Robert Wayne Kong

US Patent:

46672931, May 19, 1987

Filed:

Aug 27, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/644872

Inventors:

Charles F. Krieger - Danville CA
Wilbur L. Schultz - Kensington CA
Robert L. Kong - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Computer Election Systems - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

G06F 1520
G06G 748
G09G 302

US Classification:

364409

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for selecting one of a multiplicity of preidentified items, such as candidates on an election ballot. Each item has an associated light emitting element which has an on/off status. The use of the lights is time multiplexed between status display and item selection tasks. For at least a first certain portion of each of a plurality of successive time cycles, the lights with an on status are energized. The lights which are energized are associated with previously selected items. They are energized to a level of illumination visible to the human eye in a normal ambient light environment. For a second portion of each time cycle, a multiplicity of the lights are energized in a prearranged time dependent algorithmic pattern. During this portion of the time cycle the lights are energized only to a level of illumination not normally visible to the human eye in a normal ambient light environment. Items are selected by positioning a light detection element sufficiently close to the item's associated light to receive the light emitted therefrom during at least one of the second portions of the time cycles.