An audience participation system and method utilizing wireless transmission is provided. The system includes a plurality of modules in the possession of an audience, each module having a keypad or other means which is activated by a member of the audience in order for the audience to respond to a question posed by the speaker during his presentation. After the speaker poses a question, the audience responds by supplying information through a physical input into the module. The module then encodes the information provided into an encoded electrical pattern. This encoded electrical pattern is modulated into an electromagnetic signal which is then electromagnetically transmitted. A base station has a receiver for capturing the electromagnetic signal which is then demodulated into the encoded electrical pattern originally transmitted. The data are retrieved and collected, and then statistically analyzed according to the wishes of the speaker and displayed to present a statistical analysis of the combined audience response to the question posed.

A one-way or single-channel communication network utilizing electromagnetic radiation signals of a fixed single or narrow-band frequency in free air space consists of a plurality of transmitters and a central receiver in which each message is encoded in a wave train and is tagged with a sender identity (ID). The central receiver, which can be a single unit or a plurality of units connected in cascade, detects the messages in the free air space and send them along to a central processing unit (CPU) for message handling. Possible additional features of the system are: an option of a small display panel on the individual transmitter to show the message to be sent plus the number of attempts a message was sent within a preset time; a separate feedback segment, such as a colour change of a characteristic symbol on a central display screen visible to the sender, providing a confirmation that the message has been received; each symbol on the display screen showing the number of times a message was received from the corresponding transmitter within a present time; and a built-in option to either retain or black out the ID tag on the messages to be processed by the CPU. The free forming aspect of the system stems from the portability of the ID-encoded transmitters which enables any combination of transmitters to form a communication network, and a plurality of such combinations to form a plurality of networks.

A wireless lockout apparatus, a system and a method for using the same are provided for receiving wireless signals from individual transmitters. When a first signal has a code that matches a reference code in a decoder, the decoder locks out subsequent signals and only allows the first transmitted signal to be routed through the processor. The processor determines which contestant sent the signal by interpreting the coded signal and indicates audibly and/or visually to which contestant the signal corresponded. A master transmitter has a bonus button and a reset button. The bonus button indicates a bonus question condition in a particular game. The reset button unlocks the decoder and allows the system to receive contestants' signals transmitted wirelessly.

A system for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient scoring of test answers. The system routes test answers to resolvers based on classifications of resolvers and persons who generated the test answers. Monitoring and selecting resolvers based on classifications promotes fair and consistent scoring of test answers.

A method for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient scoring of test answers. Collaborative scoring allows two test resolvers to score the same test answer and resolves potential discrepancies in the scores provided by the resolvers. Quality items monitor a test resolver's scoring performance against a known standard. A quality-control test item, having a known score, is transmitted to a test resolver. After receiving a score from the resolver, the known score is compared with the resolver's score and a quality profile is generated for the resolver.