EP1353299B1 - Method for electronic polling and wireless polling system - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical voting method in which a portable voting device is used and voting undertaken by pressing keys (20-23) in conjunction with voting choices shown on a screen. The vote entries are transmitted wireless to a central polling and evaluation unit. According to the method the central polling and interrogation unit transmits the polling questions to the voting devices prior to voting, the displays show the choices on the screen together with requirements for voting and after successful vote transfer to the central unit, it is confirmed on the screen. The invention also relates to a corresponding electronic voting system.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to an electronic voting method according to the preambles of claim 1.

State of the art

Various systems for detecting opinions or reactions of individuals are known in the art. These voting systems are used, for example, at shareholder meetings, political meetings or conferences. Each participant has access to a portable voting device, in which he can enter his voice or opinion at the touch of a button. These inputs are then transmitted from the individual voting devices to a central interrogation and evaluation unit, the transmission preferably being wireless.

DE-A-43'33'245 and WO95 / 19613 disclose voting systems in which the information is transmitted by means of infrared signals. EP-A-0'917'333 discloses and claims a voting system in which the data transfer takes place via telephone lines.

However, preference is given to transmitting voting by radio. Thus, DE-A-43'21'801 describes such a wireless voting system with a central interrogation unit and a plurality of individual voting devices. The interrogation unit has an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, an evaluation circuit and control electronics. The voting devices each have a transmitting-receiving antenna, a receiver, a transmitter and control electronics. When the vote is submitted to a voting machine, a code corresponding to the vote is stored in the memory of that voting machine. The interrogation unit transmits sequentially code interrogation signals. When a voting device receives a code interrogation signal corresponding to the stored code, it transmits a response signal to the interrogation unit. By measuring the respective received power of the response signals received after transmission of a code interrogation signal, it is possible to determine the number of persons who have delivered a certain vote.

EP-A-0'556'853 also discloses a radio voting system. Here, the individual voting machines have a small display on which the person with voting rights can recognize which vote he has cast. This vote is stored in the voting machine. Each voting machine is also provided with an individual code which allows identification. The central interrogation unit sequentially transmits these individual codes, upon which the individual voting devices to transmit your code together with the vote one after the other.

These voting systems have the disadvantage that many users are overwhelmed in the operation. Especially at shareholder meetings with a few hundred to a thousand participants, the individual shareholders are flooded with a wealth of information. On the one hand, every shareholder wants to follow the action on the podium or on the giant screen projection. On the other hand, he has to make sure that he gives his vote at the right time. Calls for votes, if any, are usually presented on other major projections. Since he must enter his vote in his individual voting device, he also lacks the certainty that his voice is actually taken into account. This often leads to unnecessary restlessness in the hall.

Although a wireless system is known from US-A-5'724'357, which allows a dialogue between a speaker and his listeners. However, this system has been developed for use in university lecture halls. The system comprises a lecturer base unit and a plurality of communication devices for the students, who can communicate with each other by radio. The base unit consists of a PC and a base unit connected to it. Base unit and communication devices are identically constructed and have an antenna, a battery, a keyboard, a display and a microprocessor. Since some large amounts of data are exchanged, the data transfer takes place via a relatively complex protocol. Therefore, the data transfer is relatively slow and not suitable for multi-party voting systems. In addition, the communication devices have a relatively high energy consumption.

DE 198 25 978 discloses a system with data acquisition devices and a central evaluation unit, which allows bidirectional data transmission. The voting questions are stored in advance in the individual data collection devices.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electronic voting method which overcomes the above disadvantages.

This object is achieved by an electronic voting method having the features of patent claim 1.

In the method according to the invention, the subscriber is informed on a display of his portable voting device that he can now cast his vote. The present voting question is shown on the display, so that he recognizes which topic his opinion is in demand. If the voice has been transmitted to a central query and evaluation unit, he will also be informed.

As a result, each user is instructed on the one hand directly during the vote on how he should use the device. Further he receives an assurance that his vote has actually been taken into account.

It is also advantageous that the user has the opportunity to change the vote without him doing time under pressure, since the voting device always a confirmation the input required. In order not to burden the radio traffic, this communication with the user preferably takes place exclusively by means of the voting device.

The transmission of the voting question takes place as a broadcast command, each question being provided with a question number. The query of the individual votes is made via individual requests to the individual voting machines, which provide their answer with the question number and their specific device identification. As a result, the number of individual, time-consuming queries can be kept to a minimum and the radio traffic is not overloaded. Preferably, only a few details for the identification of the voter are stored on the voting device itself. The assignment of his vote with the weighting or number of votes to which he is entitled can, for example, be carried out in the central unit. This ensures that relevant personal information of each participant can be treated confidentially. Also, the radio traffic is not overloaded with such information, such as the number of votes.

In a preferred variant of the method, the individual positions of the various voting devices are detected by the central interrogation and evaluation before voting, so that the individual query can be done relatively quickly via suitable positioned in the hall antennas. This detection of the positions of the individual devices has further advantages: it increases safety, as it would be noticeable if an unnaturally high number of votes were cast from a single position in the hall or if the positions in the hall too change frequently. This would suggest a jammer. Furthermore, this position recording and a possible making of a map provides an organizer of such general meetings valuable information for the design of other General Meetings. In particular, this acquisition supports its learning process, as it best distributes the antennas in the room to achieve a uniform load and thus perform the query as efficiently as possible. These advantages can also be achieved without using the display.
The method according to the invention enables a relatively fast recording of all votes without complicated hand-shake or complicated data transmissions. The individual voting devices have a minimum of electronics and can thus be manufactured inexpensively. The use of freely programmable input keys simplifies the voting device and thus its operation.

Further advantageous variants of the method will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Short description of the drawing

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsge mässen Abstimmungssystems;

Figur 2

eine Ansicht eines Abstimmungsgeräts;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung der Elektronik eines Abstimmungsgerätes und

Figur 4

einen Funktionsablauf einer Stimmabfrage.

The subject matter of the invention will be explained below on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in the attached drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a erfindungsge according voting system;

FIG. 2

a view of a voting device;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of the electronics of a voting device and

FIG. 4

a functional sequence of a voice query.

Ways to carry out the invention

In FIG. 1 the inventive voting system is shown schematically. The voting system consists essentially of a central interrogation and evaluation unit Z, at least one transmitting and receiving antenna A1, A2, A3, A4, which is in communication with the central interrogation and evaluation Z, and a plurality of individual, portable voting devices G The number of transmitting and receiving antennas A1, A2, A3, A4 is adapted to local conditions. The antennas A1, A2, A3, A4 are distributed in the hall or in the halls so that each voting device G can communicate with at least one antenna A1, A2, A3, A4.

In the FIG. 2 a voting device G is shown. It has a housing 1, in which a plurality of input keys 20, 21, 22, 23 and a display surface or display 3 are arranged. The display 3 is preferably an LCD display of known type. In the housing 1 are, as in FIG. 3 1, a battery 4, a reception and transmission antenna 5, a radio signal transmission unit 6 connected to the antenna 5 and a control unit 7 connected to the transmission unit 6 are arranged. The reception and Transmitting antenna is for example a rod antenna, which is etched on a print, preferably that of the control unit 7. The transmission unit 6 comprises a high-frequency transmitter, a high-frequency oscillator and a modulator. The control unit 7 has among other things a memory, an encoder and a display control. To the control unit 7, the input keys 20, 21, 22, 23 and the display 3 are connected.

The functions of the input keys 20, 21, 22, 23 are freely programmable. The keys 20, 21, 22, 23 are arranged on an edge of the display 3, so that on the display 3, the assignment of the keys 20, 21, 22, 23 can be displayed. Preferably, during the vote the key 20 is used to vote "yes", the key 22 corresponds to a "no" vote, the key 21 is pressed if the voter wishes to abstain. The key 23 is an information key via which information stored in the memory or requested by radio from the central interrogation and evaluation unit can be displayed on the display 3. Depending on the status of the voting procedure, however, the keys are assigned other input values, as explained below. The indication of which assignment currently applies appears on the display 3 in each case.

The voting device G is a passive element, which is activated only upon receipt of a sent by the query and evaluation unit Z broadcast command and transmits its data via radio to this unit Z. The user can not therefore transmit his data to the central unit Z on his own initiative.

In the FIG. 4 shows the method visible to the user during the meeting. The squares correspond to the content of the display 3 at the respective time. Each voter receives at the entrance of one of these portable voting devices G, which has been specially personalized for him. This means that his name and, for example, the number of votes he represents are stored in the memory. Upon activation of the device G by pressing any input key 20, 21, 22 23 appears on the display 3 his name and by pressing the info button 23 he is greeted and informed of his number of votes. By means of the information key 23, other information can also be displayed. In the display 3 appears in the assignment of the key 23 "back", so that the Benüt> zer can easily get back to the basic position of the device G. Other functions are possible. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the user may choose the language of the ad.

If the meeting has progressed so far that a vote is to be carried out, the central unit Z transmits with a broadcast command to all devices G the wording of the vote question. On display 3 the question to be reconciled appears in the selected language. The voter is prompted on the display 3 to cast his vote, with the assignment of the keys 20, 21, 22 with "yes", "contain" and "no" is specified. When he has pressed the desired key, he receives a confirmation of his choice on the display 3 and is asked to confirm this choice again by pressing a key. This communication with the user takes place without the participation of the central unit Z and is merely by the control unit 7 of the specific device G performed. This does not overload the radio connection.

If the user corrects his or her choice, this step is repeated iteratively until the user gives his "ok" to his vote by pressing the corresponding button. If he has confirmed his consent, he receives from the control unit 7 via the display 3 confirmation that his voice is stored and that he should now wait.

In the meantime, the central polling and control unit Z starts polling the individual devices G for their voice by radio. Each such requested voting device G transmits the vote of the user by radio to the central query and control unit Z, which receives the signal via one of the distributed in the hall antennas A1, A2, A3, A4. Upon successful transmission appears on the display 3, the confirmation that the message has been transmitted and thus taken into account. Usually, the number of votes represented per device is not transmitted. In the central query and control unit Z or in an evaluation unit connected to this a subscriber list with all relevant information including the number of votes represented is stored. Upon receipt of the vote this is thus preferably provided only in the evaluation with the appropriate weighting.

In the communication between the voting device G and the central query and evaluation unit Z, it should be noted that the central unit Z should reach and interrogate as many devices as possible in the shortest possible time, but that Nevertheless, it must be ensured that no voice is overlooked and that no vote is counted twice. A complete handshake between the individual devices G and the central unit Z would indeed ensure a clear identification. However, these handshakes would overload the radio traffic and take too much time for the evaluation.

According to the invention, the procedure is therefore as follows:

• Sync die Synchronisation,
• SRequ das Startzeichen,
• FC den Mitteilungstyp,
• CMD eine weitere Unterteilung des Mitteilungstyps und
• QuestNr die Fragenummer bezeichnet,
• Text den Fragetext enthält und
• FCS die Checksumme bedeutet.

The data formats sent are all the same and consist of a start bit, several data bits and one stop bit. The polling request sent as a broadcast signal from the central polling and evaluation unit Z is embedded in a protocol which, in addition to the text of the polling question, also contains a question number. The protocol has the following structure:
Sync | SRequ | FC | CMD | QuestNr | text | FCS
in which

• Sync the synchronization,
• SRequ the start character,
• FC the message type,
• CMD another subdivision of the message type and
• QuestNo denotes the question number,
• Text contains the question text and
• FCS means the checksum.

The question as well as all later broadcast signals are transmitted preferably at short intervals over all antennas A1, A2, A3, A4 several times to reach all devices G. The hall is flooded with the order, so to speak.

When querying the individual votes, the central query and evaluation unit Z sends each device G an individual command to transmit the vote. The protocol for the command looks like this:
Sync | SRequ | FC | ID | FCS
in which
ID is the identification number of the respective device G.

• Pream die Synchronisation, SResp das Startzeichen bedeutet und
• Result die Stimmabgabe beinhaltet.

The mentioned voting device G responds with
Pream | SResp | FC | ID | QuestNr | Result | FCS
in which

• Pream the synchronization, SResp means the start character and
• Result includes the vote.

Thus, the voting apparatus G, together with its vote, transmits the question number of the voting question. It can thus be guaranteed that the answers to the question are assigned error-free. Through this coupling, it is also possible that voters can vote before the vote and that they are transmitted only at the appropriate time by the appropriate voting device G to the central unit Z. It is also possible that early votes are stored in the central unit Z and interrogated internally at the given time.

If the time for voting on a specific question has expired, the central unit Z transmits a broadcast blocking command whose protocol is structured as follows:
Sync | SRequ | FC | CMD | FCS

This prevents that individual devices G still submit their vote. If this voting-lock command is transmitted, the devices G switch their display 3 back to the initial position, as in FIG. 4 is shown.

At the end of the assembly, the central unit Z also broadcasts a broadcast signal to turn off all G devices.

In order to reach and query the individual devices G as quickly as possible, two different methods can be used. In both variants, the central unit Z has a list of all devices G, of which an answer is expected.

In a first variant of the method, all devices G in the room are interrogated via a first antenna A1. The devices G, from which the central unit Z has already received a reply, are noted on the list. All devices G, which have not yet sent a response, are queried via a second antenna A2. The non-responding devices G are searched via the third antenna A3 and so on until all the antennas have been sent once the response request. If there is still no answer for a device G, it will come back the first antenna A1 started. After a certain time, as described above, the choice is canceled, so that the non-responding devices G are not taken into account in the election. If a device G does not work, then the user recognizes this due to the lack of reconfirmation on the display 3 and can make itself noticeable in order to be taken into account.

In a preferred second variant of the method, however, a mapping or a reachability list is empirically determined in the first vote question or before the vote. That is, the central unit Z asks before the vote all devices G to send a response. This request is preferably sent according to the first variant. The central unit Z registers via which antenna it has received the answers of the individual devices G. In the following vote, the corresponding device is first requested by this antenna to transmit the answers to the voting questions. Only if no answer is received, the other antennas are searched.

Preferably, the contact between the individual voting devices and the central unit is maintained not only during voting but at regularly recurring intervals, so that the unit can detect a change in the location position at any time. These control queries are preferably not displayed to the user.

In a preferred variant of the method can also be use the voting machine to send messages to individual subscribers; For example, a message that they have received a telephone call and are asked to call back.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

A1

first antenna

A2

second antenna

A3

third antenna

A4

fourth antenna

Z

central query and evaluation unit

G

voting machine

1

casing

20

return key

21

return key

22

return key

23

return key

3

display

4

battery

5

Receiving and transmitting antenna

6

Radio signal transmission unit

7

control unit

Claims (4)

1. Electronic voting method at a meeting, in which input keys (20, 21, 22, 23) are used to input votes into portable voting devices (G) for a voting issue, wherein each voting device (G) displays the votes input into said device (G) on a display (3) and wherein, following an individual prompt transmitted by radio by a central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z), each voting device (G) transmits the votes input into said voting device (G) to said central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) by radio,
   characterized
   in that, if the meeting is so far advanced that voting can be carried out, the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) transmits the text of the voting issue, together with an issue number, to the voting devices (G) as a command prior to the vote, whereupon the voting issue and a prompt for a vote appear on the display (3) of the individual voting devices (G),
   in that, for the purpose of requesting the individual votes, the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) sends each voting device (G) an individual command with an identification number for the respective voting device (G),
   in that the response of the voting device (G) addressed by the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) contains the identification number of the respective voting device (G), the issue number and the vote, and in that, following transmission of the vote to the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z), a confirmation appears on the display (3) that the cast vote has been transmitted to the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the prompt for a vote is accompanied by the appearance of advice of input keys (20, 21, 22, 23) to be pressed on the display (3).
3. Method according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the voting issue is transmitted as a broadcast signal to all voting devices (G).
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, before or when a first voting issue is sent, the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) receives individual signals from the individual voting devices (G) which the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) uses to record which antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4) can be used to reach the individual voting devices (G) by radio, and in that, during the voting, the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) sends the individual prompt for transmission of the vote via the recorded antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4) in a first interrogation step.

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