DE10348458A1 - Conducting surveys with test persons via telecommunications network involves sending question(s)by data transmission to mobile telecommunications device, test person entering response at mobile telecommunications device - Google Patents

Abstract

The survey method involves sending at least one question for answering using a data transmission to a mobile telecommunications device, especially a mobile telephone, of at least one test person and the test person participates in the survey by entering a response on the mobile telecommunications device.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for conducting polls on subjects via a Telecommunications network.

Currently It is known to conduct polls mostly in a classic way either a personal one Address of a test person made or a test person in the context is interviewed by telephone surveys. These types of survey point a significant disadvantage. More and more people refuse the answer and feel bothered by a poll, so that more and more only a certain ostentatious group of people takes part in the survey and the expenses for surveys rise as the number of denials increases. This continues to falsifications Of the results, since the remaining persons often a certain Opinion are arrested.

Farther It is known to carry out online surveys in which a survey participant, i. a subject to be interviewed, for example via the Internet as a telecommunications network Questionnaire, in particular by e-mail or such Questionnaire provided for answering on a particular website becomes. Again, this basically sets precondition that an addressed subject is ready for such a test To participate in online survey; furthermore felt to be disadvantageous is that participation in a survey is only possible if the test subject has a networkable Computer available and there is time to deal with the survey.

task According to the invention, it is a method for conducting polls on subjects via a Telecommunications network to improve such that a survey for the surveyed subjects with as possible little annoyance goes along and / or with the reliability of the surveys as well the number of participating subjects can be increased.

These Task is inventively characterized solved, that to carry from polls on subjects over a telecommunication network by means of a data transmission at least a question to be answered to a mobile telecommunication device, in particular a mobile phone, at least one subject is sent and the subject by entering a response on the mobile telecommunication device at the Survey participates.

essential Basic idea of the method according to the invention it is a question to the interviewees by means of a Data transmission to a mobile telecommunication device for answering transferred to. This has the advantage that by means of the method according to the invention a much greater accessibility and communication skills is achieved, since meanwhile with a multiplicity of persons mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones or portable and e.g. Internet-enabled organizer as a matter of course and useful Utensil enforced.

in this connection It is assumed that among the persons who own one mobile telecommunication device, such as a mobile phone, any desired audience representative is represented. About that In addition, most owners of a mobile telecommunication device become this Device at any time carry with them, to be able to carry out non-newspaper communications. This results the possibility the polls are also independent of time and place.

A Data transmission, over which sends a test person a question to be answered can, with respect to currently common mobile telecommunications devices, such as For example, mobile phones and organizers, in particular by an SMS, MMS, audio or video sequence are formed. Just the transmission from questions to test subjects via sms on a mobile phone can lead to a high survey participation and willingness, since almost every owner of a mobile phone regarding the operation of his equipment also familiar with handling SMS data transmissions so that the subject has a question to answer with a for the Test person common transmission medium is presented.

to execution For example, the surveys may provide that the at least one Question forming data transmission by a communication server of a Taken from a polling company, in particular given questionnaire becomes. For example, a survey company may be commissioned by specific customers and with reference to their particular wishes Design a questionnaire, which then, for example, in a communication server or an affiliated database is available and from the communication server to conduct the polls automatically takes appropriate questions and automated as a data transmission on the Telecommunications network sent to the test subject to be reached.

The test persons to be interviewed can also be stored in a database, eg the communication server, so that the test persons can then also be selected from a large pool of persons for specific surveys NEN.

at the choice of questions may be preferred here, that the at least one question forming data transmission by a communication server of a survey company depending on from a previous answer of a test person to one in particular given questionnaire is taken. So, for example, too a dialogue-led Survey conducted with the subject, as appropriate dependent on to make specific given questions useful, what it is for can be provided that the questionnaire provided is constructed in the form of a tree structure, the conditional branches so that when performing the method according to the invention a stored questionnaire basically a bevy of questions which is established in dialogue with a subject, sent out and be evaluated after answering.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided here be that after receiving a data transmission, such as a SMS, in a display of a mobile telecommunication device Dialog appears, which of the test person the input of a response allows. Therefor It may be with reference to usual Mobile phones, for example, be sufficient SMS with the known activities in the display of the device display, whereupon the subject sends a reply SMS to the sender sends back, for which some Mobile phones already have standard answers such as "yes" or "no" ready.

Possibly can it be provided for the mobile telecommunications equipment, such as mobile phones and organizers special software to disposal to make that runs on these mobile telecommunications devices and in conjunction with the sent questionnaire a corresponding Display in the mobile telecommunication device builds on a test person's answer decisively is relieved. Such software can, for example, by default be provided to the mobile phones or is the appropriate Test persons who are basically willing to participate in surveys. It can also be provided that the software automatically with Receiving a question is started.

One such dialogue as performed on a mobile telecommunication device according to the invention, For example, multiple-choice answers can be sent next to the one sent Question included. This has the advantage of being a surveyed subject in principle the answer is relieved because there is no answer to the question creativity necessary for the formation of the answer is, but the test subject from given answers only to choose a suitable one Has. Also, I give by pretending only a specific Number of answers the possibility Dependent on the questionnaire stored on a communication server the possible Build answers and so the conditional branch or tree structure of the questionnaire.

There it basically is provided according to the inventive method not just a single subject, but to achieve a representative Result to reach a variety of subjects needs it prefers a further measure to be on the side of the survey company that receives an answer to bring which test person from the variety of addressed The respondent has given the answer.

This can be done in the simplest way, that a response of a Test person also in the form of a data transmission to the survey company or its communication server sent and received by this becomes. Such an answer data transmission can in turn, for example in one of the above formats, such as SMS, be sent out, whereby automatically the network address of answering mobile telecommunications device, so for example the mobile telephone number transmitted so over here an assignment directly possible is.

in this connection However, it turns out basically Still the problem that the survey company not only discriminate out which test person has sent the answer data but about it In addition, to which question specifically the answer is related. This can be done in the simplest way by the fact that the response data transmission automatically a question identifier is added or by the fact that the answer data broadcast beside the actual answer also the question.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided according to the invention that one of the possible answers which a test subject can give to a question is assigned to a specific network address in a telecommunication network. If a test person now gives one of the possible answers to a particular question, according to the method according to the invention an assigned network address is determined via this selected answer, which represents a representative, in particular both for the question asked and for the given answer, so that then assigned network address the mobile tele Communication device of the test person just selects this network address, the network address preferably represents such an address that is managed by the survey company or the communication server so that the selection is determined and is determined as to which question which answer was given.

at this version it is no longer necessary to send an answer data transmission, but instead with regard to mobile phones simply dialing a telephone number, wherein the above-mentioned assigned network address is the dial-up number represents.

to execution This method can also be provided that a question at least a first part of a network address is assigned, wherein the assigned possible Responses each assigned a second part of a network address is so through the interplay of question and given Answer a complete network address results, e.g. can be dialed as a telephone number. This represents Thus, the first part of the network address a question-specific Address prefix and the second part of the network address an address-specific Address suffix.

Also In this way, to perform the procedure can basically a Variety of subjects due to the same given answer too select the same network address for a particular question, so that it must also be distinguished, which test person the selected Network address selected has, for what it is provided according to the invention is the permanently assigned network address of the mobile telecommunication device in the communication network consulted.

Also at one of a user selected Aufnummernunterdrückung are the mobile telecommunication device identifying data sent, which is necessary, for example, to the telecommunications network operator a statement for to enable the use of the network. This, provided in a mobile telecommunications device such as the mobile phone call line identity (CLI) can also be used to determine from which of the many subjects the selected network address, for example a phone number, dialed has been.

In a further development of this method, it is also provided in addition that of a communications server, such as the one of Survey company is operated, selecting the specific one Answer representing Network address is registered, in particular without a communication connection is created.

This Thought is based on the consideration that the data identifying the mobile telecommunication device, such as the call line identity, already to the recipient, as here the network address of a communication server transmits before accepting a connection from the communication server becomes. There is therefore the possibility through the selected network address to identify both question and answer as well as the transmitted call-line identity with reference to a mobile phone to identify the subject, without it to a call or to come to an SMS connection, so when taking a survey for the participants Subjects no fees incurred and yet the answers are registered person-specific can.

With the method according to the invention There is such a possibility reach a variety of subjects at any time and to collect appropriate answers to questions asked. in this connection can the submitted answers are entered in a database, such as that operated by the survey company, where with regard to the data entered is on the particular subject, so that a person-specific Profile can be created.

Around one possible size Number of subjects to participate in such survey it can move according to one Another aspect of the invention be provided that a subject after Participation in a survey receives a fee. Such remuneration can diverse Being nature, for example, may be here with respect to use a telecommunications network be provided that a credit of an amount for the Use of this telecommunication network for the benefit of the participants Subject is done. With exemplary reference to mobile telephone devices can accordingly a credit on the phone bill per participation will be made, which encourages the subjects to participate.

Furthermore It can be any other ways a remuneration such as cash transfers, participation in competitions, competitions of any kind, premiums in the type of property or cash bonuses Etc.

It is particularly advantageous in the application of the method according to the invention that the surveys can be carried out without time and space. For example, there is the possibility of sending a data transmission and to select a related issue in time as a function of an event such that a memory and / or perception of a subject with respect to the event can be determined.

This offers special advantages, as finely worked out profiles of the Test persons about this can be created and the clients of a survey, for example more detailed information about advertising or used media.

One embodiment The invention is illustrated in more detail in the following figures. It demonstrate

1 the technical concept of a survey method according to the invention

2 the presentation of a survey on a mobile phone

The 1 shows primarily the technical concept, which shows that an interactive media system is provided, which includes a server for central data evaluation in a telecommunication network and a plurality of telecommunication devices, such as mobile phones, each having an output device for displaying the question and an input device for answering and returning to the communication server.

So it can according to the 1 be provided that the central communication server selects a first question from a predetermined, constructed questionnaire and sends them, for example by SMS to the mobile phone of a test person, where the question is presented either in the classical form or in the form of a special software-generated dialogue. In response to the question, the test person can transmit a reply to the communication server, for example as an SMS or call number dialing, which then selects, for example, a next question based on this answer. Thus, the next question is sent dialog-bound and in turn answered by the test person, etc., until a questionnaire has been completely processed. The data collected in this way can then be further evaluated to form a test person profile and made available to a client.

The 2 shows an example of how the survey procedure runs on a mobile phone of a selected test subject.

For example, in step 1 , sent the test subject an SMS asking if the test person has read a regional newspaper today.

To In this question, the test person is provided with two answers, namely for one "yes" or "no", for example by simply selecting by means of the navigation buttons of the mobile phone can be selected. Likewise it can be provided be that possible Answers independently of the question asked here a number is assigned in the display, the above the numeric keypad of the mobile phone can be entered, so that the appropriate answer is selected by this number input. This number input may, for example, dial the previously mentioned telephone number suffix for a telephone number form.

answered the test person with the question yes, so the test person is the next question asked which newspaper the person read.

Also here we can in turn provided multiple multiple-choice answers in the reference to this example, several journal titles listed which in turn can be selected by selection as an answer.

Referring to the selected answer, the communication server may generate a new question in the evaluation, namely, for example, what displays the subject can remember from reading the selected newspaper. In this case, the communication server can take into account in the formation of the possible multiple-choice answers which actual advertisements have been displayed in this daily newspaper, which may have been communicated to the communication server by the client, for example. Here, too, the respondent may again select from among several responses, here from display-switching companies. Depending on this answer, the test person can then in step 4 the question as to which of the products represented in the answers the test person can remember, whereupon the test person again selects the corresponding answer corresponding to their memory.

It is so recognizable that with the inventive method a user-branched Questionnaire via SMS via a mobile phone can be processed, for example on behalf of a customer the memory of a subject with regard to a particular advertisement can be tested.

Since this survey can be carried out without time and place, it is also possible to transfer the reminder procedure of several test persons at different times check, from which the client of a survey can draw conclusions about the advertising effectiveness of its measures.

It can here thus for the client will be answered the questions whether the ad complies and was seen, whether she has aroused interest, any ads from competitors a higher one Have aroused interest, whether an ad the consumer to one Purchase transaction or an advertisement contributed to an image maintenance has or any other questions, due to which a questionnaire was worked out. Such questions can best be answered promptly be, for example, that the survey 1 - 2 hours after reading a daily newspaper. With the classic Survey methods, however, can be a subject during this time span can hardly be achieved because the subject, for example, on the way to work or already there. A reliable way nonetheless to allow a survey among a large number of test persons it is the process of the invention to use and poll over mobile telecommunications equipment, such as mobile phones via SMS or MMS perform, with a considerably higher Acceptance among the test subjects.

Claims (14)

A method for conducting surveys of subjects via a telecommunications network, characterized in that by means of a data transmission at least one question to a mobile telecommunication device, in particular a mobile phone, at least one subject is sent and the subject by entering a response to the mobile telecommunication device at the Survey participates. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the at least one question forming data transmission by a Communication server of a survey company one, in particular predetermined, Questionnaire is taken. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the at least one question forming data transmission through a communication server of a polling company in dependence from a previous response of a subject, in particular taken from a predetermined, questionnaire. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the data transmission by an SMS, MMS, audio or video sequence is formed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that after receiving a data transmission in a tightening a mobile telecommunication device appears a dialogue, which allows the subject to enter a response. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the dialog comprises multiple-choice answers. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a response is a network address in a Telecommunication network is assigned. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that that a question at least a first part of a network address and a reply is a second part of a network address, so that a question and its answer are assigned a complete network address is. Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized that by giving a response by a subject the answer assigned network address is selected. Method according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that from a communication server the Dialing the network address is registered, in particular without that a communication connection is created. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that by the transmitted during a selection network identifier the sending telecommunication device is determined, which The test person has given the answer. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that submitted responses entered into a database especially with reference to the individual subject. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a subject after participating in a survey a remuneration receives. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the transmission of a data transmission and a related issue in time depending on an event such chosen is that a memory and / or perception of a Subject with respect to of the event can be determined.