WO1996042061A1 - Dispositif de collecte de donnees - Google Patents

Dispositif de collecte de donnees Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996042061A1
WO1996042061A1 PCT/US1995/012297 US9512297W WO9642061A1 WO 1996042061 A1 WO1996042061 A1 WO 1996042061A1 US 9512297 W US9512297 W US 9512297W WO 9642061 A1 WO9642061 A1 WO 9642061A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
card
central processor
recited
response
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1995/012297
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gregory R. Chumbley
Original Assignee
Chumbley Gregory R
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chumbley Gregory R filed Critical Chumbley Gregory R
Publication of WO1996042061A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996042061A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0004—Hybrid readers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C13/00—Voting apparatus

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to data collection devices and, more specifically, to a device for collecting polling data from a data card of the type including a plurality of pre-printed enclosed spaces (or bubbles) intended to be selectively darkened in response to an inquiry, such as on a survey questionnaire or election ballot.
  • Information is perhaps the most valuable resource to private businesses and governments, particularly information relating to public opinion and consumer satisfaction.
  • the collecting of information from the public can be a daunting and expensive task, often requiring the services of a professional market research firm or polling service.
  • information is gathered through the use of surveys specifically designed for a particular business, industry, or government agency.
  • gathering of information is directed at a particular controlled group of consumers or citizens, while other times it is desirous to determine general public opinion on a particular subject.
  • the election of government officials whether municipal, county, state, or federal, requires collection and processing of information, in the form of votes, from large sectors of the public, encompassing possibly millions of voters.
  • the U.S. Patent to Cadotte, et al.. No. 4,345,315 discloses an electronic terminal for electronically collecting opinion data from consumers of a service organization as to the satisfaction with the services rendered.
  • the terminal includes a keyboard that displays inquiries with multiple choice responses for each inquiry.
  • a response is associated with each key, whereby the respondent presses the appropriate keys in connection with the associated response.
  • a response, by operation of the keys is electronically recorded by a microprocessor controller, visually displaying to the customer each selection.
  • a tally of the answers is permanently recorded in the terminal.
  • Other related devices are disclosed in the patents to Johnson, et al.. No. Re. 31,951 and Itoh, et al.. No. 5,091,877. These devices are specifically designed to collect data electronically and transmit this data to a central memory.
  • a common drawback of the devices set forth above is that they require specific programming in order to correlate responses to the questions. Each time the questions to a survey are changed, or a new survey is created, these devices need to be reprogramme . This procedure is not only time-consuming, but costly and generally requires the services of a person having expertise in programming such devices. Further, the market survey and data collection devices set forth above generally require the user to input responses to questions, using keys, thus requiring a substantial level of interaction with the device, inevitably leading to user error, frustration and/or inaccurate data input.
  • the present invention is directed to a device for collecting data from a data card which is distributed to respondents; the data card being of the type including an array of pre-printed enclosed areas (or bubbles) printed on the card in accordance with a predetermined arrangement and intended to be selectively and individually darkened in response to questions or selections, such as in a survey questionnaire or election ballot.
  • the device of the present invention includes a housing having a front face, a back panel, a base, and a slot opening in the front face.
  • a central processor unit such as a PC-104 motherboard within an interior of the housing, includes a control circuit for controlling operation of the various components of the device and a memory means for storing data.
  • a visual display means on the housing provides instructional information relating to use and operation of the device.
  • An optical mark reader (OMR) positioned and disposed adjacent to the slot opening within the housing interior is structured to pull the data card through the slot opening for scanning in order to determine the location of the darkened (filled-in) bubbles relative to fixed timing marks along the outer boarders of the card. The OMR sends data corresponding with the readings of the darkened bubbles to the central processor for storage in the central processor's memory.
  • the data card After responding to each inquiry, by darkening the appropriate bubbles with a pen or pencil, the data card is inserted into the OMR.
  • the data card may include a litho code or other identifying indicia along an edge of the card, the litho code corresponding to the particulars of a survey or ballot, such as: a survey or ballot version (i.e., version 1-12); whether the survey is single or double-sided; and whether the language on the character display is to be English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or another language. Accordingly, when a data card is inserted in the device, the OMR reads the litho code thereon, enabling the central processor to match the data card with these survey or ballot particulars.
  • a bar code and/or magnetic strip reader is attached to the top of the housing for reading data from a bar code or magnetic strip, such as may be provided on a voter registration or other identification card of the respondent.
  • a bar code or magnetic strip such as may be provided on a voter registration or other identification card of the respondent.
  • the voter registration or other identification card Upon passing the voter registration or other identification card along the elongate slot of the reader, exposing a bar code or magnetic strip within the slot of the reader, the identification data particular to that respondent is read and thereafter transmitted and stored in the central processor.
  • Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the device of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device
  • Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the functional relationship of the various components of the device of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the device illustrating various ports for connecting with external devices including a serial and/or parallel port, a modem port, a power connection port, a printer port, and a cellular connection port;
  • Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the device showing an access door on the side thereof;
  • Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the device showing an access plate
  • Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • the data collection device 10 includes a housing 12 having a base 14, a front panel 16, opposite sides 17, 18 and a back panel 19.
  • the front panel 16 may be formed and configured to extend from the top edge of the back panel 19 to the base 14, to define a top side 20 and a front face 22.
  • the front face includes a slot opening 24, and a character display 28.
  • the character display 28 provides visual messages to the respondent including instructional information relating to operation of the device.
  • the device 10 of the present invention including the various component elements thereof which are powered by either AC power or by an internal battery.
  • the device 10 includes a central processor 50 including a control circuit for controlling operation of the various components of the device and a memory means for storing data therein.
  • the central processor unit 50 is a PC-104 motherboard.
  • the visual character display 28 interconnects with the central processor 50 and receives messages from the central processor's memory for display. The particular messages transmitted from the central processor 50 to the display 28 are prompted by various actions and operations of the various components during use.
  • An optical mark reader (OMR) 60 supported within the housing 12 interior includes a drive assembly 62 specifically structured to pull the data card through the slot opening 24 and past the OMR 60 for scanning thereof.
  • the OMR 60 is structured to scan and read the data card once pulled therethrough in order to detect and locate darkened areas on the card, including a litho code or other identifying indicia, timing marks, and darkened (filled-in) bubbles.
  • the OMR sends data corresponding with the readings taken from the data card to the central processor for storage in the central processor's memory. This data is thereafter consolidated in the central processor's memory in accordance with the particular litho code identifying the survey or ballot version. Thus, all response data from the scanned data cards is grouped, consolidated and stored for each survey or ballot version.
  • a bar code and/or magnetic strip reader 70 is fitted to the top side 20 of the housing 12 and includes two parallel, elongate blocks 72, 74 disposed in spaced, parallel relation to define an elongate slot 76 therebetween.
  • Either or both of the blocks 72, 74 may be provided with a magnetic strip reader and/or bar code scanner element facing inwardly toward the elongate slot 76 so that a magnetic strip or bar code on a card or other substrate can be read upon passing the card along the length of the slot 76 so that the bar code and/or magnetic strip is exposed to the appropriate reading element.
  • respondents submitting a response data card within the device may have a previously issued identification card having a bar code or magnetic strip thereon which is encoded with identification data specific to that particular respondent.
  • each voter registers When conducting a ballot, for example, when each voter registers, they receive a voter registration card having the bar code or magnetic strip thereon. Upon submitting their ballot into the device 10, in the form of a data card as described above, the voter will also pass their voter registration card through the bar code scanner or magnetic strip reader in order to record the fact that the particular voter has cast his/her vote. This would prove valuable where the voter registration forms were lost, stolen, or destroyed.
  • the identification data read from the bar code or magnetic strip is transmitted and stored in the memory of the central processor 50.
  • the device When data cards are submitted, by inserting them through the slot opening 24 to be read by the OMR 60, they may be either rejected or retained after scanning.
  • the device will retain the data cards within the housing interior, in a removable bin, after scanning by the OMR.
  • the housing 12 is provided with an access door 90 on the side panel 17 in order to facilitate access to the housing interior for retrieving deposited data cards.
  • An access plate 101 on the bottom of the device opens by removing screws to enable repair or replacement of hardware components within the housing 12.
  • the housing interior 105 is structured to provide a removable bin for storing approximately 2,000 ballot data cards.
  • a key lock 89 or other suitable lock means enables the door 90 to be secured and locked in the closed position, preventing unauthorized access to the housing interior.
  • the back panel 19 is provided with several ports and/or jacks to facilitate interconnection of the device with various external components such as a computer, an external printer, a modem, and a cellular transceiver.
  • the back panel is provided with a modem port 92 to facilitate transfer of data between an external computer database and the central processor 50 via a telephone line connection.
  • the port 92 further facilitates interconnection with a cellular transceiver enabling transfer of data via a wireless transmission media.
  • An RS-232 serial port 96 facilitates direct connection of external computer devices to the central processor 50.
  • An AC power connection 97 is further provided for connecting the device to an AC power source, which also serves to charge the internal battery supply.
  • the device 10 can be interconnected with an external printer via a printer port 99.
  • an internal printer may be provided within the device and interconnected with the central processor for on site printing of reports generated by the central processor.
  • the device 10 is adapted to generate various reports based on the collected data.
  • the operator would depress a button 102 within the housing 12 to activate the internal or externally connected printer.
  • several reports can be obtained including a printout which lists the voter registration number of each and every voter who used the device to cast his/her ballot, either in the form of numbers or in bar code form.
  • the device 10 in figure 7 includes the central processor unit 50 including a control circuit for controlling operation of the various components of the device and a memory means for storing data therein.
  • the central processor unit 50 is a PC- 104 motherboard.
  • the visual character display 28 interconnects with the motherboard 50 and receives messages from the motherboard memory for display. The particular messages transmitted from the motherboard 50 to display 28 are prompted by various actions and operations of the various components.
  • the optical mark reader (OMR) 60 is supported within the housing 12 interior and includes a drive assembly 62 specifically structured to pull the data card through the slot opening and past the optical mark reader 60 for scanning thereof.
  • the OMR 60 is specifically structured to scan and read the data card once pulled therethrough in order to detect and locate darkened areas on the card, including the litho-code, timing marks and darkened (filled- in) bubbles.
  • the OMR sends data corresponding with the readings taken from the data card to the motherboard for storage in the motherboard's memory. This data is thereafter consolidated in the motherboard's memory in accordance with the particular litho code identifying the survey version. Thus, all response data from the scanned data cards is grouped and consolidated for each survey version.
  • a thermal printer 31 supported within the housing includes a printer memory 32 for storing precreated coupon designs.
  • the specific coupon designs (files) are created using a Visual Basic program on the computer 100 and are subsequently downloaded to the PC-104 motherboard. This data is thereafter transferred to the printer's memory 72.
  • the motherboard 50 activates the thermal printer 31.
  • the thermal printer 31 retrieves one of several stored coupons from the printer's memory 32 and prints the coupon onto thermal paper contained on a roll 34 adjacent the second slot opening.
  • the thermal printer 31 includes means for pulling the paper from the roll 34 to deliver a predetermined length thereof through the coupon slot opening for retrieval by the user.
  • the device 10 is provided with a 2400 baud modem 80.
  • the modem 80 facilitates transfer of data between the computer 100 and the motherboard 50 via a telephone line connection 86 or a cellular connection transceiver 88.
  • an RS-232 serial port 84 facilitates direct connection of the computer 100 to the device 10.
  • the consolidated response data, once transferred from the motherboard's memory to the computer 100, is matched with the corresponding labeled file in the remote computer database.
  • the data collected in the labeled file is thereafter used to generate various statistical reports based on responses received from various inquiries of the survey.
  • Printed reports can also be obtained from the device 10 using a control card having a specific litho code printed along a top of the card.
  • the control card is inserted through the first slot opening 24 so that the OMR reads the litho code thereon.
  • the scanned litho code is transmitted to the motherboard 50, commanding the motherboard to consolidate the response data in accordance with a predetermined format, for a specific file or for all survey files (versions 1-12).
  • the motherboard is further commanded to transmit this formatted data to the thermal printer 70 for printing thereof.
  • the report is printed from the thermal printer in order by survey version number (1-12); each page of the report being sequentially numbered.
  • a separate control card is similarly used to delete the data in individual ones of the survey files.

Abstract

Dispositif de collecte de données (10) pour recueillir des données de sondage, comportant un boîtier (12), un écran (28) et une ouverture en forme de fente (24) sur la face avant du dispositif. Un processeur central (50) stocke, dans une mémoire centrale, des informations comprenant des données préprogrammées et des données recueillies, et commande le fonctionnement des composants du dispositif, tels que lecteur optique de marques (60). Ce dernier extrait une carte de données préimprimée de l'ouverture en forme de fente pour lire les données y figurant et les transférer en mémoire centrale pour qu'elles y soient stockées. Un lecteur de codes à barres et/ou un lecteur (70) de bandes magnétiques sur le dispositif lit les données codées sur la carte d'identification d'une personne interrogée, de sorte que ces données codées puissent également être transférées à la mémoire centrale pour y être stockées. Le dispositif de l'invention s'interconnecte avec des composants externes tels qu'un ordinateur éloigné (100) et/ou une imprimante (99), pour générer et imprimer des rapports sur la base des données recueillies.
PCT/US1995/012297 1995-06-13 1995-09-25 Dispositif de collecte de donnees WO1996042061A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US49005095A 1995-06-13 1995-06-13
US08/490,050 1995-06-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996042061A1 true WO1996042061A1 (fr) 1996-12-27

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1995/012297 WO1996042061A1 (fr) 1995-06-13 1995-09-25 Dispositif de collecte de donnees

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2157739A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1996042061A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0979494A1 (fr) * 1997-02-25 2000-02-16 Dresser Industries Inc. Lecteur optique de codes barres pour distributeur de carburant
WO2001039049A1 (fr) * 1999-11-22 2001-05-31 Ugon Holdings Pty Ltd Systeme et procede de sondage automatise
US6321984B1 (en) 1997-02-25 2001-11-27 Dresser Equipment Group, Inc. Adjustable price fuel dispensing system
US6402030B1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2002-06-11 Drb Systems, Incorporated Method and system for processing car wash vouchers
FR2822270A1 (fr) * 2001-03-15 2002-09-20 Tahar Lahdiri Installation de vote
AU767339B2 (en) * 1999-11-22 2003-11-06 Ugon Holdings Pty Ltd Automated polling system and method
FR2923313A1 (fr) * 2007-11-07 2009-05-08 Rech Dev Innovation Moyens, procede et kit de vote.
US7653571B2 (en) 1998-04-24 2010-01-26 Excentus Corporation System and method for generating price-per-gallon discounts for fuel
WO2010055390A1 (fr) * 2008-11-11 2010-05-20 Novameric (Pty) Limited Compteur de bulletins de vote pour urnes électorales

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3761683A (en) * 1971-11-08 1973-09-25 S Rogers Security system
US4373134A (en) * 1981-05-06 1983-02-08 Grace Phillip F Magnetic card vote casting system
US4396902A (en) * 1980-07-07 1983-08-02 Recognition Equipment Incorporated OCR/Variable head slot reader
US4774665A (en) * 1986-04-24 1988-09-27 Data Information Management Systems, Inc. Electronic computerized vote-counting apparatus
JPH02251497A (ja) * 1989-03-27 1990-10-09 Nippon Kaade Center Kk 磁気カード
US5023435A (en) * 1990-03-06 1991-06-11 Deniger David B Response form processing system
FR2659465A1 (fr) * 1990-03-08 1991-09-13 Alisa Bulletin de vote a code-barres.
US5084819A (en) * 1988-11-10 1992-01-28 Response Technologies Inc. Data collection, analysis, and response system and method
JPH04340183A (ja) * 1991-05-16 1992-11-26 Nhk Spring Co Ltd 磁気記憶カードの識別構造

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3761683A (en) * 1971-11-08 1973-09-25 S Rogers Security system
US4396902A (en) * 1980-07-07 1983-08-02 Recognition Equipment Incorporated OCR/Variable head slot reader
US4373134A (en) * 1981-05-06 1983-02-08 Grace Phillip F Magnetic card vote casting system
US4774665A (en) * 1986-04-24 1988-09-27 Data Information Management Systems, Inc. Electronic computerized vote-counting apparatus
US5084819A (en) * 1988-11-10 1992-01-28 Response Technologies Inc. Data collection, analysis, and response system and method
JPH02251497A (ja) * 1989-03-27 1990-10-09 Nippon Kaade Center Kk 磁気カード
US5023435A (en) * 1990-03-06 1991-06-11 Deniger David B Response form processing system
FR2659465A1 (fr) * 1990-03-08 1991-09-13 Alisa Bulletin de vote a code-barres.
JPH04340183A (ja) * 1991-05-16 1992-11-26 Nhk Spring Co Ltd 磁気記憶カードの識別構造

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0979494A1 (fr) * 1997-02-25 2000-02-16 Dresser Industries Inc. Lecteur optique de codes barres pour distributeur de carburant
EP0979494A4 (fr) * 1997-02-25 2000-05-24 Dresser Ind Lecteur optique de codes barres pour distributeur de carburant
US6112981A (en) * 1997-02-25 2000-09-05 Dresser Industries, Inc. Bar code reader for a fuel dispenser
US6321984B1 (en) 1997-02-25 2001-11-27 Dresser Equipment Group, Inc. Adjustable price fuel dispensing system
US7653571B2 (en) 1998-04-24 2010-01-26 Excentus Corporation System and method for generating price-per-gallon discounts for fuel
WO2001039049A1 (fr) * 1999-11-22 2001-05-31 Ugon Holdings Pty Ltd Systeme et procede de sondage automatise
AU767339B2 (en) * 1999-11-22 2003-11-06 Ugon Holdings Pty Ltd Automated polling system and method
US6402030B1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2002-06-11 Drb Systems, Incorporated Method and system for processing car wash vouchers
FR2822270A1 (fr) * 2001-03-15 2002-09-20 Tahar Lahdiri Installation de vote
FR2923313A1 (fr) * 2007-11-07 2009-05-08 Rech Dev Innovation Moyens, procede et kit de vote.
WO2010055390A1 (fr) * 2008-11-11 2010-05-20 Novameric (Pty) Limited Compteur de bulletins de vote pour urnes électorales

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