US3689930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Opinion sampling apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-09
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1990-12-09
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are provided for obtaining public opinion data or the like from a sample of the public. The apparatus has a console on which an inquiry is projected by a slide projector and a plurality of push buttons by which a person may respond to the questions asked. Pressing one of the push buttons causes a tape punch to record the answer to the question, and also causes the slide projector to advance to the next slide in a predetermined sequence. If no answer is received in a selected time interval, means are provided for cycling the slide projector to the beginning of a sequence. In a preferred embodiment, a circular tray projector is employed, with switches actuated by cams on the tray initiating various functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Strickland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:33
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G07; G07C; G07C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of obtaining anonymous data from a public sample comprising the steps of: displaying an invitation to submit data in a public place; displaying an inquiry soliciting data in response to a person offering to submit data; recording an answer to the inquiry without identification of the person answering; and displaying the next subsequent inquiry in a preselected sequence as soon as an answer is given, irrespective of the answer given any preceding inquiry.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of obtaining anonymous data from a public sample comprising the steps of: displaying an invitation to submit data in a public place; displaying an inquiry soliciting data in response to a person offering to submit data; recording an answer to the inquiry without identification of the person answering; and displaying the next subsequent inquiry in a preselected sequence as soon as an answer is given, irrespective of the answer given any preceding inquiry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of obtaining a data sample as defined in claim 1 wherein the displaying steps each comprise projecting an image on a translucent screen and wherein the recording step comprises recording electrical signals from viewer operated push buttons, onto a recording medium.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of obtaining anonymous data from a public sample comprising the steps of: displaying an invitation to submit data in a public place; displaying an inquiry soliciting data in response to a person offering to submit data; recording an answer to the inquiry without identification of the person answering; displaying the next subsequent inquiry in a preselected sequence as soon as an answer is given, irrespective of the answer given any preceding inquiry; and recycling to an initial state if no answer is given to an inquiry in a selected time interval.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of obtaining anonymous data from a public sample comprising the steps of: displaying an invitation to submit data in a public place; displaying an inquiry soliciting data in response to a person offering to submit data; recording an answer to the inquiry without identification of the person answering; displaying the next subsequent inquiry in a preselected sequence as soon as an answer is given, irrespective of the answer given any preceding inquiry; and recycling to an initial state if no answer is given to an inquiry in a selected time interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
An opinion or personal data sampling apparatus comprising: a front console; means for displaying a multiple choice inquiry on the console; means for indicating an answer to the inquiry on the console; means for recording the answer given; means for advancing to a subsequent inquiry when an answer is given to a displayed inquiry; and means for recycling to the first inquiry in a series when an intent to cease indicating answers is sensed after any inquiry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
An opinion or personal data sampling apparatus comprising: a front console; means for displaying a multiple choice inquiry on the console; means for indicating an answer to the inquiry on the console; means for recording the answer given; means for advancing to a subsequent inquiry when an answer is given to a displayed inquiry; and means for recycling to the first inquiry in a series when an intent to cease indicating answers is sensed after any inquiry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for displaying comprises: a translucent screen; means for projecting an image on the screen from the back side; and means for progressing from one image to the next image, irrespective of the answer to any previous inquiry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the means for projecting comprises an automatic slide projector and a magazine of slides; and wherein the means for progressing comprises means for actuating the slide projector in response to the means for indicating an answer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the means for recycling comprises means for moving the slide magazine to the first slide in a sequence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the slide magazine is circular and the means for moving comprises means for releasing the magazine for free rotation; and elastic means for returning the magazine to the starting position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for indicating an anSwer comprises a plurality of push buttons and the means for recording comprises means for perforating a tape or card in a pattern corresponding to the answers given.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for recycling comprises means for detecting a time interval and means for recycling after a selected time interval during which no answer is given.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
An opinion or personal data sampling apparatus or the like comprising: a console; means for displaying a multiple choice inquiry on the console; means for indicating an answer to the inquiry on the console; means for recording the answer given; means for advancing to a subsequent inquiry in a predetermined sequence of inquiries when an answer is given, irrespective of the answer given to any previous inquiry; and means for recycling to the beginning of the predetermined sequence after a selected time interval during which no answer is given to any inquiry in the sequence.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
An opinion or personal data sampling apparatus or the like comprising: a console; means for displaying a multiple choice inquiry on the console; means for indicating an answer to the inquiry on the console; means for recording the answer given; means for advancing to a subsequent inquiry in a predetermined sequence of inquiries when an answer is given, irrespective of the answer given to any previous inquiry; and means for recycling to the beginning of the predetermined sequence after a selected time interval during which no answer is given to any inquiry in the sequence.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the means for recycling comprises means for advancing through the sequence rapidly to the beginning of a new sequence.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the means for recycling comprises means for reversing the means for displaying for returning to the beginning.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the means for recording an answer includes a recorder for an audible answer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 11 further comprising means for photographing a person answering an inquiry.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for sampling opinions, personal data or the like comprising: means for projecting a repetitive cyclic sequence of visual images on a screen for a selected time interval; means for a viewer to record a multiple choice personal response to each image; means for advancing to the next image in the sequence as soon as a personal response is recorded; means for recording the responses in correlation with the visual images; and means for returning to the beginning of the cycle when no response is received from a viewer in the selected time interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for sampling opinions, personal data or the like comprising: means for projecting a repetitive cyclic sequence of visual images on a screen for a selected time interval; means for a viewer to record a multiple choice personal response to each image; means for advancing to the next image in the sequence as soon as a personal response is recorded; means for recording the responses in correlation with the visual images; and means for returning to the beginning of the cycle when no response is received from a viewer in the selected time interval.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sampling apparatus as defined in claim 16 further comprising means for correlating the beginning of a cycle of recorded responses with the beginning of a cycle of visual images.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an opinion sampling apparatus or the like having a slide projector for displaying a sequence of images an improved sequencing combination comprising: a plurality of answer push buttons for receiving an answer to an inquiry; means for recording in an individual data location which of the plurality of answer push buttons is actuated; means responsive to actuation of any answer push button for initiating change of the displayed inquiry, comprising a relay momentarily closable for effecting projector advance; means responsive to the change of inquiry for advancing the means for recording to a new data location; and a switch responsive to projector advance for signalling beginning of a survey to the means for recording.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an opinion sampling apparatus or the like having a slide projector for displaying a sequence of images an improved sequencing combination comprising: a plurality of answer push buttons for receiving an answer to an inquiry; means for recording in an individual data location which of the plurality of answer push buttons is actuated; means responsive to actuation of any answer push button for initiating change of the displayed inquiry, comprising a relay momentarily closable for effecting projector advance; means responsive to the change of inquiry for advancing the means for recording to a new data location; and a switch responsive to projector advance for signalling beginning of a survey to the means for recording.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |