Enhancing interactive presentations

• US 20030034999A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mindspeak LLC
• Original Assignee: Mindspeak LLC
• Inventors: Coughlin, James Earl Martin III, Mukhopadhyay, Avik, Newman, Michael Joel
• Application Number:
  US10/158,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034999A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/738
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for use in enhancing interactive presentations. Access is gained to a computer-based presentation that is presentable by conventional desktop presentation software, and a feature is added to the computer-based presentation. An aspect of the feature may be presentable by the conventional desktop presentation software. Using Internet-standard protocols, a real-time directive is issued to a playback device based on the feature and a response to the directive is received. A real time analysis of results of issuing the directive may be provided based at least in part on the response.

Claims

1. A method for use in enhancing interactive presentations, comprising:

gaining access to a computer-based presentation that is presentable by conventional desktop presentation software;

adding a feature to the computer-based presentation, an aspect of the feature being presentable by the conventional desktop presentation software;

based on the feature, issuing a real-time directive to a playback device using Internet-standard protocols; and

using Internet-standard protocols, receiving a response to the directive.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in real time, altering the computer-based presentation based on the response.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conventional desktop presentation software includes at least a portion of Microsoft PowerPoint application software.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the conventional desktop presentation software includes presentation software having an interface that is compatible with Microsoft Visual Basic.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating with the playback device via Web server software.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein adding a feature to the computer-based presentation includes adding a polling question to the presentation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a response to the directive includes receiving an answer to a polling question.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the conventional desktop presentation software to display poll results based on the response.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback device runs Web browser software.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback device includes at least a portion of a personal digital assistant (PDA) device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback device includes at least a portion of a wireless communications device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the directive includes data that is in a format that is compatible with Hypertext Markup Language.

13. A method for use in enhancing interactive presentations, comprising:

gaining access to a computer-based presentation that is presentable by conventional desktop presentation software;

adding a feature to the computer-based presentation;

based on the feature, issuing a real time directive to a playback device using Internet protocols;

using Internet protocols, receiving a response to the directive in real time; and

based at least in part on the response, providing a real time analysis of results of issuing the directive.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the analysis of results includes an analytical graphical depiction of results of issuing the directive.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the analysis of results includes a heat map graphical depiction of results of issuing the directive.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing content to a spreadsheet based on the response.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing content to a database based on the response.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the analysis of results relies on an interface that is compatible with Microsoft Visual Basic.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the response includes a polling response.

20. A system for use in enhancing interactive presentations, comprising:

an access mechanism that gains access to a computer-based presentation that is presentable by conventional desktop presentation software;

a feature addition mechanism that adds a feature to the computer-based presentation, an aspect of the feature being presentable by the conventional desktop presentation software;

a directive issuing mechanism that, based on the feature, issues a real-time directive to a playback device using Internet-standard protocols; and

a response receiving mechanism that, using Internet-standard protocols, receives a response to the directive.

21. A system for use in enhancing interactive presentations, comprising:

an access mechanism that gains access to a computer-based presentation that is presentable by conventional desktop presentation software;

a feature addition mechanism that adds a feature to the computer-based presentation;

a directive issuing mechanism that, based on the feature, issues a real time directive to a playback device using Internet protocols;

a response receiving mechanism that, using Internet-standard protocols, receives a response to the directive in real time; and

an analysis providing mechanism that, based at least in part on the response, provides a real time analysis of results of issuing the directive.

22. Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a computer system to help cause the computer system to enhance interactive presentations, the set of instructions for causing the computer system to:

gain access to a computer-based presentation that is presentable by conventional desktop presentation software;

add a feature to the computer-based presentation, an aspect of the feature being presentable by the conventional desktop presentation software;

based on the feature, issue a real-time directive to a playback device using Internet-standard protocols; and

using Internet-standard protocols, receive a response to the directive.

23. Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a computer system to help cause the computer system to enhance interactive presentations, the set of instructions for causing the computer system to:

gain access to a computer-based presentation that is presentable by conventional desktop presentation software;

add a feature to the computer-based presentation;

based on the feature, issue a real time directive to a playback device using Internet protocols;

using Internet protocols, receive a response to the directive in real time; and

based at least in part on the response, provide a real time analysis of results of issuing the directive.