Electronic item selection apparatus and method

In a system for selecting one of a multiplicity of preidentified items, each item having associated therewith a light emitting element:

• status memory means for storing an on/off status for each said item and its associated light;
• pattern generating means for controlling the order in which a multiplicity of said lights are energized in a prearranged time dependent pattern;
• a light detection element;
• and
• control logic means for time multiplexing the use of said lights in an continuing sequence of time cycles, each time cvcle having first and second nonoverlapping portions, including
• means for energizing the lights with an on status, in accordance with said status memory means, during said first portion of each time cycle, to a level of illumination visible to the human eye in a normal ambient light environment;
• and
• means for energizing the lights in said prearranged time dependent pattern, as controlled by said pattern generating means, during said second portion of each time cycle, to a level of illumination not normally visible to the human eye in a normal ambient light environment;
• and
• means for determining which one of said items is selected by correlating the time when light is received by said light detect with said prearranged time dependent pattern.

In an electronic voting system for selecting at least one of a multiplicity of preidentified items;

• said items being divided into groups from each of which only a corresponding predefined number of items can be selected;
• each item having associated therewith a light emitting element;
• apparatus comprising:
• status memory means for retaining a status table which indicates which of said items have previously been selected;
• pattern generating means for controlling the order in which a multiplicity of said lights are energized in a prearranged time dependent pattern;
• a light detection element;
• and
• control logic means for time multiplexing the use of said lights in an continuing sequence of time cycles, each time cycle having first and second nonoverlapping portions, including
• means for energizing the lights with an on status, in accordance with said status memory means, during said first portion of each time cycle, to a level of illumination visible to the human eye in a normal ambient light environment;
• means for energizing the lights in said prearranged time dependent pattern, as controlled by said pattern generating means, during said second portion of each time cycle, to a level of illumination not normally visible to the human eye in a normal ambient light environment;
• means for determining which one of said items is selected by correlating the time when light is received by said light detection element with said prearranged time dependent pattern;
• and
• means for changing the status of the light associated with the selected item when the pattern of light received therefrom satisfies a predefined detection algorithm, including means for updating said status table in said status memory means;
• said means for changing including
• ballot format means for defining how said items are allocated into groups and for defining the number of items which can be selected from each said group;
• selection verification means for verifying that a newly selected item conforms to the pattern defined by said ballot format means;
• and
• error notification means for warning the user of said system when a selected item is found by said selection verification means not to conform to the pattern defined by said ballot format means.