Electronic voting apparatus and method for optically scanned ballot

• US 6,892,944 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avante International Technology
• Original Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Chung, Kevin Kwong-Tai, Dong, Victor Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US10/260,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20030062411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 235/51, 235/50.R, 235/50.A, 235/50.B, 235/54.F, 235/386, 235/454, 705/12
• US Class Current: 235/386
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 13/00 Voting apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1221 onto a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32

Abstract

A machine readable ballot comprises a ballot sheet having a voting identifier including a representation of election jurisdiction information and a unique ballot identifier. A plurality of contest regions each have two or more mark spaces for making voting selections. The contest regions correspond to contests in the jurisdiction represented by the election jurisdiction information, and the representation of election jurisdiction information and the mark spaces are machine readable.

Claims

1. An optical reader for reading paper ballots having a jurisdiction identifier thereon and having voting selections marked thereon, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains, comprising:

means for imaging each paper ballot including imaging the jurisdiction identifier thereof and the voting selections marked thereon; and

a processor for receiving the imaged jurisdiction identifier for each paper ballot for selecting a template and for recording the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the selected template,

whereby the voting selections marked on each paper ballot are imaged and recorded in accordance with a template corresponding to the jurisdiction identifier for that paper ballot.

2. The optical reader of claim 1 wherein said means for imaging comprises:

a first optical reader for imaging the jurisdiction identifier of each paper ballot; and

a second optical reader for imaging the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the selected template.

3. The optical reader of claim 1 wherein said means for imaging comprises:

an optical imager for imaging each paper ballot path;

means for decoding the jurisdiction identifier of the image of each paper ballot; and

means for decoding the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the selected template.

4. The optical reader of claim 1, further comprising means for tabulating the jurisdiction identifier and the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with a jurisdiction represented by the jurisdiction identifier and the selected template.

5. The optical reader of claim 1 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier, and wherein said processor records the voting selections imaged from each paper ballot and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier of that paper ballot.

6. The optical reader of claim 5 further comprising means for publishing the voting selections read from each of the paper ballots and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier of that paper ballot.

7. The optical reader of claim 1 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier, and wherein said processor records the voting selections read from each paper ballot and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier read from that paper ballot.

8. The optical reader of claim 7 further comprising means for publishing the voting selections read from each paper ballot and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier read from that paper ballot.

9. The optical reader of claim 1 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier thereon, and wherein said processor processes the unique ballot identifier of each paper ballot for authenticating each paper ballot.

10. An optical reader for reading paper ballots having a jurisdiction identifier thereon and having voting selections marked thereon, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains, comprising:

a first optical reader for reading the jurisdiction identifier of each paper ballot;

a processor for receiving the jurisdiction identifier read by said first optical reader for each paper ballot for selecting a template for reading in accordance with the selected template the voting selections marked on each paper ballot; and

a second optical reader for reading the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the selected template,

whereby the voting selections marked on each paper ballot are read in accordance with a template corresponding to the jurisdiction identifier for that paper ballot.

11. The optical reader of claim 10 further comprising means for tabulating the jurisdiction identifier and the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with a jurisdiction represented by the jurisdiction identifier and the selected template.

12. The optical reader of claim 10 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier thereon, and wherein said processor processes the unique ballot identifier of each paper ballot for authenticating each paper ballot.

13. An optical reader for reading paper ballots having a jurisdiction identifier thereon and having voting selections marked thereon, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains, comprising:

an optical imager for imaging each paper ballot;

means for decoding the jurisdiction identifier of the image of each paper ballot;

a processor for receiving the decoded jurisdiction identifier of each paper ballot for selecting a template for decoding in accordance with the selected template the voting selections marked on each paper ballot; and

means for decoding the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the selected template,

whereby the voting selections marked on each paper ballot are decoded in accordance with a template corresponding to the jurisdiction identifier for that paper ballot.

14. The optical reader of claim 13 further comprising means for tabulating the jurisdiction identifier and the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with a jurisdiction represented by the jurisdiction identifier and the selected template.

15. The optical reader of claim 13 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier, and wherein said processor records the voting selections imaged from each paper ballot and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier imaged from that paper ballot.

16. The optical reader of claim 15 further comprising means for publishing the voting selections imaged from each paper ballot and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier imaged from that paper ballot.

17. The optical reader of claim 13 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier thereon, and wherein said processor processes the unique ballot identifier of each paper ballot for authenticating each paper ballot.

18. A method for optically reading paper ballots having a jurisdiction identifier thereon and having voting selections marked thereon, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains, comprising:

reading the jurisdiction identifier of each paper ballot;

selecting a template responsive to the read jurisdiction identifier for reading in accordance with the selected template the voting selections marked on each paper ballot; and

reading the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the selected template,

whereby the voting selections marked on each paper ballot are read in accordance with a selected template corresponding to the jurisdiction identifier for that paper ballot.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the paper ballots have different jurisdiction identifiers, and wherein the paper ballots are not sorted according to the jurisdiction identifier prior to said reading.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said selecting and said reading the voting selections marked on each paper ballot are performed substantially contemporaneously.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

comparing the voting selections read from each ballot to the selected template for providing an indication of an under vote, an indication of an over vote, or an indication of an under vote and an over vote of each paper ballot;

or

tabulating the voting selections read from each of the paper ballots;

or

comparing the voting selections read from each ballot to the selected template for providing an indication of an under vote, an indication of an over vote, or an indication of an under vote and an over vote of each paper ballot, and tabulating the voting selections read from each of the paper ballots.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said tabulating the voting selections read from each of the paper ballots includes tabulating the voting selections according to a jurisdiction represented by each jurisdiction identifier.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier, and wherein said reading the jurisdiction identifier includes reading the corresponding unique ballot identifier.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising publishing the voting selections read from each paper ballot and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier of that paper ballot.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising authenticating each paper ballot responsive to the unique ballot identifier read therefrom.

26. The method of claim 18 further comprising, prior to said reading and for each of a plurality of voters, producing by a voting machine of a paper ballot including voting selections made by a voter.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said producing a paper ballot comprises printing the voting selections on a ballot form or printing a ballot form including the voting selections.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the voter makes voting selections using any of a keyboard, a touch screen, a button, a switch, voice recognition apparatus, a Braille keyboard, a pen with writing recognition interface.

29. A method for reading ballots comprising:

reading or imaging each ballot by a reader located at a place accessible to a voter before the voter submits the ballot, said reading or imaging each ballot including reading or imaging a jurisdiction identifier thereof for selecting a template and reading or imaging voting selections marked on the ballot, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains;

displaying the voting selections marked on each ballot in accordance with the selected template, but not recording or storing the voting selections; and

thereafter, submitting the ballot for counting,

whereby the voting selections marked on the ballot are displayed in accordance with the template for review by a voter prior to submitting the ballot for counting.

30. A method for reading ballots comprising:

making voting selections using any of a keyboard, a touch screen, a button, a switch, voice recognition apparatus, a Braille keyboard, a pen with writing recognition interface;

then producing a printed ballot by printing the voting selections on a ballot form or printing a ballot form including the voting selections;

repeating said making and said producing steps for a plurality of voters, and then;

reading or imaging each printed ballot by a reader located at a place accessible to a voter before the voter submits the ballot, said reading or imaging including determining voting selections marked on the ballot in accordance with a template corresponding to a jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which the read or imaged printed ballot pertains;

displaying the voting selections marked on each ballot in accordance with the template corresponding to the jurisdiction or jursidictions but not recording or storing the voting selections; and

thereafter, submitting the ballot for counting,

whereby the voting selections marked on the ballot are read and displayed in accordance with the template for review by a voter prior to submitting the ballot for counting.

31. A method for reading paper ballots having a jurisdiction identifier thereon and having voting selections marked thereon, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains, comprising:

imaging each paper ballot;

decoding the jurisdiction identifier of the image of each paper ballot;

selecting responsive to the decoded jurisdiction identifier a template for decoding the voting selections marked on each paper ballot; and

decoding the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the selected template,

whereby the voting selections marked on each paper ballot are decoded in accordance with a template corresponding to the jurisdiction identifier for that paper ballot.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the paper ballots have different jurisdiction identifiers, and wherein the paper ballots are not sorted according to the jurisdiction identifier prior to said imaging.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein said selecting and said decoding the voting selections marked on each paper ballot are performed substantially contemporaneously.

34. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

comparing the voting selections decoded from each ballot to the selected template for providing an indication of an under vote, an indication of an over vote or an indication of an under vote and an over vote of each paper ballot;

or

tabulating the voting selections decoded from each of the paper ballots;

or

comparing the voting selections decoded from each ballot to the selected template for providing an indication of an under vote, an indication of an over vote, or an indication of an under vote and an over vote of each paper ballot, and tabulating the voting selections decoded from each of the paper ballots.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said tabulating the voting selections decoded from each of the paper ballots includes tabulating the voting selections according to a jurisdiction represented by each jurisdiction identifier.

36. The method of claim 31 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier, and wherein said decoding the jurisdiction identifier includes decoding the corresponding unique ballot identifier.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising publishing the voting selections decoded from each paper ballot and the corresponding jurisdiction identifier and unique ballot identifier decoded from that paper ballot.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising authenticating each paper ballot responsive to the decoded unique ballot identifier.

39. The method of claim 31 further comprising, prior to said imaging and for each of a plurality of voters, producing by a voting machine of a paper ballot including voting selections made by a voter.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said producing a paper ballot comprises printing the voting selections on a ballot form or printing a ballot form including the voting selections.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the voter makes voting selections using any of a keyboard, a touch screen, a button, a switch, voice recognition apparatus, a Braille keyboard, a pen with writing recognition interface.

42. A reader for reading ballots comprising:

means for reading each ballot including imaging a jurisdiction identifier thereof and voting selections marked thereon, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains; and

a processor for receiving the jurisdiction identifier for each ballot for selecting a template and for recording the voting selections marked on each ballot in accordance with the selected template,

whereby the voting selections marked on each ballot are read and recorded in accordance with a template corresponding to the jurisdiction identifier for that ballot.

43. The optical reader of claim 42 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier thereon, wherein said means for reading images the unique ballot identifier, and wherein said processor processes the unique ballot identifier of each paper ballot for authenticating each paper ballot.

44. A method for reading ballots comprising:

reading each ballot including reading a jurisdiction identifier thereof and voting selections marked thereon, wherein the jurisdiction identifier identifies the jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which each ballot pertains; and

processing the jurisdiction identifier for each ballot for selecting a template; and

recording the voting selections marked on each ballot in accordance with the selected template,

whereby the voting selections marked on each ballot are read and recorded in accordance with a template corresponding to the jurisdiction identifier for that ballot.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the paper ballots each have a corresponding unique ballot identifier thereon, wherein said reading includes reading the unique ballot identifier, and further comprising processing the unique ballot identifier of each paper ballot for authenticating each paper ballot.

46. The method of claim 44 further comprising, prior to said reading and for each of voters, producing by a voting machine of a paper ballot voting selections made by a voter.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein said producing a paper ballot comprises printing the voting selections on a ballot form or printing a ballot form including the voting selections.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the voter makes voting selections using any of a keyboard, a touch screen, a button, a switch, voice recognition apparatus, a Braille keyboard, a pen with writing recognition interface.

49. A method for optically reading ballots comprising:

making voting selections using any of a keyboard, a touch screen, a button, a switch, voice recognition apparatus, a Braille keyboard, a pen with writing recognition interface;

then producing a paper ballot by printing the voting selection on a ballot form or printing a ballot form including the voting selections;

repeating said making and said producing steps for a plurality of voters, and then;

reading or imaging each paper ballot including reading the voting selections marked thereon; and

processing the read or imaged paper ballot for determining the voting selections thereon in accordance with a template corresponding to a jurisdiction or jurisdictions to which the read or imaged paper ballot pertains,

whereby the voting selections are marked on each paper ballot and are processed in accordance with the templeate corresponding to the jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising either:

recording the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the template corresponding to the jurisdiction;

or

displaying the voting selections marked on each paper ballot in accordance with the template corresponding to the jurisdiction, but not recording or storing the voting selections.

51. The method of claim 49 wherein each paper ballot is associated with a jurisdiction and wherein said processing includes selecting the template corresponding to the jurisdiction in accordance with the jurisdiction associated with the paper ballot.