WO2008017853A1

WO2008017853A1 - Electronic system for determining the response from a plurality of users

Info

Publication number: WO2008017853A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/003040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Krisman
Original assignee: Answerback Limited
Priority date: 2006-08-11
Filing date: 2007-08-10
Publication date: 2008-02-14
Also published as: GB2440832A; GB0715641D0; GB0616028D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users, and an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users. The system comprises a central controller (10) and a plurality of user interface devices (12, 14, 16, 18). A stimulus is presented to the users to which they are prompted to respond via the user interface devices (12, 14, 16, 18). A shutdown message is then transmitted by the central controller to the user interface devices, causing the user interface devices to switch off or enter a power saving mode. The central controller (10) also provides a master timing reference for indicating an elapsed time with reference to the providing of the shutdown message and/or the stimulus. The master timing reference signal is periodically transmitted to the user interface devices using the central controller (10). When a user input is provided at a first user interface (12, 14, 16, 18), a local timing reference signal is provided for indicating an elapsed time with reference to the user input. The time at which the input was made at the first user interface is calculated based on a difference between the next received master timing reference signal and the value of the local timing reference signal when the input was made. In this way, the time at which a user input is provided may be determined even if the user interface device is shutdown for a period prior to the response being made to conserve energy.

Description

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE RESPONSE FROM A

PLURALITY OF USERS

The present invention relates to an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users and more particularly to a method and apparatus for energy conservation in such a system.

Electronic systems for determining a response from a plurality of users are known in the art, especially in the fields of live events and interactive broadcasting.

Typically, such systems are used to enable audience members to participate in a live event by allowing users of the system to indicate their preference or response to a question, e.g. in order to vote or participate in a game, such as a quiz.

Such electronic systems typically employ user input units incorporating a user interface to allow a user to make an input to the system located at various points in proximity to a location at which the process of voting or responding takes place. Such input units, which may be in the form of a keypad for example, are typically connected to a central processing unit or server via wired or wireless connections, or a combination thereof.

A conventional method of powering the user input units used within these electronic systems is to use battery power or other forms of energy-cell-based power to provide high levels of flexibility and portability. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it is desirable to conserve available energy-cell power whenever possible and maximize the useful operating life of the power cells used to power user input units of the system.

It is known to shutdown battery powered user input units by switching the units off or causing the units to enter a power saving mode when they are not required to operate. For example, a user input unit may be shutdown in this way in the period between the transmission of a stimulus, such as a question or request for voting to the users, and the input by a user of a response to the stimulus via the unit .

However, when it is required to gather information about the timing of the responses provided by the users of an interactive system, the straight-forward approach of shutting down idle or dormant input units creates problems when trying to obtain such timing information. For example, once a unit has been shutdown, the unit may no longer be able to keep track of the time which has elapsed during its shutdown period. This may be problematic in the context of an interactive system in which it is necessary to determine the time at which an input, e.g. response, is subsequently provided by a user via the input unit after a shutdown of the unit. For example, in such interactive systems, a stimulus, such as a question may be provided to users, with the users then being able to respond to the stimulus by making an input to the input unit. The input unit may be caused to shutdown until such time as the user makes a response via the input unit, as there is no need for the unit to be "active" during this period. However, it is often critical to be able to know the time when a user does eventually make an input via the input terminal, e.g. to determine who made a response first, or whether the response was made within a set period. Problems may occur if the input unit has been in a shutdown state while the user has been contemplating their response, as it may then not be able to keep track of the time which has elapsed since e.g. the stimulus was received. It is therefore desirable to provide a method for an electronic system and an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users which is able to obtain information relating to the timing of the user responses even when the units are shutdown for periods of time. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to determining a response from a plurality of users participating in an interactive event, preferably an interactive broadcast. In some embodiments, the broadcast is an interactive television program. The event or broadcast may be a game, such as a quiz, or a vote etc. The invention may provide an electronic voting system for determining a response from a plurality of users which is able to obtain information relating to the timing of the user responses and which also imposes minimal energy requirements . According to first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users, the system comprising a central controller and a plurality of user interface devices, the method comprising: transmitting from the central controller a shutdown message, the shutdown message causing the user interface devices to switch off or enter a power saving mode,- the central controller providing a master reference timing signal for indicating an elapsed time and periodically transmitting the master reference timing signal, the method further comprising: providing a local reference timing signal for indicating an elapsed time; and receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a time at which a user input was provided at a first user interface device using the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention both a master timing reference signal and a local timing reference signal with respect to one or more user interface devices are provided. This has the advantage that it is possible to use the two timing reference signals together to determine the time at which a user input is made at one or more user interface devices, even if those devices are shutdown for a period during the relevant timeframe before the user input is made. The local timing reference signal is a local reference timing signal for indicating an elapsed time for or in respect of one or more user interface devices . The timing of a user input provided at one of the one or more user interfaces may then be determined using the local reference timing signal and the master reference timing signal .

For example, in particularly preferred embodiments, a master timing reference signal is transmitted for the user interface devices by the central controller, indicating ^'an elapsed time, which may be used as a reference time signal for the system. The master timing signal is transmitted periodically by the central controller. In preferred embodiments, the user interface devices are shutdown to conserve energy while users are contemplating their responses to a stimulus. While the user interface devices are shutdown, they are not able to receive the master timing reference signal. However, once they are reactivated e.g. when a user input in response to a stimulus is made, they can receive the master timing reference signal once more. As the master timing reference signal is transmitted periodically, the time at which the next master timing reference signal is received following reactivation of a user interface device may not correspond to the timing of a user input at the user interface device which it is desired to determine. Thus, in accordance with the invention, a local timing reference signal is also provided, which indicates an elapsed time with respect to the user interfaces .

In preferred embodiments, the local timing reference signal is triggered when a user input is made at a user interface device, reactivating the user interface device from its shutdown state. The local timing reference signal may measure the time which elapses between the user input being made, and the next master timing signal being received by the user interface. Thus, when the next master timing reference signal is received, it may be used with the local timing reference signal to determine the time at which the user input was provided with reference to the reference time of the master timing reference signal, e.g. by calculating a difference between the local timing reference signal and the master timing reference signal. Effectively, the master timing reference signal may measure time elapsed over a period including a shutdown event for a user interface device, while the local timing reference signal may measure a time elapsed once the device is reactivated after shutdown.

In preferred embodiments, the master timing reference signal may measure elapsed time with respect to the sending of a shutdown message to the one or more user interface devices, and/or the transmitting of a stimulus to the one or more user interface devices. In these embodiments, the determined time at which the user input was made with respect to the master timing reference signal may directly reflect the timing of the user input with respect to the shutdown event and/or transmitting of a stimulus to which users are invited to respond. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, a response time for a user input may be readily determined despite the user interface device being shutdown. for a period prior to the user input being provided, and while the user is considering their response to a stimulus.

The Applicant has realised that by providing a master timing reference signal, the time at which a user provides a user input via a user interface device may still be determined even if the user interface device is shutdown for periods, and not operated continuously at full power, potentially preventing it from being able to continuously maintain track of the local time. The periodic master timing reference signal may be used to determine the time for which the unit has been shutdown, or a relevant portion of that time which it is necessary to know in order to then accurately determine a time when an input is made by a user via the interface using a local timing reference signal which may cover the period between the user input being made, and the next transmission of a master timing reference signal . In this way, the present invention enables the determination of a response from a plurality of users whilst also enabling information relating to the timing of the user responses to be calculated. As the time at .which a user input is provided may be accurately determined even when the unit has been in a shutdown mode for a period prior to the user input being made, the present invention allows the system to be shutdown for greater periods of time, without being detrimental to its operation, thus allowing the system to be operated in a more power efficient manner than was previously possible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users, the system comprising a central controller and a plurality of user interface devices, wherein the central controller is arranged to transmit a shutdown message for the user interface devices, the shutdown message causing the user interface devices to switch off or enter a power saving mode, to provide a master timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time, and to periodically transmit the master timing reference signal, and the electronic system further comprises: means for providing a local timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time; and means for receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a time at which a user input was provided at a first user interface device using the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal. In accordance with the invention, the user interface device may be any device which may receive a user input. The user interface device may provide an output in response to a user input in use e.g. to communicate the input to another part of the user interface device for transmission to another part of the system, or to directly communicate the input to another part of the system. The user interface device may be arranged to receive and communicate any form of input, selected as appropriate with respect to the system, for example, including a mechanical input such as movement of a part of the user interface device, e.g. a key press and/or an audible input, such as a spoken command.

The interface may, for example, comprise or be one or more buttons, jog-dials, touch-screens or microphones. In preferred embodiments the user interface device is a keypad. Preferably the user interface device is a handheld user interface device. The user interface device may advantageously be a power efficient unit to maximise the power savings which may be provided in accordance with the invention. Preferably the user interface device is a battery powered user interface device. The present invention may be particularly advantageous in providing power savings in this context, and prolonging battery life. The user interface device may be in the form of a user input • unit, or part thereof. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of user input units each having a user interface device.

The user interface devices are arranged such that they may communicate with the central controller to receive transmissions from the central controller and make transmissions to the central controller. The communications may be made directly, or indirectly, via another component of the system. The user interface devices may be connected to the central controller to enable communication therewith via wireless and/or wired links.

In particular, the user interface devices are ■ configured to allow an input made by a user via the user interface device to be communicated directly or indirectly to the central controller. Thus, the user interface devices are configured to generate an output signal in response to a user input. The user interface device may include one or more switches which are activated when a user input is made to allow the input to be communicated. For example, an output signal may be generated in response to the activation of a switch or switches, and may comprise data indicating the response provided at the user interface device. The output signal may then be transmitted to the central controller or to an intermediate part of the system, such as a local controller, for onward transmission to the central controller. Similarly, the user interface device is arranged to receive signals transmitted, for example, by the central controller, an intermediate part of the system, such as a local controller, or other user interface devices, such as shutdown or timer signals. The user interface device may also be able to communicate directly with components of the system other than the central controller, e.g. user interface devices. The user interface devices may be arranged to process received inputs and/or signals, and in some embodiments thus comprise processing means. Such processing may include any or all of the steps of converting, accumulating, counting, deleting, displaying and storing the received signals or inputs in either their received form or any other form into which the received signals are converted by the user interface device.

The central controller is arranged to communicate with the user interface devices and to transmit signals to the user interface devices and other parts of the system as necessary. The central controller may be arranged to process received signals. Such processing may include any or all of the steps of converting, accumulating, counting, deleting, displaying and storing the received signals in either their received form or any other form into which the received signals are converted by the central controller. Preferably the central controller therefore comprises processing means. In some embodiments, the central controller may store received data, and may thus comprise data storing means, e.g. to enable data to be stored in a database and, if necessary, processed for future use. In preferred embodiments, the central controller comprises a computer system. The computer system may then be arranged to carry out any processing and/or data storage functions. The central controller may be a central server or control server.

In some embodiments of the invention, the system further comprises one or more local controllers . Each local controller is arranged to communicate with the central controller and one or more user interface devices . The local controllers may act as a link between the central controller and the user interface devices, and communications between a user interface device and the central controller may be directed via the local controller associated with the respective user interface device. Of course, the user interface device may additionally be able to directly communicate with the central controller. The communication paths for various types of communication may be set as desired. The communication may be via a- wired or wireless link, or combinations thereof. Each local controller may be associated with a single user interface device, or a group of user interface devices. The local controller is "associated" with those user interface device with which it is arranged to be able to communicate. In some embodiments, this will be a selected group of the plurality of user interface devices, i.e. not all user interface devices. For example, the local controller may be associated with the user interface devices located in one particular venue. In some embodiments, each local controller is associated with between two and five user interface devices . In some embodiments the local controllers are connected via a wireless link to the. central controller, and via a wired link to the or each user interface device associated therewith.

Each local controller is able to receive signals from its respective user interface device or interfaces, and to send signals to the user interface device (s) as required. Similarly, each local controller may receive signals from the central controller and transmit signals thereto. The local controller may be arranged to carry out some processing of received signals, or signals to be transmitted. Such processing may include any or all of the steps of converting, accumulating, counting, deleting, displaying and storing the received signals in either their received form or any form into which the received signals are converted by the local controller. The local controllers may be arranged to store received signals in any suitable form for retrieval or processing at a later time. The local controllers are preferably remote from the central controller and/or are preferably each arranged at locations where users will wish to participate in and interact with the broadcast, such as private homes and/or public buildings. In a particularly preferred embodiment the local controllers are located in public houses, bars and/or casinos.

The central controller may be arranged to communicate data to users of the system. The central controller may be arranged to transmit data for display to the users e.g. to a local controller or controllers of the system for display in one or more venues. The data may be data to which users are invited to respond e.g. a stimulus such as a question, or a request for an input, and/or data received from the user interface devices, e.g. answers or results. Of course, the data may not necessarily be displayed, e.g. in the form of a television program, but, may instead, for example, be communicated only audibly, and without a visual signal, i.e. as a radio broadcast, e.g. via a loudspeaker, or in any other manner . In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a shutdown message is transmitted to the user interface devices, and the system comprises means for transmitting the shutdown message to the user interface devices. This shutdown message causes the user interface devices to reduce their power consumption. Thus, the shutdown message need not necessarily cause the user interface devices to switch off entirely, and they may, for example, instead enter a power saving mode. This may be any mode which results in the 'interfaces imposing reduced energy requirements on the system relative to those imposed when they are fully operational i.e. operating to generate signals according to user inputs . The power saving mode may be one in which some of the functions of the interface are disabled, and may be a dormant or sleep mode. The interface preferably remains shutdown until an input is made by a user via the user interface device. The input may then activate the interface once more. The method may further comprise the user interface devices shutting down in response to receiving the transmitted shutdown message. Preferably the shutdown of the user interface device switches off a timing means, or means for receiving a timing signal of the user interface device, and thus, in preferred embodiments, the user interface device is not capable of maintaining track of time when shutdown.

The shutdown message may prompt the user interface device to carry out a shutdown operation, or the message may directly cause the user interface device or interfaces to shutdown without the user interface device needing to take any action of its own. In some embodiments the shutdown message is generated by the central controller. The shutdown message may be transmitted directly by the central controller to the user interface devices, or indirectly. In some embodiments, the shutdown message is transmitted to a local controller of the system which then transmits a shutdown message one or more user interface devices e.g. to the user interface device or interfaces associated therewith. The local controller may be arranged to shutdown itself when a shutdown message is received from the central controller. The system may be arranged to operate in this manner in any way provided that the local controller may still transmit a shutdown message to the user interface devices. For example, the local controller may be arranged to shut itself down" as, or shortly after transmitting the shutdown message. In accordance with the invention, a master timing reference signal is provided for indicating an elapsed time. The master timing reference signal may also be referred to herein as "the master timing signal". In accordance with the invention, the master timing reference signal is provided by the central controller. The master timing reference signal is a signal which , is used as a reference for determining other timings relating to the system. In accordance with the invention, the master timing reference signal is used together with a local timing reference signal to allow a time at which a user input is provided at a user interface device to be determined. The time of the user input will typically be determined in accordance with the timing of the reference signal, which is taken to be the system or master time, although of course, such timings may be translated into "real" time, or another e.g. system time. The time of the user input may thus be an absolute time with respect to the master time, or real time, or more commonly, a relative time with respect to a reference time of the master reference timing signal. The latter arrangements may be appropriate for use in most contexts, allowing relative timings of user inputs with respect to one another, or with₍ respect to a reference time or event, e.g. to allow a response time to be derived, to be determined.

Unlike the local timing signal which may be interrupted when user interface devices and/or their associated local controller where provided are shutdown, the master timing reference signal provides an indication of time even when the user interface devices are shutdown, such that the timing of a user input may be determined even when the local timing signal does not cover the entire period of interest, and cannot alone be used to determine the timing of the user input. The use of the master timing reference signal in this way allows the time at which the user input was provided to be determined even when the user interface device was shutdown for a part of the time between the user being invited to make an input, and the input actually being provided.

The reference time may be any time which directly or indirectly allows the time at which the user input was provided to be determined using the master timing reference signal and a local timing reference signal.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, the master timing reference signal may indicate an elapsed time which is the absolute time, which may or may not correspond to the real time. For example, the time may be an absolute time according to an internal system time. Preferably, however, the elapsed time is an elapsed time with reference to a reference time. Preferably the reference time is associated with a reference event. The reference time may then be the time at which the reference event may be taken to have occurred, or having a known relationship with the time at which the reference event occurred. In the former case, the reference time may not be the exact time at which the reference event occurred, provided that the reference time is sufficiently close to the time at which the reference event occurs to be able to be taken as representative of the time at which the event occurs for the purposes of the application, and level of accuracy required. The elapsed time indicated by the master timing signal may then represent the period which has expired since the time at which an event of interest occurred, or a time having a known relationship therewith, allowing the timing of a user input with respect to the time of the reference event to be determined. If the reference time is a time having a known relationship with the time at which the reference event occurred, i.e. being a known amount before or after the 5 reference event occurred, the time of the user input may be determined with respect to this time if relative timings are sufficient, or, if desired, the time of the input with respect to the reference event may be determined using the known relationship between the reference time and the time

10 of the reference event. The known relationship between the reference time and the time of the reference event may .simply be a known delay in generating the master reference timing signal with reference to the reference event, or some i other time difference which may be factory set or

15 customised.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the method comprises providing a stimulus to users of the system. The stimulus is a stimulus to which users are invited to respond via the user interface devices, and may be a question, or an

20 invitation to vote or indicate a preference or opinion, etc. The step of providing the stimulus may comprise communicating the stimulus to the users in any suitable manner, e.g. visually and/or audibly. Any suitable means for conveying the stimulus may be used. In some embodiments,

25 the stimulus is provided to the users via display means, although it will be appreciated that other means, such as a microphone can alternatively, or additionally be used. The stimulus may be communicated to users by the central controller. In preferred embodiments, the stimulus is

30 provided to users via a broadcast. The stimulus may be provided to users for a limited time, or be provided to the users for a longer period, e.g. until responses have been received from one, or more than one, or all users.

In some preferred embodiments, the reference event is ^' 35 the providing of a stimulus to which the users are invited to respond via the user interface devices, and the reference time has a known relationship with, and preferably is, the time at which the stimulus is provided. This may facilitate determining a response time, as the time at which the user input is provided is then determined using a master timing reference signal which indicates the time elapsed since the stimulus was presented, or allows such an elapsed time to be readily determined.

In other preferred embodiments , the reference event may be the transmitting of the shutdown message, and the reference time has a known relationship with, and preferably is, the time at which the shutdown message is transmitted. In some preferred embodiments the master timing reference signal thus indicates an elapsed time with reference to the shutdown message, and the system comprises means for providing such a signal. Commonly, a shutdown message is transmitted at, or immediately before or after a stimulus is provided to the users. This may "clear" the interfaces in readiness for receiving a response from the users. The shutdown signal may close down the user interface devices after being used in one application of the system e.g. a game, allowing them to be reset and configured appropriately for a new application once reactivated. For example, the reactivation of the user interface device may include the setting up of the interface for receiving a user input in one form e.g. a vote, which may be different to the kind of response last received e.g. a quiz answer. Thus, by setting the reference time to be the time of transmitting of the shutdown message, or a time with a known relationship therewith, the master timing reference signal may directly or indirectly indicate the elapsed time with respect to the time at which the stimulus is provided, and vice versa. In practice, the reference event may be both the providing of the stimulus and the sending of the shutdown message if these events occur at the same time or with a known relationship to one another. The use of the transmitting of the shutdown message as the reference event is advantageous in that the elapsed time indicated by the master timing reference signal may then cover the entire period during which the user interface device is shutdown, and may be unable to maintain a local timing reference signal itself. The master timing reference signal may indicate the elapsed time with reference to a reference time in any suitable manner, and may directly or indirectly indicate the elapsed time. The master timing reference signal need not necessarily be a new signal which is generated first at the reference time. The master timing reference signal may be an existing signal i.e. which is generated before the reference time, for a given period of a definite or indefinite length. For example, the signal may indicate real time on an ongoing basis in the form of a clock signal, or may be a signal which was first transmitted in relation to an earlier shutdown event, e.g. prior to a previous stimulus being presented, and has been allowed to continue for use in relation to subsequent shutdown events. In such embodiments, the master timing signal may be arranged to indicated an elapsed time with respect to a reference time by marking the master signal at the reference time, allowing the reference time to be recognized or derived from the master timing reference signal by the system. This may be carried out by providing a flag in the signal at the appropriate time, or using other standard techniques. In these embodiments, the master timing signal may not have a zero value at the reference time.

In some preferred embodiments, the step of providing the master timing reference signal comprises initiating the signal at the reference time, or at a time having a known relationship therewith. It will be appreciated that the signal may have been generated in a previous cycle, prior to previous user input being provided, but is considered to be initiated if the signal is a new signal, and there has been an interruption in the signal. This may be at least since a previous user input was made. In some embodiments, therefore, the reference time is a zero time. These embodiments may facilitate determination of the time at which the user input is provided. In preferred embodiments the step of providing the master timing reference signal comprises generating the signal, and the system comprises means for generating such a signal.

It will be appreciated that in these embodiments, the master timing reference signal need not be first generated at exactly the reference time, provided that the master timing reference signal indicates the time elapsed since the reference time. For example, the master timing reference signal may be initiated just after an event which is to be taken as occurring at the reference time, e.g. the time that a stimulus is presented and/or shutdown occurs . The time difference between the initiation of the master timing reference signal and the reference time may be known, such that the master timing reference signal may compensate for any difference in time between the reference time and when it is first generated. For example, in some embodiments, the reference time is the time at which a shutdown message is transmitted. The master timing reference signal is first generated after this time, but measures the time elapsed since the reference time. Thus, the value of the master timing reference signal may not be zero when it is first transmitted, provided that it indicates time elapsed since the reference time.

Relationships between the master timing reference signal and the reference time may be established for example, in the central controller, local controller if provided, and/or the user interface devices, or the local controller or user interface device.

The master timing reference signal is periodically transmitted. The signal is not transmitted continuously, but at intervals. This may provide further power savings. The intervals may be fixed or variable intervals . In some embodiments, a master timing reference signal is transmitted at intervals of one or more seconds, and preferably between one and three seconds . The most suitable interval may be selected depending upon the application of the system, and, factors such as, for example, the likely response time between transmission of a stimulus and a user providing an input. The signal itself may be intermittent or continuous.

The master timing reference signal may be transmitted in a data signal also comprising other data. The data may be data which- it is desired to communicate to the user interface device and/or local controller, if provided, for example to cause it to be set up appropriately when reactivated for the current application of the system, depending upon the nature of the stimulus and response to be received, e.g. for a quiz, game, vote etc. Thus, in some embodiments, the master timing reference signal comprises data providing information relating to the type of system. For example, in some embodiments, where the system is a system for playing an interactive game, the master timing reference signal may be transmitted in a data signal also comprising data for identifying that a game is being played and for identifying the game type.

In embodiments, the master timing reference signal is transmitted to the user interface devices. The master timing reference signal may be transmitted directly or indirectly to the user interface devices. For example, the master timing reference signal may be transmitted to the user interface devices via their respective local controllers in embodiments including local controllers. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the master timing reference signal may not be transmitted to the user interface devices. For example, in some embodiments the master timing reference signal is transmitted by the central controller, to the local controllers and the local controllers then do not transmit the message to their associated user interface device or user interface devices. As time passes, the value of the elapsed time indicated by the master timing reference signal increases. Once a stimulus has been provided to the users, the users of the system contemplate their response thereto. In embodiments, the user interface devices, or local controllers where provided, do not' receive the master timing reference signal while they are shutdown. Thus, in embodiments, the user interface devices do not receive the master timing reference signal during this period that the users are contemplating their responses, as they are in the shutdown state as a result of the shutdown message transmitted at, or around the time of the stimulus being provided. The user interface devices only receive the master timing reference signal when they are reactivated after shutdown. In accordance with the invention, a local timing reference signal is provided for indicating an elapsed time. The local timing reference signal is "local" in that it indicates a reference time in relation to a part of the system. The local timing reference signal indicates a reference time with respect to one or more user interface devices . The local timing reference signal may be unique to a given user interface device, or may be common to a group of user interface devices, but not to all user interface devices in the system. The local timing reference signal is different to the master timing reference signal. In preferred embodiments, the local timing reference signal is ■generated by the one or more user interface devices which receives the input whose timing is to be determined. In other embodiments in which one or more local controllers is provided, the local timing reference signal may be generated by a local controller and provided to each user interface ^■ device with which it is associated. The local timing reference signal may also be referred to herein as the local timer signal. In accordance with the invention, a user input is made at the user interface device, whose timing it is desired to determine. The user input may reactivate the user interface device following shutdown, enabling the device to receive the master timing reference signal once more. However, as discussed below, reactivation may not necessarily occur only when a user input is provided. In some embodiments, reactivation may occur in response to a signal transmitted to the user interface device, e.g. from another user interface device, or a local controller or central controller of the system. In other embodiments, reactivation may be carried out by the user. Thus, reactivation may occur before the user input whose timing is to be determined is made.

The user input provided at the first user interface device may be in any form recognisable as an input by the user interface device. For example, the input may be provided as an audible input . More preferably the input is in the form of a keystroke or touch. The most appropriate form of the input will depend on the type of user interface device used, and may be any input which the user interface device can relay for use to the system, with or without some conversion or processing. Preferably the user interface device is arranged to provide a timestamp associated with the user input.

The user input may be transmitted to the central controller using a data signal directly or indirectly, e.g. via a local controller. In embodiments where the user input signal is transmitted to the local controller, however, the signal may not necessarily be transmitted to the central controller depending upon where the processing required to determine the time at which the user input was made is to be carried out. In some embodiments where the user input is transmitted to the local controller, the local controller is reactivated in response to receiving the transmitted user input signal- from the first user interface device. The system may therefore further comprise a local controller arranged to shutdown in response to the shutdown message transmitted to a first interface and to receive a data signal transmitted from the first user interface device, and the method may further comprise switching on the local controller in response to the received data signal. In some embodiments, the local controller may transmit a reactivating message to the other user interface devices with which it is associated, preferably when the local timing reference signal is provided.

In a similar manner to that discussed above in relation to the master timing reference signal, preferably the elapsed time indicated by the local timing reference signal is an elapsed time with reference to a reference time. Preferably the reference time is a time at which a reference event may be taken to occur, or a time having a known relationship with the reference event. The reference event is preferably an event relating to a first user interface device. In preferred embodiments, the reference event is the time at which a first user provides the input at the first user interface device. In preferred embodiments, the method comprises in response to a first user input provided at a first user interface device, generating a local timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time with reference to user input, and the system^' comprises means for generating a local timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time with reference to a user input provided at a first user interface device. The first user interface device is one of one or more user interface devices for, or in respect of which, the local timing reference signal is provided. The input is preferably an input in response to a stimulus provided to the user. The input is preferably the first user input following shutdown. References to the "first user input" herein, or the "second user input" etc do not imply that the input is the first or second input made unless this is specifically stated, but instead reflect that the input is an input provided at e.g. the first or the second user interface device by a first or second user associated therewith. Thus any input made at the first user interface device may be referred to as the "first user input" if desired. In the same manner as the master timing reference signal, the local timing reference signal may be provided by initiating a new signal, or by marking e.g. providing a flag in a signal which is already being generated allowing the local time to be determined by the system, such that it may act as a local timing reference signal, indicating a local time with respect to a desired reference time. For example, in some embodiments, the device may be reactivated before the user input whose time is to be determined is provided, and a local timing signal may be initiated on reactivation. The time at which a user input is subsequently provided may then be marked in the signal. In preferred embodiments, the local timing reference signal is a new signal i.e. which is not generated until the first user input is provided after shutdown. In preferred embodiments the step of providing the local timing reference signal comprises generating the local timing reference signal, and the system comprises means for so. doing.

The local timing reference signal may be initiated at the reference time, or at a given time having a known relationship to the reference time provided that the timer signal indicates the time elapsed with reference to the reference time. For example, the providing of an input at the first user interface device may be used to trigger the generation of the local timing reference signal, such that the local timing reference signal is initiated with some delay after the input occurs . The local timing reference signal may then still indicate the time elapsed with respect- to the reference time, being the time of input, but will then not be zero when first generated. In preferred embodiments, the reference time is taken to be T=O for the local timing reference signal. In general, the local timing reference signal may indicate the elapsed time with respect to the reference time in any of the manners described above in relation to the master timing reference signal and its reference time. The local timing reference signal may be provided e.g. generated, by the first user interface device or a local controller, if provided. The providing of the signal is preferably triggered by the providing of a first user input at a first user interface device. For example, a data signal generated in response to the input may be used to trigger the generation of a local timing reference signal by the user interface device or a local controller associated therewith. The method may then comprise generating the local timing reference signal in response to an input made by a first user to a first user interface device. Any suitable arrangement may be used in accordance with the invention, provided that the local timing reference signal may be used with the master timing reference signal to determine the time at which the user input was provided at the user interface device.

The local timing reference signal is preferably a continuous signal, unlike the master timing reference signal. This may enable the exact time at which a user input is provided -to be more accurately determined. The method may further comprise transmitting the local timing reference signal, preferably continuously. If the local timing signal is not continuous, it should be transmitted at a greater frequency that the master timing reference signal. Once the first user interface device is reactivated, i.e. no longer shutdown, it may receive the periodic master timing reference signal once more. This will be the case when, or by the time that a first user input is provided. In embodiments including a local controller, the local controller is preferably activated when a first user input is provided at a first user interface device associated with the local controller and/or when the first user interface device is reactivated to enable the local controller to receive the master timing reference signal. In the latter case, the master timing reference signal may only be transmitted to the local controller and not the user interface device.

As the master timing reference signal is transmitted only intermittently, the transmission of the master timing reference signal may not coincide with the time at which a user input whose timing is to be determined is provided via the interface. In order to determine the actual time at which the user input was made, taking into account the period during which the interface, and in some embodiments, an associated local controller, was shutdown, it is necessary to use the local timing reference signal as well as the master timing reference signal.

In embodiments of the invention, a master timing reference signal received following an input by a user to a first user interface device, and preferably the next master timing reference signal received, may be used with the local timing reference signal to determine the time at which the user input was made. This determination may be made by the interface or in another part of the system, such as the local controller or the central controller. Thus, the master timing reference signal may be that received by the user interface device and/or local controller. In embodiments where the first user interface device does not receive the master timing reference signal, or in which determination of the time at which the user input was made is to be determined by another part of the system, the method may further comprise the first user interface device transmitting the local timing reference signal at the time that the user input whose timing is to be determined is made for use by another part of the system, such as the central controller or local controller. The method further comprises determining a time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device using the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal. The method may comprise indirectly or directly using the signals to determine the time at which the user input was provided. Preferably the step of determining the time at which the user input was provided comprises calculating the time at which the user input was provided, e.g. based on a difference between the local timing reference signal and the master timing reference signal, and the system comprises means for so doing. In preferred embodiments, the time at which the user input was provided is the response time for responding to the stimulus. This may be the case where the reference time for the master timing reference signal is the time that the stimulus was provided to the user, and the reference time for the local timing reference signal the time at which the user input was provided at the user interface device, or the reference times are times with a known relationship to the times of these events. If the reference times do not correspond to the time of providing the stimulus and the user input, then determining the response time may involve taking into account other times. For example, if the local timing reference signal is with reference to the time at which the first user interface device was activated, rather than the time at which a response to the stimulus was provided, the value of the local reference timing signal at the time of activation may also need to be used in the determination. It will be appreciated that in general the time determined for the time at which the user input was made will be a time with respect to the reference provided by the master^' timing reference signal, and may typically be a relative time, rather than an absolute time. However, it is envisaged that absolute times could be used.

The determination steps may be carried out by the first user interface device, the local controller, if provided, the central controller, or combinations thereof, depending upon where the appropriate processing capability is provided. The required timing information may be transmitted between components of the system to ensure that all of the information required for the determination is provided to the relevant part or parts of the system.

When the time at which the user input was provided has been determined, the determined time may be transmitted to another part of the system. For example, the time may be transmitted by the user interface device or local^' controller to the central controller, . The method may further comprise transmitting a second shutdown message in response to a determined time at which the user input was provided being received. The shutdown message may be transmitted by the central controller. Some or all of the user interface devices of the system, and where provided, their associated local controller or controllers, may then shutdown in response to receiving the shutdown message. The shutdown process may be as described above in relation to the first shutdown process. In some applications, only the timing of the first user input made at a user interface device after shutdown e.g. the first response, is required. Preferably the user input whose timing is determined is therefore a first user input in response to a stimulus. In these cases, once the timing of the first user input has been determined, the stimulus may be removed or modified to indicate that responses are no longer required from users of the system or to request a different response from the users. If timing details of further user responses are required, the stimulus may be left unchanged and the times at which further user responses are made at other user interface devices of the system determined in the same way as for the user response at the first user interface device described above. Of course, the timing of subsequent user inputs made at the first user interface device may also be determined in the same manner described above, by reference to the local timing signal and the master timing signal.

Further user interface devices, and, if provided, local controllers, may continue to receive the master timing reference signal after the timing of the user input at the first user interface device has been determined, and a local timing reference signal may be provided in relation to any one or ones of the further user interface devices when a user input is made at those interfaces e.g. to activate the unit or provide a response to a stimulus. The further user interface devices may be activated by the respective users when or prior to providing a response to a stimulus in the same manner described in relation to the first user interface device. In other embodiments, the method may comprise transmitting an activation signal to the other user interface devices once a user input, preferably a first user input following shutdown has been received at a first user interface device. The user input may be an input in response to a stimulus-. This may be carried out by the central controller. In embodiments where a local controller is provided, the activation signal may be transmitted to the or each local controller, and the local controller may then activate, or cause its associated user input interfaces to be activated. The time at which the further user input was made at a further user interface device may then be determined using the master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal in the same manner as described in respect of the first user interface device, except that the input concerned is a user input made at a second user interface device. Thus, in some embodiments, the method comprises continuing to transmit the master timing reference signal after an input has been made by a first user at a first user interface device. In accordance with certain embodiments, the method further comprises a user input being provided at a second_. user interface device, and generating a local timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time for the second user interface device, preferably with reference to a reference time. Preferably the reference time is the time at which the user input is made. The user input may be a response to a stimulus. Again, the second user interface device may be activated before, or as the user input is made to allow the master timing reference signal to be received.

The method may comprise generating a data signal in response to the user input at the second user interface device, and the local timing reference signal may be provided in response to the data signal. The method further comprises receiving the master timing reference signal and determining the time at which a user input was provided at the second user interface device using the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal. The master timing reference signal value used in the calculation is preferably the next master timing reference signal received after the user input is provided. The method may include any of the features or steps described in relation to the determining of the time at which the user input was made at a first user interface device described above.

In some embodiments it is possible for the time at which a user input is made at one or more further user interface devices to be determined without using the master timing reference signal, and instead using the determined time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device. In these further embodiments, the method may comprise ceasing transmission of the master timing reference signal once the time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device has been determined .

In these embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting an activating signal to other user interface devices of the system when the user input whose timing is determined is made at a first user interface device. This may be when a data signal is generated at the first user interface device, e.g. in response to a keystroke, and may be transmitted at the same time as, or even be the same signal as that transmitted to the central controller or other part of the system including the first user input.

In response to receiving the activating signal, one or more of the other user interface devices reactivate and generate a local timing reference signal with respect to the user interface device. The local timing reference signal thus measures time with respect to the time at which the user interface device is activated, and, hence indirectly the time at which the user input is made at the first user interface device, as the activation signal is transmitted when the user input is made. When a user input is subsequently made at another user interface device, the time at which the user input was may be determined using the local timing reference signal and the determined time at which the user input was made at the first user interface device. As the local timing reference signal is provided on activation of the further user interface device, the time indicated by the local timing reference signal may be added to the determined time at which user input was made at the first user interface device to determine the time at which the user input is made at the further user interface device. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining the time at which a further user input is made at the further user interface device using, and preferably by adding, the determined time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device, and the local timing reference signal of the further user interface device. In some embodiments the method further comprises in response to a user input provided at a second user interface device, calculating a time at which the user input was provided at the second user interface device based on a sum of the first calculated time and the local timing reference signal. More than one user interface device may be in communication with the local controller in these embodiments.

It will be appreciated that in these embodiments, there should not be any significant delay between the user input being made at the first user interface device, the time at which the first user input is made being determined, and transmission of the determined time to other user interface devices- of the system to allow the determined time at which the first user input was made to be used by other user interface devices in place of the master timing reference signal. If there are any inherent delays in the transmissions, then these may be taken into account when determining the time at which the further user input or inputs are made. For example, a compensating factor may be added to the time determined to compensate for this delay. This should be a predetermined value, such a constant, and may be set up to be included in the calculations used for the determination.

The determined time at which the second or further user input was made may be transmitted to other parts of the system, such as the central controller in the same way as the time at which the second user input was made. The method may comprise transmitting a further shutdown message in response to receiving the time at which the second user input was made .

The method may be extended to the determination of the times of user inputs made at further user interface devices in the same manner.

It will be appreciated that the various steps described above need not be carried out by the parts of the system mentioned above. Steps may be implemented by any of the central controller, user interface devices or local controllers where provided, and may be carried out in part by more than one part of the system. For example, determination or calculation of times may be carried out by user interface devices . When a local timing reference signal is provided in embodiments having a local controller, this may not necessarily be provided in the local controller, but may be provided in a user interface device and transmitted to a local controller associated therewith, and/or the other user interface devices associated with the local controller.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users, the system comprising a control server and a plurality of user interfaces, the method comprising: transmitting from the control server a shutdown message to the user interfaces, the shutdown message causing the user interfaces to switch off or enter a power saving mode; generating a master timing signal for indicating an elapsed time with reference to the shutdown message; periodically transmitting the master timing signal to the user interfaces; in response to a first user input provided at a first user interface, generating a local timer signal for indicating an elapsed time with reference to user input; and receiving the master timing signal and calculating a time at which the user input was provided at the user interface based on a difference between the received master timing signal and the local timer signal .

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users, the system comprising a control server and a plurality of user interfaces, wherein the control server is arranged to transmit a shutdown message to the user interfaces, the shutdown message causing the user interfaces to switch off or enter a power saving mode, to generate a master timing signal for indicating an elapsed time with reference to the shutdown message, and to periodically transmit the master timing signal to the user interfaces, W

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and the electronic system further comprises: means for generating a local timer signal for indicating an elapsed time with reference to a user input provided at a first user interface; and means for receiving the master timing signal and calculating a time at which the user input was provided at the user interface based on a difference between the received master timing signal and the local timer signal.

The present invention in accordance with these further aspects may incorporate any or all of the features described in respect of the first and second statements of invention to the extent that they are not inconsistent therewith.

It will be appreciated that, unless inconsistent, the various functions described below may be_| shared as desired between the user interface devices, central controller and local controller . A system may or may not include one or more local controllers. The skilled person will understand how a system may be modified from that described to include or omit a local controller as desired. Any processing of data carried out by the system may be carried out by the user interface devices, the central controller, local controller if provided, or combinations thereof . Any or all of the components of the system may include data processing means of some form. There may be a division of the data processing, which may be arranged to be carried out to a greater extent by the central controller or the user interface devices/local controller where provided as desired, e.g. depending upon constraints, such as size, cost or power consumption of the user interface devices or central controller. In some cases, the user interface devices may simply transmit a user input to the central controller or local controller, if provided, without carrying out any additional processing, simply relaying the information. In other cases, the user interface devices may comprise data processing means, and be arranged to process a user input prior to transmitting the input to the central controller or local controller if provided. The amount of data processing carried out by the^' user interface device may range from none, or a minimal amount, to a significant amount, or all processing, such that minimal or no processing may then be required by the central controller and/or local controller. Processing may involve, for example, conversion of an input to a format required by the central controller, or to include particular data required by the central controller. The present invention may be used to provide any desired form of interactive broadcast, although as will be appreciated from the above, it is particularly applicable to the provision of interactive entertainment broadcasts, such as quizzes and games . The methods in accordance with the present invention may be implemented at least partially using software e.g. computer programs . It will thus be seen that when viewed from further aspects the present invention provides computer software specifically adapted to carry out a method or the methods herein described when installed on data processing¹ means, a computer program element comprising computer software code portions for performing a method or the methods herein described when the program element is run on data processing means, and a computer program comprising code means adapted to perform all the steps of a method or of the methods herein described when the program is run on a data-processing system.

The invention also extends to a computer software carrier comprising such software which when used to operate a radio system comprising data processing means causes in conjunction with said data processing means said system to carry out the steps of a method or of the -methods of the present invention. Such a computer software carrier could be a physical storage medium such as a ROM chip, CD ROM or disk, or could be a signal such as an electronic signal over wires, an optical signal or a radio signal such as to a satellite or the like.

It will further be appreciated that not all steps of the methods of the invention need be carried out by computer software and thus from a further broad aspect the present invention provides computer software and such software installed on a computer software carrier for carrying out at least one of the steps of a method or of the methods set out herein. The present invention may accordingly suitably be embodied as a computer program product for use with a computer system. Such an implementation may comprise a series of computer readable instructions either fixed on a- tangible medium, such as a computer readable medium, for example, diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or hard disk, or transmittable to a computer system, via a modem or other interface device, over either a tangible medium, including but not limited to optical or analogue communications lines, or intangibly using wireless techniques, including but not limited to microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques . The series of computer readable instructions embodies all or part of the functionality previously described herein.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such computer readable instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems. Further, such- instructions may be stored using any memory technology, present or future, including but not limited to, semiconductor, magnetic, or optical, or transmitted using any communications technology, present or future, including but not limited to optical, infrared, or microwave. It is contemplated that such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation, for example, shrink-wrapped software, pre-loaded with a computer system, for example, on a system ROM or fixed disk, or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over a network, for example, the Internet or World Wide Web .

References to the system having "means for" performing a certain function, or a subsystem for so doing may be interchanged. References to events occurring "in response" to other events do not necessarily require that the event occurs immediately, and the action or event may occur at a later stage after some delay provided that it is triggered by the initial event.

(It will be appreciated here that the data transmissions in general may be made wirelessly, or via wired connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections, using any suitable arrangements for doing so, and may involve any number of intermediate components between the central controller and the local controller (s) , where provided. )

It will be appreciated that various components and elements of the system of the present invention, such as the central controller, local controllers, etc., can be arranged and constructed in any desired and suitable form. Thus they could, for example, comprise single units or systems, such as servers, that are configured to perform all the functions described, or they could comprise a number of different components such as servers, processors, etc., that are each appropriately coupled to each other for carrying out and performing the various functions. Thus, for example, the central controller need not comprise a single device, but could comprise a number of devices that are associated with each other, such as one server for controlling the broadcast data to the local controllers, and another, separate server for coordinating the separate data transmission to the local controller. It would also, e.g., be possible for there to be more than one central controller in the system. Thus it should be understood that references herein to a "central controller" and a "local controller", etc., are not intended to require a single device that performs all the described functions (although in one embodiment that is the preferred arrangement) , but are also intended to encompass arrangements in which plural separate or different devices or components act together to perform the functions of the necessary "controller", etc..

It would similarly be possible for the various functions of the different components of the system of the present invention to be performed in a distributed form, and with the components not necessarily having to be in the same physical locations, for example.

Where not explicitly stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention extends to a system comprising means for, or a subsystem for carrying out any of the steps of the methods described herein.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all of the aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein can and preferably do include any one or more or all of the preferred and optional features of the invention described herein, as appropriate.

For a better understanding of the invention, embodiments will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagram of an electronic system employing a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

^■ Figure 2 is a flow diagram of the method employed by the electronic system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a timing diagram illustrating the method shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 illustrates an electronic system employing a method according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of the method employed by the electronic system of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a timing diagram illustrating the method shown in Figure 5 ; Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout .

The term 'keypad' . refers to apparatus for receiving a user input comprising at least one input interface, such as a button. In other words, a keypad may be referred to as a user interface. Although keypads are typically of a shape and size such that they may be easily held in a user's hand, a keypad according to the invention may be of any suitable shape and size. Furthermore, they need not comprise a plurality of buttons but, instead, may comprise any suitable interface means such as, purely by way of example, a jog- dial, a touch-screen or a microphone (or a plurality thereof) .

Referring to Figure 1, an electronic system employing a method according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The electronic system comprises a control server 10 and a plurality of keypads 12, 14, 16, and 18. The first 12 and second 14 keypads are electrically connected to the control server 10 via first 12A and second 14A flexible wires, respectively. The third 16 and fourth 18 keypads are each in communication with the control server 10 via a wireless communication link 19. It will be appreciated that any suitable wireless communication protocol may be used to establish the wireless communication link. The keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 are provided to different users of the electronic system so that each user may indicate their preference or answer a question by activating one of a plurality of switches (not shown) included in each of the keypads. Of course, a greater or lesser number of switches may be provided in each keypad according to the number of different alternatives or suggested responses desired.

It will, of course, be appreciated, that in view of the general requirement to reduce power consumption by the components of the system, it is preferable to implement the keypads using power efficient components. Thus, it is envisaged that the choice of parts, switches and other operating means incorporated into the keypads and/or the control server 10 will be determined in respect of their power consumption characteristics . Each keypad is capable of generating any one of a plurality of signals according to which one of the switches is activated by its user. The signals provided by the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 are transmitted to the control server 10 via their respective communication links, along with any other further information that may be required by the control server 10.

The control server 10 is able to communicate with the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 to process the received signals and send signals the keypads as necessary. Such processing may include any or all of the steps of converting, accumulating, counting, deleting, displaying and storing the received signals in either their received form or any other form into which the received signals are converted by the control server 10. The control server may also be arranged to display data for response on a display (not shown) as well as data received from the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18. Furthermore the data received by the control server 10 may be stored in a database and be processed for future use during or after the live-event/game that takes place.

It will be appreciated that the processing undertaken by the control server 10 may depend upon the processing undertaken by the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18. For example, the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 may be arranged to simply relay the keypad signals via their respective communication link, therefore undertaking a minimal amount of processing. Conversely, the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 may complete numerous steps of processing on the signals received from the keypads so that the signals transmitted via the respective communication link are in a particular format and/or contain particular data so that minimal processing is required by the control server 10. It will, therefore, be appreciated that a trade-off may be made between the control server 10 and the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 in terms of their complexity and resultant size or cost, for example. Although the provision of a display has been detailed, it is not essential to the invention. Instead, the information provided by the received signals may be communicated to interested parties via a loudspeaker or any other means suitable for conveying information. Alternatively, the control server 10 may be arranged to store the received signals in any suitable form for retrieval or processing at a later time.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 , the method employed by the system shown in Figure 1 will now be detailed. Initially, the control server 10 transmits a 'SHUTDOWN' message to the keypads 12, 14, 16, and 18 via the respective communication links (Step 100) . The SHUTDOWN message contains data which instructs the keypads to switch off. Upon receipt of the SHUTDOWN message, the keypads switch off. Of course, the SHUTDOWN message may alternatively instruct the keypads to enter an operating mode which consumes less power, for example a 'Sleep Mode' . It will be appreciated that the purpose of the SHUTDOWN message is to cause the keypads to impose reduced energy requirements on the system relative to when they are fully operational (i.e. operating to generate signals according to user inputs) .

Immediately after the SHUTDOWN message is transmitted, the control server generates a master timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time (Step 105). This elapsed time is with respect to the time at which the

SHUTDOWN message was transmitted. Thus, the time at which the SHUTDOWN message was transmitted is defined with a time T value equal to zero, T=O or T₀.

The master timing reference signal is periodically sent to the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 in a 'GAME' signal (Step

110), the GAME signal being sent every second, i.e at T₁, T₂ T₃ T₄_ ... T_n etc. wherein n indicates the time at which the signal is sent in integer seconds . Although the master timing reference signal is sent every second if this embodiment, it is to be understood that this is not essential to the invention. In other embodiments, the times at which the master timing reference signal is sent to the components of the system may be varied as may be necessary. Thus, the master timing reference signal need not be transmitted every second, nor is it necessary to transmit the master timing reference signal at fixed time intervals.

At the same time as when the master timing reference signal is generated (i.e. at T₀), a stimulus, such as a question or game, is communicated to the users of the system via a display or other suitable means for conveying information.

Whilst the users of the system are contemplating their response to the stimulus, time passes and the control server increases the value of an elapsed time variable. The master timing reference signal is sent to the keypads every time the elapsed time increases by one second. In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the value of elapsed time increases by over three seconds before a first user activates a keypad to provide a response to the stimulus. Thus, the master timing reference signal is transmitted to the keypads at T₁, T₂ and T₃

After three seconds have elapsed and before four seconds have elapsed, a first user activates a first keypad 12 to provide a response to the stimulus . The time at which the first user activates the first keypad 12 is denoted by T_A. (i.e. T_A is the value of time that has elapsed since the SHUTDOWN message was transmitted and the master timing reference signal was generated) . When the user activates the first keypad 12, the first keypad 12 is switched on and generates a data signal in response to the user input provided to the keypad 12. A processing unit within the keypad 12 then receives the generated DATA signal. The generated data signal contains data for indicating which of the switches included in the first keypad 12 has been activated by the user.

In response to the received generated signal, the keypad 12 generates a local timing reference signal for indicating a local elapsed time T_L1 with reference to the time at which the generated data signal was received (Step 115).

The value of the master timing reference signal time (the time elapsed since the SHUTDOWN signal was transmitted) increases until it reaches the value of 4 seconds, T₄, at which time the master timing reference signal is again transmitted to the keypads .

Because the first keypad 12 is now switched on and fully operational, it receives the master timing reference signal which was transmitted at T₄ (Step 120) . Based on this received master timing reference signal, the first keypad 12 calculates the value of T_A (the time at which the first user activated the first keypad 12) (Step 125) . More particularly, the first keypad 12 calculates the value of T_A by calculating the difference between the local timing reference signal and the received master timing reference signal using the following equation (equation 1) :

T_A = T₄ - T_L1 (1).

The value of T_A can is then transmitted to the control server 10 or any other desired receiver. Although not essential to the invention, a SHUTDOWN signal is transmitted to the keypad 12 by the control server 10 in response to the received value of T_A.

Thus, although the keypads 12, 14, 16 and 18 are switched off for the duration of the time that the users are contemplating their response to the stimulus, the system is still able to calculate the time at which the first user activated their respective keypad 12. Further, the timing functionality is provided despite the fact that the control server 10 only periodically transmits a master timing reference signal in order to minimize power consumption.

If the stimulus or game is such that only the timing of the first response is required, the control server 10 can then remove or modify the stimulus to indicate that further responses are no longer required from the users of the system. The control server 10 will then transmit a further SHUTDOWN signal to switch off the first keypad 12A and conserve power until a new stimulus is to be provided to the users .

Alternatively, if the timing details of further user responses are required, the control server 10 does not modify the stimulus but, rather, the timing of further users inputs can be calculated.

For example, whilst the remaining users of the system are contemplating their response to the stimulus, the value of elapsed time further increases and the master timing reference signal is sent to the keypads every time the elapsed time increases by a further whole second. As illustrated in Figure 3, the value of elapsed time increases by a more than a second a second user activates a keypad to provide a response to the stimulus. Thus, the master timing reference signal is transmitted to the keypads again at T₅ After five seconds have elapsed and before six seconds have elapsed since the SHUTDOWN message was transmitted and the master timing reference signal was generated, a second user activates a second keypad 14 to provide a response to the stimulus . The time at which the second user activates the second keypad 14 is denoted by T_B. When the second user activates the second keypad 14, the second keypad 14 is switched on and generates a data signal in response to the user input provided to the keypad 14. A processing unit within the keypad 12 then receives the generated signal. In response to the received generated signal, the keypad 14 generates a local timing reference signal for indicating a local elapsed time T_L2 with reference to the time at which the generated data signal was received in the second keypad 14.

The value of the master elapsed time (the time elapsed since the SHUTDOWN signal was transmitted) increases until it reaches the value of 6 seconds, T₆, at which time the master timing reference signal is again transmitted to the keypads .

As above, because the second keypad 14 is now switched on and fully operational, it receives the master clock signal which was transmitted at T₆. Based on this received master clock signal, the second keypad 14 calculates the value of T_B (the time at which the second user activated the second keypad 14) using the following equation, equation 2:

m m _ m ' / O \

¹ _B ¹S ^X _h2 \* ) .

The value of T_B can then be transmitted to the control server 10 or any other desired receiver. Further, although it is not essential, a SHUTDOWN message is transmitted to the second keypad 14 in response to receiving the calculated value of T₀.

It may be appreciated how the above detailed method of calculating the time at which a user activates a keypad can be extended in a straightforward manner to subsequent responses from other keypads.

Alternative embodiments of the method may also be adopted while retaining its general concept. For example, in response to the first generated signal, a signal may be transmitted to the remaining keypads which causes them all to switch on and generate their own local timing reference signal. Thus, when a second user activates a second keypad 14, the second keypad 14 can calculate the time at which it was activated by the second user by summing the previously calculated value of T_A with the value of its local timing reference signal (the local timing reference signal of the second keypad 14) . If this alternative approach is adopted for calculating the timing of user responses made after the first response, there is no need to generate and transmit the master timing reference signal subsequent to the calculation of the timing of the first user response, T_A.

Referring to Figure 4, an electronic system employing a method according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The electronic system comprises a control server 10 and first to third local controllers 20, 22 and 24. The local controllers 20, 22 and 24 are each in communication with the control server 10 via a wireless communication link 25. It will be appreciated that any suitable wireless communication protocol may be used to establish the wireless communication link. First 12, second 14 and third 16 keypads are electrically connected to the first local controller 22 via first 12A, second 14A and third 16A flexible wires, respectively.

Fourth 26, fifth 28, and sixth 30 keypads are electrically connected to the second local controller 22 via fourth 26A, fifth 28A and sixth 3OA flexible wires, respectively.

Seventh 32, eighth 34 and ninth 36 keypads are electrically connected to the third local controller 24 via sixth 32A, seventh 34A and ninth 36A flexible wires, respectively.

The keypads are provided to different users of the electronic system so that each user may indicate their preference or answer a question by activating one of a plurality of switches (not shown) included in each of the keypads .

Each keypad is capable of generating any one of a plurality of signals according to which one of the switches is activated by its user. The generated signals are transmitted to local controller that the keypads are connected to via their respective communication links, along with any other information that may be required -by the respective local controller.

Each local controller is able to communicate with its respectively connected keypads to process signals received from the keypads and to send signals to the keypads as necessary. Such processing may include any or all of the steps of converting, accumulating, counting, deleting, displaying and storing the received signals in either their received form or any other form into which the received signals are converted by the local controller.

After processing the received signals, the local controllers convert and store the processed signals and transmit these to the control server 10 upon demand or upon a pre-determined schedule over a wireless communication link.

It will be appreciated that the amount of processing undertaken by the local controllers 20, 22 and 24 may depend upon the amount of processing undertaken by the keypads . For example, the keypads may be arranged to simply relay the keypad signals to their respective local controller via their respective communication links, therefore undertaking a minimal amount of processing. Conversely, the keypads may complete numerous steps of processing on the signals received from the keypads so that the signals transmitted via the respective communication link are in a particular format and/or contain particular data so only minimal processing is required by the local controller. It will, therefore, be appreciated that a trade-off may be made between^' the local controllers 20, 22 and 24- and the keypads in terms of their complexity and resultant cost, for example.

As with the system of the previous embodiment, the local controllers 22, 22 and 24 and/or the control server 10 may be arranged to store the received signals in any suitable form for retrieval or processing at a later time. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the method employed by the system shown in Figure 3 will now be detailed.

Initially, the control server 10 transmits a 'SHUTDOWN' message to the local controllers 20, 22 and 24 via the respective wireless communication links (Step 200) . The SHUTDOWN message contains data which instructs the local controllers 20, 22 and 24 and the keypads to switch off. Upon receipt of the SHUTDOWN message, the local controllers 20, 22 and 24 switch off the keypads and then switch off themselves. Of course, the SHUTDOWN message may alternatively instruct the local controllers 20, 22 and 24 and/or keypads to enter an operating mode which consumes less power, for example a 'Sleep Mode'.

Immediately after the SHUTDOWN message is transmitted, the control server generates a master timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time (Step 205) . This elapsed time is with respect to the time at which the SHUTDOWN message was transmitted. Thus, the time at which the SHUTDOWN message was transmitted is defined with a time T value equal to zero, T=O or T₀.

The master timing reference signal is periodically transmitted to the local controllers 20, 22 and 24 in a 'GAME' signal (Step 210) , the GAME signal being sent every second, i.e at T₁, T_2/ T₃_ T₄ ... T_n etc. wherein n indicates the time at which the signal is sent in integer seconds. The

GAME signal also contains data for identifying that a game is being played and the game type .

At the same time as when the master timing reference signal is generated (i.e. at T₀), a game is communicated to the users of the system via a display or other suitable means for conveying information.

Whilst the users of the system are contemplating their response to the game, time passes and the control server increases the value of an elapsed time variable. The master timing reference signal is sent to the keypads every time the elapsed time increases by one second. In the example illustrated in Figure 6, the value of elapsed time increases by over two seconds before a first user activates the first keypad 12 to provide a response to the stimulus. Thus, the master timing reference signal is transmitted to the keypads at T₁ and T₂

After two seconds have elapsed and before three seconds have elapsed, a first user activates the first keypad 12 to provide a response to the stimulus. The time at which the first user activates the first keypad 12 is denoted by T_A, i.e. T_A is the value of time that has elapsed since the SHUTDOWN message was transmitted and the master timing reference signal was generated by the control server 10. When the user activates the first keypad 12, the first keypad 12 is switched on and transmits a data signal to the first local controller 20 in response to the user input provided to the keypad 12. The first local controller 20 is switched on by the transmitted data signal and receives the generated signal.

In response to the received generated signal, the local controller 20 generates a local timing reference signal for indicating a local elapsed time T_L1 with reference to the time at which the generated data signal was received (Step 215) .

Although it is not essential to the method, the local controller 20 may also transmit a SWITCHON signal to the second 14 and third 16 keypads to switch them on. The value of the master elapsed time (the time elapsed since the SHUTDOWN signal was transmitted) increases until it reaches the value of 3 seconds, T₃, at which time the master timing reference signal is again transmitted to the local controllers 20, 22 and 24.

Because the first controller 20 is now switched on and fully operational, it receives the master clock signal^' which was transmitted at T₃ (Step 220) . Based on this received master clock signal; the first controller 20 calculates the value of T_A (the time at which the first user activated the first keypad 12) (Step 225). More particularly, the first local controller 20 calculates the value of T_A by calculating the difference between the value of the local timing reference signal at time T₃ (T_L1@T₃) and the received master timing reference signal using the following equation (equation 3 ) :

T_A = T₃ - T_L1@T₃ (3).

The value of T_n is then stored by the first local controller 20. The value of T_A may also be transmitted to the control server 10 or any other desired receiver.

Thus, although the keypads and the local controllers are switched off for the duration of the time that the users are contemplating their response to the stimulus, the system is still able to calculate the time at which the first user activated the first keypad 12. Further, the timing functionality is provided despite the fact that the control server 10 only periodically transmits a master timing reference signal in order to minimize power consumption.

If the stimulus or game is such that only the timing of the first response is required, the control server 10 can then remove or modify the stimulus to indicate that further responses are no longer required from the users of the system. The control server 10 will then transmit a further SHUTDOWN signal to switch off the keypads and the local controllers in order to conserve power.

Alternatively, if the timing details of further responses are required, the control server 10 does not modify the stimulus but, rather, the timing of further users inputs can be calculated.

For example, whilst the remaining users of the system are contemplating their response to the stimulus, the value of elapsed time further increases the values of the local timing reference signal T_L1 and the master timing reference signal. The master timing reference signal is sent to the keypads every time the elapsed time increases by a further whole second. As illustrated in Figure 6, the value of elapsed time increases by a more than three seconds before a second user activates the second keypad to provide a response to the stimulus. Thus, the master timing reference signal is transmitted to the keypads again at T₄, T₅ and T₆.

After six seconds have elapsed and before seven seconds have elapsed since the SHUTDOWN message was transmitted and the master timing reference signal was generated, a second user activates the second keypad 14 to provide a response to the stimulus . The time at which the second user activates the second keypad 14 is denoted by T_B. When the second user activates the second keypad 14, the second keypad 14 is switched on and generates a data signal in response to the user input provided to the keypad 14. The generated data signal is then transmitted to, and received by, the first local controller 20.

, Because the first local controller 20 is switched on and has generated the local timing reference signal T_L1, the first local controller is able to calculate the value of T_B (the time at which the second user activated the second keypad 14) based on the stored value of T_A and the value of the local timing reference signal T_L1 (Step 230) . More specifically, the first local controller calculates the value of T_B (the time at which the second user activated the second keypad 14) using the following equation, equation 4:

The value of T_E can then be stored and transmitted by the first local controller 20 as necessary.

Further, a SHUTDOWN message may be transmitted to the second keypad 14 after the first local controller receives the data signal generated by the second keypad 14. It may be appreciated that the above detailed method of calculating the time at which a user activates a keypad can be extended in a straightforward manner to subsequent responses from other keypads, the activated keypads being either connected to a local controller which has been switched on by an earlier response or connected to a local controller which is yet to be switched on by a user response.

Also, other modifications may be made whilst retaining the general concept of the above method. For example, the step of calculating can be undertaken in the keypad. Further, it is not essential that the local timing reference signal is generated in the first local controller 20. Instead, it may be generated in the first keypad 12 and transmitted to the first local controller 20 and/or the remaining keypads connected to the first local controller 20.

Of course, the master timing reference signal need not be transmitted every second, nor is it necessary to transmit the master timing reference signal at fixed time intervals. Instead, the times at which the master timing reference signal is sent to the components of the system may be varied as .may be necessary.

It will be appreciated that the above-detailed embodiments are able to determine timing information relating to the user responses whilst minimizing the energy requirements of the electronic system. '

Those skilled in the art will realise that the above embodiments are purely by way of example and that modification and alterations are numerous and may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for an electronic, system for determining a response from a plurality of users, the system comprising a central controller and a plurality of user interface devices, the method comprising: transmitting from the central controller a shutdown message to the user interface devices, the shutdown message causing the user interface devices to switch off or enter a power saving mode; the central controller providing a master timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time, and periodically transmitting the master timing reference signal; the method further comprising: providing a local timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time; and receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a time at which a user input was provided at a first user interface device using the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal.

2. A method according to claim 1,- further comprising the step of turning on a second user interface device in response to the user input provided at the first user interface device.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 , further comprising transmitting a data signal from the first user interface device in response to the user input.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the transmitted data signal comprises data for indicating the user input provided to the first user interface device.

5. A method according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the system further comprises a local controller arranged to shutdown in response to the shutdown message and to receive the data signal transmitted from the first user interface device, and the method further comprises switching on the local controller in response to the received data signal.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the local timing reference signal is generated in the local controller.

7. A method according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein more than one user interface device is in communication with the local controller, and the method further comprises: in response to a user input provided at a second user interface device, calculating a time at which a user input is provided at the second user interface device based on a sum of the determined time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device and the local reference signal.

8. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the step of receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a time at which the user input was provided to the first user interface device is undertaken by the local controller .

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the step of receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a time at which the user input was provided to the first user interface device is undertaken by the first user interface device.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of prompting the plurality of users with a stimulus to which the users are to provide a response via the user interface devices.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the master timing reference signal is transmitted in a data signal also comprising data for identifying that a game is being played and for identifying the game type.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims , wherein the master timing reference signal indicates an elapsed time with reference to -the shutdown message and/or the providing of a stimulus .

13. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the local timing reference signal indicates an elapsed time with reference to the providing of the user input at the first user interface device.

14. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user input provided at the first user interface device is an input in response to a stimulus .

15. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user input provided at the first user interface device is the first user input following shutdown of the first user interface device.

16. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of determining a time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device comprises calculating a time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device based on a difference between the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal.

17. The method of any one of the preceding claims , comprising generating said master timing reference signal.

18. The method any one of the preceding claims, comprising generating said local timing reference signal.

19. The method of any one of the preceding claims , comprising periodically transmitting said master-timing reference signal to the user interface devices .

20. An electronic system for determining a- response from a plurality of users, the system comprising a central controller and a plurality of user interface devices, wherein the central controller is arranged to transmit a shutdown message to the user interface devices, the shutdown message causing the user interface devices to switch off or enter a power saving mode, to generate a master timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time, and to periodically transmit the master timing reference signal, and the electronic system further comprises: means for generating a local timing reference signal for indicating an elapsed time; and means for receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a time at which a user input was provided at a first user interface device using the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal.

21. An electronic system according to claim 20, further comprising means for turning on a second user interface device in response to the received data signal.

22. An electronic system according to claim 20 or 21, further comprising means for transmitting a data signal from the first user interface device in response to the user input .

23. An electronic system according to claim 22, wherein the^' transmitted data signal comprises data for indicating the user input provided at the first user interface device.

24. An electronic system according to claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the electronic system further comprises; a local controller arranged to shutdown in response to ^• the shutdown message-, to receive the data signal transmitted^' from the first user interface device, and to switch on in response to the received data signal.

25. An electronic system according to claim 24, wherein the local controller comprises means for generating a local timing reference signal.

26. An electronic system according to claim 24 or 25, wherein more than one user interface device is in communication with the local controller, and the local controller is arranged to calculate a time at which a user input was provided at a second user interface device based on a sum of the first determined time and the local timing reference signal.

27. An electronic system according to any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the local controller comprises the means for receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a first time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device.

28. An electronic system according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the first user interface device comprises the means for receiving the master timing reference signal and determining a first time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device.

29. An electronic system according to any of one of claims 20 to 28, further comprising means for prompting the plurality of users with a stimulus to which the users are to provide a response via the user interface devices.

30. An electronic system according to any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein the master timing reference signal is transmitted in a data signal also comprising data for identifying that a game is being played and for identifying the game type .

31. The electronic system of any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the master timing reference signal indicates an elapsed time with reference to the providing of a stimulus to the users, and/or the shutdown message.

32. The electronic system according to any one of claims 20 to 31, 'wherein the local timing reference signal indicates an elapsed time with reference to a user input provided at the first user interface device.

33. The electronic system according to any one of claims 20 to 32, wherein the user input provided at the first user interface device is an input in response to a stimulus.

34. The electronic system according to any one of claims 20 to 33,, wherein the user input provided at the first user interface device is the first user input following shutdown of the first user interface device.

35. The electronic system according to any one of claims 20 to 34, wherein the means for determining a time at which the user input was provided at the first user interface device comprises means for calculating the time based on a difference between the received master timing reference signal and the local timing reference signal.

36. The electronic system of any one of claims 20 to 35, wherein the means for providing the local timing reference signal comprises means for generating the signal.

37. The electronic system of any one of claims 20 to 36, wherein the means for providing the master-timing reference signal comprises means for generating the signal.

38. The electronic system of any one of claims 20 to 37, comprising means for periodically transmitting the master timing reference signal to the user interface devices.

39. A computer program element comprising computer software code portions for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 19 when the program element is run on data processing means .

40. A method substantially as herein described and with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

41. An electronic system substantially as herein described and with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings .