Digital computer system and methods for conducting a poll to produce a demographic profile corresponding to an accumulation of response data from encrypted identities

US6959281B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Kenneth A. Freeling · Rye, US
• Daniel E. Geer, Jr. · 47th Avenue Court, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 6, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 25, 2005
• Expiry date: Dec 6, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0204
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Computer-aided methods (making and using), along with a corresponding machine, article of manufacture, and data structures, is provided for conducting a poll with high reliability to produce a demographic profile corresponding to an accumulation of response data from encrypted identities. The method includes: for each one of a plurality of local computers, carrying out registration substeps of: (i.) receiving an application for Participant registration, the application including Participant identification data and Participant demographic data; and (ii.) if the application is accepted, then issuing respective registration data, including encrypted Participant identification data; thereafter, for a portion of the local computers, carrying out polling substeps of: (iii.) receiving digital signals over the Internet including the encrypted Participant identification data and poll response data for a first question in a poll; and (iv.) responsive to said receiving of said encrypted Participant identification data, preventing more than one respective response to the first question; and associating the encrypted Participant identification data, the response data, and the demographic data, …