System and method for dynamic channel changing
View Patent ↗A method of receiving signals in an audience response system on a plurality of channels comprises receiving a first number of signals on a first channel during a first period of reception for a first predetermined length of time. The method further comprises transmitting at least one acknowledgment signal. The method further comprises receiving a second number of signals on a second channel during a second period of reception for a second predetermined length of time. The method further comprises transmitting at least one additional acknowledgment signal. The method further comprises comparing the first number of signals to the second number of signals. The method further comprises adjusting a future predetermined length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels based on the comparison.
1. A method of receiving signals in an audience response system on a plurality of channels, the method comprising:
receiving a first number of signals on a first channel during a first period of reception for a first predetermined length of time;
transmitting at least one acknowledgment signal;
receiving a second number of signals on a second channel during a second period of reception for a second predetermined length of time;
transmitting at least one additional acknowledgment signal;
comparing the first number of signals to the second number of signals; and
adjusting a future predetermined length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels based on the comparison.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a third number of signals on a third channel for a third predetermined length of time, transmitting at least one other additional acknowledgment signal, comparing the first number of signals to the second number of signals and the third number of signals, and adjusting a future predetermined length of time for a period of reception on one of the first, second, and third channels based on the comparison.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a third number of signals on the first channel during a third period of reception for a third length of time and receiving a fourth number of signals on the second channel during a fourth period of reception for a fourth length of time.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising comparing the third number of signals to the fourth number of signals, and adjusting a future predetermined length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels based on the comparison.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising comparing the first and third number of signals to the second and fourth number of signals, and adjusting a future predetermined length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels based on the comparison.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting the future predetermined length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels includes maintaining one of the first and second periods of reception and reducing the other of the first and second periods of reception.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein each period of reception is maintained above a predetermined threshold of time.
8. An audience response system configured to be used during an audience response session, the audience response system comprising:
a plurality of transmission devices, including at least a first transmission device that transmits wireless signals on a first channel and a second transmission device that transmits wireless signals on a second channel different from the first channel; and
a base unit having:
a transceiver configured to receive wireless signals on a single channel,
logic configured to place the transceiver in a first reception state to receive wireless signals on the first channel for a first length of time, and place the transceiver in a second reception state to receive wireless signals on the second channel for a second length of time,
wherein the logic is further configured to compare a number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the first reception state to a number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the second reception state, and
wherein the logic is also configured to adjust a length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels based on the comparison.
9. The audience response system of claim 8 , wherein the logic is configured to repeatedly switch the transceiver between the first reception state and the second reception state during the audience response session.
10. The audience response system of claim 9 , wherein the logic is configured to repeatedly adjust a length of time for at least one of the first reception state and the second reception state, based on a comparison of the number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the first reception state and the number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the second reception state.
11. The audience response system of claim 8 , where the number of transmission devices in the audience response system varies during the audience response session.
12. The audience response system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of transmission devices includes a third transmission device that transmits wireless signals on a third channel, and wherein the logic is further configured to place the transceiver in a third reception state to receive wireless signals on the third channel for a third length of time.
13. The audience response system of claim 12 , wherein the logic is further configured to compare a number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the third reception state to the number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the first and second reception state, and wherein the logic is also configured to adjust a length of time for a period of reception on one of the first, second, and third channels based on the comparison.
14. A base unit for an audience response system, the base unit comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive wireless signals on a single channel; and
logic configured to place the transceiver in a first reception state to receive wireless signals on a first channel for a first length of time, and place the transceiver in a second reception state to receive wireless signals on a second channel for a second length of time,
wherein the logic is further configured to compare a number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the first reception state to a number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the second reception state, and
wherein the logic is also configured to adjust a length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels based on the comparison.
15. The base unit of claim 14 , wherein the logic is configured to repeatedly switch the transceiver between the first reception state and the second reception state during the audience response session.
16. The base unit of claim 14 , wherein the logic is configured to repeatedly adjust a length of time for at least one of the first reception state and the second reception state, based on a comparison of the number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the first reception state and the number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the second reception state.
17. The base unit of claim 14 , wherein the logic is further configured to place the transceiver in a third reception state to receive wireless signals on the third channel for a third length of time.
18. The audience response system of claim 17 , wherein the logic is further configured to compare a number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the third reception state to the number of wireless signals received when the transceiver is in the first and second reception state, and wherein the logic is also configured to adjust a length of time for a period of reception on one of the first, second, and third channels based on the comparison.
19. The base unit of claim 14 , wherein the logic adjusts the length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels by maintaining one of the first and second periods of reception and reducing the other of the first and second periods of reception.
20. The base unit of claim 14 , wherein the logic adjusts the length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels by maintaining one of the first and second periods of reception and enlarging the other of the first and second periods of reception.