JPH06119519A - Voting and ballot counting system for election - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sharply reduce labours of selection voting/ballot counting work for election and to quickly totalize voted results. CONSTITUTION:A magnetic card containing a face photograph is delivered to each voter so that personal cirtification and the operation of a voting terminal can be executed by using the card. The voting terminal stored in a voting box is provided with a monitor screen having a touch function and candidates' names are displayed on the screen of the monitor to execute voting through the screen. The voted result is transmitted to a host computer 17 through an on-line and the number of votes polled is totalized in each candidate.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention introduces a voting terminal for promoting mechanization of voting work at each polling place, and further online communication between each polling place and the vote counting place to streamline voting and counting. In addition, the present invention relates to voting and counting of votes in elections in which individual authentication cards such as magnetic cards for authenticating voters are introduced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in voting and counting of votes in elections, confirmation of voters at polling stations, delivery of ballots, reading of ballots at each polling place, sorting and counting by candidate, and contact of counting venues , There is work such as tallying for each candidate at the tallying site, and all of this is done manually.

[0003]

Despite the enormous amount of work, the above-mentioned voting and vote counting work is all performed manually, resulting in poor work efficiency and enormous cost. In addition to this, there is a problem that it takes time to obtain the result of counting votes.

[0004]

Therefore, according to the present invention, a voting box is installed in each of a plurality of polling stations for voting in an election, and the candidate's name is displayed on the screen in each voting box. While providing a voting terminal equipped with a name display means and a vote input means for voting and inputting votes from among the candidate names displayed on the same screen,
Connect to the voting terminal online at the counting venue,
It is intended to provide a voting and voting system in an election characterized by installing a host computer that collects voting information input from the voting terminal and outputs voting information.

Further, in the present invention, a monitor having an upper surface touch function is used as the candidate name display means and the vote input means, and a personal magnetic card in which the recognition information of the voter is recorded and the magnetic card of the same. It is equipped with a voting terminal that reads the record and permits use only when it matches the record stored in the storage device in advance.The magnetic card is attached with a photograph of the face of the voter himself. While being able to be used repeatedly, the voting box is also provided with a magnetic card collecting means for collecting the magnetic card after recording and reading by the voting terminal.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a voting and voting system A in an election according to the present invention. The system A has voting boxes B at a plurality of polling stations a to n, respectively.
Is installed, and a voting terminal T is provided in each voting box B. The voting information from each voting terminal T is the ISDN communication network 110.
It is transmitted to the monitoring personal computer 9 through the signal line 13 via the multiplexer 14. Further, the information transmitted from the ISDN communication network 110 is transmitted to the monitoring personal computer 9 and can be transmitted to the voting box B by the signal line 13 via the multiplexer 14.

The voting information transmitted to the monitoring personal computer 9 is sequentially added up and stored in a permanent storage device 90 built in the monitoring personal computer 9.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory view showing the connection relationship between each polling place a to n and the total venue S. Each polling place a to n and IS
The DN exchange X is connected by a telephone line 16, and the ISDN exchange X and the host computer 17 of the collection site S are also connected by a telephone line 16.

The voting information from the voting terminal T of each polling place is transmitted online to the host computer 17. With this, the host computer 17 sequentially collects voting information, and is stored in the permanent storage device of the host computer 17 for each candidate.
After the voting is completed, the voting results of each candidate are aggregated and output.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a voting box B installed at each of the polling stations a to n, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the voting box B. The voting box B has a vertically long box shape. Formed by the box body 1 and the shielding plates 4 surrounding the three sides except the front, the voting terminal T is installed in the shielding plate 4, and the voting action performed by the shielding plate 4 via the voting terminal T is performed. It is hidden from third parties.

The voting terminal T has a monitor 2 composed of a color liquid crystal display device with a top touch function as a candidate name display means and a vote input means, and a magnetic card 20 is provided below the monitor 2. There is provided a magnetic card slot 3 for inserting a card.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the box body 1 is provided with a magnetic card storage box 1a, an AC motor M, a card passage sensor 24, a control unit 25, and a control DC power supply 12. Magnetic card storage box 1a is a magnetic card
It drops 20 and stores it. The AC motor M laterally moves the storage box when the magnetic card 20 is dropped so that the magnetic card 20 can be stored evenly.
A card passage sensor 24 is used to confirm whether the magnetic card is stored in the magnetic card storage box 1a or not. The control DC power supply 12 is for supplying drive power to the entire apparatus.

Information regarding the passage and fullness of the magnetic card in the magnetic card storage box 1a is transmitted to the monitoring personal computer 9 via the RS232C.

The magnetic card storage box 1a is of a replacement type, and when the magnetic card 20 is full, a monitor replaces the magnetic card storage box 1. The magnetic card storage box 1a which is full is covered with a lid so that the magnetic card 20b can be reused, and can be locked.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit of the voting terminal T. The CPU5 controls the entire device based on the programs from the ROM30 and RAM40. The ROM30 or RAM40 stores application programs required for voting processing.

RS232C interfaces 7a, 7b and 7c, a memory card interface 10 and an ISDN interface 11 are connected to the CPU 5 via a bus line 6. A monitor 2 composed of a color liquid crystal display device is connected to the RS232C interface 7a. A magnetic card interface 8 is connected to the RS232C interface 7b, and a magnetic card reader 80 for reading the magnetic card 20 inserted from the magnetic card insertion slot 3 is connected to the magnetic card interface 8. RS232C interface 7c
For example, a monitoring personal computer 9 provided at each of the polling stations a to n is connected thereto.

A memory card 100 is connected to the memory card interface 10. The information on this memory card is CP
The information is read out to the RAM 40 under the control of U5 and the information is displayed on the monitor 2. Therefore, the display screen of the monitor 2 can be changed by replacing the memory card 100.

The ISDN interface 11 includes an ISDN communication field 110.
Are connected. The ISDN communication field 110 is a model for communication integration recommended by the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee, and by digitizing telephones, data communication, packet networks, etc., which were conventionally connected by separate communication fields. Accommodated in one communication column,
Services are centrally provided on the same circuit.

A card passage sensor 24 and an AC motor M are connected to the I / O card interface 23.

The card passage sensor 24 is for confirming the passage and fullness of the magnetic card in the magnetic card storage box 1a when the magnetic card is dropped.

The AC motor 130 laterally moves the magnetic card storage box 1a after dropping the magnetic card so that the magnetic cards 20 dropped in the magnetic card storage box 1a can be stored uniformly.

FIG. 6 shows a magnetic card delivered to each voter.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of 20. A photograph of the voter's face is pasted on the magnetic card 20, and the voter's name, registration number, date of birth, and date of photography are recorded.

The magnetic stripe 21 provided on the magnetic card 20 has the coded authentication information of the voters recorded therein.

Incidentally, with respect to the magnetic card 20 that has not been voted and cannot be collected, each voter will return it.

In this way, the magnetic card 20 is used not only as a personal authentication function but also as a voting paper.

Next, the operation of the voting and counting system in the election according to the present invention will be described.

The magnetic card 20 shown in FIG. 5 is delivered in advance to each voter in accordance with the public announcement schedule of the national and local elections. Each voter goes to the designated polling place on the voting day or another polling place, and submits the magnetic card 20 to the receptionist. The reception clerk refers to the photograph attached to the magnetic card 20 to confirm that he / she is the voter, and the same person stored in the permanent storage device 90 of the monitoring personal computer 9 votes twice in the same election. To prevent this from happening, it is checked when the monitoring personal computer 9 is operated.

When the input to the monitoring personal computer 9 is completed,
The voter (voters) receives the magnetic card 20 and searches for an empty voting box A. Free voting box A
The voting terminal T is in the standby state, and the magnetic card 20 is inserted into the magnetic card insertion slot 3 in accordance with the instruction of "Display ballot paper into magnetic card insertion slot" on the monitor 2.

The coded authentication information stored in the magnetic stripe 21 of the magnetic card 20 is read by the magnetic card reader 80 and the magnetic card interface 8, RS23.
It is transferred to the CPU 5 via the 2C interface 7.

The CPU 5 compares the predetermined code stored in, for example, the ROM 30, and if they match, changes the display on the monitor 2 and shifts to the voting operation by the voting terminal T. Also, if the operations cannot be performed due to a mismatch, the voter requests the staff member to that effect.
On the other hand, the used magnetic card 20 is collected in the box body 1 of the voting box B by the magnetic card collecting means so that it can be reused in the next election.

FIG. 7 shows the monitor 2 when the voting operation is started.
Shows the display content of. That is, the inside of the frame of each candidate's name is indicated on the monitor 2 with a fingertip. The monitor 2 has a built-in tablet, and the CPU 5 detects the coordinates designated by the fingertip, identifies the candidate name corresponding to the coordinates, and generates and outputs the screen shown in FIG. 7 to the monitor 2.

FIG. 8 shows a confirmation work screen after the vote input shown in FIG. Confirm the name of the candidate specified by the operation in Fig. 7, and if it is correct, point the inside of the "voting" frame with your fingertips,
If you make a mistake, use the fingertips to indicate within the "Change" box.
The designated coordinates of the "voting" frame are detected by the CPU 5, and as a result, the host computer 17 is sent via the ISDN communication network 110 as voting data for voting for the candidate.
Transmitted to.

Note that the voting data may be stored in the RAM 40 and transmitted to the host computer 17 by utilizing the free time. Then, on the monitor 2 of the voting terminal T, the character "Vote has ended" is displayed. On the other hand, when the CPU 5 detects the designated coordinates of the “change” frame, the screen of FIG. 7 is controlled to be displayed again on the monitor 2.

On the other hand, the host computer 17 is at each polling station a
..- n are received, the number of votes obtained is summed up for each of the candidates I to E, and the result is output immediately or in response to an instruction from the operator.

If multiple election votes are held on the same day, after the first vote has been made, the monitor 2 will be displayed on the monitor 2 under the control of the CPU 5, "Next ... there are election votes. Please wait. Is displayed.

Then, the names of the candidates for the second election vote are displayed on the monitor 2 as in FIG. 6, and the above voting operation is performed again. After a certain period of time, the first message "Please insert the ballot into the magnetic card slot" is displayed on the monitor 2 and the standby state is set again.

In this embodiment, the polling stations a to n and the counting site S are connected by the ISDN communication network 110, but other public communication networks or dedicated communication networks can be used. .

[0039]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

On the screen of the voting terminal of the voting box installed at the polling place, a candidate is displayed by the candidate name display means of the voting terminal, and a voter who is a voter from the displayed candidate names. By voting by the voting input means by voting, the voting information is input to the host computer of the counting venue from the voting terminal, the voting information is aggregated by the host computer, and the voting information is output. Voting and vote counting work efficiency has improved significantly,
The results of counting the votes can be obtained quickly and the cost can be significantly reduced.

When a monitor having an upper surface touch function is used as the candidate name display means and the voting input means, the voter can vote by simply touching the name of the candidate displayed on the monitor with a finger. As a result, voting can be done easily and there are no invalid votes.

By reading the recognition information recorded on the voter's personal magnetic card by the voting terminal and permitting the use only when it matches the record stored in the storage device in advance, it is possible to prevent election fraud. It is possible to prevent the error of the poll watchers and achieve fair elections.

When a photograph of the face of the voter himself / herself is attached to the magnetic card, it is possible to easily and surely perform a check by visually confirming the voter himself / herself by a vote observer and secure a fair election.

While the magnetic card can be used repeatedly, if the voting box is provided with a magnetic card collection means for collecting the magnetic card after the record is read by the voting terminal, the magnetic card can be reused for the next election. It is possible to reduce costs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration explanatory diagram of a voting and counting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram showing a connection relationship between each polling place and a counting venue.

FIG. 3 is a front explanatory view of a voting box.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory side view of the voting box.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit of a voting terminal.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a magnetic card used in the voting and counting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing contents displayed on a monitor as an operation state during voting.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another content displayed on the monitor as an operation state at the time of voting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Voting and counting system B Voting box 1 Box body 2 Monitor 3 Magnetic card 5 CPU 6 Bus line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Multiple polling stations for voting in elections
Voting boxes (A) are installed in (a) to (n) respectively, and in each voting box (B), a candidate's name display means for displaying the name of the candidate on the screen and the candidacy displayed on the same screen. While providing a voting terminal (T) equipped with a voting input means for voting and inputting votes from among the names of people, connect to the voting terminal (T) online at the counting venue (S). A voting and voting system in an election characterized in that a host computer (17) that collects voting information input from the voting terminal (T) and outputs voting information is installed. 2. The voting and voting system in the election according to claim 1, wherein a monitor (2) having a top surface touch function is used as the candidate name display means and the vote input means. 3. A personal magnetic card (20) on which the voter's recognition information is recorded, and the record of the magnetic card (20) is read, and is used only when the record matches the record previously stored in the storage device. The voting and counting system in the election according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a voting terminal (T) for permitting. 4. The magnetic card (20) is provided with a photograph of the face of the voter himself / herself, and the magnetic card (20) can be used repeatedly, while the voting terminal (T) is used in the voting box (B). 4. A magnetic card collecting means for collecting the magnetic card (20) after recording and reading is provided.
Voting and counting system in the listed elections.