Abstract:
A computer program product for providing presentations to a plurality of individuals includes instructions for creating a plurality of sub-presentations related to a master presentation wherein each sub-presentation comprises a plurality of slides having content customized for each of the participants; distributing the plurality of sub-presentations to each of the respective participants; and displaying each sub-presentation to each of the respective participants as the presentation.

Description:
TRADEMARKS  
       [0001]     IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of International Business Machines Corporation or other companies.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to presentation software and particularly to presentations for varying audiences.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     Current web collaboration software allows users to share presentations and demonstrations with multiple participants via the Internet. Unfortunately, current collaboration software only supports showing the same demonstration and presentation pages to all of the participants in a conference. What is needed is a way to provide alternate views to selected recipients.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a computer program product stored on machine readable media, the product including instructions for providing a presentation to a plurality of participants, the instructions having instructions for: creating a plurality of sub-presentations related to a master presentation wherein each sub-presentation has a plurality of slides having content customized for each of the participants; distributing the plurality of sub-presentations to each of the respective participants; and displaying each sub-presentation to each of the respective participants as the presentation.  
         [0005]     Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings.  
       TECHNICAL EFFECTS  
       [0006]     As a result of the summarized invention, technically we have achieved a solution which includes, among other things, a computer program product stored on machine readable media, the product including instructions for providing a presentation to a plurality of participants, the instructions having instructions for: creating a plurality of sub-presentations related to a master presentation by selecting content from at least one of common content and specific content wherein each sub-presentation comprises a plurality of slides having the content customized for each of the participants, wherein the content for at least one slide is customized by selecting at least one layer having content; and wherein at least one layer includes a properties layer; associating each sub-presentation with each of the participants; distributing the plurality of sub-presentations to each of the respective participants by providing at least one of the master presentation and each of the sub-presentations to a server, wherein distributing further has at least one of identifying a user ID, identifying an email address, identifying an IP address and receiving authentication information and interfacing with web conferencing software for distributing each sub-presentation during a web conference; and displaying each sub-presentation to each of the respective participants as the presentation by interfacing with web conferencing software for displaying each sub-presentation during a web conference. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of an enhanced user interface for presentation software; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates one example of a providing a plurality of presentations to selected participants. 
     
    
       [0010]     The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Disclosed herein are enhancements to presentation software. Non-limiting examples of presentation software include Lotus Freelance and Microsoft Powerpoint. The enhancements provide users with capabilities to create customized presentations having alternate sub-presentations including various content. The content is assigned to selected recipients (i.e., participants). When the customized presentation is displayed using web conference software (such as Sametime and NetMeeting), at least some of the participants are presented with certain sub-presentations that are a customized version of the presentation. The teachings herein include enhancements that provide for managing and displaying of sub-presentations and content for the selected participants.  
         [0012]     The customized presentations typically include a plurality of slides having content for each of the participants. As formats and other aspects of computer generated presentations are well known, such aspects are generally not discussed further herein.  
         [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a user interface  101 . The user interface  101  includes access to features and functions as are typically called for in presentation software. Typically, a multi-presentation development tool  102  is also included. In the embodiment depicted, the multi-presentation development tool  102  includes a master presentation  103  and a plurality of sub-presentations  104 . In this example, participants Greg, Nicki, Joe and Kristi each receive a separate sub-presentation  104  (such as through separate workstations—not shown). In this example, the master presentation  103  and the plurality of sub-presentations  104  are accessed through “tab” features.  
         [0014]     Referring to the portion of  FIG. 1  depicting the multi-presentation development tool  102 , enhancements to presentation software are shown. In this example, the enhancements are integrated with Microsoft PowerPoint from Microsoft Corporation. The multi-presentation development tool  102  provides enhancements that allow authors of presentations to create a plurality of sub-presentations  104  having varying content. For example, the multi-presentation development tool  102  typically includes a series of thumbnail graphics indicative of the content for each sub-presentation  104  within the plurality of sub-presentations  104 .  
         [0015]     In this embodiment, each thumbnail represents a slide  105  for each of the sub-presentations  104 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , and the sub-presentation  104 - 1  for Greg, a first slide  105 - 1  includes a first layer  107 - 1  and a second layer  107 - 2 . A third layer  107 - 3  is not turned on for Greg. It may be noted that, in this example, an enunciator in a top left hand corner of each thumbnail indicates whether one of the layers  107  is turned on or off for the respective sub-presentation  104 .  
         [0016]     The thumbnails displayed in the multi-presentation development tool  102  provide alternate content  106  that can replace or augment each slide  105 . For example, to create a sub-presentation  104 - 1  for Greg, the user need only click on the Greg tab and toggle visibility on or off for each layer  107 - 1 ,  107 - 2 ,  107 - 3  associated with a respective slide  105  (shown as a first slide  105 - 1 ). Typically, creation of the sub-presentation  104  simply calls for reviewing the plurality of layers  107  associated with each slide  105 , and selecting each one of the layers ( 107 - 1 ,  107 - 2 ,  107 - 3 ) for an on or off state.  
         [0017]     Referring also to  FIG. 1 , the user interface  101  typically includes a preview window  108 , also referred to as an editing pane  108  or simply a window  108 . In this example, the preview window  108  provides a display of the first slide  105 - 1 . Each layer  107  that is included in each slide  105  includes some form of content  106 . For simplicity, content  106  is indicated herein by various geometric shapes.  
         [0018]     In this example, during the sub-presentation  104 - 1 , Greg will see a circle (common content  106 - 1  for all participants) with a triangle (specific content  106 - 2  for Greg) in the first slide  105 - 1 . Other participants, such as Nicki and Joe, might only see the circle (the common content  106 - 1 ). Toggling each layer ( 107 - 1 ,  107 - 2 ,  107 - 3 ) in the plurality of layers  107  is determinative of the content  106  available to each participant.  
         [0019]     Typically, a number of sub-presentations  104 , a number of slides  105 , and a number of layers  107  are open to determination by the presentation developer. Accordingly, although this illustration depicts three sub-presentations ( 104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ,  104 - 3 ), six slides ( 105 - 1 ,  105 - 2 ,  105 - 3 ,  105 - 4 ,  105 - 5 ,  105 - 6 ) and three layers ( 107 - 1 ,  107 - 2 ,  107 - 3 ), these numbers are merely illustrative and are not limiting of the teachings herein. Known techniques are typically used for addition of sub-presentations  104 , slides  105  and layers  107 .  
         [0020]     Referring to the presentation  103 , typically, aspects (in this example, layers  107 ) of each sub-presentation  104  can be made visible or invisible as indicated by a small icon in the upper left corner of each of the thumbnails. Content  106  can be added, removed, and made visible and invisible via a context menu (not shown) to the various layers  107  using known techniques, such as such as bar menus and context menus (not shown).  
         [0021]     Typically, exemplary context menus and bar menus take advantage of known programming techniques and features for graphical user interface displays. Non-limiting examples include pop-up menus, tab features, right-click menus and pull down menus. As interface tools are well known, these are generally not discussed further herein.  
         [0022]     Typically, the presenter refers to the master presentation  103  for defining default sub-presentations  104 , slides  105  and layers  107 . In this embodiment, three sub-presentations  104  have been defined and are referenced by use of tabs. The sub-presentations  104  are specifically defined for participants Greg, Nicki, and Joe. These participants will see customized versions of the presentation  103 . For example, each participant will see a customized sub-presentation  104  having a unique a first slide  105  (as indicated by the circle, triangle and square) during the same Web conference. In this embodiment, each sub-presentation  104  (i.e., custom tab) is associated with a given conference participant. The association may occur by making use of user ID, email address, IP address, or by whatever technique is desired. Typically, the association occurs when each participant signs in for the presentation  103 .  
         [0023]     One skilled in the art will recognize that although this type of enhancement is particularly amenable to systems for implementation with web conferencing tools, the teachings herein are not limited as such. For example, the teachings herein could be implemented in multiple classrooms with projectors, in a local network, or in a time-independent basis (such as for self learning tools where a variety participants sign on to a single, stand-alone system for similar self-taught training sessions).  
         [0024]     An example of adding content is provided in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the illustration shows that a tab for Greg is selected. In this example, a plurality of layers  107  for the first slide  105 - 1  are made visible to Greg, and present the associated content  106 .  
         [0025]     Using this example, one skilled in the art can understand that content  106  may be presented in a versatile and flexible manner. That is, aspects of each sub-presentation  104  may be called upon as an information resource for another sub-presentation  104 . For example, in some embodiments, a presenter may use specific content  106 - 2  for one participant at one point, while using the same specific content  106 - 2  at another point for a different participant. Although the same may be accomplished with common content  106 - 1 , typically, the presenter merely turns common content  106 - 1  on and off for each participant.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , exemplary techniques for displaying the customized presentation  103  in a Web conference are now provided. In this example, Web conference software  201  (such as Lotus Sametime) is used to distribute a plurality of sub-presentations  104  to a plurality of user displays  210  for a plurality of participants  220 .  
         [0027]     In this embodiment, enhanced presentation software  150  sends all three sub-presentations  104  to Web conference software  201 , typically installed on the presenter&#39;s computer. Typically, the presentation software  150  and the Web conference software  201  together provide for control over the distribution of the presentation  103  and each sub-presentation  104 . As an example, the Web conference software  201  sends each sub-presentation  104  and participant information to a Web conference server  202 . The server  202  determines which sub-presentation  104  is to be associated with a given participant  220  and provides for proper distribution. In some embodiments, the server  202  is a part of a network, such as the Internet.  
         [0028]     In one embodiment, the conference software  201  sends an entire presentation  103  including all of the slides  105  to the server  202 . In another embodiment, the conference software  201  sends slides  105  or sub-presentations  104  only for the participants signed into the meeting, thus providing faster presentation and improved data security.  
         [0029]     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the server  202  sends Greg a first sub-presentation  104 - 1 . The first sub-presentation  104 - 1  includes the first layer  107 - 1  and the second layer  107 - 2  for the first slide  105 - 1  (as defined in the sub-presentation  104 ). Nicki sees a second sub-presentation  104 - 2  and Joe sees a third sub-presentation  104 - 3 . Nicki and Joe see a third layer  107 - 3  for the first slide  105 - 1 , the third layer  107 - 3  having been defined in the sub-panel for their respective sub-presentation  104 - 2 ,  104 - 3 . In this embodiment, the server  202  sends Kristi default information as her sub-presentation (that is, the common content  106 - 1 ) since there is no customized view for her.  
         [0030]     One skilled in the art will recognize that the terms “layers” and “sub-presentations” as well as other terms may present certain similarities. That is, for example, in the enhanced presentation software  150 , various information storage and retrieval techniques may be used, and depending on the formats and the structures certain similarities or duplications may exist. Therefore, the teachings herein are merely illustrative of techniques for making similar presentations using enhanced presentation software  150 , and are not limiting thereof.  
         [0031]     In another embodiment, peer-to-peer Web conference software (such as Microsoft NetMeeting) is used to distribute each sub-presentation  104  of the customized presentation. The enhanced presentation software  150  sends all three sub-presentations  104  to the Web conference software  202 , with instructions or information regarding which participants  220  to be provided each of the sub-presentations  104 . The Web conference software  202  manages the slides  105  for each of the participants  220  and provides sub-presentations  104  accordingly.  
         [0032]     A further embodiment accounts for the fact that presentations are often sent directly to remote participants  220  who, for various reasons, cannot conference in. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the enhanced presentation software  150  supports sending the presentation  103  and the sub-presentation  104  directly to a participant  220  while maintaining customized views. Typically, any one of three ways is used.  
         [0033]     For example, direct sending of the sub-presentation  104  may involve exporting the sub-presentation  104  to a user file that includes the customized view of the remote participant  220 ; sending the entire presentation to the remote participant  220  but requiring users to provide a respective user ID and a password to unlock their customized view; and a combination of both exporting a customized view and requiring authentication. Of course, other known techniques for exporting data may be used advantageously, and these are merely examples and non-limiting. In one example, the user enters authentication information to access one of the exported master presentation and the exported sub-presentation. In another example, the user is authenticated in the background as the enhanced presentation software  150  automatically checks and registers network authentication information (such as a workstation identification).  
         [0034]     The features described above allow presentation authors to create presentations with customized content  106 . The content  106  is protected from participants  220  as deemed appropriate by the presenter. The complete presentation  103  or portions thereof can be sent via email, and customized sub-presentations  104  and aspects thereof can be preserved. Typically, any person opening the presentation  103  must identify themselves, and when properly identified, selected content  106  is revealed as appropriate.  
         [0035]     The teachings herein also provide for a “hidden” properties layer  107  that captures authorship and other such information. One problem with presentations is that original authorship is not well preserved. With this invention, each contributor could add the properties layer  107  recording who&#39;s idea was what, when it was originally created, etc, . . . The hidden information could be associated on a per-slide or other basis. In these embodiments, no matter who presents the material, or who copies the page to insert into their pitch, there is a hidden layer associated with the main page. Individual layers, even entire slides could be locked down, allowing only specific users to view, modify, or copy the associated content  106 .  
         [0036]     The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof. As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or sold separately.  
         [0037]     Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can be provided.  
         [0038]     The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.  
         [0039]     While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.