PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100023316A1
• Filed: 10/06/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Cornall, Anthony Knowles, Christopher Davies
• Original Assignee: Andrew Cornall, Anthony Knowles, Christopher Davies
• Inventors: Davies, Christopher, Knowles, Anthony, Cornall, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,265,543 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/3
• 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 participant response system for allowing a participant of an event to input a response, the system comprising:

a plurality of wireless handsets, each handset comprising response input means for allowing a participant to input a response, and position input means for allowing a participant to input information identifying the location of the participant; and

a central unit for receiving and processing responses from said handsets, the central unit comprising response processing means for processing responses, and position processing means for processing information identifying the location of participants.

2. A participant response system according to claim 1, wherein said position processing means is adapted to generate a map of the event showing locations of the participants.

3. A participant response system according to claim 1, wherein said central unit includes storing means storing information linking the identity of the participants and the handsets.

4. A participant response system according to claim 3, wherein each handset includes participant identification input means for inputting information identifying the participant, and said storing means at said central unit is adapted to receive the input information identifying the participant.

5. A participant response system according to claim 2, wherein said position processing means is adapted to cooperate with said response processing means to show the responses of the participants.

6. A participant response system according to claim 2, wherein each handset includes audio input means for allowing a participant to speak, and audio transmission means for transmitting the audio for output to other participants of the event, said central unit includes camera control means for outputting information on the location of a speaking participant to a camera system to enable the camera system to automatically direct a camera on the speaking participant.

7. A participant response system for allowing a participant of an event to audibly respond, the system comprising:

a plurality of wireless handsets, each handset comprising audio input means for allowing a participant to input an audible response, audio transmission means for transmitting the audio for output to other participants of the event, and position input means for allowing a participant to input information identifying the location of the participant;

position processing means for receiving and processing information identifying the location of participants; and

camera control means for outputting information identifying the location of a participant providing an audible response to a camera system to enable the camera system to automatically direct a camera on the speaking participant.

8. A participant response system for allowing a participant of an event to input a response, the system comprising:

a plurality of portable handsets, each handset comprising a rechargeable battery, recharging contacts for recharging the battery, a keypad for entry of a response by a participant, and a wireless module for transmission of the response to a remote receiver; and

a recharging rack for receiving a plurality of portable handsets, said recharging rack comprising a plurality of slots, each slot for receiving a portable handset and including resilient holding means for resiliently holding a portable handset, and electrical contact means for electrically contacting the recharging contacts on a portable handset, wherein the recharging rack includes power supply means for supplying recharging power to said electrical contact means for each slot.

9. A participant response system according to claim 8, wherein said electrical contact means comprise magnetic contacts.

10. A participant response system according to claim 8, wherein said power supply means is adapted to cyclically apply power to each said electrical contact means so as to cyclically charge portable handsets held in said recharging rack.

11. A participant response system according to claim 8, wherein said recharging rack includes modular contact means for modular contact with other said recharging racks, said modular contact means being adapted to connect said power supply means of said recharging rack together.

12. 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, the or 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.

13. A translation system according to claim 12, 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.

14. A handset for use in a participant response system to allow participants of an event to input a response, the handset comprising:

response input means for inputting a response;

a wireless module for transmitting the response to a remote response receiver;

an audio input device for allowing a participant to input speech;

an audio output device for allowing the participant to listen to received speech;

an audio controller for controlling the wireless module to transmit and receive audio to and from a group of at least one other handset to allow voice communications between participants.

15. A participant response system for allowing a participant of an event to input a response, the system comprising a plurality of wireless handsets, each handset being configurable as at least two of:

a participant handset for inputting a response, a participant handset for inputting a response and enabling participant audio communications, a base station, a loudspeaker controller for receiving audio and controlling a loudspeaker, and a master handset for analysing responses.

16. A participant response system according to claim 15, wherein each said handset is adapted to be configurable by downloaded code.

17. A participant response system according to claim 16, wherein each said handset is adapted to be configurable by code downloaded using said wireless module.

18. A participant response system for use in a participant response system to allow participants of an event to provide a response, the system comprising:

a plurality of wireless handsets for use by participants for inputting a response; and

a rack for holding said wireless handsets;

wherein said handsets are adapted to disable communications when held in said rack, and to automatically enable communications when removed from said rack.

19. A participant response system according to claim 18, wherein said handsets are adapted to turn off if they are unable to establish communications after automatically enabling communications.

20. A participant response system according to claim 18, wherein said rack includes a control system for generating a control signal to said handsets held in said rack, and said handsets are adapted to respond to said signal to automatically switch off.

21. A participant response system according to claim 18, wherein said handsets include rechargeable batteries, and said rack includes a charging system for electrically charging said handsets held in said rack, wherein said handsets are adapted to automatically enable communications when no electrical charging is detected.

22. A participant response system for use in a participant response system to allow participants of an event to provide a response, the system comprising:

a plurality of wireless handsets for use by participants for inputting a response; and

a rack for holding said wireless handsets;

wherein said rack includes handset control means for switching off said handsets in said rack to disable communications.

23. A participant response system according to claim 22, wherein said handsets are adapted to switch on when removed from said rack to enable communications.

24. A participant response system according to claim 23, wherein said handsets include rechargeable batteries, and said handset control means comprises an electrical charging system for recharging said handsets, said electrical charging system is switchable on or off, and said handsets are adapted to switch off when said charging system is switched off.

25. A participant response system according to claim 24, wherein said handsets are adapted to switch on to enable communications when no charging is detected from said charging system, and to switch off if they are unable to establish communications.