| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a method for an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users, and an electronic system for determining a response from a plurality of users. The system comprises a central controller (10) and a plurality of user interface devices (12, 14, 16, 18). A stimulus is presented to the users to which they are prompted to respond via the user interface devices (12, 14, 16, 18). A shutdown message is then transmitted by the central controller to the user interface devices, causing the user interface devices to switch off or enter a power saving mode. The central controller (10) also provides a master timing reference for indicating an elapsed time with reference to the providing of the shutdown message and/or the stimulus. The master timing reference signal is periodically transmitted to the user interface devices using the central controller (10). When a user input is provided at a first user interface (12, 14, 16, 18), a local timing reference signal is provided for indicating an elapsed time with reference to the user input. The time at which the input was made at the first user interface is calculated based on a difference between the next received master timing reference signal and the value of the local timing reference signal when the input was made. In this way, the time at which a user input is provided may be determined even if the user interface device is shutdown for a period prior to the response being made to conserve energy. |
