Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a computer program application using a remote wireless keypad includes unlocking a receiver responsive to receiving data indicative of a request to unlock the receiver. The method further includes associating the receiver with a keypad comprising at least one button. The method further includes associating the at least one button of the associated keypad with a function based on received data indicative of a keypad configuration. The method further includes receiving data, via the receiver, indicative of a button on the keypad being pressed. The method further includes communicating data representative of a function associated with the pressed button to a computer program application.

Abstract: A method for a response device to wirelessly communicate data in an audience response system having a plurality of response devices includes transmitting a first signal, receiving a first acknowledgement signal indicating to the response device to transmit non user selection signals. The method further includes transmitting a non user selection signal in response to the first acknowledgement signal and receiving a second acknowledgement signal indicating to the response device to cease transmitting non user selection signals.

Abstract: A wireless access point includes a radio frequency adapter for transmitting and receiving data, a wireless network adapter for transmitting and receiving data, and a memory comprising a proctor assessment program. The proctor assessment program is configured to receive, via the radio frequency adapter, data representative of a response to an assessment question. The proctor assessment program is further configured to store the data representative of the response in the memory. The proctor assessment program is further configured to transmit, via the wireless network adapter, the data representative of the response.

Abstract: A dynamic data gateway comprises at least one processor, at least one computer-readable tangible storage device, and program instructions stored on the at least one storage device for execution by the at least one processor. The program instructions comprise first program instructions configured to receive data comprising a first format. The program instructions further comprise second program instructions configured to convert the received data to a second format. The program instructions further comprise third program instructions configured to store the converted data. The program instructions further comprise fourth program instructions configured to receive a request to provide the stored data in a requested format. The program instructions further comprise fifth program instructions configured to convert the stored data to the requested format.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of providing a software update to a plurality of transmission devices includes receiving, by a processor, a first information signal containing a first transmission device identifier, a first transmission device hardware version identifier, and a first software version identifier. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting a first plurality of data packets in series, wherein each of the first plurality of data packets includes one of a set of data packet identifiers and a portion of an update to software corresponding to the first software version identifier. The method also includes receiving, by the processor, at least one data packet acknowledgment and wirelessly transmitting a second plurality of data packets. The second plurality of data packets includes at least one previously transmitted data packet for which a data packet acknowledgment has not been received by the processor.

Abstract: A wireless assessment system includes a plurality of response devices, including at least one plug-in device in signal communication with a subject computer station. The at least one plug-in device is configured to receive subject response data from the subject computer station. The at least one plug-in device has a computer-readable medium, a radio frequency transceiver, a plug-in device operating system, and logic. The plug-in device operating system is configured to block a subject from accessing an operating system of the subject computer station. The logic is configured to store the subject response data in the computer-readable medium. The logic is further configured to instruct radio frequency transceiver to wirelessly transmit the subject response data. The system further includes at least one base unit having a base unit radio frequency transceiver configured to receive the subject response data from the at least one plug-in device.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is disclosed herein. The wireless communication system may include transmitter units and a receiver. In one embodiment, each transmitter has an address and logic programmed to perform the steps of receiving a user selection and, responsive to the receiving, repeatedly transmitting a wireless selection signal until a wireless acknowledgment signal is received. The wireless selection signal may include the address and the user selection. The receiver may include means to receive a wireless selection signal and logic programmed to transmit a wireless acknowledgment signal in response to the receipt of each wireless selection signal.

Abstract: A method of administering a high stakes test includes providing a proctor device and providing a plurality of response devices, with each response device being associated with one of a plurality of subjects. The method also includes beginning a test and receiving a plurality of signals at the proctor device from the plurality of response devices. The method further includes determining that a first response device associated with a first subject is non-functional and temporarily suspending the test to associate a second response device with the first subject, then resuming the test.

Abstract: A portable storage apparatus is configured to interface with a computer having a processor. The portable storage apparatus comprises a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, an operating system, and a memory containing data representing a plurality of questions. The portable storage apparatus is configured to receive data representative of a question identification number, to communicate a question, from the plurality of questions, corresponding to the question identification number, to receive data representative of a response to the question, and to transmit the data representative of the response.

Abstract: An audience response device is configured to communicate wirelessly in an audience response system. The device includes a display configured to display a question identifier and a user input interface configured to receive a user selection. The device further includes a processor operably connected to the display and to the user input interface, and configured to receive data representing the user selection. The device further includes a transceiver operably connected to the processor and configured to wirelessly transmit signals including a signal encoding data representing the user response to the question. The device further includes a logic operably connected to the display and the processor and configured to cause the display to display indications regarding the audience response session, a question, a sequence of questions, and so on.

Abstract: A wireless assessment system includes a plurality of response devices, including at least one plug-in device in signal communication with a subject computer station. The at least one plug-in device is configured to receive subject response data from the subject computer station. The at least one plug-in device has a computer-readable medium, a radio frequency transceiver, a plug-in device operating system, and logic. The plug-in device operating system is configured to block a subject from accessing an operating system of the subject computer station. The logic is configured to store the subject response data in the computer-readable medium. The logic is further configured to instruct radio frequency transceiver to wirelessly transmit the subject response data. The system further includes at least one base unit having a base unit radio frequency transceiver configured to receive the subject response data from the at least one plug-in device.

Abstract: A method for a response device in an audience response system having a plurality of response devices to wirelessly communicate bulk data includes transmitting a signal and receiving data indicating to the response device to transmit data requests. The method further includes transmitting data request signals, and receiving at least data describing the bulk data in response to a first data request signal and at least a portion of the bulk data in response to a second data request signal.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is disclosed herein. The wireless communication system may include transmitter units and a receiver. In one embodiment, each transmitter has an address and logic programmed to perform the steps of receiving a user selection and, responsive to the receiving, repeatedly transmitting a wireless selection signal until a wireless acknowledgment signal is received. The wireless selection signal may include the address and the user selection. The receiver may include means to receive a wireless selection signal and logic programmed to transmit a wireless acknowledgment signal in response to the receipt of each wireless selection signal.

Abstract: A method for a response device in an audience response system having a plurality of response devices to wirelessly communicate bulk data includes transmitting a signal and receiving data indicating to the response device to transmit data requests. The method further includes transmitting data request signals, and receiving at least data describing the bulk data in response to a first data request signal and at least a portion of the bulk data in response to a second data request signal.

Abstract: A method for a response device to wirelessly communicate data in an audience response system having a plurality of response devices includes transmitting a first signal, receiving a first acknowledgement signal indicating to the response device to transmit non user selection signals. The method further includes transmitting a non user selection signal in response to the first acknowledgement signal and receiving a second acknowledgement signal indicating to the response device to cease transmitting non user selection signals.

Abstract: A communication device may include a message-service communication logic configured to capture an incoming message-service message, where the message-service communication logic is further configured to compare at least a portion of the incoming message-service message to indicia to determine whether the incoming message-service message includes a user response to a polling question, and where the message-service communication logic is further configured to extract the user response from the message-service message. The communication device may further include a server communication logic configured to communicate to an audience response server response data including the user response.

Abstract: An audience response web server may communicate polling data incorporating a polling question during an interactive polling session running on the audience response web server. During the interactive polling session running on the audience response web server, the audience response web server may also receive response data representing responses to the polling question. The audience response web server may also aggregate the responses to the polling question and communicate results data incorporating the aggregated responses to the polling question during the interactive polling session.

Abstract: An audience response system includes a peripheral machine device capable of storing data and input/output circuitry physically connected to the transmitter unit and configured to enable operative communication between the peripheral machine device and the processor logic, where the processor logic disables selected functionality of the transmitter unit until valid data passes from the peripheral machine device and the processor logic.