Information gathering system
First Claim
1. A data collection system comprisinga data processing system (5) for receiving data and generating statistical information relating to the data;
- a plurality of data entry means (1), each for receiving data input from a user and transmitting the data to the data processing system (5);
and transmission means (7, 2) for transmitting data from the means (1) to the data processing system;
characterised in that the data entry means (1) are telephone handsets, and that the data processing system (5) has associated interface means (4) for identifying the individual telephone handsets (1) from which each data item is received, such that individual data items transmitted from the same handset can be related to each other by the processing system (5).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An audience participation system is disclosed, in which the users are invited to initiate a voting process by dialling a predetermined number using one of the conventional short code memory keys on a DECT cordless telephone 1, or specialized equipment incorporating DECT technology, are connected to a Computer/Telephony Interface (CTI) unit 4 via a wireless Private Branch Exchange (WPBX) 2. The Computer/Telephony Interface Unit can use calling line identity to identify any attempted callers who are not eligible to vote, e.g. calling from remote lines. Some remote lines may be authorised to allow votes to be contributed from authorized parties elsewhere than in the local auditorium. To vote, the users transmit DTMF tones using the keys of their telephone handsets, or speak into their handsets if voice prompts are to be used. A separate channel is provided between the Computer/Telephony Interface unit 4 and each cordless telephone or remote user. The Computer/Telephony Interface unit 4 can therefore identify each individual vote, and ensure that only one vote is received from each telephone. The DTMF tones or other are raw voting data which is transmitted to the computer 5 for analysing the raw voting data, for display of voting statistics to the audience on a display browser 6. Since the identity of each handset is known to the Computer/Telephony Interface Unit 4, demographic data previously stored relating to the individual users of the handsets, or to earlier voting results, may be correlated to provide further information for processing by the computer 5.
38 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A data collection system comprising
a data processing system (5) for receiving data and generating statistical information relating to the data; -
a plurality of data entry means (1), each for receiving data input from a user and transmitting the data to the data processing system (5);
and transmission means (7, 2) for transmitting data from the means (1) to the data processing system;
characterised in that the data entry means (1) are telephone handsets, and that the data processing system (5) has associated interface means (4) for identifying the individual telephone handsets (1) from which each data item is received, such that individual data items transmitted from the same handset can be related to each other by the processing system (5). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of generating statistical information relating to data received from a plurality of data entry means (1), comprising the steps of
transmitting signals from each data entry means (1) to a data processing system (5) by way of an interface means (4); -
processing the data so received to generate statistical information relating to the totality of data received from the means (1) characterised in that the data entry means (1) are telephone handsets, and that the interface means (4) identifies the individual telephone handsets (1) from which each data item is received, such that individual data items transmitted from the same handset can be related to each other by the processing system (5). - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification