Participant response system and method

• US 8,265,543 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iml Ltd. (Computershare Limited)
• Original Assignee: Iml Ltd. (Computershare Limited)
• Inventors: Knowles, Anthony, Davies, Christopher, Cornall, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): FRISBY, KESHA
• Application Number:
  US12/574,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20100023316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 434/156, 434/157, 434/350
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 13/00 Voting apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/58 including a multilanguage function
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/62 user interface aspects of conference calls

Abstract

A participant response system comprises a plurality of handsets for allowing a participant of an event to input a response. Each handset comprises a wireless handset having a keyboard for allowing a user to input a response. The handsets are configurable either as a participant response handset to allow a participant to enter a response, or as a base station. The handset also includes audio capability to allow participants to receive and input audio.

Claims

1. A translation system for translation during event participation by event participants, the system comprising:

a plurality of participant handsets, each handset comprising an audio input and an audio output for use by a participant, a participants handset wireless module for wireless communication, and a controller for controlling the participants handset wireless module to transmit and receive audio for output and input using a communication channel designated for a language spoken by the participant;

at least one translator handset for use by a translator, each handset comprising an audio input for the input of audio in a one language, an audio output for the output of audio in another language, a translator handset wireless module for wireless communication, and a controller for controlling the translators handset wireless module to receive and transmit audio in a first language on a first communication channel and to receive and transmit audio in a second language on a second communication channel; and

a control system for controlling the wireless communication of audio between said participants handsets and said at least one translators handset, said control system being adapted;

to control said controller of a first said participants handset to allow a participant to speak by controlling the participant'"'"'s handset wireless module to transmit audio in a first language spoken by the participant over a first communication channel designated for the first language,

to control said controller of a said translators handset to allow a translator to listen to the audio in the first language and to input audio in the second language by controlling the translators handset wireless module to receive audio in the first language using the first communication channel and to transmit audio in the second language using the second communication channel, and

to control said controller of a second said participants handset to allow a participant to listen by controlling the participants handset wireless module to receive audio in the second language spoken by the participant over the second communication channel.

2. A translation system according to claim 1, wherein each said handset includes participant input means for inputting a response to the event by a participant, the participants handset controller is adapted to control said participants handset wireless module to transmit said response, the system including a response receiver for receiving the transmitted responses.