FR2607294A1 - Addressable electronic vote device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic vote device, characterised in that it comprises a signal processing unit and a plurality of vote boxes linked to the processing unit, each box comprising means for receiving address signals and comparing each received address with a specific address of the box, means for casting a vote and sending out a corresponding signal, and means for transmitting this vote signal to the processing unit, only when the received address is identical to the address of the box, and the said processing unit comprising means for generating address signals relating to the set of addresses of the boxes, and means for receiving the vote signals originating from the boxes and storing the corresponding votes in memory, so that a one-to-one relationship exits between each memory-stored vote and the address of the box from which it originates. Application in the field of votes, opinion polls and teaching.

Description

 Different situations are encountered, in which the different members of an assembly are called upon to formulate a choice from among several possible options. This is the case with an assembly of voters in which each participant is asked for an immediate response of the "FOR", AGAINST or ABSTAIN type to a question asked.

 A first problem posed is that of the precise and immediate accounting of the different responses. Visual accounting is difficult to perform and always subject to caution.

A second problem posed is that of keeping a record of the votes cast, not only in terms of overall results (45% of FOR, 20 O of
AGAINST, 35 O / G ABSTENTION) but, as is often necessary, in terms of nominative results (Mr. X voted FOR, Ms. Y voted AGAIN).

 The object of the invention is therefore to provide an electronic voting device making it possible to carry out a precise and nominative counting of votes in a simple manner, and to store the corresponding information.

The invention relates for this purpose to an electronic voting device, characterized in that it comprises a signal processing unit and a plurality of individual voting boxes each connected to the processing unit, each voting box comprising means to receive address signals sequentially from said processing unit and to compare each address received with a specific address of the box; means for taking a vote and transmitting a corresponding vote signal; and means for transmitting this voting signal to
the processing unit, only when the address received
is identical to the specific address of the box, and
said processing unit comprising means for
sequentially generate relative address signals
to all the specific addresses of the boxes
means for receiving the voting signals from the boxes and memorizing the corresponding votes,
way that a unique relationship exists between each
memorized vote and the address of the box from which it comes;
and means for processing said votes.

Advantageously, the processing unit
includes means for sequentially transmitting and
together with the address signals the signals
relating to the votes already memorized, each vote signal
stored being issued at the same time as the address to which
it corresponds, each voting unit comprising
means for separately viewing each of the different
possible votes, means to receive said votes
memorized voting signals and issue a corresponding signal
laying towards said display means, only
when the address received by the polling station is
identical to its specific address.

Preferably, the processing unit
includes a microprocessor and memory.

Advantageously, each voting box
understands
- a logical address comparator,
- a device for addressing the connected housing
at the input of the comparator,
- a door arranged downstream of the means for
vote and arranged to transmit signals
to vote, and
- a door arranged upstream of the means of
display and arranged to receive the voting signals
memorized these two doors being connected to the output of the
comparator to receive an unlock signal when
the address received by the comparator is identical to
the address of the polling station.

In addition, said doors include
encoders.

Other details and advantages of the invention
will appear during the following description, of a
preferred but not limiting embodiment, in
look at the attached drawings, on which
Figure 1 is the overall diagram of the
electronic voting device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a time diagram of
signals from the device.

Figure 3 is the detailed diagram of the
voting box according to the invention.

The electronic voting system represented
seen in FIG. 1 comprises a processing unit 1 known in itself and constituted by a microprocessor,
for example of the type Z80 from the company INTEL, to which
a memory 2 is connected by a bus 3. Memory 2
includes part of EPROM semi-read only memory
(Erasable progammable read only memory) and part
Random access s memory (RAM) of H-MOS type
saved with a lithium battery.

A main bundle of electrical conductors 30 arranged in a sheet connects the processing unit 1
to a plurality of voting boxes, one of which 20 is shown. The bundle includes an address bus 31
composed of seven conductors allowing to convey
one hundred and twenty-eight signals from different addresses, one bus
32 consisting of two conductors and a bus
data return 33 also consisting of two conductors
as well as power supply conductors
not shown. The main beam 30
carries a plurality of sockets 35, 36 distributed over its
length.

 To each voting unit 20 is attached a connection harness 21 identical to the main harness 30 and extending the latter. The connection bundle 21 carries a socket 22 cooperating with a socket 35 of the main bundle.

 Each voting unit 20 comprises a logical address comparator 23 at the input of which the address bus 31 is connected on the one hand, and on the other hand an addressing device 24 of the voting unit via of a seven-conductor bundle 25.

 The addressing device 24 makes it possible to deliver on its seven conductors seven bits or voltage levels "1" or "O" well defined and constituting the specific address of the voting unit considered. The logical address comparator 23 makes it possible to compare two by two the bits coming from the addressase device 24 with those coming from the address bus 31.

 The logical address comparator 23 has at its output two conductors 26, 27 connected respectively to a decimal-binary encoder or keyboard encoder 28 and to a binary-decimal encoder 29. It delivers on these two conductors 26, 27 two signals of unlock encoders 28 and 29 only when the two addresses it compares are identical.

 At the input of the keyboard encoder 28 are connected three push button switches 41 to 43, by means of three conductors 44. The three switches correspond respectively to a vote "FOR", a vote "AGAINST" and to a vote "ABSTAIN". The "pressed" or "released" state of each switch is transformed into an "O" or "1" bit. The keyboard encoder 28 transforms the input signals corresponding to three bits into two output signals corresponding to a two-bit binary number which are conveyed by the data bus 32, only when it receives an enable signal by the driver 26. For example, the numbers 01, 11 and 10 translate the three aforementioned votes. The keyboard encoder 28 therefore has two functions: an encoder function, that is to say of signal transformation, and a logic gate function.

 The data return bus 33 is connected to the input of the binary-decimal encoder 29, while at the output of the latter are connected three indicator lights 51 to 53, by three conductors 54. The indicator lights 51 53 are respectively arranged opposite the three switches 41 to 43.

 The encoder 29 receives as input two signals corresponding to a two-bit binary number which translates one of the three votes "FOR", "AGAINST" or "ABSTENTION".

The encoder 29 transforms these two signals into three signals corresponding to three bits, only when it receives an unblocking signal by the conductor 27.

The binary-decimal encoder 29 therefore also has the two functions of encoder and logic gate.

 The indicator light next to the push button corresponding to the transmitted vote lights up.

 The memory 2 connected to the processing unit 1 contains all of the different specific addresses of the voting boxes connected to the main beam 30, each address being contained in a well located memory box. It also contains a program for managing the electronic voting device and in particular a program part intended to control the processing unit 1 for sequentially reading all the addresses of the voting boxes in the memory and transmitting a corresponding signal on the address bus 31.

 FIG. 2 shows a first time axis relating to the pressed or released state of the pushbuttons of switches 41 to 43. The time TE corresponds to a period during which a user performs a vote and one of the buttons -pusher is pressed.

In practice, the TE time cannot be less than 1 ms.

A second time axis relates to the transmission of address signals on the address bus 31, by the processing unit 1. For example, each address signal is transmitted on the bus for approximately 0.1 Us, all of the one hundred and twenty-eight address signals being transmitted on a cycle of duration t close to 10 Eus. Furthermore, all of the address signals are transmitted several times successively, for example three times over a period therefore equal to 3t, that is to say 30 Us. This transmission of duration 3t is itself repeated for throughout the duration of a voting session, at fixed time intervals A t and less than the TE period for pressing the push buttons, In this way, it is certain that the TE period will coincide with at least one transmission of duration 3t.

 The memory also contains a program part intended to control the storage of data, that is to say of the votes conveyed by the data bus 32 in the memory. A memory box is assigned to each voting box and will be used to store successive votes from this voting box. A single vote is stored during the time 0.1 us when a determined address signal is sent on the address bus 31, this vote necessarily coming from the box whose address is sent. Indeed, only this box, recognizing its specific address, will send an unlock signal to its keyboard encoder 28, which in turn will send a vote signal. There is thus an unequivocal relationship between each memorized vote and the address of the box from which it comes.

 The memory contains yet another part of the program for controlling the unit of.

processing 1 to sequentially read all the votes stored in memory and send a signal
corresponding on the data return bus 33, at the same
time and the same way it reads all of
addresses of the polling stations. Because of the relationship
unequivocal existing between each memorized vote and the address
of the box from which it comes, the processing unit 1 is
capable of simultaneously transmitting a signal relating to the address
a determined voting unit on the address bus 31,
and a signal relating to the last memorized vote coming from
of this voting unit, on the data return bus 33.

This last memorized vote is highlighted by the allu
mage of one of the three indicator lights 51 to 53. In fact, only the voting unit whose address is sent will emit
in turn an unlock signal in the direction of its
binary-decimal encoder 29: this will then issue a
signal for lighting up.

In summary, by the time an address signal
relating to a specific voting unit is issued on the bus
of addresses 31 from the processing unit, two
other signals are transmitted almost instantaneously
on the main beam 30, namely a vote signal
on data bus 32 and a return vote signal
on the data return bus 33.

There are two situations to consider. In the
first situation, the emission of these three signals in
tervient outside the TE sinking period
push buttons. The vote return signal corresponds
the last vote already stored in memory, or, in the
cases where the pushbuttons have not yet been
manipulated, to a neutral signal, i.e. a signal
not likely to modify the content of the memory.

 As for the voting signal, it corresponds to a neutral signal.

In the second situation, the emission of
three aforementioned signals occur in the TE period
push buttons. The return signal
still corresponds either to the last vote already memorized or to a neutral signal. But the vote signal corresponds to the choice of vote made, that is to say the push button which is pressed. In memory, the memory box assigned to the voting box in question, which was empty or contained the last vote taken, is then loaded and contains the new vote which is being taken.

 The electronic voting device described above makes it possible in particular to vote a meeting of voters gathered in a room in which individual voting boxes in number at least equal to that of the voters are distributed.

 A session chairman can direct operations from a keyboard 11 (FIG. 1) making it possible to control the operation of the processing unit 1 and the display of information or results on a control screen 10 placed next to the keyboard 11, and on a large screen 12 visible to the entire assembly.

A printer 15 is provided for printing continuously, on a listing, all of the operations and results.
At the end of the devout session, a report can be drawn up using a microcomputer for word processing 13, controlling a printer 16.

 The chairman having invited the assembly to vote, each voter votes completely independently of the other voters. He may vote several times in a row if he wants to correct his choice, each new vote canceling the previous vote. The lighting of one of the three indicator lights 51 to 53 reminds the voter of the last vote which is memorized, and which in principle corresponds to the last vote he made. Thus, the voter can verify that the content of memory 2 corresponds to his choice. This protects against any failure or error in the wiring in the electronic voting device.

 Then the chairman of the meeting decides to stop the voting operation: he controls the processing unit 1 so as to save the contents of the memory 2 and to make inoperative any subsequent manipulation on the voting boxes The votes stored in the memory 2 are the last votes taken before the end of the voting process.

Because of the unequivocal relation existing between the saved votes and the address of the boxes from which they come, one can display or print not only the overall results (45% of FOR, 20% of
AGAINST, 35 Ó ABSTENTION) but also nominative results (Mr. X voted FOR, Ms. Y voted AGAINST, etc.). To do this, all you have to do is enter the names of the different voters beforehand and associate the address of the voting box held by the voter in question with each name.

Regarding the voting box shown in Figure 3, the elements according to Figure 1 have the same references. The logical address comparator 23, the keyboard encoder 28 and the binary-decimal encoder 29 consist of three integrated circuits notably supplied by the Company
MOTOROLA and bearing the references 74 HC 688, 74 HC 175 and 74 HC 243 respectively.

 The addressing device 24 of the voting unit comprises seven resistors 241, each resistor connecting a common reference voltage source 600 to one of seven inputs of the logic comparator 23.

Between each of the seven inputs of the logic comparator 23 and the ground is provided a microswitch 242.

 The three push-button switches 41 to 43 are mounted between three inputs of the keyboard encoder 28 and earth. Furthermore, the above-mentioned reference voltage source 600 is connected to each of these inputs via a resistor 400.

 The three indicator lights 51 to 53 are constituted by light-emitting diodes. Each diode is mounted between an output of the decimal binary encoder 29 and the reference voltage source 600, via a resistor 500 connected in series with the diode and common to the three diodes.

 Unlike the diagram in FIG. 1, the data return bus 33 is, in FIG. 3, connected to the output of the keyboard encoder 28, three inputs of the binary-decimal encoder 29 being connected to the three keyboard encoder inputs 28.

 The keyboard encoder 28 therefore plays the role of encoder for both the data signals and the data return signals, and the gate role for the data signals. Consequently, in this example, the binary-decimal encoder 29 only plays the role of gate for the data return signals.

 Note that the number of switches allowing, in each voting unit, to make different choices is not limited to three. In the case of a large number of switches, the use of encoders 28 and 29 will make it possible, even more appreciably than in this example, to reduce the number of conductors of the data buses 32 and of data return 33 relative to the number of conductors connecting the switches to the encoders.

 But the encoding function is not essential. Only the logic gate function, fulfilled by the encoders, is necessary. It is therefore possible to provide an assembly in which the three switches 41 to 43 and the three luminous lights 51 to 53 are connected separately, and by a logic gate assigned to each of them, to one of six inputs of the treatment 1.

 The electronic voting device according to the invention offers numerous applications. It will be used in particular for non-confidential (replacing the traditional show of hands) or confidential voting sessions: in the latter case, a cover will hide the push buttons of each voting box.

 It will make it possible to make all types of immediate polls in an assembly, and in the field of education, examinations by means of multiple choice questions.

Claims (5)

 1.- Electronic voting device, characterized in that it comprises a signal processing unit (1) and a plurality of individual voting boxes  (20) each connected to the processing unit, each voting unit comprising  - means (23, 24) for receiving address signals coming sequentially from said processing unit and for comparing each address received with a specific address of the box;  - means (41 to 43) for carrying out a vote and transmitting a corresponding vote signal; and  - Means (28) for transmitting this vote signal to the processing unit, only when the address received is identical to the specific address of the box; and said processing unit comprising  - Means for sequentially generating address signals relating to all of the specific addresses of the boxes;  - signals for receiving the voting signals from the boxes and memorizing (3) the corresponding votes, so that a unique relationship exists between each memorized vote and the address of the box from which it comes; and  - means of processing said votes.  2.- Device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises means for sequentially transmitting, and at the same time as the address signals, signals relating to the votes already stored, each stored vote signal being transmitted in at the same time as the address to which it corresponds, each voting unit comprising means (51 to 53) for viewing each of the different possible votes separately, means (29) for receiving said stored voting signals and transmitting a corresponding signal to said display means, only when the address received by the voting unit is identical to its specific address.  3.- Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing unit comprises a microprocessor (1) and a memory (2, 3).  4.- Device according to claim 2 wherein each voting unit comprises  - a logical address comparison (23),  - a device (24) for addressing the box connected to the input of the comparator,  a door (28) disposed downstream of the means (41 to 43) for carrying out a vote and arranged to transmit voting signals, and  - a door (29) arranged upstream of the display means (51 to 53) and arranged to receive the stored voting signals, these two doors being connected to the output of the comparator (23) to receive an unlock signal when the address received by the comparator is identical to the address of the voting unit.  5.- Device according to claim 4, wherein said doors comprise encoders.