CA2284797C - Method and system for providing a presentation on a network - Google Patents

Abstract

A presentation system (50) is disclosed for distributing a performance of a presentation to a plurality of client sites (54) comprising client nodes on a network such as the Internet. The presentation system (50) distributes presentation content data to a plurality of network server nodes, and during a performance of the presentation, the client nodes receiving the presentation determine a particular variation of data presentation to retrieve from the network server nodes. In particular, the retrieval of presentation data depends upon the transmission characteristics of the network such as data transmission rate. Thus, if a low transmission data rate is detected at a first client node, presentation elements of a reduced size can be retrieved. Alternatively, if a higher transmission rate is detected at a second client node, presentation elements of greater size (and corresponding enhanced quality of presentation) can be retrieved. Thus, within a single performance, client network nodes with varying available network bandwidths can be utilized for synchronously performing the presentation.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM fOR PROVIDING
A PRESENTATION ON A NETWORK
fIELD Of THE INVENTION
The preset inventan relates to a rretworloed presentation sy:hm for providing a presentation to a plurality of dient nodes on a communications network such as the Internet, and more particularly to a preservation system wherein network transmission characte~tict area utilaed in determining the prexntation materials presented at cub diem node during a performance of the preservation.
BACKGROUND Of THE INVENTION
I~eractive or five presentatans via a telecommunications network (i.e., "telepresentations" such as teleconferences t 0 etc) are becoming a vrrkb alterr~tive to face-to-face meetings due to the greater cost effectiveness of such telepresentations.
However, there is still sub:~l expense in conducting such a te~presentation, particularly when the presentation members ~.e., prese~ation Waders and audience members) reside at a large number of geographialh scattered sttes. In particular, euh of the sites may require speaalited video conferencing systems with high data transrtiusion liras for connecting the teHpresenration members. Thus; due to the expense of provis'roning and maintaining such networked conferencing systems, 15 corporatans typKatly have only a small number of such conferencing systems at strategical~r located telepresentation centers forconducting such te~presentations. However, there are numerous drawbacks to this approach, such u:
(LI) 1he dedicated telepresentation centers are expensive to maintain;
(1.1) Presentafron participants are still required to travel to these centers;
and (13) Potential members of such a preserttation who are vat ab~ to access such a center are exduded from the ZO presentation.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a network preserrratan distribution system that alleviates these drawbacks, wherein such a system would allow individuals to access and/or participate in a presentation using standard tekphorry and Internet network connections found in most otHces and mar homes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The prexnt ime~ion is a network presentation distribution system for providing a presentation, via one or more communication networks, to a plural'rtlr of prese~tion members simuhaneousiy.
That is, the present ime~ion distributes a presentation synchronously to presentation members via the one or more commuriKafron networks, wherein a S communication network ~ defined as both the physKal components and the commuriKation protocal(s) utilized on the network components and wherein the term, "presentation members" (also denoted "users"), includes both audience members (also denoted "clie~s") and presentation leaders. Moreover, the present invention provides i~eracfne and/or real-time presematant to preserrtation members that are geographically scattered when each such member has access to one or more commonly available rnmmunicatioa networks such as the Internet and a conver~ional telephony network for telephone-to-te~phone voice communication. for example, the present inversion may communicate the video portion of a presentatron to a user i~te via the Internet (more generally, via any TCP/IP network) whip a corresponding audio portion may be commu~i~ated to the user site via a conventional telephomr network and a come~ional telephone at the user site. However, otherembodimerar are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, both the video and audio portions of the preservation 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 preserd 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 versbn of the presematron may be accessed synchronously from different network server nodes, or differer~ 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:
(~.I) One or more networfc server nodes {each hereinafter also denoted synor~rmously as a "network server," "content webserver", "cor~ent supplying node", and "supplying node"), whereby audience members receive presentation mate~~ls; and/or (L2) Differed versions of the same preservation, ucessibk from the one or more of the conter~ webserrers, wherein euh 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 part'KUlar organization.
Note that each of the one or more presentation versions includes one or more presentation segments (hereinafter S oho denoted simply "segme~s'~ that provide different portions of the presentatan. More precisely, subcolkctions each having one or more segme~s are provided as prese~ation "elements" in that euh such subcollection is intended to be an ind'nisibk portion of a presentation performance. Moreover, each version of a presentation typically has its subcollections of segments (i.e, presentation elements) ordered ucording to their presentation sequenu.
Moreover, substar~ially every segment (or wbcolkctions thereof) in one version corresponds with a segment (or subcolkctions thereof) having the same presentation order, in each of the other versions. Thus, assuming corresponding regmer~s (or subcollections thereof) in different versions have appnoxin~ety the same presentation duration, arry of the corresponding alternafrve segments {or subcollections thereof) from different versions can be presented as a replacemer~ for another such corresponding segment (or subcollection) during the presentation. Thus, 'rt is an aspect of the present invention to provide corresponding alternative segmer~s {or subcolkctions thereof) having substantially different network transmission requirements so that such rnrresponding IS alternative segments (or wbwlkctions thereof) can be substituted for one another depending on the performance of the communications network. for example, the segments (suboolkctrons) of a first version of a presentatron may require a network trarartas~on rate suffKicrrt for real time or animated video and the segments for another vers'ron of the presentation may onh acquire a transrna:an rate sufficient for graphs slides. Thus, of a set of correspomfing segmer~s (subcolkctions), one segment (subrnllectan) may merely be an auda presentation via a telephone, whereas an alternafrve segment (wboolkctan) may be a mnhimed~ presentation element that is a combination of one or more of the following types of HTML
multimedia data: audro, images, animation or video, wherein such a multimedia ekme~ plays over a set period of time and caa be as simple as a single image or a rnmpkx as a combination of images, audio, animation and video. furthermore, segmer~s may include interactive questions that arrdkrKe members answer by, eg., clicking on their display screens.

Note that 'rt a also an aspect of the prexrrt invent'ron that an ordering of predefined xgmeMs (or subcollections thereof) is capable of being prexnted and archived, and subxque~ly reprexr~ed.
Moreover, such an ordering can take into account alternat'ne xgme~s for the prexntation. Thus, multiple sequer~ially-ordered scripts can be created so that the leader can daox to change suipts in the rri~ddle of a prexrnat'ron baxd on user feed back. Accordingly, a prexr~tation leader S has the abifrty to stop prexnhtion of a particular script and its current subcollection of xgmet~s and change to a differed wbooUectan of xgments to be delivered to the aud~nce. Subsequently, the leader can then resume the initial script at any time.
Ikaord'mgly, to talae advar~age of tha novel d'otr~ion of prexntation mate~~als, tl~ prexM invention coordinates and corrtroh computatar>s and prexnrations at each client network node for each prexntation audience member {hereinafter t0 each such network node also may be synorqrmously denoted as a "clie~ node,"
"user network node" or simply "user node") wbsrar~~a0y sunuhancously. In particular, one or more prexrKatan co~rolling network connected nodes (each hereinafter alw Berated a "host node") is provided for transmitting prexntation co~rolling commands to the client nodes so that there a retrieval of the prexnla6on xgmernx from one or more versions of the one or more network co~e~ xrver nodes depending on, for example, performance chancteristia of network transmiss'rons. Thus, 'rt is an aspect of the prexnt invention to 15 dynamically and adaptively s~vitch between cor~er~ webxrvers and/or vers'rons of the presentation according to network tnnsnius'ron d~racberistics at each diem network node so that the clients at the clier~ nodes have prex~ed to them simultaneously, syndrrorously and in real time, corresponding rn content) segmer~s of the prexr~atian. f or example, a first dent (at a first client node) may experience the prexntation a an ordered xries of prexntat'ron xgmerrts, wherein the first and xcond ordered xgmerrrs are prexrrted in full animation, wherein the first of the ordered xgne'Ms is obtained from a ZO first rnr~ent webxnrer and the xcond xgmeM of the ordered xgmern~s a obtained from a sernnd conter~ webserver.
Moreover, synchronously with the prexntation to the first cl'~er~, a second diem (at a second d~r~ node) may experience the presentation in a slide show format from a third rnr~e~ webxrver, wherein the in'ttial two xgme~s prese~ed are eonespor~dingalterrrative xgmerrts to the first and xcond xgmer~s prexnted to the first d'e'nt. Additionally, a third cl'e'nt may synchrorously experience the first xgmer~ of the prexntation via network transmissions from the first content webxrver WO 98/44733 PCT/US98/(16667 but wbsequendy experiena the corresponding slide show atternafm to the sernnd ugment from the third cogent weburver due to, for example, network transmiu'ron slowdowns.
h a a further aspect of the present irmntan to synchronously provide audio and video portions of the preuntation through differer~ communication channels (a commuriKation channel being a phys'Kal signal transport path together with a particular signal protocol). for example, in one embodiment of the preser~
imer~ion (denoted hereinafter the "Telephony/Internet embodirr~r~"), the audio portion of the preuntation is communicated audibly directly to a standard telephone using comrenfional voKe grade telephony transmissions, and the corresponding video portron of the presentation h traramitred via a d'ifferer~ network such as the Ir~ernet (more generally referred to herein as a °communirations network") using, e.g., a modem to interpret the transmission sigmls.
It a a further aspect of the preunt iment'ron to provide the same audio presentation port'ron to each dier>t, and in this manner, maintain the cor~inu'ny of the preur~tation between clier~s.
Thus, regardleu of the version of the video preurrtation provided, the dleMs have their preuntations synchronized by at least experiencing simultaneously the same audio preurrtation.
It a also an aspect of the presets invention to allow preu~ation members to rnmmue'uxte with one another. For example, in the Telephor~r/Ir~ernet embodiment, a d'~M may commue'Kate with other prrucnafron members (including the presentation leader) during the presentation via the phone and/or by Internet messaging.
In providing the above apabi6ties of the network preuntation distribution sys~m of the preur~ invention, one or moro of the previously mentaned preurr~tion controlling netvrork nodes (host nodes") are uti~ued, wherein then nodes direct the flow of the preur~tion data between the preurrtatan members. for example, in the Telephony/Intennt embodimer~, such a host node, upon receiving the preuntattion instructions from a presentation leader indicating the next pteumabon segrnent(s) to be preunted, trar~ts Internet preuntation control sigmls to each of the cr~ent nodes identifying the next collection of corresponding versions of video ugnreMs from which each dlent node a to select a video ugmerrt for presenting. Add'dionally, the host node coordinates ark accompanying audio portion for this ugment so that the timing for tt~ preurrrtaation of these audio and video portions of the segnxnt(s) are syrKhronaed.

Moreover, during a pn~senGfron a host node provides a leader of the presentation with the ability to establish and control audience member invoHement in the presentation. In partiwlar, in the Telephorqr/Internet embodiment, this upect of the imer~ion is provided by the leader con~olling the functiomlity of one or more phone bridges through which all the audio communication during the presentation may be routed. Aaord~ngly, 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 I'rve voice audb is autwr~atically mixed with any segment audio rnncurrer~ly being provided by the phone bridge(s). The leader can control the volume of the segment coda ro~ded through the phone bridges) via controls at a leader rnntrol station (or simply "leader station'. When e~ted by one of the phone bridges, the Wader can also rn~rol the relafne volume of his/her microphone.
Otherwise the audio preservation portion routed through the phone bixlge(s) is balanced by the automata gain rnrrtrol on the phone bridge(s).
It is also an aspect of the preser~ imer~ion that arqr 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 errtire audience. The leader can, of course, also choose to stop such audience participation at any time. Thus, the preservation leader may enab~ and disable arrd~nce member imohemer~ during the preservation.
~ h a aho an affect of the prrxnt invention that whenever an on-screen question is amwend by aud~nce members, the results are arrtartatimlhr collected and can be graphed. The leader can choose to displ~r the graph'Ka! resuhs to all of the audience members. An audience profile database may be created with tt~ data obtained from each audience member. Note that tim audience profile database a maintained Beyond any one presernatan if such is desired.
It a yet aradrerupect of the presets imer~ion flat in paral~l with all of the other types of interactions between ZO preservation members, tact messaging betwxn the under and any or all of the audience members is done through a messaging window. further, audience members can lead private messages to the leader as well a each other. These messages can be read during the presentation without ir~errupting the flow of the presentation.
In another embodimer~ of the present invention, note that both the video ark audio portions for a presentafron ma)r be provided by the Internet Moreover, the present embodiment and the Telephorry/Intcrnet embodiment d'~scussed above may be intermixed during a presentation so that some cl'~nts mar receive the e~ire preservation via the Internet (more genera~r, via a communications network having physical transport and protocols) far supporting multimedia presentations) whereas other clie~s may rece'ne the audio portion of the prese~ation via tekphom transmissions of come~ional voice communication through a telephone handset.
Thus, audience members may ~muhaneously rece'ne a coordimted sequence of multimedia data control~d by the ieaderbo be displayed, eg., by an Internet browser such as Netscape Navigator or Miuosoft ir~ternet Explorer. Moreover, the preset invention supports standard media types, eg., GIf animation, as well as plug-in components such as Java and Shockwave for preserving the data (audio, graphK images, animation and video) in real time at an audience member's browser. Furthermore, several va~rations of presentation cogent can be del'nered based on, e.g., the current bandwidth availab~ and the cl~r~'s affil'~ated network serrer(s).
Accordingly, the following advantages are provided by the present imer~ion.
(3.1 ) Allocated Bandwidth for Server Data Availability:
the present invention aBOws the leader to selectively organise the number of audrence members drawing data from a particular rnmmuriKations network server. By limiting the number of audience members on such a server to no more than 7S, and controlling the presentation services provided to audience members, preservation related data availability is enhanced for aud~nce member.
(3.1) ~~,d Reliabii~r Thh Distributed Comtronents:
The preseat kneadon supports pres~on content being d'arribubed to air number of aommunir~ations network (web) servers for enhanced rerrability. Thus, rf one of these network servers becomes IO inaccessible dutmg a presentation, the prexr~ im~r~ion utilises a notion of "virtual servers" (ie., a collection of a number of communications network servers from wh~h presentation data can be selectively transrrirtted) for determining an ahernative communiations network server. Aaordingly, this allows the d~Ms (aud~nu members) using the affected communKations network server to be switched to another network server in the virtual server oolkction during the preserrtatan.

(33) Evens out "bursting" of Data ~r Distributing Its D I
Although each segnuM of a presentat~n is treated a a unique (mufti)media ekme~, the preser~
inventan a capable of del'nering an errrire rnlkctan of preser~Gtan segments to a cl'~er~ node while the presentation a being performed. This enables a more smooth flow of data during the presentation even though the segme~s may be transferred to client nodes in bursts.
(3.4) Monitors Transmission Bandwidth and Ahe atfn a Data:
Even with enhanced presentation data availability and distributed rnmmunitations network (e.g. web) ID uners, there a still the postibil'rty of data delays from a slow network urver of a saturated aommunirations network (e.g., Internet) seniu provider. Accordingly, the present invention monitors:
(a) characteristics of network transmissions of presentation materials to d'rent nodes, e.g., the trarnrnission network bandwidth (eg., the data transmission rate), and (b) the amount of data cached on each client's node. Thus, when the data required for a ugmeM is not timely cached prior to its 15 intended performance at a cl'ient's node, alternate segmer~ data is automatically requested from the oommwucaaora network by tire dent node. In particular, the client node may request the segmer~ data from an alternate communications network serer through network address (URL) selection of the alternate commurixations network server.
(35) Albws Preseryation PartKi~aants to Aernnnect and Sinchronizewith a Presentation in Progreu:
D a presentation participar~ a d'~sconnected from tire ~mmun'Kations network (e.g., Interr~t) during a presentation, there is a simple reconnect option to put the participant back in the presentation synchronaed with the rest of the participants. Mote that since the audio portion may be provided via a separate telephony (voice ~murication) network, it is rrlaely that the disrnnnected participar~ is able to maintain the corrrinu'ttlr of the presentafron.
(3.6) Utilizes Controlled Cilent Reyuestr WO 98/44733 PC'T/US98/06667 foraai~en presentation, the prexnt imerdion directs each cl~r~ node to request prexntafron content from a gnen set of communications network xrvers rather than having such xrvers push prcxntation content to the cl'~nt node. Among other advantages, this enab~s dynamic control of the pace of the preserhation t~ a prexr~tafmn leader while each client node xkcts specific display materials to attain that pane. Moreover, thhis strategy of requesting prexntafwn cor~er~ is typirxlly not blocked by network firewalls such a are common in communicating with secure corporate iMranets.
(3.7) Ailows a Prexntation to be Provided in S verai t an~ya_~e< <~m"
The prexnt invention's d'utributed r~twork processing architecture makes it possible to preser~
concurrer~ly a prexr~tation with rnr~ent provided in natural languages speafic to the aud~nce members. For examp~, for the same prexntation performance, different audience members may have the audio portion of the prex~ation prexnted in different languages, e.g., English and )apar~x.
Moreover, the video conte~ (e.g., on HTML pages) can be specif~d so that wr'nten text proved in the prexmation can be displa~d in different natural languages, depending on audience member preference.
(3.8) Coo~~erates with f irewalls:
The prexnt anrenfan alkrvvs aonfden6al prexmatlon data to be laept within a corporate intranet behind a finwra8 (re, a network xwrity feature that restricts communicafrons with devKes not inched in the and in partradar, drat restricts the aooess to data stored within the i~ranet). Thus, the present imerdion a8ows a Chow or prexntat~n to be corltrolh~d externally from the firewall, while at least the oord'denf~l data rennms within the finwall and is prexrrted to only ttmx within the firewall under the direction of a leader that a poter~ially outside the firewall. further, becaux the prexr~ invention em~oys a "client-request" techmbgy, where each prex~ation member's browxr requests information from a aommunicatans network xrver, trpicalh data transmissions in responx to such requests are not blocked by most firerralls.

Other features and benefits of the imentan will become apparel from the detailed description and the accompaming figures herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Of THE DRAWINGS
Eigs. IA and IB are a block diagram showing the functional rnmponents of the present invention such as the Internet;
figs.2A-1D present a flowchart of the steps performed (by the embodiment of figs. IA and 2B) for prese~ing a muhimedia presentation to a plurality of clie~s, each at a different client node.
fig. 3 is an illustration of a presentation uript for the present invention.
DEIAILED DESCRIPTION OE THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In Fig. I, a bbdc diagram illustrating the components of the presentation system 50 of the present invention is provided, wherein solid arrows denote prese~ation data flows and dashed arrows denote control data fbws. Note that the presentafron system SO utilises the following high-level rnmponeMs:
(4.1) li i 4: Crrent sites S4, where audience members receive a presentation.
Typically, at least some of the client sites S4 are suffKiently geographically dispersed so that a face-to-face prese~ation is not possible.
Additionally, note that each diets site 54 has at least one of a drent node 56 (e.g., a personal computer), and a telephone 67, wherein the client node 56 may rece'ne video (and possibly a~io as well) information from a commuo~atioro network 70 such as the I~ernet, and the phone 62 may be used for rece'ning an audio portion of the prexntation routed separately through one or more voice grade tekpho~r networks (collectively labeled 74).
t0 Accordingly, if the crrer~ node 56 is resident at a drent stte 54, then a network interface software pacl~ge is rcquued for receiving, e.g., video presentation information from the commuriKations network 70 (e.g., including the Internet). for many rrrtworla (such as those including the I~ernet), this software package includes a network browser 78 such a the Ir~ernet browsers offered by Microsoft and Netscape, together with a client presentation software system 88 that rnordinates w'rtb the browser 78 for requesting, receiving and displaying prese~ation 2S segmer~s (from the network 70} as appropriate during the presentation.

(4.2) j,p~ One or more presentation leader stations 92 that provide the leader(:) of a preser~tat~n with the ability to cor~rol the cor~ent of the presentation, the pace of the preserctaation, and any ir~eractive communication with and between presentation audience members. Note that each leader station 92 includes the d'~er~ prex~tion software 88 and a network browser 78 so that each leader an also view the presentation as it is perceived by audience members. Additionally, the fcader station(:) 91 also have leader-specific presentation application software 94 for allowing a Wader to control arcd direct a presentation.
Note that each leader station 92 is connected to componec~s of the operations center 58 either through the commuriKat'rons network 70, or diroctly using a X8.8 kihub'rts per second or ISDN 1~8 kilobit dial-up phone connection. The operations center 58 amplif~s a presentafron leader's scope of control using ir~emet Standard protocoh (eg., TCP/IP, fTP, etc.) to simuhaaeously transmit commands to a large group of clients. There may be one or more leader stations 92 per preserctatan performance. The Wader tuks an be divided among a plurafny of leader statans 92 to aeate, e.g., moderator, presenter, and show-control leader stat~ns. These leader stations 9Z may be co-brated or geographically dispersed.
(43) rafrons Center_S8: An operations center 58 for coordinating, at bast at a high hovel, presentation start-up and l5 ~ presentation commuriKation under the direction of a preservation Wader at a leader statan 92.
(4.4) Content Webservers 96: One or more conter~ network server ittes 96 (also denoted rnntent webservers 96a, and alberrnbe content webservers 96b) for providing presentation data to clier~
sites 54 requesting such data via dient nodes S6. Note that for the d~M :rtes 54 illustrated, the coMer~ webserna 96a reprosent the presentation infomcaaon wppGers of first daioe. However, if difficulties (or expected d'rff'uutties) are encountered at one of the d'~errt sdes 54 regardnrg reaivircg presenbtion segments prior to their time for display, then the d~M presentation software 88 at tt~ diem :rte is capable of requesting, via the browser 78 at the cf~er~ site, presentatan segmer~s from as ahxrrate content webserver 9bb prior to or during the presentation.
(45) P. horhor~e Brut: One or more phone bridges 100 for supporting voice commuaKafron during a preservation is provided. The phone b~rdges 100 route tiu audio portion of a presermatan to certain dient sites 54, thereby providing communiations between the kader(s) and the audience members, and also providing communirdtion between the audknce members themsehns.
fach phone bridge 100 receives As commands via a direct dial up phorw connection from a phone bridge ao~rol 140 (discussed hereinbelow). The present invention may utifae a variety of phone bridges 100 to deliver S audio and collect response: (e.g., voting by audknce members on prese~ation prese~ed issues). Note that each phone bridge 100 is enabled either directly through an application program interface (APl), or by simulating a remote operator for the phone bridge. Some embodiments of the preset invention utilize the following features provided by the phone bridges: an interactive rrrode, an audio only mode, call-back mode, and sub-rnnferencing (virtual conference table) mode, wherein these terms may be defined respectively, as: the leader and audience members are able to speak simuh}aneously to all prese~ation participants (interact'ne mode), the leader speaks to all audience members while all audience member phones have muted ai~crophones (audio only mode), the phone bridge calls audience members {using a phone number provided via preservation registration and/or a connection with the client prese~afron software 88 at the client's clknt node) for connecting for the audio portion of the pretemat'ron (via, e~., the pubhC switched telephone network) (call-back mode), subgroups of the audience and/or I S leaders are in the interactive mode with each other while in aud'ro mode for the prese~ation performance (virtual conference table).
In cues where the presentation audience is mc~d, with sore members participating via teleconferendng orvdeo aonferendng and others viewing the preserrtatian, voting for those who do not have an interactive network 70 connection can be accomplished with phone 62 pulse responses to one of the phor~ bridges 100. In particular, these votes can be transferred to the operations center S8, and (as with any arnf knee member responses) optionally transferred to the profile database 1~0 described Irereinbelow. Mote that at the leader's discret'ron, a phone bridge 100 can be used to impkmeM a help desk, wherein audience members requesting help before or during a preser~tion can be aonrurted with a help desk operator for tecdnial or customer support. The phone bridges 100 can also be used by the leader to impkmev subconferenu chat groups for kKat'aed question and answer sessions following a presentation performance.
{4.6) Coyent Manager 104: A rnvev manager system 104 for managing presentation scripts and data. The covent manager 104 logs and confirms the locations and addresses of contev weburvers 96 where the content for euh presevation will resde. The coven manager 104 distributes prexvztion data, such as scripting information for a preservation, thereby providing:
(a) irntnl groupings of audiena members according to, e.g., natural language preferred, organizational affiliation, geograph'Kal kacation, and/or ivervening network connections and devices (e.g., firewalls and other secuitty features, local area network rnnnect'rons), and/or (b) sequencing of presevat~n segmevs to the operations never 58 (and more particularly, the hosts) 200 described hereinbelow).
Additionally, the content manager 104 distributes presevafron Covent (e.g., presentation segmevs) to the Covent webservers 96 and verifies that the contev a capable of being presented to audknce members immediately before a presevation time. Mote that the verification process malres sure that all the links in the presentation or show can be resolved appropriately. finally, at the end of a pretentatron performance, the content manager (04 may remove the presevation contev from one or more of the Covent webservers 96.
further note that the oorrrcv marnger 104 in<Irdes a reservation system 108 for maivaining a uheduk for presentation and for reserving resourus of tl~ operations cover 58, and ark presevatan leader support such as leader stations 92. The content manager 104 ado includes an imitation subsystem 111 that is capable of maintaining imitation lists of candidate audience members, together with corresponding addresses (e.g., e-mail addresses) forvarious presentation performances. Additionally, the imihtion subsystem I I~ is capable of accessing client profile itdormation for past audknce members residing in the profile database 120. Aaordingly, by comparing diet/ profile information in the profile database I~0 with the information in various imitation Puts, and/or preservation descr~tions (eg., loeywords, etc.), prospective audience members for a partrcular preservation can be notified of future similar presentations via, e.g., e-mail.
Add'~iorraNy, th corverrt manager 104 is also responsible for uuuing and mairvaining a show content archival database 126. Thus, following a live presentation performance using the present invention, the content mar>ager 104 it rapabk of downloading the presentation content from the various content webseners 96 as well as preservation information retained in the operations center 58 irvo the :lbw content archival database (26 for storage and/or pouibk replay. Note that the audio portion of a preservation 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 corverv 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 Cfiery Supprt S; star m 130~ The present imervion includes a software download anddierv support rystem 130 for providing presentafron enabling software (e.g. d'rent presentation software 88) to both cuerv srbes 54 and leader:rations 92. Add'ttamlly, the software download and cCrerv support rystem 130 supplies presentation software to tlx leader stations 92 that allows leaders to control and direct their presentation IS performances. finally, the rystem 130 provides dknt support via, e.g., the tekphorry network 74.
(4.8) Pre-show Control Si sWm 136: A pre-show control system 136 for providing audience members and potential audience members with presentation rehted ir~ormation both for registering for presentation performances and for establ'alring initial network (70 and/or 14) connections immediately prior to a preserthtan performance, so that presentation oonhr~ can be provided to cute audknce rr~mber's diem site 54. Thus, the pre-show control 136 provides audience members and prospective audience members with presentation booking information such as preservation topKS, presemaaon perfornnrrce dates, times, der~ifiGtion of leaders and/or lists of participants.
further, tire pre-show aonbol 136 also provides preserrration content and script information to the operations center 58. Within the pre-show control wbsystem 136, there is a registration module 140 and an auociated network interface (not shown), wherein audience members confirm their regatration for a preservation performance, via, WO 98/44733 Pt'yT/US98/06667 forexample, network 10. Mote that confirmation of presentation performance registration includes, if necessary, a download of presentation:pecif~ software that provides a client with an icon on the cf~ern's client node 56 a a reminder of the sdiedukd prosentation performance date and time for which the client has registered. further, if the preservation for wldch the cf~errt hu registered requires one or more software audio or video software systems, 5 then the downloaded appGcatan software checks for these systems on the cf~er>t's client node 56 and subsequently adv'~ses the cf~nt if one or more of the software systems required must be downloaded prior to the presentation performance.
further note that the presenbtion appfKation software downbaded to a tf~ent node 56 from the registration module 140 may be used for: configuring the dbnt node 56 appropriately for the subsequent 10 presentation performance, running tem at the dierrt node for assuring that the presentation will be presented properlfr, albwing the cGerrt node to pre-load certain content portions of a preuntation, and/or providing the client with access to the bbby system 144 (discussed hereinbebw) for establishing initial network (70 andlor 14) connections) immediately prior to a prese~ation performance.
Nee that the software application downbaded from the registration module 140, in one embodirr~r~, 15 aho allows a clb~ to preview highlighted web pages of the uprnming preserttatan. Moreover, this software may albw the crre~rt to reconfigure and re-test his/her diets node 56 for determining whether a desired cordiguration has been provided for a presentation performance.
Regarding the bbby system 144 aho contained in the pre-show control 136, the bbby system provides the iniml connection points) for the audience members immediately prar to a preservation performance for wliKh IO the audience members have regutered. Aooord'uigly, ona r~twork 70 and/or 74 connections have been established, the bbby system 144 aonnectiorr3 are trans<erred to the operations cer~ers 58 at commencement of the presentation performance.
{4.9) ~countinj System 150: In one embodiment, an accounting system 150 a proved for the present iment'ron for managing its financial operatans. In particubr, the aaourrting system ISO
includes a billing system 154 for maim~ining a chart of ucour~s for both billing dies (and/or their affil'iahd organizations) having rece'ned a presentation, and billing presentation leaders (and/or their affiliated organizations} requesting the services of the present imeraion for dperformances of they presentations. Addit'ronaUy, the accourrting system 150 also includes a reporting wbsystem 158 that outputs reports related to prosentation performances, to cl~nts and presentation leaders.
Referring now to the operations arrter 58, a high level in~rnal structure of this component will now be described.
This component includes one or more host modules I00 for coordinating. (a) the disseminat'ron and timing of presentation aor~er~ underthe d'uectionof a presertttaafron leader(s), (b} the ir~enctions between the leaders) and the audience members aswell as between member: of the audbrru themselves, (c) the gathering of feedbuk information from audience members amordingto,forexample, answers to questions posed to the aud~rKe members during a presentation performance, and (d) providing results from audience,participatory responses to the hader(s) and/or audience members. dccordingly, note that in one embodiment of the preset invention, the computer on which a host 200 is resident has the following features: 64 megabytes of RAM,166 MNz Pentium processor, NT operating system, Ethernet network card, in a configurable CUBIX
bad:piane avaihble through CUBIX, Inc.,1800 lodct~eeed Way, Carson Cny, Nevada.
Each wch host I00 is capable of managing one hundred or more iMeractans w'tth dients and/or subordinate hosts II O
wherein the wbordir~abe hosts are di:~ubcd on the network 70 to thenby increase an operation enter host's span of co~rol by 100 or more diems and/or further wbordir~e hosts per subordinate host to creak an unlimited audbnce. Note that each boss I00 receives pron suipt irrfornation from the corrrent manager 104 in preparation for initiating the performance of a presentation. further, each host I00 receives from the bbby system 144 ardience member iderrtifirations for cute 10 presentation performance cor~rolled by the host immediately prior to the performance of the preserrtatbn. Note that each such audience member iderrtNirdtion typ'Kally includes: (a) a unique six dig'tt diets identifier which is encoded into the d'~M
preser~tatan software 88 for each preuntafron performarKe client, and (b) a three digit group ider~ifier for assigning one or more webservers 96 to provide presentafan aor~er~. Note that the software downbad and d'rer~ support system 130 encodes these two ider~if~rs into the client preservation software 88 prior to distribution to dierrt nodes 56.

WO 98/44733 PI:T/US98/06667 The host 200 aho receives aonbent webxrver 96 ideMificatioru, and prex~ation script identifiations from a show sdiedukr I04. tha scheduler I04 provides the functional'dy of the prexnt imerrrion for scheduling prex~ation performance times and the resources needed far performing each prexmtaaon. Thus, the show scheduler 204 provides the pre-show control 136 with sci~edukd show times and dates, and, as mentioned above, provides a host 200 responsible for a prexntation with content webxrver 96 ider~ificafrons and prexntation script iderrtifirztions immediately prior to the performance of the corresponding prexntation. Note that in the embodiment of fig. I, the show scheduler I04 may be util'~zed to rexrve resources at various rnMtt~ website xnrers 96 as well as phone badges 100 in addition to other resources of the operations ce~er 5B. Note also that the show scheduler 204 provides stww schedule data to a xcu~rty system 208, this latter system described hereinbebw. However, in other embodimer~ of the show scheduler 204, resources may be allocated for a prexntat'ron aacord'mg to the number and geographical kKations of cl'~r~s desiring to part~ipate in a part~ular prex~ation.
for each prexntation performance, the prexr~atan cor~rolling host 200 also receives, from a prexntation performance spedfic resouroe fde or data bax Z I I: (a) cor~er~ webxrver 96 network addresxs (e.g., for the Internet, thex addresses being URts) identifying the network 70 sees having prexr~atioa conter~ data; (b) audience member lists of clients that have registered for the prexntztan performance and can therefore become audkna members, if they choox to;
(c) groupings of nrgabetrd clients; and (d) script mr~s and kKations from whKh to retrieve the prexrrtafron script from the content manager 104. Accordingly, note that the rernrds of the corresponding resource file 112 associate prexMation identifiers with corrteM webxrrer 96 URIs and path comes on thex webxrvea when prexrttatan content data resides.
Thus, sins the prexrrtatan saipa received by the hosts 200 from the rnrrtent manager 104 are generic in that the xripts have wariabks or plueholders for content wrbxner 96 ider~ities, each host 200 uxs ir~ormatan from the corresponding 10 resouroe file 212 (retr'~ved according ~ prexntation identification) for resolving the undefined co~er~ webxrver variables of the generic scripts, and thereby instant'nting prexrnafron scripts and prexrrtaation data with spec~frc cor~ent webxrver 96 references. Note that the resource file 1l2 may be created from irdormabon in a scheduling data bax (not shown) popuhted with, eg., eonberrt webxrver 96 groupings (each grouping for supplying presentation coMer~ to a particular group of aud'~ence members) and audience member group iderrbficatioru. The grouping of the webxrvers and the audience member !8 groupings are both ind'~ated by the three did group ide~ifier also encoded into each copy of the ciie~ pcexntation software 88 distributed by the software download and dient support system 130 as pnwiously discusxd.
Each host 200 also ands commands to an ar~io system ?,I0 for rnntrolling prexntation audio content that has been previously recorded for performanu of the prexrnafion to which the audio content is associated. In particular, a host 3 200 aontrolGng a partiadar proxMation ands audio prexrrtatbn coordinating rnmmands that direct and rnr~rol the audio system 210. The audio dient I24 provides the folbwing funct'ronafmr in responx to host commands. The audio client 224 may (a) utilize a plurality of specialaed aedio players 136 depending on the audio compression of the audio portion of a presentation to be provided to the dient sites 54 via the phone bridge 100, and/or via the network 70 in an ahernafrve embodiment, (b) establish a connection to the audio xner 228 at a specified network 70 location (note that in one embodiment the audio xrver may be acceuib~ as an addressable node on the network 70), and (c) start, pause, resume, position within, and stop an audio pl~rback rvnh an identif'red audio file or stream. Note that in performing the functionality desuibed above, the audio cl'~ent 124 may receive the folbwing types of commands from a host 200: a network 70 node address (URL) containing the bcation and the name of an auda file or stream, and the current state wherein the possib~
states are: phying at a particular position, paused, or shopped.
The audio diem I14 controls at least two other rtrodules of the audio system 220, in part'Krrlar, the audio carver u8 and the audio player 136. Force prexrrtatan to be performed, the audio server 228 is preloaded with audio prexrnation data by the rnMer~ manager 104 pray to the performance of the prexntafron. The audio xrver 228, in turn, supplies the audio portion of xlxbed praerrtation xgmeats to the audio player 736 a directed by the audio d~M u4. Accordingly, the audio playerl36 prepares the audio irdormat'ron for outpnt.to ors or nays of the phone bridges 100. More particubrly, the aruiio pbyer 136 performs the folbwing functrons: (a) receives audio IP from the aud'ro xrver t28, (b) buffers IP packets received from the audio xner, (c) decodes rnmpreued auda dab from IP audio packet, {d) controls an audio device (computer r~ to ueah anabg, line krel, or direct publb, sHi~tched telephone network (PSTN) output audio signals. Thus, at the request of the auda diets u4, the audb phyer 236 outputs audio xgment information to an audio diem Z24 des~rn~ed phone bridges) 100 forsubsequent transrrrusan to identified dient sites 54, theroby providing prexntation a~io WO 98/44733 PG"T/US98/06667 to cGenrt in real time during a presentation performance. Thus, the hosts Z00 and the arrd'ro system 120 coordinate so that the pre-recorded audio portions of each presentation are del'nered to the phone bridges) 100 and distributed to the cl'~nt sites 54 in a coordinated manner with corresponding video and/or graphic preserrrtaation segments. h is important to note that several rotations of presentation conter~ can be provided to diems based on the available bandwidth on network S 70, a well a ~junct networks of various kinds that coordinate with network 70 for transmitting presentation informatbn to client sites 54; e.g., such adjunct networks may be kKal area r~tworks, virtual private networks, and corporate ir~ranets.
Fuctlrer, rate that the coda client X14 can direct the audio server 128 and the audio player 134 to supply corresponding pre recorded audio versions of presenbtion segmer~s in differer~ 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 openfron of the one or more phone bridges 100 via a phone bridge control module 240. The phone bridge control module 240 provides an urtertaang control system between the host X00 and.the phone bridges 100 so that details of partiadar phone bridge 100 control commands and details of operafans of phone bridges 100 need not be embed~d in host 200 system software. Accordingly, under the direction of commands from tl~ host X00, the phone bridge control mode Z40 a Capable of one or more phone bridges 100 to provide the folbwing types of audio transmiuans during a preserrtatan:
(5.l ) 0'uect phone bridges) 100 to route varaus audio prerentation portions to particular cl'~r~ site phones 6I a well a leader statans 9I;
(5.1) Establish appropriate telephony connxdons so that an aud~nce member can address all presentation participar~s;
(S3) Establish one or more audio subgroups from the collection of audience members of a presentation. In particular, for some types of presemxtioru wherein periodic cor~arring among subgroups is deemed advantageous, such audio subgroups can be consukred a a vehicle for providing subconferencing capabilities;
(5.4) Assuming that subconference groups of audience members are capab~ of being provided by the phone bridges) 100, the phone bridge control 240 a able, if directed, to configure the phone bridges) for allowing a subconference group to address all audience members and subseque~h return to corderring privately among the audience membea of the subconference;
(55) Instruct the phone br'rdge(s) 100 to morirtor telephone lines of aud~nce members for input regarding answers to questions posed to audience members and whose responses are provided via the pressing of dig's on phones 61 at diem sites 54;
(5.b) Enable fuA interattive auda to all audience members where each aud~nce member is capable of speaking to other presentation performance participar~s.
(5.7) Place a single audrerrce mem6erorthe entire audience irno audio (ruten only) mode without deactivating the audio presentation performance from the audio system 110.
l0 Each host 100 is also in rnmmun'~ation with the security subsystem 108 referred to hereinabove. Note that all external communications from third parties to a host 200 is routed through the security subsystem 108. This subsystem provides various kinds of communication security measures such as:
(b.l ) A data padoet filtering rouber (rat shown) for filtering out network TO
commue'Kations from unknown network 70 sources;
IS (61) Aaommunications protocol and port-spetific 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 FiP;
(63) An encryptioa tunnel. (not shown) for encrypting commuriKafions to be transmitted on the network 10 (via the intend webservea 148 that irrberfue w'tth the network 10), and for decrypting communications received from the network 10 (va the irrtennl network sernrs);
10 (b.4) A vaGdafaon subsystem (not shown) forvaGdating~partidpants requesting acceu to operations center 58 resources.
Validations performed here indudes val'dating presentation performarrce identifiers provided by dient site 54 network 10 addresses, passwords provided by clients, and d'~nt presentation software B8 embedded ider~ifiers;
and (b5) Virus detection:ofivnre.

II
Note tbattlre seauity subsystem 208 resides on a separate computational device from that of the host I00. further, note that the securrr<yy subsystem 108 may tra~be network TO received commuo'Kations i~o a propr~tary protocol before sending such communications to other compone~s of the operations center 58. Moreover, for network 70 commue'Kations intended for different operations center processes and/or related to d~'fere~ prese~afron performances, different levels of security may be implemeaoed. Tlws, network70 eommunicat~ns for one presentation performance might include only minimal protection such as virus protection and protocol translation prior to transmitting commuriKafrons to, e.g., the hosts) I00, or to the internal webserver(s) I48. Ahernat'rvely, at an opposite extreme, wherein high security is desired for a presentation, all of the features (b.l) through (6S) may be performed for rnmmurioations received form the network 70, aced at least encryption is performed for communications transmuted across network 70 ta, e.g., d~~
sites 54.
!0 The present inversion aho provides and/or facilitates further secusrty features. for examp~, for corporations that warrr to guarantee the security of their data during network prexntations, the distributed server arch'ttecture of the preser~
invention allows for corrre~ webservers 96 to be placed within a secure rnrporate ir~nnet I60. More particularly, such content webservers 9b may be behind a firewall Ib4, such that the firewall is between such conter~ webseners and the presentation ~ro8'asg hosts) 100. Tbu~ proprtary corporate data may reside behind the firewall I64 whip presentaation cor~rol may be performed externally.
Additionally, data access security can vary according to the needs of the presentafron partrcipants and/or their afTd owns. Thus, at one extreme, tyre a substantially no data sewr'rty for the presentation data. Accordingly, the data may be available to ar~rone who knows a content webserver's network 70 address. This security level is rimilar to publishing data by creating World Wide Web pages on web sttes and, in fact, presentations performed using the present IO imer~ron can use actual World Wide Web websites as a sours for presentation dab.
A simple physical security capabitit)r nay be used by the present inve~ion for protecting presentation data by controlling the time span for whKh the date is uassibk to clients. This involves beeping the data inaccessible when a presentation a not being performed. for example, presentation data may be mair~ained on private content webservea 96 or in p 'mate directors until near show time, malting such data available at show time, and removing the data after the presentation perfomanoe teraiu~. Ilaraus aspxts of the 6me based data management capability are directed by the show schedu~r Z04 for the operatans center 58 and the conte~ manager 104. in particular, the show scheduler 204 may keep prese~ation data rending within the operations center 58 inaccessible to other rnmpone~s of the operations center a well a to the pre-show cor~rol 136. Additionally the rnMer~ manager 104 mar prohibit ucess to presentation data on content webservers 96 by providing the data on the webservers substa~ialh only during the presentation, and/or changing acaessibir~r permasions on prese~ation data previously provided on the webservers so that it is substa~ially only available during a presentat'ron performance.
for an intermediate level of physical seta 'rny, presentation data an be brated on operations center content webservers 96 (either internal to the operations abler or external thereto) that require puswords, do not allow overwriting of data, and are not used for unsecured data. for high security, the intermediate securtty measures may be enhanced by recording each client's ider~ity and/or network TO address a they rnnnect to a host T00. Furthermore, the high seta 'rny meuures may only allow network 70 connections from pre-apprmred network addresses using a specified protocol and port number for the duration of a part'xuhar preserrtat'ron for whKh the cI~M is registered.
In addition to any phys~l security methods a diseased hereinabove, presentat'ron data can be encrypted prior to networktransfers in any manner wh'KIr the cfxnts' browsers T8 can (w'tth piug.ins) decrypt. Assuming the network 10 is the Ir~ernet, the operations amber servers t48 support rnmmon gateway irrterfue (CGI) and lr~ernet irdormation sever (IIS) extensions for processing URIs cad a presentation an impkmer~ standard web data security by using Ir~ernet protocols such a fde transfer protornl (fTP) with user iderr6frntan plus password, and hypertext traruport protornl secure (HTTP). Also mote that the severity measures for the preser~ invention are not restricted to providing communications on generally used port numbers (eg., commuorcation between the host and leaders or aud~nce members an occur on either port 60 or port 80 is any combination for a single presentation performaaae. Note that special security presentafron performances can be run using any port number desired when usurg xrvea 148 in ~e operations center, or on ir~nnets (e.g., the secure corporate inaarret160). fordymmicdatagerrerated during a presentation (eg., dab collected from audience member responses), the NTTPS protocol is useful, even in an otherwise unxcured presentatan, for transni~ting questions, colleCCting response, and returning results through a seaa~e sodoets proboeoL In par6adar, the HtTPS
protocol provides an encryption method generally accepted a secure enough for baramasion of xnsrtive fmancia! data oeer public networks. Accordingly, this provides xcur'rty for aolkcbed diem irdormafron becaux the responx data is transferred to a host 200 in an encrypted format Furthermore, the prexntation performance comrolfing host 100 protects tha received data by not sharing it, and the host 200 does not support standard network 70 (Internet) data aaess protocols.
Additionally, note that the prexmation controlling host 200 is secured xpantely from the prexmation data sectaity. In partiadar, each host 200 executes on a xrver within the operations center 58, wherein the host will only accept a netwrork70 connection from a dlem node 56 having the appropriate vers'ron and/or identification for a prexmation being aomrolkd by the host. Moreover, the d'~er~ and/or the dknt's prexmation software 88 must be able to access the host 200 I 0 through irt network 70 a~reu and prexnt the correct qexr~ation idemifuxtan at the time of the prexmafwn performance.
Sinn the show sdkdukr 204 xkcts the host 100 from a plurality of such hosts and also xkns the time window for each prexntation performance, several other seta 'rny meuures may be implemented for a proxntation performance inducting: re:aicted access to the diem prexntation software 88, uniqueness of each prexmafron performance ider~ificat'ron, encoding of the network 70 (imernet) address of the host for the prexmation and scheduling the date and time of the prexntation. Note that the show roarsbation system 140 faalitates thex security meuures in the show scheduler 204 by providing enoo~d prexr~tion urriration networkaddr~esses (URIs) to d'~errrs and/or their diem nodes 5b. further, addresxs of dents force partiartu prexmation may be xm to each of tl~ content xrrers 96 having data for the prexmation. Thus, when such a content xrvrr 96 receives a prese~tion dad request from a diem node 56, the diem's address, the prexmatan idemification, and the prexntation periormarroe schedule ime may be vafdated at each contem webxrnr 96 accesxd.
10 The degree of secur'tty placed on prexmation performance imitatioa diitributan and the verification of invited prexnrataon participants by each comem vrebxrver 96 a xkcbed by a sponsor of the prexmation. Note that the inv'rtat'ron system I11 does not have a direct data connection to the show scheduler 104.
Thus, accidental rekax of suffiriem prexmat'ron performance irdormafron to allow umudaraed aaoesz ~ a prexmation performance is unGbely.

WO 98/44733 PCTlUS98/06667 Additionally, to provide for dual path information xcurity {e.g., to and irom the operations center S8), the presentation software 88 can also require a password for activation, wherein the password it unique to the client and/or unique to a particular configuration of the client's ciie~ node 56 and wherein the parnvord may be manually entered immediately prbr to a pnex~ion connection to a host 100. Note that for prexntafrons using data xcured within a xcure corporate intranet 260, the clie~ host connections can transmit encrypted network 70 addresxs.
Sinoe each host I00 does not have ucess to prexntat'ron resources (eg., united client lists, content webxrver 9b addresses, prexr~ation tiwr~ail images, sign-on passwords, phone bridge 100 type and prexntation scripts) until the show scheduler 204 ands them to the host I00 with the prexr~ation startup commands, or a leader for the prexntation adds resources to an active prexntation performance, 'rt is remote that xnsitive and/or proprietary presentation data can be aaessed through a host I00. Moreover, a sponsor can create and perform a presentation without the prexntation content data ever residing at the operations amber 58. further, in cases where interactive responx data received during a prexntation performance a considered exderrrely xnsidve, the sponsor may process the cr~ent responxs at sponsor controlled network sites and wbsequendy, g detped, forward sratistiol summaries to the prexntation controlling host 100 for any desired distribution to audience members.
I S Regarding sea~ty and prexr~atian leaders, the kader(s) of a prexntation can be ve~d~ed by ux of one or more passwords in addition to the host I00 address, port number, prexmafron ider~ificat~n, and prexr~at'ron performance time for hWher prexmation perfonrranoe. Note that such leader pauwords may be unique to each prexrttation performance and may be supplied to the prexr~tatan controlling host I00 by the show sdxduler I04 immediately prior to the start of a prexmabon performarrae for thereby val'~dating prexntatan leader(s).
Addit'ronal leader i~ormation may be also provided IO to enable multiple leaders for a single prexntatan performance and to also enable different prexr~ation rnr~rol functions to be alkxahd among k~ders according to their prexmation passwords.
The leader software 94 may be distributed to prexrnation leaders and/or kada stations 44 by disl~tte or by a network 70 downknd. Tha software may be generated w'tth buih-in addresxs and prexrnation ider~ification numbers as well as particular ports for connecting to the presentation controlling host I00. Note that sins prexmation leaders have aoau to various resource usage, wpply and change capabilities, add'ttional 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 esbblished on the leader host connection, wherein such an encryption tunnel provides encapsulation of a proprietary high xcurity protocol within the IP protocol. further, to provide xcure, high reliability connections directly to 5 a leader, the operations aerrter 58 maintains several dal-in lines which may be used at 18.8 kilobits pcr second or ISDN rates (e.g., of up to 118 kibbits per sewrd). Note that connections on such dial-in lines are also usable by prexntation audience members at the leader's disnedon Ntheird~ent iderrtif'~ers are available to the operations cemer 58 from the content manager l04 after the leader connection is accepted.
If the above described security feats are utifaed by the prexnt inve~ion, then it is able to deI'ner a prexntatron 10 performance with any mixture of xcur'tty levels between the two extremes of: {a) no xcurity processing of transnirtted audience member responxs, show data ca~e~, or prexmation data bcations, and (b) full xcurity processing with only invited aud'rEnce members, securing all audience member responxs, storing and protecting the prexmation data content, and xcuring the connection between each leader or aud~nu member and the prexntatan controlling host 200. furthermore, the xcurity of the operations artter 58 may be audited using hacker prevention tests and virus detection and prevention 15 methods a one skil~d in the art will understand.
F'~gs. IA through ID reprexnt a fbwdrart of the high level steps performed by the network prexntation system SO
the prexnt inventan. In particulu, this itowchart illustrates the high level steps performed for both initiating and operating a prexmation for audience members at dieats sibees 54. Accordingly, in step 404, prior to the scheduk~d time of a prexMation performance, the show sdudukr 104 supplies the host 100 assigned for controlling the prexrnation with an ider~ifier that 10 uniquely identrf'res die prexntation performance and provides with thu identif'~er one or nrore passwords that can be uxd by the host 200 and/or the security wbair:bem 108 for idenaflring the loader{s) and cl~nts that attempt to connect with the host 100 as praerdarion participants. Note that such connections to the host 100 will typ'Kally be through the xcurity subsystem 208 and therefore be subject to vararn sewrby measures d'~cusud hereinabove to which the prexntation and its part~ipants are subject Iubsequendy, in step 408, the host 100 uses the prexrnation performance iderrrif'~er to request the one or more scripts forthe preservation from the content manager l04. Note that the presentatan scripts provide: (a) identification of segments to be prese~ed during the preserrt'ation, (b} sequenang information regarding the order of presentation of the segments, (c) alternative versions of various segments and/or colkct'rons of segmer~s that may be by the kader(s) of the preservation. Note that further description of presentation scripts and their represe~afrons are provided hereinbebw. Also rote that the preservation perfom~nce ider~if'kr a used by the cor~ent manager 104 for retrkving the preserrttaation scripts) from the show aor~ent arch'ne II6 for thereby returning the presentation scripts) to the host Z00. In step 411, each leader for the presentation bgs onto the host 200 by supplying appropriate validation informafron such as a password and presentation performar~e iderrtif'rer. further, if there is more than one leader, then additional leader idet~ifying information may be required for differer~iating the roles of various leaders for the presentatan.
In step 416, the pre-show cor~r~ol system 136 aaoepts network 70 and/or network 74 connections by candidate clier~s for the presentatan performance. Note that it a assumed that the clkr~s have previously reginered for the presentation performance with the registration module 140 and therefore have been provided with validation informat'ron (e.g. a presenmtion perfonmanoe identif'~er and/or password) for validating each diem as an audknce member for the prese~ation.
Subsequer~ly, in step 420, a determinatan is made by the pre-show cor8rol system 136 as to whether each candidate presentation audknce member is connected to the pre-show control system by tl~
commue'irations network 70 or by the telephony network 74. If it is determined that a candidate, presentation d'rer~ is rnnnccted by the communications network 70, then step 4I4 a performed, wherein the ond'dah dient bgs or~o the pre-show cor~rol !36 with a previously provided login. Note that this bgin may inchrde a presentation performance identtif"~r for the prese~ation and a password for iderrt~ingthe candidate cl'~er~ as behrg re~atered for the preservation performance. further noh that in one embodimem, 10 this step a performed by the bbby symm 144. Subsequer~ly, in step 428, a determination a made by the pre-show cor~rol system 136 (or the bbby system 144) a to whether the entered bgin a valid. If the bgin is determined to be invalid, then step 43Z a perforn~d wherein the connect'an with the pre-show rnntrol system 136 is terminated. Note however, it is within the scope of the preser~ irnerrhon that various retries ran be provided as one skilled in the art will undersbnd. Alternatively, rf the candidate dieat's bgin a determined to be valid, then, step 436 is perfornred wherein the pre-show rnr~rol (determines whether the clie~s dent node 56 a configured appropriately for the presentation performance). In partKUlu, the pre-show control rysbem 136 determines whedrerttie dient presentation software 88 a operable on the dbM's d's~r~ node 56. further, the pre-show control system 136 may also determine whether the client's diem node 56 has the appropriate network 70 addresses (e.g. URIs) of the cogent webservers 96 avaihble for supplying presentation segments to the cl'~ent node.
Subseque~ly, assuming the cf'~ent's clb~ node 56 a appropriately configured for the presentation performance, in step 440, the pre-show control system 136 transfers tls~ dbnt's client identifier and network 70 address to the host 200.
fblbwing tha step, in step 444, when the time for the presentation ar 'rues, the client's clbnt prese~ation software 88 via the network 70 establishes a network 70 connection between the client's clieW rode S6 and the host X00 co~rolling the presentatan performance. Note that such activating may be perforn~d during the cl'ient's bgin sessron with the pre-show control system 136 if such ouurs within a few minutes of .the start of the presentation. After the host 200 is contacted, it instructs the client preservation software 88 to establish a connection with one of the internal websernrs X48 for dynamic cogent.
Additiornlly note that the bbby system 144 substantially provides the furKtionality for the present step (step 444).
In particular, the bbby system 144 may mairdain the bgin sezsion rnnnection until the time for commenceme~ of the presentation performana. Moreover,the bbby system 144 may provbe the died with excerpts of other presentations a well a advertiseme~s and/or other informative material.
foNowing the activation of a aorwrecdon between the client node 56 and a prexntation controlling host 700, in step 448 the d'rent presentation software 88 is bstructsd by the presentation co~rolling host 200 (herrirrafter for simplicity referred tD as the "host 100' to retrieve and cadu, via network 10, one or more iartial preserrtadon segme~s from ider~ified cor~eM webserrers 96 where the proxMatan segments have been pre-stored. Note that the in'rt'nii preservation segments (as well a subsequent preserttatan segments) may be differer~ for dbr~s at different client irtes S4. In particular, the segmeras provided may depend on network 70 transmission rates, dbr~ natural language preierenas, unique organaational displays and/or data (corporate bgos and/or cord'dential financial data), and configurations of crrent nodes 56 (e.g. the software and/or hardware).

Ret~g now to decision step 420, i this step determines that the dicnt's connection is via the telephony network 74, then in step 450, the pre-show co~rol system i36 requests that the client enter an acoustic bgin via digits on the telephone 61 at the die's cf~er~ srte S4. Note that dk~s that bgin through hkphony network T4 may intend to participate in only the audio portion of a presentat'ron performance. However, clients who bgin in this manner an subsequently bg in to the pre-show cor~rol system 136 via a network 70 connection and obtain a muhimedia performance of the presentation.
In step 452, the pre-show control system 136 determines i( the acoustic bgin is valid. If not, then in step 456 the dl is terminated. Alternatively, if the login is deemed valid, then the pre-shown co~rol system 136 determines the level of presentation to which the clier~ has been assigned. In particular, the dkrrt may be assigned to an audb presentation or altemaatvvely to a multimedia performance of the preservation. Thus, if the diem has been assigned to obtain a multimedia preserrtition via the network 70, then in step 464 the pre-show control system 136 automatically performs am necessary pre-slaw housekeeping tasks for thereby albwing a more eXpedknt network TO bgin by the diem for obtaining the multimedia performance of the presentation. Note that in particular, any financial transactions p~wr to the presentation such as credit card numbertransfers ardor a change of the bcafion of the clier~'s site 54 may also be performed during the present step.
Moreover, ~ a aho an aspect of tre present irner~ion 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 modnk 140 during registrat'ron for the presentation, such registration potentially occurring substantially prior to the performance of the presentation.
Additionally, regardku of the fbw of control path taken from step 460, step 468 is encou~ered wherein at the time to aommerroe dre presentafron performance, the pre-show control system 136 requests that the host 100 transfer control of the client's telephony call so that it a aorrtrolkd by the control bridge controller 140 for receiving the audio portion of the presentation perfonmna. Subsequently, regardless of whether the cl'~r~ is to receive the preservation performance via aetwrork 70 and/or networic74, step 4Tl a performed wherein the host 200: (a) activates the leader software 94 on the leader stations) 92 used in controlling the presernatbn performance; and (b) activates tl~ clier~ presentation software 88 at the leader stations) 9I for viewing the presentation performance as an audience member will.

Subseque~r, steps 474 and 476 are performed co~xurrentlr wherein each dierrt having a clie~ node 56 has its c8ent preservation software 88 in a watt state waiting for a prese~afron commands) from the host I00 via the network 70, while ~ step 476, the leaders) for the presentafron performance determines the first collection of corresponding presentation segme~s and transmits the ide~r of the selected colhaction to the host I00.
Note that there an be more than one version of the presentation from which the leader can x~ct segments for preserving to the audience members. Further, note that of the versions being sefecbed, the present invention may automatically sect subversions to be provided to var'rous audience members depending upon, e.g., data raft transmissions by the network 70 from cor~ent webservea 96. However, it is also an aspect of the preset ime~ion that the haader(s) may override the automatic selection of subvers'rons of a presentation performance and/or mandate that a particular subversion be provided to various a~ience members. In particular, this ran be aaompfished by: providing onh one rendition of source material such as a high resolufan corponh logo and having all alternate resflurce fields of the script blank and providing only one "level"
of scripted resources for that presentation collection, as will be discussed in further detail hereinbebw with reference to fig. 3.
In step 480, ~ the leader station 92 providing the ides of the presentation segme~s a external to the operatrons amber 58, then the security subsystem I08 d~eclcs the leader input for validity via, e.g., determining the network l0 address from which the identity of the se~cted presentation xgme~s have been transmitted. Assuming that the transmissan from the leader station 92 a deemed valid, in step 490, a de~rmi~tan is made as to whether the kader(s) has determined a next collection of one or more segments whose identities have been suppi'ud to the host I00. In particular, the kader(s) may choose to identify such segments to the host I00, or imliate that the performance of the presee~ation to be terminated.
Accordingly, if no other segments are determined and/or the leaders) ind'~ated prexntatan performance termination, then IO step 494 a performed wherein the prese~tion software 88 ~ remored from diet nodes 56.
Alternafively, if an additional collectan of segments is determined, then in step 500, the host 200 accesses the preservation suipt(s) with the leper supplieid ide~if~ations for the segment collection, thereby obtaining additional data i~ms regarding the segments of the aol~ction as will be fnrtf~er described hereinbebw.

Subsequently, ~ step 504, the host 100 ucesses the resource file III for resolving virtual webserver names in the accessed segment rnlhction for thereby providing actual content webserver network 70 addresses having at least the video versions of the presentation. Additionally, note that'rt is w'tthin the scope of the present invention that resource file 21I an also be accessed for resolving identifxrs and thereby ider~ifiring a corresponding audio portion to be presented to audience members via the audio system 120 and the phone bridges) 100.
folbwing step 504, in step 508, the host 100 sends one or more commands to each copy of the dient presentation software 88 indicating both the next collection of segments to be retrieved by the clier~ nodes and the network 70 addresses of the primary and ahernate webservers 9b from which to retrieve the segment collection.
It is important to note that the host may send w~mliy simultaneously a different set of commands to different 10 dient sites Sb depending on the characteristics desired for dtfre preserctafron at each dient srbe.
S'urac processing aooording to the present in~er~ion occurs at a prexMatan host controller 100 and simuhaneousiy at client nodes 56, during the processing steps 476 through 508 performed remotely from the cl'~er~ nodes 56, the client nodes as per step 474, may be prepared for aooepting the next presentation commands transnicthd by the host 100 in step 508.
However, such host nodes 56 may be also concurrer~ly providing various portions of the presentation performance to their 15 r~pec6ve audience members. In any event, when step 516 is enrounhred, the dient rades 56 have rea'cved the next host 200 tarred aorrurncrds and therefore the dierrt nodes now enter a processing state whereby these nodes attempt to assure a tunely caching of this next collection of segmer~s for timely performance of their port'ron of the presentation.
In step 516, a dehrmirotion a made by the diem presenbton software 88 at cute cl'~r~ node S6 upon which the software a loaded, as to whether the next collection of segments irbica~d by the one or more commands transmrtbed ~r the 10 preseMatan controlling host are presently culled on the dieM's d~M node S6.
Note that this next rnlhxtion of segments could have been previously cuhed at a diem node 56 due to: directory cxhe commands for caching an er~ire file directory that wu issued earf'xr in the presentation performance, provided by faced n~idia such as CD-ROM at the clrent nodes(s) 5b, or re-use of presentation segments such as HTML page formats, bukground images, or bgos.

Aooord'a~ly, N the next aolkcdon of segments is not ached on a dier>t node 56, then step 5~4 is performed wherein the client presentation software 88 on the clie~ node 56 uses its most recent network 70 data transmission characteristKs together withh the host Z00 transrnitted list of wrre~ network 70 addresses for co~er~ webservers 96 to select an appropriate content webserver and an appropirate version of the next collection of segme~s to be retrKVed. Noh that the sekdions determined in this step are performed widr the goal of assuring that there is a high probabil'tty of this next collection of segments being delivered to the client node S6 prior to the time that this collection is to be used in the presentation performance on the rf'~nt node. In particular, the following is a descripfwn of the steps performed in determining, from the network 70 data traeamission characteri~ia, the conber~ websenrer 96 and the (wb) version of the next collection of segmer~s to be retrieved. The selection of the webxrver mar be dependent upon the time allotted for the transfer and the network 70 transmission characbernaa such as dab trinsmiss'ron rate. The time for each network 70 transfer of a collection of segmer~s (e.g., one or more presentation elements, each such element having one or more segments therein) is controlled by the host Z00. The host I00 detigrates time according to at least one of the following categories: (a) no time, wherein the presentation elements) a to be displa)red immediately, (b) inde6a'de, wherein the amount of time for transfer of the preservation ekmer~(s) is indefinite, and (c) a specifK Time ir~erval indicated in a suipt 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 disarssed hereinbebw. Note that as the expected amount of time for rebieving one or more preser~atan ekmer~s lengthens, larger groups of presentation elements may be retrieved and/or better presentation quality presentation elements may be retrieved (eg., the preserrbtion quality may be enhanced from limited or no animation to full animafron).
Add'rt'amlh, dre presion eknrent{s) selected is dependent upon netvrork protornls such as HTTP and fTP. for example, as the sae of the presentation data and tire tm~ for retrieval ir~reases, the present imerrtion tends to utilize fTP
for network70 ttarnport. Ahenraavely, as the sae of the presentation data and the time for retrieval decreases, the present imer~'ron tends to use HTTP.
Accordingly, in or>e embodiment of step 5t4, the sae of each andidah colhaction of one or more presentation elements a determined from the webserrers 96 by, e.g., requesting:uch sizes.
As an aside, note that an indication of the bandwidth available with each such webserver ran be determined if not available otherwise. Thus, if there is a primary websetrer 96a and an alternative webserver 96b, and each has presentation vers'rons for both HTTP and fTP as well as both haring animated and non-animated irrterci~ar~bk presentation elements, then an expected time for retrkving each available combination is determined. Subsequently, the candidate colkct'ron selected provides fiat, the highest quality presentation, and second, the largest amount of presentation data possible. Consequer~ly, the expected times are used to select the webservers 96, the collection of presentation ekmerns, and the transfer protornl to use in providing the selected collection to the diets 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 rnlkction ~ determined.
(b) The sae is divided by the bandwidth average for the last two minutes as measured from any network 70 transmusion source. If the avtrage bandwidth is not available, then a bandwidth from the most recerrt weburver is used.
(c) A protocol overhead factor is added to the result of (b) to acrnur~ for the different overheads for each of the different protornls available on network 70 that may be used (e.g., fTP
and HTTP).
(d) Select dre higfrest quality colkctan of preserrtatan ekmeMs available, and select the largest collection that can be traraferrtd ar the tune available. Note that 'rt is assumed that an indefinite time designatan b)r the host 100 a viewed a time sufficient for any size of transfer.
It ~ wordnviule to note drat in other embod'rrrert<s of die present iment'ron, additioml r~twork characteristics other 10 Bran bandwidth may be used, as one skilled in the art will understand. In particular, such characteristics as network 10 error rates, ihrrtuatior~ in bandwiddr, or a ptrdictbre statistical expectation of bandwidth may be used. Additionally, note that such candidate aoHecdons of preservation ekmer~s an also be resider~ at the dierrt rrode 56 since some portions of a preser~afan ran be also distributed on CD-ROMs. Aaordingly, step S14 of Fig.1C (as well as other steps in the flowchart of figs. t) also may aooeu a CD-ROM drive or othertraraportable storage media for various portions of a presentation. Also, 'rt is noteworthy that N network 70 wpports mult'uxsting, then a plunlihr of client nodes 56 mar have their prexmation ekme~s xlected aooonding to a single aooess rate ('~e., xrver data propagation to the network) and a single network tnnsmiszion nte instead of performing ind'nidual prexntation elemer>t xlections.
Subsequently, in step 528, the clier~ node 56 provides the identity of the xlected webxrver and next col~ction of xgmems to the cfier~ rrode's browxr 78 and the browxr, in turn, ands a r~twork )0 request to the xlected web xrnr for the selected (subversion) of segments. folbwing this step, the client prexrrtation software 88 monitors the time elapxd before trarumission of the xlected collection of xgmer~s is completed, and determines whether thex xgmeMs are provided w'tthin an appropirate window of time that allows them to be preserved during the performance of the presentation. Thus, in step 532, the diem prexrrtation softvrare 88 determines whether the requested collection of xgments is cached on the cl~r~
node 56 within a desired time priorto the proposed performance of the colkdan of xgmer~s. 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 prexntation performance, (b) a predetermined default length of time, a e.g., specified in the prexntation script, and (c) a ~ngth of time determined by a leader of the prexntation performarxe, e.g., during the performance.
Regarding (a) above, note that meawremer~s such as:
(1.1) network 70 tnnsmissan ntes for each of one or more previous requests for prexMation xgme~s;
(l.2) foreach of one or more previous roquests for proxmatan xgments, an ebpxd length of time between the request time for the preservation xgments and receipt of the xgments;
(13) for each of one or more previous requests for prexrrtation xgments, a size (e.g., in bits) of the xgmer~s received from the requtst.
~0 Note that there are various furrctans dependent on one or more of (a) - (c) immediately above that may be used as one skilled in the art wi8 rurdersiarrd. further note that such functan may be as simple a a comparison of corresponding networkl0 bar~miuion rates between (a) the diem node 56 and the webxrver(s) with which it is communicating, and (b) other d~r~ rrode:56 and the webxrver(s) with wliKlr they are communicating.
Ahxrnatively, such a comparison may be performed on the elapsed time a in (7.2). Note that there are at least iwo possible atternafives here:

(8.1) the proseM invention may attempt to retrieve the same rnllection of segme~s from an afernafrve co~er~
webserver;
(8.2} the present imer~ion may attempt to retrieve an alternative rnllection of segmer~s that can be used a a rephaemerrt forthe initially requested segment rnllection from either the same webserver 96 for which the original request wu directed, or from an ahxrnafire webserrer 96.
Auordingly, if the collection of segments is not cached within this time, then step 536 is performed wherein the diem preseraation 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 'rt is determined that there is insuficieM time remaining, then step 474 is again activated, wherein the client node 56 (and more part'KUlarly, the dlerrt preservation software 88) prepares for the next set of one or more present~ion commands from the host 200. Note, however, that even though the portion of the presentation corresponding to the aollecdon of segments are not retrieved in time for performance, it is an aspect of the preser~ imenfron that if the audio portion of the presentation is provded through the separate telephony network 74, then there may be substantial continu'dy in the presentation regardless of whether a portion of the video for the presentation is displayed or not.
Alternatively, if in step 536 the dlent preserrtatlen software 88 determines that there is suffKient time for attempting a retry for obtaining the requested collection of sebnrerns, then step S24 is again performed, wherein the dlent presentation software 88 again evahntes the tranzmiss'ron characteristics of the network 70 for selecting a content webserver 96 and subvers'ron of the collection of segments so that there is again a high probability of the newly selected colk~ct~n of segments being delivered priorto the time that these segmer~t are to be presented on the client node S6. Accordingly, on wch TO subsequent iteratioru for determining an ahxrrmtive way to prexnt a part'urrlar portion of the presentation, the following steps may be performed: The original caku~tion a again performed with new times and currer~ bandwidth irdormat'ron usually restdtirrg in selection of alternative segment collections that are smaller. An overall limit of three re-tries of any URL
wr~l force snnller al~n~tive segment mllecdora to be xlecbed, or a message to the audience member stating that the network is not functional.

Returning raw to step 532, N in this deasion step it a determined that the requested collection of segme~s has been timely cached at the died node 5b, then step 544 is performed wherein an evaiuafion of the network 70 transmission d~arac~ristia that oaurred during the transmiuan of the col~ction of xgmerrts.
In partKUlar, the folbwing characteristics are determined: average network data rate, the likely range of expected data rates (e.g. within a standard deviation of the 5 most likely data rate), meuurements regarding network errors and/or qual'rtlr of transmission, total elapsed time taken to compete the tnnsmiss'ron of the colkdion of segments, and/or the size of the transmission.
Subsequently, kr step 548, a determination is made a to whether a host 200 ir~errupt is detected that requests a halt to the presentation of the current collection of xgments. Note that this step a provided as an illustration of interrupt processing that can be performed by the dint pnsen taaon software 88. Note, however, that such ir~errupt processing may 10 be performed between or during substar~ially arrlr of the processing steps dtscribed herein that oaurs on the client node 5b.
Also note that wch host X00 interrupts are libely to be initiated by a leader for the presentation wl~n the leader determines that, e.g., there should be a devotion in the scrip for the prexrrtation performance. Thus, regardless of where a host 200 intemrpt step a performed within the processing steps for the diets preserrration software 88, upon detecting thu interrupt, the flow of control of the present tbwdrart returns to a point in the processing wherein tle! next steps performed are the steps 15 414 and 476 performed at: (a) the cr~ent nodes 5b, and (b) the leader's stations) 9t and the presentation controlling host X00.
Assunung that ro host i~rru~ a detected in step 548, then steps 55Z through 560 are iteratively performed ur~il all segments of the arrest anion ~ segments are presented to the client, Accordingly, when there are no further segments in the current colh!ction, step 560 routes the flow of control back to the concurrer~ steps of 474 and 476 as discussed 20 previously hereinalave.
Refemng to F~.3, an iNustration 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 colamn er~ry of each row 608 provides information related to the script action to be performed by the row. following a a descriptan of the data capable of being contained in each column.

3b A Saalrt hovel column bl~ for identiflring alternative variafwns of the presentation. for example, a first variation rtnght be directed to the wstomers of a corporation, another variation directed to the sake representafnes of the corporation, and yet another directed to the investors of the rorporation. Thus, a single saipt may be used for a plurality of related preuntations that have at least some overlapping content. Acrnrdingly, in column 612, each digit within each row of the column identifies a presematiton variation to wh'rch the row applks. Thus, row 608a is performed only in the variation of the preseraation having a "I" in this column; e.g. rows: 608a, 608d, 608e, 6088 through 6080. Similarly, a second va~~ation of the presemafan is performed using rows: 608b, 608d, 608f, through 6080.
Additionally, a third version is provided by rows:
608c, 608e, 608f through 608n. Note, the "END" ider~ifiers in b08q 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 tha column and proceed seqr~ntially through the script from the labeled row to which the leader transfers.
The allows the leader to skip and/or rearrange portions of a preser~afwn performance. Accordingly, there are three rows to which a leader can transfer co~rol, namely, rows: b08a, b0&, and 6080.
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 sdkduk. In script description 600, there are four rows 608 where the preservation performance tuner a inset, i.e. rows 608x, 608e, and 608j. Thus, for a presentation performance corresponding to saipt level I, in row 608x, the thner ~ set to 0.00 and the subsequent rows 608 for script level I are sequentially performed wrtil b0& a errcourrtered, wherein a determimtan is m~e a to whether the timer has a ral~ greater than one minute and one second. If this is the ruse, then the sequer~al rows (for saipt keel I) down to row 608j are interpreted by the ZO preserrtation cor~rolling host 100, but no host commands are transmitted to either the diem nodes 5b, or the phone bridge aoatrol Z40. Tans, it is a if the actions for thex suipt rows are skipped.
However, at row b08j, the timer is reset and each subsequer~ row 608 (of script level I) is performed.
M Action column 6I4 a provided for desigrnting zn action to be performed (if any) during execution of a row 608.
Thus, for row 608x, the host 200 instructs all d'~r~ nodes 56 that a resource (e.g., a rnrrre~ file, or Web page) is available for dawnbading. Subsequently, for script level 1, row 608d instructs the dint nodes 56 to carne their browsers 78 to display the resource. A list of act'rons that an be designated in the act'ron column 6I4 are as follows:
(9.1) client Load - Instructs all cI~M nodes 56 that a resource is available for downkNding in background processing.
(9.I) client Free - Instructs all diets nodes 56 to delete a previously downloaded resource.
(93) client Display - Instructs all diets nodes 56 to cause their browsers 78 ~ display a resource. This command implements "Extended" parameters when the Resource location column 636 has a corresponding entry of "TVVfTP". The extended p7rarr~eters are a second set of resource kxafwns for retr~ving the resource to which the corresponding action ~ the same row 608 is to be applud. Eor examp~, a second set of resource bcations may be used by the cGeM node 56 when it is determined that the f TP network 70 data transfer rate is unlikely to provide a particular presentation content file (e.g., of preuntation elements) at a dent node 56 in time for display.
(9.4) client_plar - Instructs all drent nodes 56 rece'ning presentation audio content via a network 70 to play a resource.
(9.5) leader Hold - Causes the host 100 to suspend script iMerpretatbn until a next command is received from the leader designating a next row 608 to perform.
(9.6) time Set At - forces a suipt's virtral time cbck (ie. timer) to a known value.
(9.7) time HoW To - Causes the host I00 to suspend script interpretation until a partiwlar state is reached. for example, all clients report a display element command is compkh; eg., the daplay of a corporate logo.
(9.8) clu'Id Script - Suspend this script, rcad and process another xript in a manner analogous to a programming I9 subroutine invocation.
(9.9) End Start - Defines the last line ('i.e. row 608) of a xript and resets execution to the first line.
(9.10) END - Defines the last interpreted row 608 of a cript.
Regard'~ng die "Resource Type" cowmn 63I of script desuipfion 600, the fields of this column provide an indication of the data types and/or organisation of the prexrrtation segment collections to which the action of the comsponding "Action" field of the same row applies. In partkular, the following types (denoted also hereinafter as °resource types") are available:
(10.1) fTP File - A single file to be pre-rxhed or dovmloaded from a webxrver(s) 96 to crreM nodes 56 in the background using fTP or HTTP when FTP is blocked by security measures.
(10.2) FTP_Dir. An er~ire directory of files to be pre-inched or downloaded in the background using fTP or HTTP when fTP is blocked by secur'tty measures.
(103) NTML File - A single NTML fik containing prexr~ation rnr~er~.
(10.4) MC Question - An HTML~file to which a clier~ responx to prexnted questions is requested.
(105) MC Answer - An HTML file to displa)r the results of an MC Question.
(10.6) Info Form - An HTML file to collect data for the profile database 120.
(10.1) Audio RaRle - An audio fib prepared in advance of the presentation, may be downloaded to client nodes 56 via network 74.
(10.8) Audio Raiive - Live streaming of an audio file, via network 70, requires dynamic real time buffering at the client nodes 56.
(10.9) THIS LINE - fauxs the host I00 to refer to die row 608 of the script having this vale (i.e., "THIS LIRE"). Thus, the action for the row having this value ran be viewed as needing no prexr~tation resources.
(10.1 O) Twseript - Another script resource used by the currer~ script resource.
In the "Resource location" column 636 of script description 600, each row entry indicates a kKation of the preserrtatan resource to wh'Kh the xtion for the row is to be appl~d. fields of this column may provide descriptions of a 10 number of alternafrve kxations for obtaining various versions and/or subversions of a prexrrtation xgment collection; i.e.
alternative bcations have a " ( " xparator therebetween. The types of values that can ouur in this rnlumn are:
(I 1.1) SN - Denotes a webxrver 96 Name, also may be a physical network 70 address or an Internet domain name, as one skilled in the art will app<eciabe.

(I 1.2) 't'llV~l'P - Derabes the direaory on dient nodes 56 created to hold the pnse~ation resources (e.g., presentation segments) downloaded from the webserver 96.
{I13) CD - Denotes a CD-ROM drive attad~d to a dknt node 56; note that during preparation for a presentation performance, clier~ determines the drive letter corresponding to the CD-ROM d 'rive at his /her dient node 5b.
(I 1.4) LOCAL- Denotes anywhere on a client node 5b, except the CD-ROM drive or the location designated by TWfTP.
(I 1.5) END - berates a time when cl'~eMs have used a named resource, e.g., all cl'~er~s have downloaded and displayed the logo image file, a the name resource.
(I Lb) GOT - Denotes a time when clier~s have accessed the named resource, such a a time after a corporate logo file has been downloaded to all clients.
(I I J) this . berates flat no external resources such as files, webservers, etc. are required for the rnmmand having this value.
Note that in the brxtions desig~ted in at leaf (9,1) above, variables or "placeholders" can be provided in a script so that a devebper of a script need not have at his/her disposal all the particulars as to where preservation resources (e.g., segment aoNections) will be stored for access during performance of the presentation. for example, variables or placeholders IS for a yet urbden6l'red aor~ent wetrservers 96 may be provided a part of a location for a rnlkction of segments. For example, each grouping of d'rcnts from the candidate audience members registered for a prese~ation performance hu the following pfaoeholders in presentation saipts delayed within a corresponding prexmation resource Gk 111: (a) the placeholder, "BBA-Main" wldch a to be resohred a the network 70 identifier for the websernr 96 providing access to real time and/or smaller size presentation segment subcolkctions, (b) "BBA-ftp" wh'Kh is to be resohred a the network 70 ideMif'~r for a file 10 {Ir~ernet) server holding large presentaation files suitable for.background dovrnkad to cl'~ent nodes 56, (c) "BBA-Ra" whKh a to be resoMed a the netvrork 70 ider~~er for an audio (Internet) server, or another location that provides aaess to audio dab for the audio player 136, and (d) "BBA-QA" which is to be resohred a the network 10 ider~ii~r for the webterver 96 used for questron and answer display sequences.

Regarding the "Resource Name" column 640 of script desuiption 600, the entries of this column provide an identification of a preser>tation resource (e.g. presentation data segment file) independently of the network 10 address or node upon which the resource resides. Thus, a complete specifK~tion of a bcation of the resource requires the corresponding resource bcation and the resource name entries from the same row of script description 600. The folbwing data types are available for fields of this column:
(11.1) Path - Denotes a path name to a 61e director~r relative to the resource bcafron. It is assumed that a nested or hierarchical file directory notation is used to ide~ify the presentation resource residing at the loation denoted by "Path".
(12.2} File - Denotes the name of a resource file.
10 (1~3) Encoder Task- Identifies a specific real time audio stream accessible from the webserver 96 identified in the comsponding Resource location 636 column.
The foregoing d'ncussion of the inve~ion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. further, die descr~tion a not inben~d to Gmit the invention to the form discbsed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate w~h the above teacfuugs, vuirbin the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the preser~
15 invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of pray die invention and to eaable others skilled in the art to utilae the imentan as such, or in other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the imentt'ron. h is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternafne embodime~s to the exte~
permitted by the p~br art.

Claims (60)

What is claimed is:

1. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising:
one or more presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said content supplying nodes for providing access, by a first user at a first client node of the communications network, to a collection of data segments of said presentation using said communications network, wherein said collection includes first and second subcollections of one or more of said segments;
a presentation controlling node for transmitting to at least said first client node, via the communications network, presentation control information used for identifying said first and second subcollections;
a computational component for determining network performance information of the communications network, wherein said computational component determines said network performance information using network data obtained from network transmissions detected at said first client node;
a first segment selector, activated after said first client node receives said presentation control information, for selecting, using said network performance information, one of said first and second subcollections for transmitting from one of said presentation content supplying nodes to said first client node; and a presentation component at said first client node for presenting said selected one of said first and second subcollections to the first user.

2. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, for determining which of said first and second subcollections to transmit to said first client node, said computational component includes a network analyzer for determining said network performance information using one or more of the following types of said network data: (a) a data transmission rate of said communications network at said first client node; (b) a fluctuation in bandwidth of said communications network at said first client node; and (c) a statistical prediction of a bandwidth of said communications network at said first client node.

3. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first segment selector is activated in response to said first client node receiving said presentation control information, and is activated without an intervening manual input from the first user for requesting one of said first and second subcollections.

4. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bandwidth of presentation transmissions on the communications network to the first client node varies sufficiently to affect the presenting of the presentation, and the varying bandwidth is substantially uncontrollable from said first client node, and said presentation content supplying nodes.

5. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second subcollections is accessible from first and second of said content supplying nodes via brat and second routes;
wherein: (a) said first route includes said first content supplying node and not said second content supplying node; and (b) said second route includes said second content supplying node and not said first content supplying node.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein (a) and (b) following:
(a) said first subcollection includes video with motion, and said second subcollection includes video with one of: (i) reduced motion, and (ii) no motion, and (b) said first subcollection is presented to the first user at said first client node simultaneously with said second subcollection being presented to a second user at a second client node.

7. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein -the communications network includes a portion of one of: the Internet, and a network using TCP/IP for communicating between at least one of:
(a) one of said content supplying nodes and said first client node;
(b) said presentation controlling node and said first client node;
(c) one of the content supplying nodes and said presentation controlling node.

8. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first client node includes said first segment selector and a first presentation display component for displaying to the first user at said first client node, a first selection of and of said first and second subcollections, made by said first segment selector.

9. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first subcollection includes a first video portion, and said second subcollection includes a different second video potion that corresponds in content with said first video portion, and wherein said first and second video portions have substantially different expected data transmission rates for being transmitted to said first client node, and wherein said first segment selector uses said different expected data transmission rates in selecting one of said first and second subcollections.

10. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an audio portion for said first subcollection is transmitted to said first client node separately from said first subcollection via a phone bridge.

11. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first segment selector is resident on said first client node and a second segment selector, activated in response to a second client node receiving said presentation control information, is resident on said second client node, wherein said first and second segment selectors each select, without user selection input, one of said first and second subcollections for simultaneous presenting; of a same corresponding portion of the presentation.

12. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, further including a network interface component, residing on said first client node, for receiving said presentation control information and transmitting a request for a subcollection of said collection of data segments to one of said content supplying nodes, wherein said network interface component includes a network browser for communicating with said communications network.

13. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, further including a content manager for distributing, via said communications network, at least a video pardon of said first and second different subcollections of said presentation to said content supplying nodes prior to a commencement of a performance of said presentation, wherein during said performance of said presentation, said first subcollection is presented at said first client node when received from said first content supplying node, and said second subcollection is simultaneously presented at a second client node when received from said second content supplying node aver said second client node receives said presentation controlling information.

14. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are first and second versions of said presentation performed synchronously, respectively, at said first client node and a second client node receiving said presentation control information, wherein there is a correspondence in content between at least a majority of segments in said first version with segments of said second version, and wherein said first and second versions have their corresponding audio portion in different natural languages.

15. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 1, further including a leader node that is accessed by a leader for controlling a performance of said presentation, wherein the leader directs a pace and content of the presentation performance via said presentation controlling network node that synchronizes a performance of said presentation on said first client node with a performance of said presentation on a second client node so that a particular one or more of said segments ace presented on said first client node synchronously with an alternative one or more segments output by one of said content supplying nodes to said second client node, wherein said alternative one or more segments correspond in content to said particular one or more segments.

16. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising:
a first and second presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said first and second content supplying nodes for providing access to one or more collection of data segments of said presentation using said communications network;

a presentation controlling node for transmitting to at least a first client node, presentation control information used for identifying a first subcollection of said segments for presentation to a user at said first client node; and a content node selector, activated after said first client node receives said presentation control information, said content node selector for selecting one of said first and second content supplying nodes for transmitting one of (a) said first subcollection to said first client node using said communications network; and (b) an alternative subcollection of one or more of said segments predetermined as a replacement for said first subcollection for presenting at said first node;
wherein said first client node transmits a presentation request to a selected one of said first and second content supplying nodes, said presentation request including at least one of (a), (b) and (c) following: (a) an identification of a version of said presentation, said version for a predetermined group of presentation audience members, (b) an identification of one of said first and said alternative subcollections identified in a predetermined script for said presentation; and (c) information for identifying an alternative segment determined by a leader of a performance of said presentation, wherein said alternative segment is not identified in said script.

17. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said content node selector changes from selecting said first content supplying node to selecting said second content supplying node according to a value dependent on a measurement related to a previous data transmission rate between said first client node and at least one of said first and second content supplying nodes, wherein said value is expected to be indicative of a current data transmission rate; between said first client node, and at least one of said first and second content supplying nodes.

18. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising:
one or more content supplying network nodes able to provide a plurality of segments to a first client node of a plurality of network client nodes, via a communications network, wherein each of said segments provides a portion of a particular presentation;
a presentation controlling network node for transmitting presentation control information providing identities of segments in a collection of said segments when the presentation is performed at said first client node;
a presentation network component at said first client node, wherein, after receiving said presentation control information said presentation network component transmits segment selection information, obtained using said presentation control information, to a first of said content supplying nodes for obtaining the collection by said first client node;
a segment selector that uses one of: (a) the presentation control information, and (b) the segment selection information for identifying a first collection of said segments to transmit from the first content supplying node to the first client node;

wherein said presentation controlling network node synchronizes a performance of said presentation on said first client node with a performance of said presentation on a second client node so that a particular one or more of said segments are presented on said first client node synchronously with a presentation of an alternative one or more segments output by one of said content supplying nodes to said second client node, wherein said alternative one or more segments correspond in content to said particular one or more segments.

19. A network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said segment selection information depends on a data transmission characteristic of a transmission to the first client node from one of the content supplying nodes;
wherein said data transmission characteristic is dependent on one of a network data transmission rate and a measurement of network data transmission errors; and wherein said data transmission characteristic is expected to be indicative of a current transmission rare to the first client node from the one content supplying node.

20. The network presentation distribution system as claimed in claim 18, wherein a performance of said particular one or more segments on said first client node includes video with motion, and a performance of said alternative one or more segments on said second client node includes video with one of: (i) reduced motion, and (ii) no motion.

21. A method for presenting a networked presentation, comprising:
storing a plurality of segments of a presentation for network access via one or more content supplying nodes of a communications network, wherein there are subcollections of one or more of the segments, each subcollection having a predetermined presentation order and there is a first and a second of the subcollections, wherein said first subcollection is replaceable with said second subcollection when presenting the presentation;
identifying a plurality of network client nodes for presenting the presentation;
transmitting, via the communications network, presentation control information to a first and second of the client nodes;
first identifying said first subcollection for presenting at the first client node using said transmitted presentation control information;
second identifying said second subcollection for presenting at the second client node in place of the first subcollection, using said transmitted presentation control information;
first retrieving, said first subcollection from said content supplying nodes for presenting at the first client node;
second retrieving said second subcollection from said content supplying nodes for presenting at floe second client node substantially simultaneously with the presenting of the first subcollection at the first client node.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said step of transmitting to the first and second client nodes is performed substantially simultaneously, using the Internet as at least a portion of the communications network.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, further including a step of synchronously presenting the presentation at the first client node with presenting the presentation at the second client node so that each of the subcollections presented at the first client node is presented substantially simultaneously with some of the subcollections at the second client node.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said step of synchronously presenting includes obtaining, by sand first client node, a network performance measurement of a network transmission from a first of the content supplying network nodes to the first client node.

25. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said step of first retrieving includes retrieving the first subcollection by the first client node from a first of the content supplying nodes; and said step of second retrieving includes retrieving the second subcollection by the second client node from a second of the content supplying nodes different from the first content supplying node.

26. A method as claimed in claim 21, further including synchronizing the presenting of the first and second subcollections at the first and second client nodes with a corresponding audio portion of the presentation provided at the sites of the first and second client nodes, wherein the corresponding audio portion is provided to the sites using a different network protocol from a protocol used in said step of transmitting, via the communications network.

27. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said step of first identifying occurs prior to said step of first retrieving and said step of first identifying includes:
obtaining one or more measurements related to an expected time for transmitting said first subcollection to the first client node via the communications network;
wherein said one or more measurements are indicative of one or more of:
(a) a size of said first subcollection;
(b) a bandwidth of previous transmissions via the communications network to the first client node;
(c) an overhead indicative of a protocol used in transmissions via the communication network to the first client rode;
(d) an allotted time for said first client to receive said first subcollection;
(e) a fluctuation in bandwidth of the communications network;
(f) an error rate from the communications network;

(g) a predictive statistical expectation of a bandwidth on the communications network.

28. The method as claimed in claim 21, further including:
establishing whether said first subcollection is cached at said first client node within a desired time prior to a performance, of the cached subcollection.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, further including determining said desired time by determining one or more of:
(a) a measurement related to the performance of the presentation at said second client node:
(b) a predetermined length of time; and (c) a length of time determined by a leader for the presentation.

30. The method as claimed in claim 28, further including determining said desired time by comparing (a) a transmission rate of the communications network between the first client node and at least one of said content supplying nodes; and (b) a transmission rate of the communications network between said second client node, and at least one of said content supplying nodes.

31. A method for presenting a networked presentation, comprising:
storing a plurality of segments for a presentation, wherein said segments are network accessible from one or more content supplying network nodes for presenting the presentation, and wherein for a first subcollection of one or more of the segments, said first subcollection is capable of being accessed from a first of the content supplying nodes, and at least one of (a) and (b):
(a) said first subcollection has a corresponding different second subcollection of one or more of said segments that has been identified as a replacement for the first subcollection, and (b) said first subcollection is capable of being accessed from a second of said content supplying nodes;
providing for a first client node, a network transmission of the presentation, wherein the first client node has network access to at least one of: the first and second subcollections, and the first and second content supplying nodes;
determining, for the first client node, a measurement indicative of an expected network performance of a communications network for transmitting the first subcollection from the first consent supplying node to the first client node;
selecting at least one of: the second subcollection and the second content supplying node when said measurement is indicative of an undesirable performance of the presentation at the first client node.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31, wherein said providing step includes accessing, by the first client node, said segments: (a) from said first content supplying node via a first route, through the communications network, and (b) from said second content supplying node via a second route through the communications network;
wherein said first route does not include said second content supplying node, and said second route does not include said first content supplying node.

33. A presentation system for presenting a multimedia presentation having video and audio portions that correspond in content, comprising:
one or more video supplying network nodes for communicating one or more video portions of the multimedia presentation to one or more networked client nodes;
a phone bridge controller for providing commands to one or more phone bridges for routing presentation related audio communication, to a corresponding telephony device at each site having one of the client nodes, wherein: (a) each of one or more portions of the related audio communication corresponds in content with one of the video portions, and (b) the telephony devices at the sites transform the presentation related audio communications into an audible form having natural language speech included therein;
a presentation controller for synchronizing a presenting, at the client nodes, of predetermined ones of the video and audio portions that correspond in content, wherein for each of the client nodes, said presentation controller:
(a) communicates with the client node for providing information used for identifying a particular one of the video portions for transmission from one of the video supplying network nodes to the client node; and (b) communicates with said phone bridge controller for routing, to the client node, the audio portion corresponding in content with the particular video portion.

34. A method of presenting a multimedia presentation comprising:
storing a script of one or more presentation commands for performing multimedia segments of said presentation wherein a first of said one or more commands references one or more unresolved identifiers of one or more content supplying nodes providing access to at least a video portion of a first subcollection of one or more of said segments via a communications network;
storing a communications network identifier for each of one or more of said content supplying nodes providing network access to at least said video portion of said first subcollection;
identifying one or more client nodes for receiving a performance of said presentation;
resolving said unresolved identifiers of a first of said commands using said stored communications network identifiers for said one or more content supplying nodes, thereby obtaining a resolved command;
performing said resolved command at each of said client nodes during said performance by requesting said at least video portion of said first subcollection from a first of said content supplying nodes;
requesting by a first of said client nodes, when said at least video portion of said first subcollection is not received by said first client node within a predetermined time, one of: (a) at least a video portion of an alternative subcollection of one or more of said segments, in place of said at least video portion of said first subcollection, from one of said content supplying nodes, and (b) said at least video portion of said first subcollection from an alternate one of said content supplying nodes.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, further including transmitting said resolved command from a presentation controlling node to each of said client nodes via at least a portion of one of: the Internet, and a network using TCP/IP as a communication protocol.

36. The method of claim 34, further including a step of controlling said performance of said presentation via a leader node receiving input from a leader for said performance of said presentation, wherein the leader directs a pace and content of the presentation performance via a presentation controlling network node, wherein the presentation controlling network node synchronizes said performance of said presentation on said first client node with a performance of said presentation an a second client node so that when one of said first and said alternative subcollection are presented on said first client node, there is a synchronized performance of a second subcollection of said segments on said second client node, wherein said first and second subcollections correspond in content.

37. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising:
one or more presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said content supplying nodes for providing access to a collection of data segments of said presentation using said communications network wherein said collection includes first and second subcollections of one or more of said segments;
a presentation controlling node for transmitting to at least a first client node, via the communications network, presentation control information used for identifying a group of subcollections of said segments, said group including said first and second subcollections; and a first segment selector, activated in response to said first client node receiving said presentation control information, for selecting one of said first and second subcollections for transmitting said selected subcollection from one of said presentation content supplying nodes to said first client node;
wherein said first segment selector includes a comparator for comparing (a) and (b) following: (a) a value indicative of a length of time expected for said first client node to receive one of said first and second subcollections, and (b) a value, indicative; of one of: (i) a length of time related to one or more other client nodes receiving one or more subcollections of said collection, (ii) a predetermined default length of time, and (iii) a length of time determined by a leader of said presentation performance.

38. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising:
one or more presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said content supplying nodes for providing access to a collection of data segments of said presentation using said communications network, wherein said collection includes first and second subcollections of one or more of said segments;
a presentation controlling node for transmitting to at least a first client node, via the communications network, presentation control information used for identifying said first and second subcollections;
a first segment selector, activated ire response to said first client node receiving said presentation control information, for selecting one of said first and second subcollections for transmitting said selected subcollection from one of said presentation content supplying nodes to said first client node;
and a phone bridge controller far controlling one or snore telephone bridges providing audio communication during a performance of the presentation, through a telephone at a client site having said first client node, wherein said telephone provides the audio communication to the client site different from said communications network.

39. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising;
a first and second presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said first and second content supplying nodes for providing access to one or more collections of data segments of said presentation using said communications network;
a presentation controlling node for transmitting to at least a first client node, presentation control information used for identifying a first subcollection of said data segments for presenting at said first client node;
a content node selector, activated in response to said first client node receiving said presentation control information, for selecting one of said first and second content supplying nodes for transmitting one of: (a) said first subcollection to said first client node using; said communications network;
and (b) an alternative subcollection of one or more of said segments predetermined as a replacement for said first subcollection; and a phone bridge controller for routing presentation related audio communications to a client site having said first client node, via one or more phone bridges, wherein a telephone at said client site transforms the presentation related audio communications into an audible communication having natural language speech included therein.

40. The network presentation distribution system of claim 39, further including:
a cache at said first client node for caching, as a cached subcollection, said selected one of said first subcollection and said alternative subcollection;
wherein said cached subcollection is cached within a desired time prior to a performance of said cached subcollection, end wherein said desired time is determined using one or more of:
(a) a measurement related to the performance of the presentation at said second client node;
(b) a predetermined length of time; and (c) a length of time determined by a leader for the presentation.

41. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising:
a first and second presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said first and second content supplying nodes for providing access to one or more collections of data segments of said presentation using said communications network;
a presentation controlling node for transmitting to at least a first client node, presentation control information used for identifying a first subcollection of said segments for presentation at said first client node;
a content node selector, activated in response to said first client node receiving said presentation control information, for selecting one of said first and second content supplying nodes for transmitting one of: (a) said first subcollection to said first client node using said communications network; and (b) an alternative subcollection of one or more of said segments predetermined as a replacement for said first subcollection; and a phone bridge controller for routing presentation related audio communications to a client site having said first client node, via one or more phone bridges, wherein a telephone at said client site transforms the presentation related audio communications into an audible communication having natural language speech included therein.

42. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation, comprising:
a first and second presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said first and second content supplying nodes for providing access to one or more collections of data segments of said presentation using said communications network, a presentation controlling node for transmitting via the communications network, to at least a first client node, presentation control information used for identifying a first subcollection of said segments for presentation at said first client node;
a content node selector, activated in response to said first client node receiving said presentation control information, for selecting one of said first and second content supplying nodes for transmitting one of: (a) said first subcollection to said first client node using said communications network; and (b) an alternative subcollection at one more of said segments predetermined as a replacement for said first subcollection;
wherein said presentation controlling node includes a presentation script processing component for generating presentation performance commands from a script for said presentation, wherein for said first client node, said generated commands synchronize a display of a video content of said segments with a performance of a related presentation audio content; and wherein said presentation controlling node includes a phone bridge controller far directing a phone bridge to provide audio communications between a client site having said first client node and a leader of a performance of said presentation, wherein said phone bridge routes presentation performance related audio information differently from network communications between said presentation controlling node and first client node via said communications network.

43. A network presentation distribution system for presenting a presentation on a communications network braving unexpected network performance fluctuations at a user nude, comprising:
one or more presentation content supplying nodes of a communications network, said content supplying nodes for providing access, at the user node via the communications network, to a collection of data segments of said presentation using said communications network, wherein said collection includes first and second subcollections of one or more of said segments;
a computational component for determining network performance information of the communications network, wherein said computational component determines said network performance information using network data obtained from network transmissions detected at said user node;
a segment selector, activated during the presentation for selecting, using said network performance information, one of said first and second subcollections for transmitting from one of said presentation content supplying nodes to said user node; and a presentation component at said user node for presenting said selected one of said first and second subcollections to a user at the user node.

44. A method for presenting a networked presentation, comprising the steps of:
transmitting presentation control information to a first user at a first client node, wherein the presentation control information provides information for identifying a first collection of one or more presentation segments for presenting on the first client node, and for identifying an alternative collection of one or more presentation segments for presenting on the first client node, wherein the first and the alternative collections are each replaceable with the other when presenting the presentation;
selecting, using performance information for the first communications network, one of the first and the alternative collections for transmitting to the first client node;

first transmitting to the first user a selected one of the first and alternative collections of presentation segments using a first communication network protocol;
second transmitting to a second user a second collection of presentation segments via a second communication network protocol different from the first communication network protocol;
wherein the selected collection and the second collection are presented, respectively, to the first and second users substantially concurrently, and the selected and second collections have corresponding presentation contents.

45. The method of Claim 44, wherein a common audio portion of the presentation is transmitted to the first and second users during at :least a portion of a performance of the presentation presented to the first and second users.

46. The method of Claim 45, wherein the common audio portion is provided in real time by a presentation presenter.

47. The method of Claim 44, wherein a presenter of the presentation determines a pace of a performance of the presentation for synchronously presenting the presentation to each of the first and second users during at least a portion of the presentation.

48. The method of Claim 44, wherein one or more of: the first communications protocol includes TCP/dip, and the second communications protocol includes a protocol for voice grade communications provided according to a public telephone switched network.

49. The method of Claim 44, wherein one or more of: said step of first transmitting includes interpreting signals transmitted using a modem, and said step of second transmitting includes outputting the second collection from a phone bridge.

50. The method of Claim 44, wherein said step of transmitting includes outputting the control information for transmission on the Internet.

51. The method of Claim 44, wherein said step of transmitting includes outputting the control information using one or more of TCP/dip and FTP.

52. The method of Claim 44, wherein during performances of a same portion of the presentation for the first and second users, the following occur:
(a) the first collection provides a first version of the pardon of the presentation using video with motion, and the alternative collection provides a second version of the portion having no video motion ar less video motion than the first version;

(b) the second collection provides one of the first and second versions different from the version performed for the first user.

53. The method of Claim 44, wherein during performances of a same portion of the presentation for the lust and second users, the following occur:
(a) said first transmitting step includes transmitting an audio representation of the portion via the Internet;
(b) said second transmitting step includes transmitting the audio representation of the portion using voice grade communications provided according to a public telephone switched network.

54. The method of Claim 44, further including a step of receiving a presentation related transmission from at least one of the first and the second users during at least a portion of a performance of the presentation presented to the first and second users.

55. The method of Claim 44, further including a step of receiving input from a presenter of the presentation for identifying a next portion of the presentation to be presented to the first and second users after presenting a portion of the presentation represented by the selected and second collections.

56. The method of Claim 44, further including a step of requesting by a first client node, from which the first user receives a performance of the presentation, the selected collection.

57. The method of Claim 44, further including one or more of:
(a) coordinating a presenting to the first user an audio portion of the presentation corresponding to the selected collection when the selected collection provides a video portion of the presentation so that the timing for the presentation of the audio and video portions are synchronized;
(b) generating a script for the presentation, including a substep of resolving undefined network content site identifiers;
(c) selecting a host for transmitting the presentation control information;
(d) providing in the present control information a time value indicative of when a first client node, from which the first user receives a performance of the presentation, is to receive the selected collection, wherein the time value is indicative of: (i) no time remaining; (ii) an unknown amount of time remains; (iii) a specific amount of time remains; and (e) transmitting an interrupt to the first client node to suspend processing for presenting the selected collection.

58. The method of Claim 44, wherein the selected collection and the second collection have their corresponding audio portions in different natural languages.

59. The method of Claim 44, wherein said selected collection and the second collection are determined according to a categorization of the first and second users.

60. The method of Claim 44, wherein one or more of the presentation segments is obtained from a portable data storage unit insertable into the first client node.