JP2019144665A - Ballot paper processing system and ballot paper processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a ballot paper processing system and a ballot paper processing method capable of preventing the voting status from being compromised when counting ballots.SOLUTION: A ballot sheet processing system includes a ballot sheet classification part for classifying ballot sheets into predetermined categories; a first information management part for managing information related to the operation of a ballot sheet classification function in the ballot sheet classification part; a second information management part for managing information output from the first information management part; and an operation information display control part for displaying and controlling information related to the operation of the ballot sheet classification function based on information managed by the second information management part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a voting paper processing system and a voting paper processing method capable of preventing leakage of a voting situation when performing voting paper voting work.

  Conventionally, when a candidate who is running for a public election, such as a Diet member, is selected by voting by a voter, an election management committee or the like counts the ballots voted by each voter at a polling place. Here, since the manual work by the election committee etc. is performed manually, the human labor of the election management committee etc. is excessive, so the technology for performing the tabulation work using a ballot paper sorter is known. .

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a ballot paper sorter having a scanner, a plurality of classification pockets, and a small liquid crystal display is connected to a personal computer, the number of votes obtained for each candidate name input to the personal computer, and information for extracting ballot paper from the classification pocket. Etc. are disclosed on a small liquid crystal display.

JP 2011-054103 A

  However, according to the prior art represented by the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the number of votes for each candidate name is displayed on a small liquid crystal display provided in the voting paper sorter, so that the press related persons who are located in the ticket office As a result, there is a problem that the small liquid crystal display is looked into, and as a result, the number of votes for each candidate name leaks to the outside. This is because, although it is a small liquid crystal display, there may be cases in which the media and the media are looking through a telescope.

  Further, when the number of candidates is large, it becomes impossible to display a list of the number of votes of all candidates on the small liquid crystal display provided in the voting paper sorter. Therefore, the display device of the personal computer connected to the voting paper sorter There is a possibility that the voting result is displayed on the screen, but in this case, there is a problem that the number of votes is leaked.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and can be used to prevent the balloting situation from being leaked when the balloting operation is performed. It aims to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a voting paper classification unit that classifies voting paper for each predetermined classification, and information relating to operation of voting paper classification in the voting paper classification unit. One information management unit, a second information management unit for managing information output from the first information management unit, and information on voting paper classification based on information managed by the second information management unit. And an operation information display control unit that controls display of information related to operation. Here, the information relating to the operation of the ballot paper classification means information such as a ballot paper recognition method, a classification method, the number of votes cast, a near-full state of the storage unit, and an error.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the first information management unit transmits a vote count result for each predetermined classification classified in the ballot paper classification unit to the second information management unit, The second information management unit performs a predetermined counting process on the vote count result output from the first information management unit.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the second information management unit includes an input unit that inputs information capable of specifying a target vote number that is the number of votes to be counted, and the operation information display control unit includes the input information The display control of the result of the totaling process and the number of the target votes is performed.

  Also, in the present invention according to the present invention, the second information management unit has a function of instructing settings related to information management in the first information management unit or voting paper classification in the voting paper classification unit. It is characterized by.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the second information management unit includes a selection unit that selects a setting from a plurality of settings based on information output from the first information management unit, The setting selected by the selection unit is instructed.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the operation information display control unit performs display control of the operation status of the classification operation in the voting paper classification unit.

  The present invention further includes a management information display control unit that displays predetermined information based on information managed in the first information management unit, wherein the first information management unit includes: It has a display control restriction part which restricts information controlled by the management information display control part.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the first information management unit further includes an output availability determination unit that determines whether information can be output to the second information management unit, and the display control restriction The unit restricts display control based on a determination result of the output permission determination unit.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the first information management unit further includes a display control restriction instruction receiving unit that receives a display control restriction instruction from the second information management unit, and the display control restriction unit includes: The display control restriction instruction receiving unit restricts display control based on reception of the display control restriction instruction.

  Further, the present invention provides the operation information display control unit in the above invention, wherein the display control restriction unit restricts display control of the management information display control unit, the operation information display control unit provides information on the operation of the ballot paper classification function. Display control is possible.

  The present invention also includes a voting paper classification step for classifying voting paper into predetermined classifications, a first information management step for managing information relating to operation of voting paper classification in the voting paper classification step, and the first A second information management step for managing information output by the information management step, and an operation information display control for controlling display of information relating to the operation of the ballot paper classification based on the information managed in the second information management step. And a step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent leakage of the vote-voting situation when performing ballot-dispensing work.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of information processing in a ballot paper processing system and a ballot paper processing method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of the voting paper sorter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration according to the present embodiment of the voting paper sorter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the client PC according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the office PC according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a ballot for the constituency for the lower house election, a ballot for the proportional ward for the lower house election, and a ballot for the national review of the Supreme Court judge. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a ballot for a constituency for the Upper House election and a ballot for a proportional ward for the Upper House election. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of voting paper classification processing in the voting paper classification system of this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the client PC in the vote counting mode and the management mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the client PC in the management mode and an example of a setting screen for setting the classification setting data in the client PC. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the office PC. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the office PC according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of automatic setting data stored in the storage unit.

  Exemplary embodiments of a voting paper processing system and a voting paper processing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Flow of ticketing work>
First, an outline of the flow of the balloting work for the ballots collected at the balloting station will be described. When the voter has finished voting using the ballots by the voters, the election committee member carries the ballot box containing the ballots to the counting place and spreads the ballots in the ballot box on the desk. Thereafter, the election management committee stacks an arbitrary number of ballots into a bundle and sets the ballot bundle on the ballot sorter 100. Thereafter, the ballot paper classifier 100 classifies and counts the ballot papers for each candidate name, and re-counts after visual inspection of the ballot papers counted by the election management committee, completing a series of vote counting operations.

  In addition, the voted ballots include a final vote that is a valid vote in which any candidate name officially registered in the election is properly described and an undecided vote other than the final vote. The final vote is checked by the election management committee member after completing the counting by the ballot paper sorting machine 100.

  On the other hand, the undecided vote is subdivided into a white vote, an invalid vote, an other matters description vote, a question vote, a prorated vote, and a reject vote (conveyance failure vote). A white vote means a blank ballot that contains nothing other than pre-printed contents, and an invalid vote is a vote that has a name or graffiti other than one of the candidates, although it is filled in something. Means paper. The other matter description vote is a ballot in which extra items other than the candidate name are entered in addition to the candidate name.

  The questionnaire is a part of the candidate name that is an entry and has an error or an unclear description. It cannot be identified by the ballot classification machine 100, and it is necessary for a person to determine whether or not to use a valid vote. Means. Since the candidate name is not correctly entered in such a questionnaire, the ballot paper sorter 100 cannot normally identify the candidate name from the questionnaire.

  The apportionment vote means a ballot where the entry is ambiguous and it is not clear which of a plurality of candidates has been selected from the entry. For example, when there are two candidates with the same surname, “Ichiro Tanaka” and “Jiro Tanaka”, a voting form in which only the last name “Tanaka” is entered becomes a prorated vote. In the case of such a prorated vote, for example, the share of each candidate is set based on the final number of votes obtained for each of the corresponding candidates, and one prorated vote is divided for each share of the multiple candidates. And add it to each candidate's acquisition vote.

  The invalid vote, the white vote, the other matters description vote, the question vote, and the apportionment vote are visually confirmed by the election management committee after classification by the ballot paper classifier 100, but the invalid vote and the white vote are not added to the total. In the ballot paper sorter 100, the reject vote is a skewed state inclined by a predetermined angle or more with respect to the traveling direction, a state adjacent to the preceding ballot paper or the subsequent ballot paper, or a multi-layered state in which a plurality of ballot papers overlap. Refers to a ballot that has not been read due to being conveyed in Since the reject vote is not excluded due to the problem of the entry itself, it is set again in the voting form sorting machine 100.

<Concept of Ballot Form Processing System According to Embodiment 1>
Next, an outline of the ballot paper processing system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the ballot paper processing system according to the first embodiment. The ballot processing system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of ballot sorting machines 100, a plurality of client PCs 20 (corresponding to a first information management unit), and an office PC 30 (corresponding to a second information management unit). Connected. The client PC 20 and the office PC 30 are so-called personal computers.

  The voting paper sorter 100 classifies and conveys voting paper into a plurality of storage units (stackers), a reading unit that reads information written on the voting paper, and information read by the reading unit to the client PC 20. A transmitting unit for transmitting.

  The client PC 20 uses the information read by the voting paper sorter 100 to determine the description items of the voting paper and transmits information for specifying the stacker to be conveyed to the voting paper sorter 100. With the cooperation of the voting paper sorter 100 and the client PC 20, the voting paper is distributed to a plurality of stackers according to a predetermined classification standard.

  The voting paper sorter 100 and the client PC 20 are installed in a vote counting space where an election management committee member and an election witness can enter and exit. On the other hand, the office PC 30 is installed in an office space where only the election committee members can enter and exit. The office PC 30 receives information (voting count information) regarding the classification of the voting paper from the client PC 20, and displays the total number of votes of each candidate, the status of the voting paper 100 stacker, the error status, and the like.

  The client PC 20 includes (1) stacker information (information such as the number of sheets collected and near full) on the stacker on which the voting paper classified by the voting paper sorter 100 is accumulated, and (2) error information on the voting paper sorter 100 ( Information such as voting paper jam, voting paper rejection, etc.) is displayed.

  The office PC 30 includes (1) the vote status for each candidate using the information from the client PC 20, the vote status such as the voted status indicating how many votes are classified among the total number of voting sheets, (2 ) The work status such as what work each voting paper sorter 100 is performing is displayed.

  Conventionally, since the vote counting status and the like are displayed on a small display arranged in the client PC 20 or the ballot paper sorter 100, witnesses (including the media representatives) who can enter the ticketing space use the binoculars to vote. It was possible to look into the situation, and as a result, the vote-voting results could leak to the outside. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the client PC 20 does not display information related to the vote-voting result, so that the possibility that the vote-voting result is leaked to the outside can be reduced. Conventionally, since the client PC 20 can collect only the vote-voting information from the ballot paper classifier 100 corresponding to the client PC 20, each election management committee member must know each vote-voting situation in the entire voting hall. Although there was no choice but to manually count the vote-voting status displayed on the client PC 20, in the first embodiment, the totaling result of a plurality of units is displayed on the office PC 30, so that work management becomes easy. , There is no possibility that the result of voting is leaked to the outside.

<External configuration of voting paper sorter 100>
Next, the external configuration of the voting paper sorter 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the voting paper sorter 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the voting paper sorter 100 includes a hopper 101, a reject unit 102, a stacker 103, a stacker unit 104, a main unit 105 and a display unit 106.

  The hopper 101 is a part where voting sheets before classification are set. The hopper 101 has a concave shape that is recessed toward the inside, and the bottom surface (the surface facing upward in the hopper 101) extends in an inclined manner toward the lower left side in the drawing. On this bottom surface, a large number of voting sheets to be classified can be set in a state of being stacked one above the other.

  The reject unit 102 is a part where reject votes are accumulated. Although not shown in the figure, the reject unit 102 includes a reject port for ejecting reject slips and a reject tray for stacking the ejected reject slips in a stacked state. The reject tray has a concave shape that is continuously recessed from the reject port toward the inside. Since the reject unit 102 is provided in the vicinity of the hopper 101, it is easy to take out the reject slip and reset it.

  The stacker 103 is a portion in which classified ballots are stored in a stacked state. The stacker 103 has a box shape, has an outlet on the front side, and an internal space is exposed to the front side from the outlet. The stacker unit 104 includes a plurality (eight in this case) of stackers 103, and can be separated and connected to a main unit 105 described later in units. Accordingly, the stacker unit 104 can be additionally connected and operated as appropriate depending on the amount of voting paper to be classified and the number of types of votes to be classified.

  The main unit 105 is a unit that controls the entire voting paper sorter 100. The display unit 106 includes multicolor LEDs and the like, and is provided for each stacker 103. The state of the voting paper of the stacker 103, specifically, the light is turned on / off according to the sensor output provided inside the stacker 103 and detecting the presence or absence of the voting paper. For example, it is turned off in a standby state where nothing is in the stacker 103, and turns on in blue when voting paper is stored in the stacker 103. When an error such as a jam occurs in the stacker 103, it flashes red. Further, when the number of voting sheets stored in the stacker 103 reaches a near full state, it blinks in blue.

<Internal configuration of voting paper sorter 100>
Next, the internal configuration of the voting paper sorter 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the voting paper sorter 100 shown in FIG. The voting paper sorter 100 includes the stacker 103 and the display unit 106, the conveyance unit 107, the operation unit 108, the image reading unit 109, the communication unit 110, the storage unit 111, and the control unit 112 that have already been described. .

  The transport unit 107 is a part that transports the voting paper to be classified, and (1) a switchback transport path that can reverse the front and back direction of the voting paper (direction in the short direction of the voting paper), (2) It includes a spiral conveyance path in which the vertical direction of the voting paper (direction in the longitudinal direction of the voting paper) can be reversed, and (3) a rejection conveyance path for rejecting the voting paper.

  The operation unit 108 is a portion that is operated when the voting paper sorter 100 starts and stops the classification process, and is provided at a position that is easily accessible from the outside near the hopper 101.

  The image reading unit 109 includes a plurality of sensors and the like, and has a function of reading an image of voting paper passing through the conveyance path. The plurality of sensors include a sensor that reads an image on the upper surface of the voting sheet facing the upper surface of the conveyance path and a sensor that reads the lower surface of the voting sheet facing the lower surface of the conveyance path.

  The communication unit 110 is an interface unit for data communication with an external device. Data communication with the client PC 20 can be performed through the communication unit 110.

  The storage unit 111 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 111 stores image data 111a and stacker control data 111b. The image data 111 a is image data of a voting sheet read by the image reading unit 109. The stacker control data 111b is data for managing the stacker 103 included in the stacker unit 104 connected to the main body unit 105 with identification information (number), and corresponds to the separation / connection of the stacker unit 104. Updated.

  In the example of FIG. 1, since eight stackers are provided in each of the four stacker units 104, there are 32 stackers for classification. When the reject unit 102 is included, 33 ballot paper destinations are transported. is there. For this reason, the stacker control data 111b stores stacker data with numbers 0 to 32 as transport destinations. The numbered stacker data is transmitted to the client PC 20 as stacker setting data.

  The control unit 112 is a part that controls the entire voting paper sorter 100, and includes an image data processing unit 112a, a stacker control unit 112b, and a conveyance control unit 112c. In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, whereby processes corresponding to the respective programs are stored. Will be executed.

  The image data processing unit 112a performs processing for transmitting the image data 111a read by the image reading unit 109 to the client PC 20 via the communication unit 110, and stores the image data 111a read by the image reading unit 109. Update (new storage / deletion) is performed.

  The stacker control unit 112 b is provided inside the stacker 103 and is used to detect the output of a sensor that detects the presence or absence of voting paper, display control of the display unit 106 provided corresponding to the stacker 103, and transport inside the stacker 103. Control of electrical parts.

  In addition, the stacker control unit 112b can perform “batch operation” in which a predetermined number of batch sheets are collected in response to a predetermined setting operation. For example, originally, the maximum number of voting sheets stored in the stacker 103 is 130 sheets. However, in the case of batch operation, only one candidate voting sheet is stored in batches. Since the number of batches can be set to a good number such as 100 (or 50), it is possible to quickly grasp the number of voting papers by counting the number of voting paper bundles for each batch number. Is possible.

  The transport control unit 112 c controls the transport unit 107. In particular, control is performed to convey the voting paper received by the hopper 101 to the previous stacker 103 instructed from the client PC 20 through the communication unit 110.

<Internal configuration of client PC 20>
Next, the internal configuration of the client PC 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the client PC 20 shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the client PC 20 includes a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, a communication unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

  The display unit 21 includes a color liquid crystal display or the like and is used for displaying information to the operator. The operation unit 22 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and accepts an input operation from the operator.

  The communication unit 23 is an interface unit for communicating with the ballot paper sorter 100 and the office PC 30 via a predetermined communication line. A printer for outputting vote-voting information can be connected to the communication unit 23.

  The storage unit 24 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 24 stores stacker setting data 24a, classification setting data 24b, image data 24c, total data 24d, and classifier data 24e.

  The stacker setting data 24 a is data assigned to the stacker 103 connected to the voting paper sorter 100 and is transmitted from the voting paper sorter 100. The classification setting data 24b includes data such as a candidate name which is a classification standard used for classification of voting paper, and is input and set by an operation of the operation unit 22 or the like. The classification setting data also includes correspondence data indicating which candidate name vote is assigned to which stacker based on the classification reference data and the stacker setting data 24a. The client PC 20 counts and counts the ballots based on the data.

  The image data 24 c is image data of voting paper transmitted from the voting paper sorting machine 100. The tabulated data 24d is data on the number of votes that are tabulated based on the classification setting data 24b and the image data 24c, and includes information on the subject of tabulation (for example, types such as a small constituency, proportional representative, national examination). The total data 24d is transmitted to the office PC 30 at every predetermined timing when the operation mode is a management mode described later. The sorter data 24e is data including the current state of the ballot paper sorter 100 and a history of operations. The sorter data 24e is stored based on device status data transmitted from the voting paper sorter 100 at regular time intervals, and includes error information such as the near-full status of the stacker 103 and the conveyance jam of the conveyance unit 107. .

  The control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the client PC 20 as a whole, and includes a display control unit 25a, a classification recognition unit 25b, a classification control unit 25c, and a mode control unit 25d. In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, whereby the display control unit 25a, The classification recognition unit 25b, the classification control unit 25c, and the mode control unit 25d execute corresponding processes.

  The display control unit 25 a performs information display control on the display unit 21. In this information display control, different information is displayed by mode switching of a mode control unit 25d described later. The classification recognition unit 25b has a character recognition function and recognizes characters and the like included in the image data 24c received from the voting paper sorter 100. Then, the candidate name which is the classification standard included in the classification setting data 24b is collated, and the voting paper corresponding to the received image data 24c is classified.

  The classification control unit 25c assigns the correspondence between the stacker and the candidate name based on the input classification reference data such as the candidate name and the stacker setting data 24a, and generates the classification setting data 24b. In addition, when the classification recognition unit 25b determines the classification of the voting paper, the voting paper classification machine 100 is instructed to which stacker the corresponding voting paper is to be conveyed based on the classification setting data 24b.

  The mode control unit 25d determines whether or not the office PC 30 is connected by communication via the communication unit 23, and performs control to switch the operation mode. Specifically, when the office PC 30 is not connected, the vote counting mode in which the display information is displayed by the display control unit 25a is set as the operation mode. On the other hand, when the office PC 30 is connected, management for managing the voting paper sorter 100 by making it possible to display information on the state of the voting paper sorter 100 without displaying the total information by the display control unit 25a. Mode. By such switching of the operation mode, it is possible to smoothly cope with the presence / absence of the office PC 30.

<Internal configuration of office PC 30>
Next, the internal configuration of the office PC 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the office PC 30 shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the office PC 30 includes a display unit 31, an operation unit 32, a communication unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

  The display unit 31 is composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like, and is used for displaying information to the operator. The operation unit 32 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and accepts an input operation from the operator.

  The communication unit 33 is an interface unit for communicating with the client PC 20 via a predetermined communication line. A plurality of client PCs 20 can be connected to the communication unit 33.

  The storage unit 34 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 34 stores total data 34a, total vote count data 34b, and vote count total data 34c.

  The tabulated data 34a is data of the number of votes tabulated by the client PC 20, and when a plurality of client PCs 20 are connected, the tabulated data 34a for a plurality of units is stored. The total vote number data 34b is data on the total number of ballots distributed to voters in the voting venue. After the ballot is distributed to voters by the election management committee, the number of votes is input via the operation unit 32. Remembered. The vote counting total data 34c is data indicating the number of votes obtained for each candidate and the number of votes counted based on the total data 34a, the total vote number data 34b, and the like, and when a plurality of client PCs 20 are connected. This is data obtained by summing up information for a plurality of vehicles.

  The control unit 35 is a control unit that controls the office PC 30 as a whole, and includes a display control unit 35a and a vote counting totaling unit 35b. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or a non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, whereby the display control unit 35a and The corresponding vote counting unit 35b is caused to execute a corresponding process.

  The display control unit 35 a performs information display control on the display unit 31. Specifically, based on the vote counting total data 34c, display of the vote status, the vote status, etc. for each candidate is performed. The vote counting totaling unit 35b performs processing for generating the vote counting total data 34c based on the total data 34a, the total number of votes data 34b, and the like.

  Here, there are various styles of ballots. “Form” here refers to the form size of the ballot, the background color, the position, size, number, etc. of the form, the contents of the pre-prints pre-printed on the ballot other than the form ( Pre-print description, description position, character font, color, etc.). If pre-printing is performed on the back side of the voting paper (the side opposite to the side on which the entry frame is printed), the contents of the pre-printing on the back side are also included in this “style”. The presence / absence of pre-printing is also included in the “style” of the ballot.

  6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating examples of voting paper classified by the voting paper sorting machine 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 (a) shows a ballot for the lower house constituency of the House of Representatives election, Fig. 6 (b) shows a ballot for a proportional representative of the House of Representatives election, and Fig. 6 (c) shows the case of the House of Representatives election. The ballot for the national review of the Supreme Court judge held at the same time is shown. FIG. 7A shows a voting paper for a small constituency of the Upper House election, and FIG. 7B shows a voting paper for a proportional representative of the Upper House election.

  Here, the style is different between the ballot for the lower house election for the lower house election (see FIG. 6A) and the ballot for the proportional representation of the lower house election (see FIG. 6B). Specifically, the background color of the ballot (the ballot for the small constituency is colored as a whole), the size of the entry frame (the ballot for proportional representation is smaller in length), pre-printed There is a difference in contents (headings and notes).

  In addition, the ballot paper for the Lower House election (see Fig. 6 (a)) and the ballot paper for the national review of the Supreme Court judge (see Fig. 6 (c)) The ballot for the examination is larger), the background color (the ballot for the constituency is colored as a whole), the form, size and number of the entry frame (the ballot for the national examination is smaller The number of pre-prints (headings and notes) is different.

  In addition, the ballot for the constituency for the House of Councilors election (see Fig. 7 (a)) and the ballot for proportional representation (see Fig. 7 (b)) are the ground colors of the ballot (voting for the constituency). The paper is colored as a whole), the size of the entry frame (the proportional voting ballot is smaller in the vertical direction), and the contents of the pre-print (the contents of the headings and notes) are different.

  Even if the classification recognition unit 25b of the client PC 20 is set in the hopper 101 with the above-mentioned different election ballots mixed, the classification of the ballots can be classified according to the type of the ballot by determining the difference between these styles. Each can be subdivided and classified.

<Voting paper classification processing procedure>
Next, a voting paper classification process procedure in the voting paper classification system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a voting paper classification process procedure in the voting paper classification system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, when the voting paper sorter 100 receives a classification start operation in which the operation unit 108 is operated (step S101; Yes), the conveyance control unit 112c controls the conveyance unit 107 to vote. The sheet is conveyed to the reading unit (step S102). Then, it is determined whether or not the ballot paper is conveyed abnormally (step S103). This determination is made by detecting whether or not the voting paper is being conveyed in a skewed state by reading the leading edge and the trailing edge (edge) of the voting paper to be passed by a sensor provided in the image reading unit 109. Or by detecting that the voting sheet is being conveyed in an abnormally close state.

  If there is an abnormality in the conveyance (step S103; Yes), a rejection process for conveying the voting paper to the rejection unit 102 is performed (step S104). Although not shown in the figure, the fact that the rejection process has been performed is transmitted to the client PC 20. On the other hand, if there is no abnormality in the conveyance (step S103; No), the image reading unit 109 reads the image of the ballot paper (step S105), and transmits the read image data 111a to the client PC 20 (step S106).

  Thereafter, if there is an instruction from the client PC 20 for the voting paper transport destination stacker (step S107; Yes), the transport control unit 112c controls the transport unit 107, and the stacker control unit 112b controls the stacker 103 to be instructed. The voting paper is conveyed to the stacker (step S108). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not voting paper remains in the hopper 101 (step S109). If voting paper remains (step S109; Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if no voting paper remains (step S109; No), the process is terminated.

  The client PC 20 is in a state of waiting for receiving image data (step S110; No). When the image data is received (step S110; Yes), the character recognition process is performed by the classification recognition unit 25b (step S111). This character recognition process includes a process for recognizing the type of voting paper and a process for recognizing a candidate name described in accordance with the already-determined style determination. Then, based on the recognition result and the classification setting data 24b, a classification determination process is performed as to which stacker the recognized voting paper is to be conveyed (step S112).

  An example of the classification determination process will be described. If only one candidate name for the current election is included in the image read from the ballot, the ballot is identified as a final vote. If a candidate name or the like is not included in the image read from the ballot paper, the ballot paper is identified as a white vote. If the image read from the ballot includes a name of a candidate other than the candidate to be elected or a name of a political party, the ballot is identified as invalid.

  Even if the names of candidates and parties to be elected are included in the images read from the ballot, if the ballot contains extra items other than those, It is identified as a matter entry slip. If any one of the images read from the voting sheet contains some description items but the description content cannot be identified, the voting sheet is identified as a question card. If the image read from the ballot includes a confusing name that cannot be identified as one of a plurality of candidate names, the ballot is identified as a prorated vote.

  Then, based on the result of these classification determinations, the voting paper sorter 100 is instructed as a transport destination stacker by using the stacker determined in the classification setting data 24b as corresponding to the recognized voting paper (step S113). Then, the total data 24d indicating the number of votes obtained for each candidate name is updated based on the number of recognized ballots (step S114), and the updated total data is transmitted to the office PC 30 (step S115). The client PC 20 performs the processing from step S110 to step 115 each time image data is transmitted from the voting paper sorter 100.

  The office PC 30 is waiting to receive the total data (step S116; No). If the total data is received (step S116; Yes), the office PC 30 updates the total data 34a of its own device (step S117). The vote counting total data 34c is updated using the updated total data (step S118). The office PC 30 can be connected to a plurality of client PCs 20. When a plurality of client PCs 20 are connected, the processing of steps S116 to S118 is performed every time aggregate data is transmitted from each of the plurality of client PCs 20. Do.

<Example of information displayed on client PC 20>
Next, information displayed on the client PC 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Although detailed description thereof is omitted here, the screen of the client PC 20 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is updated as needed with the transmission information from the voting paper sorter 100 even during display.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating examples of screens displayed on the client PC 20 by the display control unit 25a in the vote counting mode. FIG. 9A shows information displayed on the client PC 20 during standby in the vote counting mode, and includes work information 201, mode information 202, a classification management tab 203, and a vote counting tab 204.

  The work information 201 is information indicating what work is being performed in the client PC 20 and the voting paper sorter 100 connected to the client PC 20, and is displayed based on the total data 24d and the sorter data 24e. Is done. In this case, it is indicated by the indication “lower house, constituency, voter” that you are counting votes in the lower constituency of the House of Representatives election.

  The mode information 202 is information indicating in which operation mode the client PC 20 is operating, and is displayed based on the control state of the mode control unit 25d. In this case, the display of “voting mode” indicates that the device is operating in the balloting mode.

  The classification management tab 203 includes stacker information 203a and a classifier status 203b as information for managing voting paper classification work in the voting paper classifier 100 connected to the client PC 20. The stacker information 203a is displayed based on the classification setting data 24b, the total data 24d, and the sorter data 24e, and the number of voting sheets accumulated for each number assigned to the stacker, the type of voting sheets accumulated, and the status of the stacker. (Such as an error condition or near-full condition). The sorter status 203b is displayed based on the sorter data 24e, and includes the status of the entire ballot paper sorter 100 (such as an error state or a near full state of the stacker).

  During standby, the classification management tab 203 is always displayed on the front, and the vote counting tab 204 is not displayed on the back. The contents of the information on the vote counting tab 204 will be described later. When the vote counting tab 204 is clicked on the screen of FIG. 9A, input of certain authentication information (such as a password) held only by the election management committee member is requested, and the authentication information is input. The screen 9 (b) is displayed.

  In the screen of FIG. 9B, in addition to the above-described work information 201 and mode information 202, information on the vote counting tab 204 is displayed on the front. Information on the vote counting tab 204 includes information on the number of finalized votes counted for each candidate based on the classification setting data 24b and the total data 24d, and other votes (invalid, white, other matters, and questionnaires). Voting information relating to the voting paper sorter 100 in which the number of votes is distributed. These pieces of information can also be output by a printer connected via the communication unit 23.

  Note that the screen of FIG. 9B is switched to the screen of FIG. 9A when the predetermined time has passed without any operation being performed, and the information on the vote counting tab 204 returns to the non-display state. Due to the display control of the series of display control units 25a, even when the office PC 30 is not connected (that is, operated in the vote counting mode), it is limited to a certain limited number of personnel (for example, election management committee members). In addition to providing the vote counting information, it is possible to reduce the risk of peeping the voted information by other personnel (such as witnesses).

  FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen (standby screen) displayed on the client PC 20 by the display control unit 25a in the management mode. The management mode is set by the mode control unit 25d when the office PC 30 is connected. The information displayed on the screen is almost the same as that shown in FIG. 9A except that the mode information 202 is “management mode” indicating that it is operating in the management mode. Tab 204 is not displayed.

  Therefore, the vote counting information based on the classification setting data 24b and the total data 24d is not displayed. That is, although the client PC 20 holds information related to the candidate's vote acquisition, the client PC 20 does not display the information but transmits the information to the office PC 30. For this reason, even if the client PC 20 operating in the management mode is looked into, there is no way of knowing which candidate is in what kind of voting situation, so the risk of voting information leaking can be reduced. it can.

  In the above-described screen examples in each mode, a screen on which certain information is displayed as the standby screen is illustrated. However, in a state where certain operations are not performed on the client PC 20, information such as screen saver display is not displayed. You may make it switch to a display state. The function related to the limitation of the display of the vote-voting information performed by the display control unit 25a functions as a “display control limiting unit that limits the information that is controlled by the management information display control unit”.

  FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting the classification setting data 24 b in the client PC 20. This setting screen includes setting type information 205, stacker setting information 206, and a setting confirmation button 207. The setting type information 205 indicates the election type for which the classification setting data 24b is set. In the example of FIG. 10B, the electoral district of the member of the House of Representatives is selected by the selection by the control box.

  The stacker setting information 206 is information indicating the type of vote to be classified into the stacker, the group of stackers, and the candidate name when classifying the final vote for each numbered stacker of the voting paper sorter 100. Here, by making the stacker group numbers the same, it is possible to assign the same type of vote (for example, voting sheets having the same corresponding candidate names) to a plurality of stackers. By inputting these settings using the input unit 22 and clicking the setting confirmation button 207, the classification setting data 24b can be set in the client PC 20.

<Example of information displayed on the office PC 30>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed during standby in the office PC 30 connected to the client PC 20. The example of FIG. 11 shows a screen displayed on the display unit 31 of the office PC 30 that is connected to each of the two ballot paper classifiers 100 and one client PC 20 connected thereto. Although the explanation is omitted below, the screen of the office PC 30 shown in FIG. 11 is updated as needed with the transmission information from the client PC 20 even during display.

  The information on the screen in FIG. 11 includes a vote counting tab 301, a sorter 1 tab 302, and a sorter 2 tab 303. The sorter 1 tab 302 and the sorter 2 tab 303 are information relating to the two lower voting paper sorters 100. By clicking on these tabs, the sort management tab 203 shown in FIG. Is displayed for each ballot paper sorter 100, but detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The vote counting tab 301 includes display target information 301a, target classifier information 301b, vote counting progress information 301c, and vote result information 301d. The display target information 301a is a part for selecting an election type that is a display target of vote counting information, and here, a small constituency of a member of the House of Representatives is selected as a display target of the vote count information.

  In the target classifier information 301b, the classifier that is counting votes for the election type selected in the display target information 301 is displayed. Here, it is shown that the sorting machine 1 and the sorting machine 2 are currently voting the ballot for the target election. In the vote counting progress information 301, the total vote number information displayed based on the total vote number data 34b, the vote count number information displayed based on the total data 34b updated based on the total data transmitted from the client PC 20, Information on the vote counting rate calculated from these is displayed.

  The total vote number information is the total number of ballots distributed at the voting venue, and is input and stored in advance by operating the operation unit 32. Here, “4726 sheets” is stored. The number-of-voting information is information obtained by summing the number of votes included in the aggregate data transmitted from the client PC 20 corresponding to a plurality of ballot paper classifiers 100 (for example, the classifier 1 and the classifier 2). " The number of votes cast can be calculated by the number of votes cast / the total number of votes × 100 (%), and is “60.5”% here. Even if the work is performed with a plurality of voting sheet classifications 100, the degree of progress of the vote-voting work can be managed based on the number of vote-voting rates. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the omission of votes.

  The voting result information 301d includes the number of final votes for each candidate and the number of votes based on the aggregate data transmitted from the client PC 20 corresponding to a plurality of ballot paper classifiers 100 (for example, the classifier 1 and the classifier 2). The rate is displayed. By the above-described display control of the screen by the display control unit 35a, it is possible to easily grasp the progress rate of the entire vote-opening operation, the vote status of each candidate, and the like. Even if the display of the vote counting information is restricted on the client PC 20 (for example, the state in which it is operating in the management mode), the office PC 30 has the total number of votes for each candidate and each ballot paper. Since it is possible to display information on the classifier (for example, information on the classifier 1 tab 302 and the classifier 2 tab 303), flexible operation is possible.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the ballot paper sorter 100, the client PC 20 and the office PC 30 are connected, the client PC 20 can grasp the status of the ballot paper sorter and the office PC 30. It is possible to manage the progress of the vote-voting work, and to reduce the risk of leakage due to peeping of the vote-voting information at the voting venue, thereby improving the convenience in the ballot paper classification process.

  In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the operation mode is switched between the vote counting mode and the management mode by the mode control unit 25d as a function of the client PC 20 is shown. However, the present invention is limited to the operation mode switching. Instead, only one of these modes, for example, the management mode may be fixedly operated.

  By the way, in the first embodiment, an example in which setting input for voting paper classification work and information display state is controlled in the client PC 20 is shown. However, these setting control and display control are connected to the host. It can also be performed from the office PC 30. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case where these setting control and display control are performed from the office PC 30 will be described. In addition, about the part which overlaps with Example 1, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

<Internal configuration of office PC 30 according to the second embodiment>
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the office PC 30 according to the second embodiment. The office PC 30 according to the second embodiment stores the classification setting data 34d and the automatic setting data 34e in the storage unit 34 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. Further, the configuration of the control unit 35 includes a setting instruction unit 35c and a mode instruction unit 35d.

  The classification setting data 34d includes data such as a candidate name which is a classification standard used for classification of voting paper in the voting paper classifier 100, and has the same configuration as the classification setting data 24b in the client PC 20. Further, input is performed on the display unit 31 through a setting screen equivalent to the setting screen as shown in FIG. However, unlike the classification setting data 24b in the client PC 20, when a plurality of voting paper classification machines 100 and the client PC 20 are connected, the classification setting data 34d corresponding to each is held in parallel. In addition, different classification setting data can be held according to the target of election (election district, proportional district, national examination, etc.).

  The automatic setting data 34e is data for automatically switching the classification setting data 24b in the client PC 20 and the mode control in the mode control unit 25d in accordance with preset conditions. It is stored by operating the operation unit 32.

  The setting instruction unit 35c is an instruction unit that distributes the classification setting data 34d to the client PC 20 via the communication unit 33 and instructs the client PC 20 to update the classification setting data 24b held by the classification setting data 34d. The internal configuration of the client PC 20 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, except that the classification setting data 24b is updated with the distributed data.

  The mode instruction unit 35d is an instruction unit that instructs the client PC 20 to change the operation mode via the communication unit 33. The client PC 20 in the second embodiment switches between the management mode and the vote counting mode by the mode control unit 25d as in the first embodiment. However, the mode control unit 25d does not switch the mode by detecting the connection of the office PC 30. The difference is that the mode is changed according to the mode change instruction from the office PC 30. The other configurations of the voting paper sorter 100 and the client PC 20 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

<Example of automatic setting data 34e>
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the automatic setting data 34 e stored in the storage unit 34. In FIG. 13, as one condition, it is specified that the operation mode of the client PC 20 is instructed to shift from the vote counting mode to the management mode at the start of classification. Further, as a second condition, it is stipulated that classification setting data for electoral districts is distributed and stored in the client PC 20 as classification setting data at the start of classification. As a third condition, it is stipulated that the classification setting data is switched from the setting for the small constituency to the setting for the proportional representation when the voting rate of the constituency reaches 80%.

  When the condition stored in the automatic setting data 34e is satisfied, the control unit 35 in the second embodiment instructs the client PC 20 by the setting instruction unit 35c or the mode instruction unit 35d to switch the classification setting or the operation mode. I do. When there are a plurality of lower-level client PCs 20, the automatic setting data 34e can be set differently for each client PC 20, or the same setting can be performed collectively.

  Further, the setting instruction unit 35c or the mode instruction unit 35d can accept not only an instruction from the automatic setting data 34e but also a setting instruction or a mode instruction by manual input via the operation unit 32. With these controls, in the second embodiment, the settings of the client PC 20 for the classification process can be collectively controlled from the upper office PC, and the optimum classification setting can be made according to the progress of the classification process. Can be used as appropriate.

  In addition, the display state of each client PC 20 can be controlled by an operation from the office PC 30 to display / hide the vote counting information, and the risk of information leakage can be reduced. In the second embodiment, the office PC 30 may instruct the display of the display unit 21 of the client PC 20 to be hidden (for example, a screen saver state). As a result, when the election manager recognizes the risk of information leakage, the risk can be dealt with immediately. In this case, even when the display unit 21 of the client PC 20 is not displayed, the display state of the display unit 31 of the office PC 30 is maintained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a case is shown in which the voting paper sorter 100 and the client PC 20 are provided in one-to-one correspondence, and furthermore, one office PC 30 is provided corresponding to a plurality of client PCs 20. However, the correspondence of the number of devices is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that the ballot paper sorter 100 and the client PCs 20 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence. The client PC 20 and the office PC 30 may be provided in a one-to-one correspondence. Further, the number of voting paper sorters 100 may be three or more, or may be one.

  In each of the above embodiments, the connection form between the voting paper sorter 100 and the client PC 20 and between the client PC 20 and the office PC 30 is not particularly described. A wired connection or a wireless connection such as a wireless LAN may be used, and there is no particular limitation. However, the connection between the client PC 20 and the office PC 30 is preferably a wireless connection from the viewpoint of installation in an office space.

  In each of the above embodiments, the ballot paper sorter 100, the client PC 20 that is the first information management unit, and the office PC 30 that is the second information management unit have been described as separate devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of them may be configured as a physically integrated device. For example, the ballot paper sorter 100 may be integrated with the client PC 20 and provided with a ballot paper classification recognition function. In addition, the client PC 20 may be integrated with the office PC 30 and may have a function of counting the vote count results of the plurality of ballot paper sorters 100.

  In each of the above examples, the processing of the ballot was explained using an example of the election form of the small constituency / proportional representative parallel system, but these are only examples, and the chief elections and parliamentarians held by local governments. It can be applied regardless of the type of election, such as elections and elections based on the large constituency system that was held in the past.

  In addition, each configuration illustrated in each of the above embodiments is functionally schematic and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be configured.

  The voting paper processing system and the voting paper processing method according to the present invention are suitable for preventing leakage of the voting status when performing voting paper voting work.

20 Client PC (First Information Management Department)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Display part 22 Operation part 23 Communication part 24 Storage part 24a Stacker setting data 24b Classification setting data 24c Image data 24d Total data 24e Classifier data 25 Control part 25a Display control part 25b Classification recognition part 25c Classification control part 25d Mode control part 30 Office PC (Second Information Management Department)
Reference Signs List 31 Display Unit 32 Operation Unit 33 Communication Unit 34 Storage Unit 34a Total Data 34b Total Number of Votes Data 34c Counting Total Data 34d Classification Setting Data 34e Automatic Setting Data 35 Control Unit 35a Display Control Unit 35b Counting Total Unit 35c Setting Instruction Unit 35d Mode Instruction Unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Voting paper sorter 101 Hopper 102 Reject part 103 Stacker 104 Stacker unit 105 Main body unit 106 Display part 107 Conveying part 108 Operation part 109 Image reading part 110 Communication part 111 Storage part 111a Image data 111b Stacker control data 112 Control part 112a Image Data processing unit 112b Stacker control unit 112c Transport control unit 201 Work information 202 Mode information 203 Classification management tab 203a Stacker information 203b Sorter status 204 Counting Bed 205 setting type information 206 stackers setting information 207 set confirmation button 301 ballot summary tab 302 sorter 1 tab 303 sorter 2 tabs 301a display target information 301b object classifier information 301c vote counting progress information 301d voting result information

Claims (11)

A voting paper classification unit for classifying the voting paper into predetermined categories;
A first information management unit that manages information related to operation of ballot paper classification in the ballot paper classification unit;
A second information management unit for managing information output from the first information management unit;
A ballot paper processing system comprising: an operation information display control unit configured to display and control information related to ballot paper classification operation based on information managed by the second information management unit. The first information management unit transmits a vote count result for each predetermined classification classified in the ballot paper classification unit to the second information management unit,
The ballot paper processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second information management unit performs a predetermined counting process on the vote count result output from the first information management unit. The second information management unit includes an input unit that inputs information capable of specifying the number of target votes, which is the number of votes to be counted,
The voting paper processing system according to claim 2, wherein the operation information display control unit controls display of the result of the aggregation processing and the number of target votes. The voting according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second information management unit instructs the setting of information management in the first information management unit or voting paper classification in the voting paper classification unit. Paper handling system. The second information management unit includes a selection unit that selects a setting from a plurality of settings based on the information output from the first information management unit,
The voting form processing system according to claim 4, wherein the setting selected by the selection unit is instructed. The ballot paper processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation information display control unit displays and controls an operation status of the classification operation in the ballot paper classification unit. A management information display control unit for displaying predetermined information based on information managed in the first information management unit;
The voting paper sheet processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first information management unit includes a display control restriction unit that restricts information displayed and controlled by the management information display control unit. The first information management unit further includes an output availability determination unit that determines whether information can be output to the second information management unit,
The voting form processing system according to claim 7, wherein the display control restriction unit restricts display control based on a determination result of the output permission determination unit. The first information management unit further includes a display control restriction instruction receiving unit that receives a display control restriction instruction from the second information management unit,
The voting form processing system according to claim 7, wherein the display control restriction unit restricts display control based on the display control restriction instruction receiving unit receiving a display control restriction instruction. The operation information display control unit is capable of performing display control on information relating to operation of the voting paper classification function even when the display control restriction unit restricts display control of the management information display control unit. The ballot paper processing system according to any one of 7 to 9. A voting paper classification step for classifying the voting paper into predetermined classifications;
A first information management step for managing information relating to operation of ballot paper classification in the ballot paper classification step;
A second information management step for managing the information output by the first information management step;
An operation information display control step for displaying and controlling information relating to the operation of ballot paper classification based on information managed in the second information management step.

Images