EP0115513A1

EP0115513A1 - Data recording technique and apparatus therefor

Info

Publication number: EP0115513A1
Application number: EP83902534A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gwyn Department of Geography ROWLEY; Keith Department of Electronic BARKER; Victor L. Department of Electronic GALLAGHAN
Original assignee: CALLAGHAN Victor Laurence; University of Sheffield
Current assignee: CALLAGHAN Victor Laurence; University of Sheffield
Priority date: 1982-08-07
Filing date: 1983-08-05
Publication date: 1984-08-15
Also published as: WO1984000837A1; JPS59501803A

Abstract

Technique et dispositif portatifs d'enregistrement de données. Des enquêtes telles que les études de marché impliquaient jusqu'à présent l'enregistrement manuel des données recueillies. Par conséquent une quantité importante de temps et d'effort manuel coûteux était occupée par la transmission de ces feuilles à un centre de traitement où les données recueillies sont copiées, contrôlées, triées et finalement codées en un language informatique, avant de pouvoir introduire ces données dans un ordinateur pour l'analyse. Le but de la présente invention est d'éliminer une telle perte de temps et une telle dépense, grâce à une technique d'enregistrement de données consistant à enregistrer, dans une mémoire électronique d'un dispositif portatif, des données obtenues à l'endroit d'utilisation, l'opérateur introduisant les données, sous une forme codée, lisible par un ordinateur, au fur et à mesure que ces données deviennent disponibles. L'appareil portatif comprend un dispositif de stockage électronique, un organe d'entrée définissable par l'utilisateur et permettant d'introduire les données dans le dispositif de stockage électronique, un organe permettant de transférer électroniquement les données maintenues dans le dispositif de stockage vers un ordinateur électronique extérieur, ainsi que des circuits électroniques et des logiciels permettant le fonctionnement de l'appareil.Portable data recording technique and device. Surveys such as market research have so far involved manual recording of the data collected. Consequently a significant amount of time and expensive manual effort was occupied by the transmission of these sheets to a processing center where the collected data are copied, checked, sorted and finally coded in a computer language, before being able to introduce these data into a computer for analysis. The object of the present invention is to eliminate such a waste of time and such an expense, by means of a data recording technique consisting in recording, in an electronic memory of a portable device, data obtained at the location of use, the operator entering the data, in a coded form, readable by a computer, as this data becomes available. The portable device comprises an electronic storage device, an input member which can be defined by the user and which makes it possible to enter the data into the electronic storage device, a member making it possible to electronically transfer the data maintained in the storage device to an external electronic computer, as well as electronic circuits and software enabling the device to operate.

Description

DATA RECORDING TECHNI UE AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

This invention relates to a data recording technique for "in the field" data recording and to portable apparatus for performing the technique, in circumstances where the data is subsequently to be subjected to computer analysis.

Investigations such as market surveys, opinion polls, consumer surveys, product testing, flow studies in transport enquiries and a wide range of behavioural studies and data collections, in both commercial and governmental situations, involve the collection of data usually from randomly selected subjects e.g. when effecting consumer surveys, opinion polls etc., or from observation, e.g. when conducting traffic flow surveys, and conventionally such data is initially recorded manually e.g. on a questionnaire type form. Thereafter a large amount of time and costlymanual effort is involved in transmitting such sheets to a processing centre where the collected data is copied, checked, sorted and eventually encoded into a computer language before the data is able to be entered into the computer for analysis.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a data recording technique comprises recording, in an electronic memory cf a portable apparatus, data obtained in the field, the operator entering the data, in an encoded, computer readable form, as data becomes progressively available to the operator. As a highly advantageous development of the above, there is the step of subsequently transferring electronically the recorded data from the apparatus to an electronic computer, via a communication port or a detachable module.

A further unique aspect of this system is that the detachable module may consist of the type of memory normally used to store computer software,

According to a second aspect of the present invention, portable apparatus for carrying out the above-defined method comprises:- an electronic storage device; a user definable input means whereby data is entered into the electronic storage device; means to transfer electronically data held in the storage device to an external electronic computer; and electronic circuitry and software to manage operation of the apparatus.

Thus, considering for example questionnaire type data, the conventional, labour intensive technique of transmission, copying, checking, sorting and encoding are completely eliminated, for encoding into a computer readable form is effected in the field, by the operator entering data into the apparatus, which data can bo readily transferred to a computer, through a suitable interface, for subsequent analysis and hence there is provided the possibility of virtual instantaneous data sorting and analytical procedures being effected by the computer. Hence the method and apparatus of the invention eliminate a major labour intens ive and hence costly aspect of data collection, whilst simultaneously providing for the speedy availability of analysis results.

Preferably, the means of electronic storage is a solid state device, although it is not inconceivable that in some applications another medium tape e.g. magnetic tape, may be employed.

The means to enter data into the storage device conveniently consists of a plurality of keys, with the significance ascribed to the operator activation of any particular key or key sequence being previously defined by the party initiating the data collection so that, the apparatus is infinite as to its ability to effect differently formatted data collection surveys etc. The means to extract data may in principle take one of three alternative forms. Firstly the apparatus may be so constructed that the storage device may readily be physically removed from the apparatus and replaced by a fresh storage device, the removed storage device being transported to a computer or terminal of a computer. Secondly, the apparatus may have an access socket for the transfer of data via the interface apparatus, from the storage device to the computer. Thirdly, the apparatus may incorporate an attachment whereby data may be transferred from the storage device to a remote computer via a telephone link.

In detail, the apparatus may incorporate liquid crystal displays (LCDs) indicating the data selection and, in a mode where questionnaire type data is to be recorded, the question number. Additional circuitry and software is required to interface the memory, display, keys and manage the protocol of the apparatus, and conveniently key switches e.g. located on a front panel of the apparatus, are provided for operation, in any combine tio n, by the operator. Still considering the mode in which questionnaire type data is to be recorded, the first words of each memory file are for record identification e.g. questionnaire type (format), location, day or nationality of interviewee. Upon switching the apparatus OK the question number indicator remains blank until an identification word has been entered. A display corresponding to each data switch is illuminated upon its activation. In the questionnaire mode, answers will normally take the form of combinatorial selections to multiple choice questions, thus each indicator and switch will usually correspond to a given multiple choice answer. Storage of this data is effected by pressing a "record" key. Data entered in error may be corrected prior to the activation of the "record" key by depressing a "clear" key. Each session of data acquisition is terminated by switching off the apparatus. Switching on the apparatus resets the question number indicator, and partitions the memory (divides, e.g., individual questionnaire sessions) by inserting an initiation byte FF. This is an optional facility and if desired the initiation byte can be omitted or manually inserted. The latter may be advantageous in certain circumstances such as to allow the operator to insert additional data concerning the respondent, test etc. at the end of an individual session/interview. Question boundaries may be marked by a termination bit. Although the question/answer scheme is almost infinitely variable one convenient configuration for the information format is to arrange for selections to comprise of multiples of seven; thus when combined with a question termination bit it is directly compatible to byte - wide memory. The memory device used may have a storage capacity of 8192 bits for example, while an LCD may be used to indicate when the storage capacity of the device is exhausted. In accordance with another feature, storage devices may be readily changed to augment the storage capacity as required.

Furthermore it is convenient if the apparatus in accordance with the invention is used in conjunction with a test and support means which may be a separate unit, and which has the tasks of charging the batteries of the apparatus and/or resetting the memory pointers, and/or providing an interface between the apparatus and interrogating computer and/or monitoring the data and address bus to aid fault diagnosis.

Such a test and support unit oe connected to the rear of the apparatus by removing a field connector and substituting a corresponding test set connector. The test and support urrit is switched on by pressing an "OK" button which lights an adjacent neon to confirm this status. Depressing a button marked "charge" connects the batteries to a constant current charger and circuitry of the apparatus to a constant voltage source. The data and address buses of the memory device, can be connected to either the interrogating computer or the apparatus, by rotating either of the relevant knobs. The latter mode can be selected by an appropriate setting of a pro gram/read switch. Depressing initialization button switches enables the memory usage vectors to be reset by pressing an address counter reset button followed by the program address button, completing this cycle by returning the initialization switch to normal. E² PROM may be erased by depressing an erase button with the initialization mode selected.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, in a questionnaire-type format, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a block diagram representing the data recording technique of the invention and the processing of that data;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portable data recording unit according to the invention; and

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the circuit of the data recording unit of Figure 2 and its support unit, indicating additionally the modes of transfer of information to an analysing computer.

As is represented in Figure 1, the data recording technique of the invention involves the recordal of the data to be analysed in an encoded, computer readable form, its transmission, copying, checking, sorting and input into an analysing computer being effected electronically. By directly recording the data in an encoded form, there is the complete elimination of any time consuming and costly copying of manually recorded data, checking, sorting, and eventually encoding it into computer language before it is able to be entered into an anlaysing computer.

In Figure 2 a portable data recording unit 1 comprises a housing 2 for the circuitry of the recording unit and the batteries, e.g., rechargable nickel/cadmium batteries (not shown), there being, on the front face of the housing, a keyboard 3, a display 4 indicating the question number to be answered, displays 5 and 6 for, respectively, indicating data status and memory full, an OK/OFF switch 7 and a button 8 to record the information. Within the housing, as is shown by Figure 3, there is the recording unit 9 having a management and encoding circuit 10 to which the keyboard 3 is connected, the circuit 10 being connected to the display 4 , a storage device of memory 11 and a communication port 12. At the onset of a particular survey, the unit is switched ON, and the operative enters an identification word or code for record identification of, e.g., the questionnaire type (format), and when the question number indicator is illuminated to show that question No. 1 is to be answered. Thus, with the operative armed with multiple choice answers to each of the number of questions involved, the interviewee selects an answer. The operative then utilises the keyboard to instruct the management and encoding circuit as to the selected answer and the selected answer passed to the storage device or memory in an encoded form capable of subsequent direct transmission to an analysing computer. To guard against storage of incorrect answers, the answer entered is indicated on the data status display, and only passed to the memory en activating a "record" key on the keyboard.

Once all the answers of a required number of interviewees have been entered in encoded form in the memory, or the memory full display is illuminated, the information in the memory is passed to an analysing computer 13. Thus, as is indicated in Figure 3, the storage device or memory 11 can physically be removed from the housing and taken to the computer, or the storage device or memory connected to the computer either directly or via a modem through the communication port 12. In either circumstance, and with the recording unit and the computer being compatible, the information in the memory, being in an encoded form, can be put directly into the computer without any further attention from the operative.

The apparatus is conveniently battery powered from one or more batteries, e.g., rechargeable nickel cadmium, and is provided with a power on/off switch under the control of the operator.

As is further shown in Figure 3, a test and support unit 14 can be provided, and which comprises a power supply 15, a test circuit 16 and associated visual display 17, a keyboard 18 and a personality adaptor 19. Thus, the support unit can be connected to the rear of the recording unit by removing a field connector and substituting a corresponding test set connector. After switching on the support unit, the appropriate " charge" key on the keyboard 17 can be pressed to cause the power supply 15 to recharge the batteries in the recording unit at constant current and constant voltage.

In addition, the test circuit of the support unit can be utilised to aid fault diagnosis and for re-setting the pointers in the storage device or memory. A further function of the support unit is in its provision of the personality adaptor 19 which can serve the two-fold function of being connected to the communication port of the recording unit thereby allowing the informatio in the storage device or memory to be passed directly to any main frame computer, and connecting the data and address buses of the storage device or memory to an interrogating computer again to aid fault diagnosis.

Examples of electrical specifications are :

Supply Voltage 5V Nemory Capacity 8192 bits Memory Type EPTOM, E²PROM, CAROM, RAM

Word Size 1 Byte

Battery Life 4 memory cycles, or not more than 2 weeks.

Battery Charge Period 10 hours.

Claims

1. A data recording technique compising recording, in an electronic memory of a portable apparatus, data obtained in the field, the operator entering the data, in an encoded, computer readable form, as data becomes progressively available to the operator.

2. A data recording technique as in Claim 1, wherein there is the step of subsequently transferring electronically the recorded data from the apparatus to an electronic computer, via a communication port or a detachable module.

3. A data recording technique as in Claim

2, wherein the detachable module consists of the type of memory normally used to store computer software, e.g., EPROHS.

4. Portable appartatus for carrying out the method of Claim 1, comprising an electronic storage device; a user definable input means whereby data is entered into the electronic storage device; means to transfer electronically data held in the storage device to an external electronic computer; and electronic circuitry and software to manage operation cf the apparatus.

5.. A portable apparatus as in Claim 4, wherein the means of electronic storage is a solid state device.

6. A por-table apparatus as in Claim 4, wherein the means of electronic storage is a magnetic tape.

7. A portable apparatus as in any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the means to enter data into the storage device consists of a plurality of keys, with the significance ascribed to the operator activation of any particular key or key sequence being previously defined by the party initiating the data collection.

8. A portable apparatus as in any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the storage device is physically removable and replaceable and whereby the storage device can be transported to a computer or computer terminal.

9. A portable apparatus as in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein an access socket for the transfer of data via the interface apparatus, from the storage device to the computer is provided.

10. A portable apparatus as in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein an attachment is provided whereby data may be transferred from th e storage device to a remote computer via a telephone link.

11. A portable apparatus as in any of Claims 4 to 10, wherein the apparatus incorporates liquid crystal displays (LCDs) indicating the data selection and, in a mode where questionnaire type data is to be recorded, the question number.

12. A portable apparatus as in any of Claims 4 to 11, wherein the apparatus incorporates a liquid crystal display to indicate when the storage capacity of the device is exhausted.

13. A portable apparatus as in any of Claims 4 to 12, wherein test and support means are provided.

14. A portable apparatus as in Claim 13, wherein the test and support means is a separate unit incorporating means for charging the batteries of the apparatus and/or resetting the memory pointers, and/or providing an interface between the apparatus and interrogating computer and/or monitoring the data and address bus to aid fault diagnosis.

15. A data recording technique substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Portable apparatus for carrying out the method of Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.