making such data available at show time, and removing the data after the presentation performance terminates. Various aspects of this time based data management capability are directed by the show scheduler 204 for the operations center 58 and the content manager 104. In particular, the show scheduler 204 may keep presentation data residing within the operations center 58 inaccessible to other components of the operations center as well as to the pre-show control 136. Additionally, the content manager 104 may prohibit access to presentation data on content webservers 96 by providing the data on the webservers substantially only during the presentation, and/or changing accessibility permissions on presentation data previously provided on the webservers so that it is substantially only available during a presentation performance.

For an intermediate level of physical security, presentation data can be located on operations center content webservers 96 (either internal to the operations center or external thereto) that require passwords, do not allow overwriting of data, and are not used for unsecured data. For high security, the intermediate security measures may be enhanced by recording each client's identity and/or network 70 address as they connect to a host 200. Furthermore, the high security measures may only allow network 70 connections from pre-approved network addresses using a specified protocol and port number for the duration of a particular presentation for which the client is registered.

In addition to any physical security methods as discussed hereinabove, presentation data can be encrypted prior to network transfers in any manner which the clients' browsers 78 can (with plug-ins) decrypt. Assuming the network 70 is the Internet, the operations center servers 248 support common gateway interface (CGI) and Internet information server (IIS) extensions for processing URLs and a presentation can implement standard web data security by using Internet protocols such as file transfer protocol (FTP) with user identification plus password, and hypertext transport protocol secure (HTTP). Also note that the security measures for the present invention are not restricted to providing communications on generally used port numbers (e.g., communication between the host and leaders or audience members can occur on either port 60 or port 80 in any combination for a single presentation performance. Note that special security presentation performances can be run using any port number desired when using servers 248 in the operations center, or on intranets (e.g., the secure corporate intranet 260). For dynamic data generated during a presentation (e.g., data collected from audience member responses), the HTTPS protocol is useful, even in an otherwise unsecured presentation, for transmitting questions, collecting response, and returning results through a secure sockets protocol. In particular, the HTTPS protocol provides an encryption method generally accepted as secure enough for transmission of sensitive financial data over public networks. Accordingly, this provides security for collected client information because the response data is transferred to a host 200 in an encrypted format. Furthermore, the presentation performance controlling host 200 protects the received data by not sharing it, and the host 200 does not support standard network 70 (Internet) data access protocols.

Additionally, note that the presentation controlling host 200 is secured separately from the presentation data security. In particular, each host 200 executes on a server within the operations center 58, wherein the host will only accept a network 70 connection from a client node 56 having the appropriate version and/or identification for a presentation being controlled by the host. Moreover, the client and/or the client's presentation software 88 must be able to access the host 200 through its network 70 address and present the correct presentation identification at the time of the presentation performance.

Since the show scheduler 204 selects the host 200 from a plurality of such hosts and also selects the time window for each presentation performance, several other security measures may be implemented for a presentation performance including: restricted access to the client presentation software 88, uniqueness of each presentation performance identification, encoding of the network 70 (Internet) address of the host for the presentation and scheduling the date and time of the presentation. Note that the show registration system 140 facilitates these security measures in the show scheduler 204 by providing encoded presentation invitation network addresses (URLs) to clients and/or their client nodes 56. Further, addresses of clients for a particular presentation may be sent to each of the content servers 96 having data for the presentation. Thus, when such a content server 96 receives a presentation data request from a client node 56, the client's address, the presentation identification, and the presentation performance schedule time may be validated at each content webserver 96 accessed.

The degree of security placed on presentation performance invitation distribution and the verification of invited presentation participants by each content webserver 96 is selected by a sponsor of the presentation. Note that the invitation system 112 does not have a direct data connection to the show scheduler 204. Thus, accidental release of sufficient presentation performance information to allow unauthorized access to a presentation performance is unlikely.

Additionally, to provide for dual path information security (e.g., to and from the operations center 58), the presentation software 88 can also require a password for activation, wherein the password is unique to the client and/or unique to a particular configuration of the client's client node 56 and wherein the password may be manually entered immediately prior to a presentation connection to a host 200. Note that for presentations using data secured within a secure corporate intranet 260, the client host connections can transmit encrypted network 70 addresses.

Since each host 200 does not have access to presentation resources (e.g., invited client lists, content webserver 96 addresses, presentation thumbnail images, sign-on passwords, phone bridge 100 type and presentation scripts) until the show scheduler 204 sends them to the host 200 with the presentation startup commands, or a leader for the presentation adds resources to an active presentation performance, it is remote that sensitive and/or proprietary presentation data can be accessed through a host 200. Moreover, a sponsor can create and perform a presentation without the presentation content data ever residing at the operations center 58. Further, in cases where interactive response data received during a presentation performance is considered extremely sensitive, the sponsor may process the client responses at sponsor controlled network sites and subsequently, if desired, forward statistical summaries to the presentation controlling host 200 for any desired distribution to audience members.

Regarding security and presentation leaders, the leader(s) of a presentation can be verified by use of one or more passwords in addition to the host 200 address, port number, presentation identification, and presentation performance time for his/her presentation performance. Note that such leader passwords may be unique to each presentation performance and may be supplied to the presentation controlling host 200 by the show scheduler 204 immediately prior to the start of a presentation performance for thereby validating presentation leader(s). Additional leader information may be also provided to enable multiple leaders for a single presentation performance and to also enable different presentation control functions to be allocated among leaders according to their presentation passwords.

The leader software 94 may be distributed to presentation leaders and/or leader stations 44 by diskette or by a network 70 download. This software may be generated with built-in addresses and presentation identification numbers as well as particular ports for connecting to the presentation controlling host 200. Note that since presentation leaders have access to various resource usage, supply and change capabilities, additional security measures may be applied to leaders and the leader software 94. In particular, for leaders connecting through the network 70 (Internet), an encryption tunnel (not shown) can be established on the leader host connection, wherein such an encryption tunnel provides encapsulation of a proprietary high security protocol within the IP protocol. Further, to provide secure, high reliability connections directly to a leader, the operations center 58 maintains several dial-in lines which may be used at 28.8 kilobits per second or ISDN rates (e.g., of up to 128 kilobits per second). Note that connections on such dial-in lines are also usable by presentation audience members at the leader's discretion if their client identifiers are available to the operations center 58 from the content manager 104 after the leader connection is accepted.

If the above described security features are utilized by the present invention, then it is able to deliver a presentation performance with any mixture of security levels between the two extremes of: (a) no security processing of transmitted audience member responses, show data content, or presentation data locations, and (b) full security processing with only invited audience members, securing all audience member responses, storing and protecting the presentation data content, and securing the connection between each leader or audience member and the presentation controlling host 200. Furthermore, the security of the operations center 58 may be audited using hacker prevention tests and virus detection and prevention methods as one skilled in the art will understand.

FIGS. 2A through 2D represent a flowchart of the high level steps performed by the network presentation system 50 the present invention. In particular, this flowchart illustrates the high level steps performed for both initiating and operating a presentation for audience members at clients sites 54. Accordingly, in step 404, prior to the scheduled time of a presentation performance, the show scheduler 204 supplies the host 200 assigned for controlling the presentation with an identifier that uniquely identifies the presentation performance and provides with this identifier one or more passwords that can be used by the host 200 and/or the security subsystem 208 for identifying the leader(s) and clients that attempt to connect with the host 200 as presentation participants. Note that such connections to the host 200 will typically be through the security subsystem 208 and therefore be subject to various security measures discussed hereinabove to which the presentation and its participants are subject. Subsequently, in step 408, the host 200 uses the presentation performance identifier to request the one or more scripts for the presentation from the content manager 104. Note that the presentation scripts provide: (a) identification of segments to be presented during the presentation, (b) sequencing information regarding the order of presentation of the segments, (c) alternative versions of various segments and/or collections of segments that may be by the leader(s) of the presentation. Note that further description of presentation scripts and their representations are provided hereinbelow. Also note that the presentation performance identifier is used by the content manager 104 for retrieving the presentation script(s) from the show content archive 126 for thereby returning the presentation script(s) to the host 200. In step 412, each leader for the presentation logs onto the host 200 by supplying appropriate validation information such as a password and presentation performance identifier. Further, if there is more than one leader, then additional leader identifying information may be required for differentiating the roles of various leaders for the presentation.

In step 416, the pre-show control system 136 accepts network 70 and/or network 74 connections by candidate clients for the presentation performance. Note that it is assumed that the clients have previously registered for the presentation performance with the registration module 140 and therefore have been provided with validation information (e.g. a presentation performance identifier and/or password) for validating each client as an audience member for the presentation. Subsequently, in step 420, a determination is made by the pre-show control system 136 as to whether each candidate presentation audience member is connected to the pre-show control system by the communications network 70 or by the telephony network 74. If it is determined that a candidate presentation client is connected by the communications network 70, then step 424 is performed, wherein the candidate client logs onto the pre-show control 136 with a previously provided login. Note that this login may include a presentation performance identifier for the presentation and a password for identifying the candidate client as being registered for the presentation performance. Further note that in one embodiment, this step is performed by the lobby system 144. Subsequently, in step 428, a determination is made by the pre-show control system 136 (or the lobby system 144) as to whether the entered login is valid. If the login is determined to be invalid, then step 432 is performed wherein the connection with the pre-show control system 136 is terminated. Note however, it is within the scope of the present invention that various retries can be provided as one skilled in the art will understand. Alternatively, if the candidate client's login is determined to be valid, then step 436 is performed wherein the pre-show control (determines whether the client's client node 56 is configured appropriately for the presentation performance). In particular, the pre-show control system 136 determines whether the client presentation software 88 is operable on the client's client node 56. Further, the pre-show control system 136 may also determine whether the client's client node 56 has the appropriate network 70 addresses (e.g. URLs) of the content webservers 96 available for supplying presentation segments to the client node.

Subsequently, assuming the client's client node 56 is appropriately configured for the presentation performance, in step 440, the pre-show control system 136 transfers the client's client identifier and network 70 address to the host 200. Following this step, in step 444, when the time for the presentation arrives, the client's client presentation software 88 via the network 70 establishes a network 70 connection between the client's client node 56 and the host 200 controlling the presentation performance. Note that such activating may be performed during the client's login session with the pre-show control system 136 if such occurs within a few minutes of the start of the presentation. After the host 200 is contacted, it instructs the client presentation software 88 to establish a connection with one of the internal webservers 248 for dynamic content.

Additionally note that the lobby system 144 substantially provides the functionality for the present step (step 444). In particular, the lobby system 144 may maintain the login session connection until the time for commencement of the presentation performance. Moreover, the lobby system 144 may provide the client with excerpts of other presentations as well as advertisements and/or other informative material.

Following the activation of a connection between the client node 56 and a presentation controlling host 200, in step 448 the client presentation software 88 is instructed by the presentation controlling host 200 (hereinafter for simplicity referred to as the "host 200") to retrieve and cache, via network 70, one or more initial presentation segments from identified content webservers 96 where the presentation segments have been pre-stored. Note that the initial presentation segments (as well as subsequent presentation segments) may be different for clients at different client sites 54. In particular, the segments provided may depend on network 70 transmission rates, client natural language preferences, unique organizational displays and/or data (corporate logos and/or confidential financial data), and configurations of client nodes 56 (e.g. the software and/or hardware).

Returning now to decision step 420, if this step determines that the client's connection is via the telephony network 74, then in step 450, the pre-show control system 136 requests that the client enter an acoustic login via digits on the telephone 62 at the client's client site 54. Note that clients that login through telephony network 74 may intend to participate in only the audio portion of a presentation performance. However, clients who login in this manner can subsequently log in to the pre-show control system 136 via a network 70 connection and obtain a multimedia performance of the presentation.

In step 452, the pre-show control system 136 determines if the acoustic login is valid. If not, then in step 456 the call is terminated. Alternatively, if the login is deemed valid, then the pre-shown control system 136 determines the level of presentation to which the client has been assigned. In particular, the client may be assigned to an audio presentation or alternatively to a multimedia performance of the presentation. Thus, if the client has been assigned to obtain a multimedia presentation via the network 70, then in step 464 the pre-show control system 136 automatically performs any necessary pre-show housekeeping tasks for thereby allowing a more expedient network 70 login by the client for obtaining the multimedia performance of the presentation. Note that in particular, any financial transactions prior to the presentation such as credit card number transfers and/or a change of the location of the client's site 54 may also be performed during the present step. Moreover, it is also an aspect of the present invention that speech recognition modules can be used for interpreting client input. Further, note that the tasks performed in step 464 may also be performed by registration module 140 during registration for the presentation, such registration potentially occurring substantially prior to the performance of the presentation. Additionally, regardless of the flow of control path taken from step 460, step 468 is encountered wherein at the time to commence the presentation performance, the pre-show control system 136 requests that the host 200 transfer control of the client's telephony call so that it is controlled by the control bridge controller 240 for receiving the audio portion of the presentation performance. Subsequently, regardless of whether the client is to receive the presentation performance via network 70 and/or network 74, step 472 is performed wherein the host 200: (a) activates the leader software 94 on the leader station(s) 92 used in controlling the presentation performance; and (b) activates the client presentation software 88 at the leader station(s) 92 for viewing the presentation performance as an audience member will.

Subsequently, steps 474 and 476 are performed concurrently wherein each client having a client node 56 has its client presentation software 88 in a wait state waiting for a presentation command(s) from the host 200 via the network 70, while in step 476, the leader(s) for the presentation performance determines the first collection of corresponding presentation segments and transmits the identity of the selected collection to the host 200. Note that there can be more than one version of the presentation from which the leader can select segments for presenting to the audience members. Further, note that of the versions being selected, the present invention may automatically select subversions to be provided to various audience members depending upon, e.g., data rate transmissions by the network 70 from content webservers 96. However, it is also an aspect of the present invention that the leader(s) may override the automatic selection of subversions of a presentation performance and/or mandate that a particular subversion be provided to various audience members. In particular, this can be accomplished by: providing only one rendition of source material such as a high resolution corporate logo and leaving all alternate resource fields of the script blank and providing only one "level" of scripted resources for that presentation collection, as will be discussed in further detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 3.

In step 480, if the leader station 92 providing the identity of the presentation segments is external to the operations center 58, then the security subsystem 208 checks the leader input for validity via, e.g., determining the network 70 address from which the identity of the selected presentation segments have been transmitted. Assuming that the transmission from the leader station 92 is deemed valid, in step 490, a determination is made as to whether the leader(s) has determined a next collection of one or more segments whose identities have been supplied to the host 200. In particular, the leader(s) may choose to identify such segments to the host 200, or indicate that the performance of the presentation to be terminated. Accordingly, if no other segments are determined and/or the leader(s) indicated presentation performance termination, then step 494 is performed wherein the presentation software 88 is removed from client nodes 56.

Alternatively, if an additional collection of segments is determined, then in step 500, the host 200 accesses the presentation script(s) with the leader supplied identifications for the segment collection, thereby obtaining additional data items regarding the segments of the collection as will be further described hereinbelow.

Subsequently, in step 504, the host 200 accesses the resource file 212 for resolving virtual webserver names in the accessed segment collection for thereby providing actual content webserver network 70 addresses having at least the video versions of the presentation. Additionally, note that it is within the scope of the present invention that resource file 212 can also be accessed for resolving identifiers and thereby identifying a corresponding audio portion to be presented to audience members via the audio system 220 and the phone bridge(s) 100.

Following step 504, in step 508, the host 200 sends one or more commands to each copy of the client presentation software 88 indicating both the next collection of segments to be retrieved by the client nodes and the network 70 addresses of the primary and alternate webservers 96 from which to retrieve the segment collection.

It is important to note that the host may send substantially simultaneously a different set of commands to different client sites 56 depending on the characteristics desired for the presentation at each client site.

Since processing according to the present invention occurs at a presentation host controller 200 and simultaneously at client nodes 56, during the processing steps 476 through 508 performed remotely from the client nodes 56, the client nodes as per step 474, may be prepared for accepting the next presentation commands transmitted by the host 200 in step 508. However, such host nodes 56 may be also concurrently providing various portions of the presentation performance to their respective audience members. In any event, when step 516 is encountered, the client nodes 56 have received the next host 200 transmitted commands and therefore the client nodes now enter a processing state whereby these nodes attempt to assure a timely caching of this next collection of segments for timely performance of their portion of the presentation.

In step 516, a determination is made by the client presentation software 88 at each client node 56 upon which the software is loaded, as to whether the next collection of segments indicated by the one or more commands transmitted by the presentation controlling host are presently cached on the client's client node 56. Note that this next collection of segments could have been previously cached at a client node 56 due to: directory cache commands for caching an entire file directory that was issued earlier in the presentation performance, provided by fixed media such as CD-ROM at the client nodes(s) 56, or re-use of presentation segments such as HTML page formats, background images, or logos.

Accordingly, if the next collection of segments is not cached on a client node 56, then step 524 is performed wherein the client presentation software 88 on the client node 56 uses its most recent network 70 data transmission characteristics together with the host 200 transmitted list of current network 70 addresses for content webservers 96 to select an appropriate content webserver and an appropriate version of the next collection of segments to be retrieved. Note that the selections determined in this step are performed with the goal of assuring that there is a high probability of this next collection of segments being delivered to the client node 56 prior to the time that this collection is to be used in the presentation performance on the client node. In particular, the following is a description of the steps performed in determining, from the network 70 data transmission characteristics, the content webserver 96 and the (sub) version of the next collection of segments to be retrieved. The selection of the webserver may be dependent upon the time allotted for the transfer and the network 70 transmission characteristics such as data transmission rate. The time for each network 70 transfer of a collection of segments (e.g., one or more presentation elements, each such element having one or more segments therein) is controlled by the host 200. The host 200 designates time according to at least one of the following categories: (a) no time, wherein the presentation element(s) is to be displayed immediately, (b) indefinite, wherein the amount of time for transfer of the presentation element(s) is indefinite, and (c) a specific time interval indicated in a script command for the presentation, e.g., a "virtual time" command as indicated by commands (rows) of the script shown in FIG. 3 having values in the 620 column as will be discussed hereinbelow. Note that as the expected amount of time for retrieving one or more presentation elements lengthens, larger groups of presentation elements may be retrieved and/or better presentation quality presentation elements may be retrieved (e.g., the presentation quality may be enhanced from limited or no animation to full animation).

Additionally, the presentation element(s) selected is dependent upon network protocols such as HTTP and FTP. For example, as the size of the presentation data and the time for retrieval increases, the present invention tends to utilize FTP for network 70 transport. Alternatively, as the size of the presentation data and the time for retrieval decreases, the present invention tends to use HTTP.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of step 524, the size of each candidate collection of one or more presentation elements is determined from the webservers 96 by, e.g., requesting such sizes. As an aside, note that an indication of the bandwidth available with each such webserver can be determined if not available otherwise. Thus, if there is a primary webserver 96a and an alternative webserver 96b, and each has presentation versions for both HTTP and FTP as well as both having animated and non-animated interchangeable presentation elements, then an expected time for retrieving each available combination is determined. Subsequently, the candidate collection selected provides first, the highest quality presentation, and second, the largest amount of presentation data possible. Consequently, the expected times are used to select the webservers 96, the collection of presentation elements, and the transfer protocol to use in providing the selected collection to the client node 56.

In one embodiment, the following selection process is used to determine the expected times:

for each candidate collection of presentation elements:

(a) The size of the collection is determined.

(b) The size is divided by the bandwidth average for the last two minutes as measured from any network 70 transmission source. If the average bandwidth is not available, then a bandwidth from the most recent webserver is used.

(c) A protocol overhead factor is added to the result of (b) to account for the different overheads for each of the different protocols available on network 70 that may be used (e.g., FTP and HTTP).

(d) Select the highest quality collection of presentation elements available, and select the largest collection that can be transferred in the time available. Note that it is assumed that an indefinite time designation by the host 200 is viewed as time sufficient for any size of transfer.

It is worthwhile to note that in other embodiments of the present invention, additional network characteristics other than bandwidth may be used, as one skilled in the art will understand. In particular, such characteristics as network 70 error rates, fluctuations in bandwidth, or a predictive statistical expectation of bandwidth may be used. Additionally, note that such candidate collections of presentation elements can also be resident at the client node 56 since some portions of a presentation can be also distributed on CD-ROMs. Accordingly, step 524 of FIG. 2C (as well as other steps in the flowchart of FIG. 2) also may access a CD-ROM drive or other transportable storage media for various portions of a presentation. Also, it is noteworthy that if network 70 supports multicasting, then a plurality of client nodes 56 may have their presentation elements selected according to a single access rate (i.e., server data propagation to the network) and a single network transmission rate instead of performing individual presentation element selections.

Subsequently, in step 528, the client node 56 provides the identity of the selected webserver and next collection of segments to the client node's browser 78 and the browser, in turn, sends a network 70 request to the selected web server for the selected (subversion) of segments. Following this step, the client presentation software 88 monitors the time elapsed before transmission of the selected collection of segments is completed, and determines whether these segments are provided within an appropriate window of time that allows them to be presented during the performance of the presentation. Thus, in step 532, the client presentation software 88 determines whether the requested collection of segments is cached on the client node 56 within a desired time prior to the proposed performance of the collection of segments. In particular, for determining this desired time, a function dependent on one or more of: (a) various measurements related to one or more other client nodes 56 receiving the presentation performance, (b) a predetermined default length of time, as e.g., specified in the presentation script, and (c) a length of time determined by a leader of the presentation performance, e.g., during the performance. Regarding (a) above, note that measurements such as:

(7.1) network 70 transmission rates for each of one or more previous requests for presentation segments;

(7.2) for each of one or more previous requests for presentation segments, an elapsed length of time between the request time for the presentation segments and receipt of the segments;

(7.3) for each of one or more previous requests for presentation segments, a size (e.g., in bits) of the segments received from the request.

Note that there are various functions dependent on one or more of (a)-(c) immediately above that may be used as one skilled in the art will understand. Further note that such function may be as simple as a comparison of corresponding network 70 transmission rates between (a) the client node 56 and the webserver(s) with which it is communicating, and (b) other client nodes 56 and the webserver(s) with which they are communicating. Alternatively, such a comparison may be performed on the elapsed time as in (7.2). Note that there are at least two possible alternatives here:

(8.1) the present invention may attempt to retrieve the same collection of segments from an alternative content webserver;

(8.2) the present invention may attempt to retrieve an alternative collection of segments that can be used as a replacement for the initially requested segment collection from either the same webserver 96 for which the original request was directed, or from an alternative webserver 96.

Accordingly, if the collection of segments is not cached within this time, then step 536 is performed wherein the client presentation software 88 determines if there is sufficient time to retry obtaining the collection of segments or another collection of alternative segments prior to the time of their estimated performance.

If in step 536 it is determined that there is insufficient time remaining, then step 474 is again activated, wherein the client node 56 (and more particularly, the client presentation software 88) prepares for the next set of one or more presentation commands from the host 200. Note, however, that even though the portion of the presentation corresponding to the collection of segments are not retrieved in time for performance, it is an aspect of the present invention that if the audio portion of the presentation is provided through the separate telephony network 74, then there may be substantial continuity in the presentation regardless of whether a portion of the video for the presentation is displayed or not.

Alternatively, if in step 536 the client presentation software 88 determines that there is sufficient time for attempting a retry for obtaining the requested collection of segments, then step 524 is again performed, wherein the client presentation software 88 again evaluates the transmission characteristics of the network 70 for selecting a content webserver 96 and subversion of the collection of segments so that there is again a high probability of the newly selected collection of segments being delivered prior to the time that these segments are to be presented on the client node 56. Accordingly, on such subsequent iterations for determining an alternative way to present a particular portion of the presentation, the following steps may be performed: The original calculation is again performed with new times and current bandwidth information usually resulting in selection of alternative segment collections that are smaller. An overall limit of three re-tries of any URL will force smaller alternative segment collections to be selected, or a message to the audience member stating that the network is not functional.

Returning now to step 532, if in this decision step it is determined that the requested collection of segments has been timely cached at the client node 56, then step 544 is performed wherein an evaluation of the network 70 transmission characteristics that occurred during the transmission of the collection of segments. In particular, the following characteristics are determined: average network data rate, the likely range of expected data rates (e.g. within a standard deviation of the most likely data rate), measurements regarding network errors and/or quality of transmission, total elapsed time taken to complete the transmission of the collection of segments, and/or the size of the transmission.

Subsequently, in step 548, a determination is made as to whether a host 200 interrupt is detected that requests a halt to the presentation of the current collection of segments. Note that this step is provided as an illustration of interrupt processing that can be performed by the client presentation software 88. Note, however, that such interrupt processing may be performed between or during substantially any of the processing steps described herein that occurs on the client node 56. Also note that such host 200 interrupts are likely to be initiated by a leader for the presentation when the leader determines that, e.g., there should be a deviation in the script for the presentation performance. Thus, regardless of where a host 200 interrupt step is performed within the processing steps for the client presentation software 88, upon detecting this interrupt, the flow of control of the present flowchart returns to a point in the processing wherein the next steps performed are the steps 474 and 476 performed at: (a) the client nodes 56, and (b) the leader's station(s) 92 and the presentation controlling host 200.

Assuming that no host interrupt is detected in step 548, then steps 552 through 560 are iteratively performed until all segments of the current collection of segments are presented to the client. Accordingly, when there are no further segments in the current collection, step 560 routes the flow of control back to the concurrent steps of 474 and 476 as discussed previously hereinabove.

Referring to FIG. 3, an illustration of a simple script description 600 is shown. Each of the rows 608 after the first column heading row describes a presentation action to be performed during a performance. Each column entry of each row 608 provides information related to the script action to be performed by the row. Following is a description of the data capable of being contained in each column.

A Script Level column 612 for identifying alternative variations of the presentation. For example, a first variation might be directed to the customers of a corporation, another variation directed to the sales representatives of the corporation, and yet another directed to the investors of the corporation. Thus, a single script may be used for a plurality of related presentations that have at least some overlapping content. Accordingly, in column 612, each digit within each row of the column identifies a presentation variation to which the row applies. Thus, row 608a is performed only in the variation of the presentation having a "1" in this column; e.g. rows: 608a, 608d, 608e, 608g through 608o. Similarly, a second variation of the presentation is performed using rows: 608b, 608d, 608f, through 608o. Additionally, a third version is provided by rows: 608c, 608e, 608f through 608n. Note, the "END" identifiers in 608q designates the end of the script.

An item number column 616 is provided for labeling rows so that a presentation leader can transfer to the rows having a value in this column and proceed sequentially through the script from the labeled row to which the leader transfers. This allows the leader to skip and/or rearrange portions of a presentation performance. Accordingly, there are three rows to which a leader can transfer control, namely, rows: 608a, 608e, and 608o.

A "virtual time" column 620 is provided wherein values in this column set and reset a presentation performance timer so that, for example, some portions of a presentation will automatically be skipped if a performance of the presentation is running behind a predetermined performance schedule. In script description 600, there are four rows 608 where the presentation performance timer is reset, i.e. rows 608a, 608e, and 608j. Thus, for a presentation performance corresponding to script level 1, in row 608a, the timer is set to 0.00 and the subsequent rows 608 for script level 1 are sequentially performed until 608e is encountered, wherein a determination is made as to whether the timer has a value greater than one minute and one second. If this is the case, then the sequential rows (for script level 1) down to row 608j are interpreted by the presentation controlling host 200, but no host commands are transmitted to either the client nodes 56, or the phone bridge control 240. Thus, it is as if the actions for these script rows are skipped. However, at row 608j, the timer is reset and each subsequent row 608 (of script level 1) is performed.

An Action column 624 is provided for designating an action to be performed (if any) during execution of a row 608. Thus, for row 608a, the host 200 instructs all client nodes 56 that a resource (e.g., a content file, or Web page) is available for downloading. Subsequently, for script level 1, row 608d instructs the client nodes 56 to cause their browsers 78 to display the resource. A list of actions that can be designated in the action column 624 are as follows:

(9.1) client.sub.-- Load--Instructs all client nodes 56 that a resource is available for downloading in background processing.

(9.2) client.sub.-- Free--Instructs all client nodes 56 to delete a previously downloaded resource.

(9.3) client.sub.-- Display--Instructs all client nodes 56 to cause their browsers 78 to display a resource. This command implements "Extended" parameters when the Resource Location column 636 has a corresponding entry of "TWFTP". The extended parameters are a second set of resource locations for retrieving the resource to which the corresponding action in the same row 608 is to be applied. For example, a second set of resource locations may be used by the client node 56 when it is determined that the FTP network 70 data transfer rate is unlikely to provide a particular presentation content file (e.g., of presentation elements) at a client node 56 in time for display.

(9.4) client.sub.-- play--Instructs all client nodes 56 receiving presentation audio content via a network 70 to play a resource.

(9.5) leader.sub.-- Hold--Causes the host 200 to suspend script interpretation until a next command is received from the leader designating a next row 608 to perform.

(9.6) time.sub.-- Set.sub.-- At--Forces a script's virtual time clock (i.e. timer) to a known value.

(9.7) time.sub.-- Hold.sub.-- To--Causes the host 200 to suspend script interpretation until a particular state is reached. For example, all clients report a display element command is complete; e.g., the display of a corporate logo.

(9.8) child.sub.-- Script--Suspend this script, read and process another script in a manner analogous to a programming subroutine invocation.

(9.9) End.sub.-- Start--Defines the last line (i.e. row 608) of a script and resets execution to the first line.

(9.10) END--Defines the last interpreted row 608 of a script.

Regarding the "Resource Type" column 632 of script description 600, the fields of this column provide an indication of the data types and/or organization of the presentation segment collections to which the action of the corresponding "Action" field of the same row applies. In particular, the following types (denoted also hereinafter as "resource types") are available

(10.1) FTP.sub.-- File--A single file to be pre-cached or downloaded from a webserver(s) 96 to client nodes 56 in the background using FTP or HTTP when FTP is blocked by security measures.

(10.2) FTP.sub.-- Dir--An entire directory of files to be pre-cached or downloaded in the background using FTP or HTTP when FTP is blocked by security measures.

(10.3) HTML.sub.-- File--A single HTML file containing presentation content.

(10.4) MC.sub.-- Question--An HTML.sub.-- File to which a client response to presented questions is requested.

(10.5) MC.sub.-- Answer--An HTML.sub.-- File to display the results of an MC.sub.-- Question.

(10.6) Info.sub.-- Form--An HTML.sub.-- File to collect data for the profile database 120.

(10.7) Audio.sub.-- RaFile--An audio file prepared in advance of the presentation, may be downloaded to client nodes 56 via network 70.

(10.8) Audio.sub.-- RaLive--Live streaming of an audio file, via network 70, requires dynamic real time buffering at the client nodes 56.

(10.9) THIS LINE--Causes the host 200 to refer to the row 608 of the script having this value (i.e., "THIS LINE"). Thus, the action for the row having this value can be viewed as needing no presentation resources.

(10.10) Twscript--Another script resource used by the current script resource.

In the "Resource Location" column 636 of script description 600, each row entry indicates a location of the presentation resource to which the action for the row is to be applied. Fields of this column may provide descriptions of a number of alternative locations for obtaining various versions and/or subversions of a presentation segment collection; i.e. alternative locations have a ".vertline." separator therebetween. The types of values that can occur in this column are:

(11.1) SN--Denotes a webserver 96 Name, also may be a physical network 70 address or an Internet domain name, as one skilled in the art will appreciate.

(11.2) TWFTP--Denotes the directory on client nodes 56 created to hold the presentation resources (e.g., presentation segments) downloaded from the webserver 96.

(11.3) CD--Denotes a CD-ROM drive attached to a client node 56; note that during preparation for a presentation performance, client determines the drive letter corresponding to the CD-ROM drive at his/her client node 56.

(11.4) LOCAL--Denotes anywhere on a client node 56, except the CD-ROM drive or the location designated by TWFTP.

(11.5) END--Denotes a time when clients have used a named resource, e.g., all clients have downloaded and displayed the logo image file, as the name resource.

(11.6) GOT--Denotes a time when clients have accessed the named resource, such as a time after a corporate logo file has been downloaded to all clients.

(11.7) this--Denotes that no external resources such as files, webservers, etc. are required for the command having this value.

Note that in the locations designated in at least (9.1) above, variables or "placeholders" can be provided in a script so that a developer of a script need not have at his/her disposal all the particulars as to where presentation resources (e.g., segment collections) will be stored for access during performance of the presentation. For example, variables or placeholders for as yet unidentified content webservers 96 may be provided as part of a location for a collection of segments. For example, each grouping of clients from the candidate audience members registered for a presentation performance has the following placeholders in presentation scripts defined within a corresponding presentation resource file 212: (a) the placeholder, "BBAMain" which is to be resolved as the network 70 identifier for the webserver 96 providing access to real time and/or smaller size presentation segment subcollections, (b) "BBA-Ftp" which is to be resolved as the network 70 identifier for a file (Internet) server holding large presentation files suitable for background download to client nodes 56, (c) "BBA-Ra" which is to be resolved as the network 70 identifier for an audio (Internet) server, or another location that provides access to audio data for the audio player 236, and (d) "BRA-QA" which is to be resolved as the network 70 identifier for the webserver 96 used for question and answer display sequences.

Regarding the "Resource Name" column 640 of script description 600, the entries of this column provide an identification of a presentation resource (e.g. presentation data segment file) independently of the network 70 address or node upon which the resource resides. Thus, a complete specification of a location of the resource requires the corresponding resource location and the resource name entries from the same row of script description 600. The following data types are available for fields of this column:

(12.1) Path--Denotes a path name to a file directory relative to the resource location. It is assumed that a nested or hierarchical file directory notation is used to identify the presentation resource residing at the location denoted by "Path".

(12.2) File--Denotes the name of a resource file.

(12.3) Encoder Task--Identifies a specific real time audio stream accessible from the webserver 96 identified in the corresponding Resource Location 636 column.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention as such, or in other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.