EP1353299A2 - Method for electronic polling and wireless polling system - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to an electronic voting method, a wireless voting system and a voting device according to the preambles of claims 1, 8, 9, 11 and 12.

State of the art

Various systems for detecting Opinions or reactions from individuals known. This Voting systems are used, for example, at shareholder meetings, at political meetings or conferences used. Each participant has access to a portable one Voting device in which he pushes a button can enter his voice or opinion. These inputs are then sent from the individual voting devices to a central query and evaluation unit transmitted, wherein the transmission is preferably wireless.

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

However, it is preferred to transmit the vote via Radio. So DE-A-43'21'801 describes such a wireless Voting system with a central query unit and a variety of individual voting devices. The Interrogation unit has an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, an evaluation circuit and control electronics on. The voting devices each have a transmit / receive antenna, a receiver, a transmitter and one Control electronics on. When casting the vote in a voting machine becomes a code corresponding to the voice in the memory of this voting machine. The query unit sends code request signals one after the other. A voting machine receives the stored code corresponding code request signal, it transmits a Response signal to the interrogation unit. By measuring the respective Receiving performance of the after sending out a Code interrogation signal received response signals can be determine the number of people who have a particular vote have submitted.

EP-A-0'556'853 also discloses a radio Voting system. Here are the individual voting devices via a small display on which the a person with voting rights can recognize which vote they have has given up. This vote is saved in the voting machine. Each voting machine is also with an individual Provide a code that enables identification. The central interrogation unit sends these one after the other individual codes from what the individual voting machines successively their code together with the vote to transfer.

These voting systems have the disadvantage that many users are overwhelmed with the operation. Especially at shareholders' meetings with a few hundred to a thousand participants the individual shareholders with an abundance of Information flooded. On the one hand, every shareholder wants the events in front on the podium or on the big screen projection consequences. On the other hand, he has to take care that he casts his vote at the right time. there will be calls to vote, if any, mostly shown on other major projections. Since he is his Enter voting into his individual voting device he also lacks the certainty that his voice is actually taken into account. This often leads to one unnecessary restlessness in the hall.

A wireless system is known from US-A-5,724,357, which is a dialogue between a lecturer and his Allows listeners. However, this system is for use developed in university lecture halls. The system has a basic unit for the lecturer and several communication devices for the students, which can communicate with each other via radio. The base unit consists of a PC and one connected to it Base unit. Basic device and communication devices are identically constructed and have one antenna, one Battery, a keyboard, a display and a microprocessor. Since large amounts of data are sometimes exchanged, the data transfer takes place via a relatively complex Protocol. Therefore the data transfer is relatively slow and not suitable for voting systems with many participants. In addition, the communication devices have a relative high energy requirements.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electronic Voting procedure and a wireless voting system to create, which solve the disadvantages mentioned above.

This task is solved by an electronic voting procedure and a wireless voting system with the features of Claims 1, 8, 9, 11 and 12 respectively.

In the process according to the invention and in the process according to the invention Voting system, the participant is on a display of his portable voting machine informed that he can now vote. The present question of voting is shown on the display so that it recognizes which topic his opinion is asked for. If the voice to a central query and evaluation unit has been transmitted, he will also be informed.

This means that every user is on the one hand directly during the Voting instructed how to use the device. Further he receives an assurance that his vote is actually has been taken into account.

It is also advantageous that the user has the option has to change the vote without being under Time pressure, because the voting machine is always a confirmation the input requires. To avoid the radio traffic this communication with the user is preferred exclusively by means of the voting device.

The voting question is transmitted as a broadcast command, each question with a question number is. The individual votes are queried about individual inquiries with the individual voting devices, which their answer with the question number and their specific device identification. This leaves the number of individual, time-consuming queries to a minimum and radio communications will not overloaded. Preferably on the voting machine itself little information to identify the voter saved. The assignment of his voice to that to which he is entitled Weighting or number of votes can, for example, in the central unit. This ensures that relevant personal data of each participant confidential can be treated. Radio communication with such Information, such as the number of votes, not overloaded.

In a preferred variant of the method, the individual positions of the various voting devices are recorded by the central query and evaluation unit before the vote, so that the individual query can take place relatively quickly via suitable antennas positioned in the room. This recording of the positions of the individual devices has further advantages: security is increased since it would be noticed if an unnaturally high number of votes were cast from a single position in the room or if the positions in the room changed too frequently. This would suggest a jammer. Furthermore, this position recording and any preparation of a card provides an organizer of such general meetings with valuable information for the design of further general meetings. In particular, this recording supports his learning process of how best to distribute the antennas in the room in order to achieve a uniform load and thus to carry out the query as efficiently as possible. These advantages can also be achieved without using the display.
The method according to the invention enables a relatively quick recording of all votes cast without complex handshake or complicated data transmissions. The individual voting devices have a minimum of electronics and can therefore be manufactured inexpensively. The use of freely programmable input keys simplifies the voting device and thus its operation.

Further advantageous variants of the method and advantageous ones Embodiments go from the dependent claims out.

Brief description of the drawing

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsge mässen Abstimmungssystems;

Figur 2

eine Ansicht eines Abstimmungsgeräts;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung der Elektronik eines Abstimmungsgerätes und

Figur 4

einen Funktionsablauf einer Stimmabfrage.

The subject matter of the invention is explained below using a preferred exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic representation of a voting system according to the invention;

Figure 2

a view of a voting machine;

Figure 3

a schematic representation of the electronics of a voting device and

Figure 4

a functional flow of a voice query.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

The tuning system according to the invention is shown in FIG shown schematically. The voting system consists of essentially from a central query and evaluation unit Z, at least one transmitting and receiving antenna A1, A2, A3, A4, which with the central query and evaluation unit Z communicates, and a variety of individual, portable voting machines G. The number the transmit and receive antennas A1, A2, A3, A4 is the local one Adjusted conditions. The antennas A1, A2, A3, A4 are distributed in the hall or in the halls so that each Voting device G in communicating connection with at least one antenna A1, A2, A3, A4 can occur.

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

The functions of the input keys 20, 21, 22, 23 are free programmable. The buttons 20, 21, 22, 23 are on one Edge of the display 3 arranged so that on the display 3 the assignment type of the keys 20, 21, 22, 23 are displayed can. The button is preferably used during the voting 20 to vote "yes", the button 22 corresponds to one "No" voice, button 21 is pressed when the Voters who want to contain the vote. The button 23 is an info key, which is used to save the information stored in the memory or by radio from the central query and evaluation unit Show requested information on display 3 to let. Depending on the status of the voting procedure however, the keys are assigned other input values, such as is set out below. The hint what assignment currently applies, appears on the display 3.

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

In Figure 4 this is for the user during the assembly visible procedures are shown. The squares correspond to the content of the display 3 for each Time. Each person entitled to vote receives one at the entrance of these portable voting devices G, which are specially designed for it has been personalized. That means are in memory his name and, for example, the number of him represented votes saved. When the device is activated G by pressing any input key 20, 21, 22 23 his name appears on the display 3 and by pressing he is greeted by the info key 23 and by his number Voices informed. Using the info button 23 can be also display other information. 3 appears in the display when assigning the key 23 "back", so that the use> zer back to the basic position in a simple way of the device G can return. Other functions are possible. For example, in a preferred embodiment the user choose the language of the display.

The assembly is so advanced that there is a vote to be carried out, communicates the central Unit Z with a broadcast command to all devices G den Wording of the voting question. 3 appears on the display the question to be voted in the chosen language. The person entitled to vote is asked on display 3 to to cast his vote, using the keys 20, 21, 22 with "yes", "contain" and "no" is specified. When he has pressed the desired key, he gets on the display 3 confirms its choice and is asked confirm this choice again by pressing a key. This communication with the user takes place without participation the central unit Z and is only through the control unit 7 of the specific device G is performed. As a result, the radio connection is not overloaded.

If the user corrects his choice, this step becomes Repeated iteratively until the user presses it the corresponding key will be "ok" to vote gives. If he has confirmed his consent, he receives confirmation from control unit 7 via display 3, that his voice is saved and that he is now waiting should.

In the meantime, the central query and control unit begins Z, the individual devices G by radio according to their voice query. Any voting device requested in this way G transmits the user's vote to the central query and control unit Z, which the signal via one of the antennas A1, A2, A3, A4 distributed in the hall receives. When transmission is complete, appears on the display 3 confirmation that the message is broadcast and has thus been taken into account. Usually the number of the voices represented per device were not transmitted. In the central query and control unit Z respectively is in an evaluation unit connected to this a list of participants with all relevant information included of the represented number of votes saved. Upon receipt of the This vote is therefore preferably only given during the evaluation with the appropriate weighting.

When communicating between voting device G and central Query and evaluation unit Z should be noted that the central unit Z as many devices as possible within should reach and query in less time, but that nevertheless it must be ensured that no voice is overlooked and that no vote is counted twice. On complete handshake between the individual devices G and the central unit Z would be a clear one Ensure identification. However, these handshakes would overload the radio traffic and too much time for the Need evaluation.

The procedure according to the invention is therefore as follows:

Sync die Synchronisation,

SRequ das Startzeichen,

FC den Mitteilungstyp,

CMD eine weitere Unterteilung des Mitteilungstyps und

QuestNr die Fragenummer bezeichnet,

Text den Fragetext enthält und

FCS die Checksumme bedeutet.

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

Sync the synchronization,

SRequ the start signal,

FC the message type,

CMD a further subdivision of the message type and

QuestNr denotes the question number,

Text contains the question text and

FCS means the checksum.

The question will be like all later broadcast signals preferably in short time intervals over all antennas A1, A2, A3, A4 transmitted several times to reach all devices G. The hall is flooded with the command, so to speak.

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

Pream die Synchronisation, SResp das Startzeichen bedeutet und

Result die Stimmabgabe beinhaltet.

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

Pream the synchronization, SResp means the start character and

Result includes voting.

Thus, the voting device G transmits together with it Vote the question number of the voting question. It It can thus be guaranteed that the answers to the question can be assigned without errors. It is through this coupling it is also possible for voters to pre-vote can cast their vote and that this is only appropriate Time from the corresponding voting device G to the central unit Z are transmitted. It is also possible, that early votes are stored in the central unit Z. and be queried internally at the appropriate time.

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

This prevents individual devices G from remaining before voting. Will this voting lock command transmitted, the devices G switch their display 3 return to the basic position, as shown in Figure 4 is.

At the end of the meeting, the central unit Z also sends a broadcast signal to switch off all devices G.

In order to reach the individual devices G as quickly as possible and query, there are two different methods use. The central unit is available in both versions Z via a list of all devices G, of which an answer is expected.

In a first variant of the method, a first antenna A1 queried all devices G located in the room. The devices G, of which the central unit Z already received an answer will be noted on the list. All devices G that have not yet sent a response are queried via a second antenna A2. The again non-responding devices G are on the third antenna A3 searched and so on until over all antennas once the reply request has been sent. Missing for a device G still has an answer, so again at the first antenna A1 started. After a certain As described above, the time is canceled, so the non-responding devices G do not choose be taken into account. If a device G does not work now, so the user recognizes this due to the lack of Confirmation on the display 3 and can change accordingly noticeable to be considered become.

In a preferred second variant of the method however, on the first voting question or before the voting empirically a mapping or an availability list identified. This means that the central unit Z requests the Tune all devices G to send a reply. This The request is preferably made according to the first variant Posted. The central unit Z registered via which Antenna they get the answers of each device G. Has. In the subsequent vote, the corresponding Device first asked via this antenna, submit the answers to the voting questions. Only if no response is received, is the other antennas searched.

The contact between the individual voting devices is preferred and not only in the central unit Votes but at regular, recurring intervals maintained so that the unit made a change in the location position at any time. This Control queries are preferably not displayed to the user.

In a preferred variant of the method, use the voting machine to individual participants Deliver messages; for example a message that they received a phone call and around Callback will be asked.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

A1

first antenna

A2

second antenna

A3

third antenna

A4

fourth antenna

Z

central query and evaluation unit

G

voting machine

1

casing

20

return key

21

return key

22

return key

23

return key

3

display

4

battery

5

Receive and transmit antenna

6

Radio signal transmission unit

7

control unit

Claims (12)

Electronic voting method in which votes are entered into portable voting devices (G) for a voting question via input keys (20, 21, 22, 23), each voting device (G) showing the votes entered into this device (G) on a display (3) displays and each voting device (G) transmits the votes entered in this voting device (G) to this central query and evaluation unit (Z) by radio after an individual request transmitted by radio by a central query and evaluation unit (Z),
characterized in that the central query and evaluation unit (Z) transmits the voting question to the voting devices (G) before the vote is cast,
that the individual voting devices (G) show the voting question on the display (3),
that a request for voting appears on the display (3) and
that after transmission of the vote to the central query and evaluation unit (Z), a confirmation appears on the display (3). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that with the request to vote, an indication of input keys (20, 21, 22, 23) to be pressed appears on the display (3). Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the voting question is transmitted as a broadcast signal to all voting devices (G). Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the voting question is transmitted in a protocol which contains a question number. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the voting devices (G) transmit the votes to the central query and evaluation unit (Z) in a protocol which has the question number and an individual identification for each voting device (G). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the confirmation is generated by the voting device (G) after transmission. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the central query and evaluation unit (Z) receives individual signals from the individual coordination devices (G) before or when a first voting question is sent, on the basis of which the central query and evaluation unit (Z) registers via which antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4) the individual voting devices (G) can be reached by radio and that the central query and evaluation unit (Z) receives the individual request to transmit the vote during a first query step transmits via the registered antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4). Electronic voting method, in which votes are entered into portable voting devices (G) for a voting question via input keys (20, 21, 22, 23), with each voting device (G) being requested by an individual radio-transmitted request from a central query and evaluation unit ( Z) transmits the votes entered in this voting device (G) to this central query and evaluation unit (Z) by radio,
characterized in that the central query and evaluation unit (Z) receives individual signals from the individual voting devices (G) before or when a first voting question is sent, on the basis of which the central query and evaluation unit (Z) registers via which antenna (A1, A2 , A3, A4) the individual voting devices (G) can be reached by radio and that the central query and evaluation unit (Z) during the voting in a first query step receives the individual request to transmit the vote via the registered antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4) sends. Electronic voting system for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8 with a central query and evaluation unit (Z) and a plurality of transportable voting devices (G), the central query and evaluation unit (Z) having at least a first transmitting and Receiving antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4) is connected and each tuning device (G) has a second transmitting and receiving antenna (5), a radio signal transmission unit (6) connected to the second transmitting and receiving antenna (5), one control unit (7) connected to the radio signal transmission unit (6), and containing a display (3) and input keys (20, 21, 22, 23), the display (3) and input keys (20, 21, 22, 23) having the control unit (7) are connected,
characterized in that the central query and evaluation unit (Z) has means for transmitting the voting question to the voting devices (G) before the vote is cast,
that the individual voting devices (G) have means for displaying the voting question on the display (3),
that the individual voting devices (G) have means for displaying a request to vote on the display (3) and
that the voting devices (G) have means for displaying a confirmation on the display (3) after transmission of the vote to the central query and evaluation unit (Z). Voting system according to claim 9, characterized in that the central query and evaluation unit has means for storing an accessibility list of the individual voting devices (G) empirically determined before the voting. Electronic voting system for carrying out the method according to claim 8 with a central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) and a plurality of portable voting devices (G), the central interrogation and evaluation unit (Z) having at least one first transmitting and receiving antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4) and each tuning device (G) has a second transmitting and receiving antenna (5), a radio signal transmission unit (6) connected to the second transmitting and receiving antenna (5), one with the radio signal Transmission unit (6) contains connected control unit (7) and input keys (20, 21, 22, 23), the input keys (20, 21, 22, 23) being connected to the control unit (7),
characterized in that the central query and evaluation unit (Z) has means for storing an accessibility list of the individual voting devices (G) which was empirically determined before the voting. Voting device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8, with a second transmission and reception antenna (5), a radio signal transmission unit (6) connected to the second transmission and reception antenna (5), a control unit connected to the radio signal transmission unit (6) (7) and a display (3) and input keys (20, 21, 22, 23), the display (3) and input keys (20, 21, 22, 23) being connected to the control unit (7),
characterized in that the input keys (20, 21, 22, 23) are freely programmable and that messages transmitted via radio and generated by the control unit (7) can be shown on the display.

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