Method and apparatus for an enhanced presentation aid

A computer-based presentation support system for providing real-time support to a presenter comprising:

• means for storing reference text in electronic format;
• means for converting into electrical signals a verbal communication made by a presenter to an audience;
• means, operatively associated with said converting means, for recognizing words from said electrical signals;
• a monitor connected to said recognizing means to determine a monitored pace, said monitor being configured to employ occurrences of recognized words for monitoring a pace at which said verbal communications are made by said presenter;
• means, connected to said storing means and said recognizing means, for searching said reference text to identify a text string that coincides with a portion of said recognized words;
• means, connected to said searching means, for utilizing said identified text string to select a portion of said reference text that should be communicated to said presenter;
• and
• means, connected to said utilizing means, for communicating said selected portion of said reference text to said presenter.

A computer-based method for providing continuous real-time support to a presenter comprising the steps of:

• generating an electronic version of reference text that represents information that will be orally presented to an audience by a presenter;
• presenting verbal information to said audience, said verbal information being related to said reference text and presented by said presenter;
• converting said verbal information into electronic text in real-time with respect to said presentation by said presenter;
• determining a pace at which said reference text is being presented by said presenter;
• comparing said electronic text of said verbal information to said electronic version of said reference text to locate a text string within said electronic version of said reference text that coincides with said electronic text of said verbal information;
• utilizing said located text string and said determined pace to identify a portion of said reference text that is needed next by said presenter in order to maintain a continuous presentation of said verbal information;
• and
• displaying said identified portion of said reference text to said presenter so that said presenter can read said identified portion of said reference text and maintain a continuous presentation of said verbal information to said audience.