WO2005017822A1

WO2005017822A1 - Selection recalling system

Info

Publication number: WO2005017822A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2004/000086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Freddie Carl Aylward; Andre Van Der Sandt
Original assignee: Markit Solutions (Pty) Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-13
Filing date: 2004-07-27
Publication date: 2005-02-24
Also published as: ZA200602025B

Abstract

A selection recording system is disclosed which includes a paper for recording a selection (10) which comprises a plurality of layers (20, 22, 24, 26) which are stacked and secured together. The layer (22) is a paper layer and has information printed thereon. The layer (22) further comprises blocks (18) containing electrophoretic ink. The layer (20) comprises a series of conductive tracks (28), each track (28) comprises a plurality of closely-spaced conductive lines located above a voting block (14). The tracks (28) are connected to a coil (30), via a processor (36), which forms the secondary winding of a transformer. A platen (42) has a coil (44) embedded therein which forms the primary winding of the transformer. When the voter places the paper (10) on the platen (42), the coil (44) generates a voltage in the coil (30). When the voter makes a mark in a block (14), the mark bridges between lines of the track (28) creating a change in resistance and a resultant measurable change in voltage across the track (28). 'This change of voltage is detected and stored by a processor (36), which causes a d.c. voltage to be applied across plates (32, 34) adjacent the marked track (28). This causes the electrophoretic ink in the appropriate block (18) to change colour to indicate that a vote has been cast.

Description

SELECTION RECALLING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a selection recording system and, more specifically but not exclusively, to a voting system and to a ballot paper for use in voting.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION There are presently five major vote recording methods known to Applicants. These are: • paper ballot; • mark sense; • punch card; • mechanical lever; and • electronic voting including direct record electronic (DRE) touch screens, and Internet voting.

The paper ballot is the traditional and most reliable method of voting whereby the voter makes a mark on a ballot paper next to a candidate or party thereby indicating that voter's choice. However, the counting of paper ballots is labour intensive and expensive, and results are sometimes not known until days after the polling stations have closed. The mark sense and punch card systems offer a faster method of vote counting but results are sometimes not repeatable, and results could change with each re-count, as evidenced by the Florida fiasco during the 2000 US presidential election. However, the mark sense and punch card systems do attempt to provide a means of recording a physical mark which can be verified in case of a dispute.

The mechanical lever and electronic voting systems do not record a physically verifiable mark. This means that the possibility exists that the result of the vote can be manipulated by the manufacturers or programmers of the voting machines. Purely electronic voting systems are especially vulnerable to this kind of tampering, since their method of operation is not easily understood nor transparent to the person-in-the-street.

Internet voting, where voters can vote from the privacy of their homes, takes another step further away from the ideal voting system in that the identity of the voter could be determined; it is very difficult to detect whether a specific voter has voted only once; whether the vote is cast under coercion; and whether the voter is truly voting in private or not.

Out of the four basic requirements for a good voting system, (privacy, accuracy, verifiability and convenience) the mechanical lever, direct record electronic and Internet systems are satisfactory only in the area of convenience. The more traditional paper ballot has a slight disadvantage in the area of convenience, but then only because of a longer count and re-count time than the other systems. The paper ballot cannot be faulted in the areas of privacy, accuracy and verifiability.

The present invention seeks to provide a ballot paper which departs as little as possible from the traditional ballot paper described above but which is part of an electronic voting system, with the inherent advantage of instant tallying of votes recorded.

The present invention also seeks to provide an improved electronic voting system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper which comprises conductive tracks through which current can flow, means for applying a voltage to said tracks to induce current flow through said tracks, and means for detecting a change in the electrical resistance of said tracks.

Said tracks can be on the surface of the ballot paper whereby making a mark on the paper using an electrically conductive marker shorts out part of one of the tracks and changes its resistance. In another form the tracks are each connected to a sensor constituted by carbon impregnated conductive fibres woven into a layer of fabric. Pressure on the fabric as the voter makes a mark causes the fibres to be pressed into contact with one another thereby to change the resistance between the points at which the sensor is connected into the circuit. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of voting which comprises; providing the voter with a ballot paper having conductive tracks through which current can flow, means for applying voltages to said tracks to induce current flow through said tracks, and means for detecting a change in the electrical resistance of said tracks; applying pressure to one of said tracks to short out part of such track and change its resistance; and detecting said change in resistance.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of voting which comprises; providing the voter with a ballot paper having conductive tracks through which current can flow, means for applying voltages to said tracks to induce current flow through said tracks, and means for detecting a change in the electrical resistance of said tracks; making a mark on one of said tracks using an electrically conductive marker to short out part of such track and change its resistance; and detecting said change in resistance.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a voting system comprising; a ballot paper having conductive tracks through which currents can flow, power supply means for applying voltages to said tracks to induce current flow through said tracks, and means for detecting change in the electrical resistances of said tracks; and a platen on which the ballot paper can be placed, the platen including means for activating the power supply means of the ballot paper so that currents flow through said tracks.

Said means for activating the power supply means can comprise a coil which constitutes the primary of a transformer and the ballot paper can include a coil which forms the secondary of the transformer.

Said ballot paper can include means for transmitting to the platen a signal indicative of the fact that a change in the electrical resistance of one of said tracks has occurred.

The ballot paper can further include an electronic memory for storing data indicative of the fact that the electrical resistance of one of the tracks has been changed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 illustrates a ballot paper in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a used ballot paper; Figure 3 illustrates the construction of the ballot paper of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 illustrates an alternative construction of the ballot paper of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 illustrates the layers of the ballot paper of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 diagrammatically illustrates a voting system; Figure 7 illustrates the construction of a still further form of ballot paper; Figure 8 illustrates the ballot paper of Figure 7 with the visual information omitted; and Figure 9 diagrammatically illustrates a voting system using the ballot paper of Figures 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The ballot paper 10 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises the names and symbols of the parties printed in blocks 12, voting blocks 14 demarcated by lines 16, and blocks 18, also demarcated by lines 16, which indicate to the voter that a vote has been cast.

In Figure 2, a vote has been cast for the GHI party by means of a cross in the appropriate block 14. The block 18 relating to that party has changed its appearance to assure the voter that the vote has been recorded.

Referring now to Figure 3, the ballot paper 10 illustrated comprises four layers which are designated 20, 22, 24 and 26. The layers 20, 22, 24 and 26 are stacked and suitably secured together, for example, by a transparent adhesive.

In Figure 4 a length of a transparent synthetic plastics material onto which electrical conductors have been deposited is folded twice and constitutes layers 20, 24 and 26. Layer 22 is inserted between layers 20 and 24 as the length of material is folded. Any known technique can be used to apply the conductors. One example for applying conductive tracks is described in the "Handbook of Conductive Lithographic Films" by Ramsey, B and Harrison, D (ISBN No. 0- 9538356-0).

The layer 22 is a paper layer and has the printed information on it as shown in Figure 1. The material which appears in blocks 18 is constituted by electrophoretic ink. Electrophoretic ink is an ink which is sensitive to an electrical charge and which, when subjected to an electrical field, changes colour when the microscopic electrically charged particles of one colour migrate in a binder comprising a layer of printer's ink of another colour. Migration causes all the particles to accumulate at one surface of the ink layer thereby changing the colour of that surface.

The layer 20 comprises a series of tracks 28, each track 28 being above a block 14 and each comprising a plurality of closely spaced conductive lines. The tracks 28 are connected to a coil 30 which is printed onto the layer 26. The coil 30 constitutes the secondary winding of a transformer as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Plates designated 32 on the layer 20 are transparent and are connected to a processor 36 which can apply a positive or negative d.c. voltage to a selected plate 32. The processor 36 is mounted on the layer 24 and includes a memory programmed to record the vote.

The layer 24 has plates 34 similar to the plates 32 and the plates 34 are also connected to the processor 36 to allow a positive or negative d.c. voltage to be applied thereto.

The coil 30 powers the processor 36 which controls the voltage applied to each track 28 so that current flows in each track 28. The processor 36 causes a d.c. voltage to be applied across those plates 32 and 34 which are positioned above and below the appropriate block 14 that has been marked.

Reference numeral 38 designates a radio frequency communication device connected to the processor 36 and to an antenna 40 printed onto the layer 24.

The construction of Figure 3 requires electrical connections between the circuits on the various layers. In the construction of Figure 4 all the requisite circuits are printed on the strip of material and hence all the connections are made before the strip is folded.

The voting system of Figure 6 comprises the ballot paper 10, a platen 42 having a coil 44 and a ballot paper reader 46 embedded therein, and a data link 48 between the ballot paper reader 46 and a computer system 50. The computer system 50 sorts and stores, as votes, the signals which reach the ballot paper reader 46 from the ballot paper 10.

In use, the voter is presented with a ballot paper 10 which, in the voting booth, is placed on the platen 42. The coil 44, acting as the primary of a transformer, generates a voltage in the coil 30 of the paper 10.

The voter makes a cross against the party or candidate of choice using a lead-graphite pencil or other marker which leaves an electrically conductive visible line on the ballot paper 10. The mark made bridges between lines of the track 28 and the resistance of the track 28 between its ends alters. This change in resistance results in a change in the voltage across the track 28. The change in voltage across a specific track 28 is detected and stored as appropriate data in the memory of the processor 36.

The processor 36 causes a d.c. voltage to be applied across the plates 32, 34 adjacent the marked track 28. The printing in the block 18 changes colour so that the voter knows that his vote has been recorded. This can be achieved by using electrophoretic ink, as described above.

The signal stored in the processor 36 is simultaneously sent to the radio frequency communications device 38 and to the coil 30. The signal is communicated as an encrypted data stream via magnetic coupling through the coil 30 back into the ballot paper reader 46. From the ballot paper reader 46 it is transmitted to the computer system 50 where it is recorded as a vote for a specific candidate or party.

Final verification of the vote cast is by visual inspection of the mark made on the ballot paper 10.

Obviously the use of a reading device or manually counting the votes is only necessary in the event of a dispute.

A piece of woven fabric known as "Electro Textile" which has carbon impregnated conductive fibres in it can be bonded over each track 28. In this form it is the pressure of a marker or finger pressure which forces the fibres of the fabric into contact with the track 28 to short out lines of the track 28 thereby to change its resistance and generate a signal indicative of the vote cast.

In another form the tracks 28 are omitted and the "Electro Textile" pieces are themselves connected into the circuit. In this form it is a change in the resistance of the textile fabric itself when, under pressure from a marker or the voter's thumb or finger, the conductive wires in the fabric are forced together and change the resistance between the points at which it is connected into the remainder of the circuit. Electrically conductive inks comprising microbubbles can be used to print over the tracks. Pressure from, for example, a pen or pencil bursts the microbubbles resulting in a change in visual appearance, and simultaneously providing a conductive path across individual lines of the track thereby resulting in a change of resistance that can be detected. The electrically conductive inks can be exposed or covered by a thin transparent plastic film.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a further form of ballot paper, which is generally designated 52, is illustrated.

The ballot paper 52 comprises two layers which are designated 54 and 56. Layer 54 is printed on its surface with the visual information and also carries transparent conductive ink tracks 58.

Layer 56 carries printed electronic circuitry 60 and a power supply interface 62. The power supply interface 62 powers the electronic circuitry 60, which controls the voltage applied to each set of tracks 58 so that current flows in each track 58.

The layer 56 may be manufactured from the same or different material to that of layer 54. The layers 54 and 56 are stacked and suitably secured together, for example, by a transparent adhesive. The layers 54 and 56 are secured such that the conductive ink tracks 58 are aligned with the circuitry 60 so that contact points are formed between the tracks 58 and circuitry 60, thus allowing the tracks 58 to be powered by the circuitry 60.

Blocks 64 can, as described above with reference to the blocks 18, be printed with electrophoretic ink which is sandwiched between plates (not shown), which are equivalent to the plates 32 and 34.

The voting system of Figure 9 comprises the ballot paper 52, a platen 66 having a contactless power transfer interface embedded therein and a ballot paper reader 68 connected to the power transfer interface. A data link 70 between the ballot paper reader 68 and a computer system 72 sorts and stores, as votes, the signals which reach the ballot paper reader 68 from the ballot paper 52.

In use, the voter is presented with a ballot paper 52 which, in the voting booth, is placed on the platen 66. The power transfer interface of the platen 66 generates a voltage in the power supply interface 62 of the paper 52.

The voter makes a cross against the party or candidate of choice using a lead-graphite pencil or other marker which leaves an electrically conductive visible line on the ballot paper 52. The mark made causes a conductive bridge to be made between lines of the track 58 and causes the resistance of the track 58 to alter between its ends. This change in resistance results in a change in the voltage across the track 58. The change in voltage across a specific track 58 is detected, converted to a data signal by the electronic circuitry 60 and then communicated to the platen 66 via the power supply interface 62.

The electronic circuitry 60 causes a d.c. voltage to be applied across the conductive plates adjacent the marked tracks 58. By virtue of the voltage applied to the plates, the printing in the block 64 changes colour so that the voter has visual confirmation that his vote has been recorded.

The signal communicated by the electronic circuitry 60 via the power supply interface 62 is communicated as an encrypted data stream via electromagnetic coupling through the power transfer interface of the platen 66 back into the ballot paper reader 68. From the ballot paper reader 68 it is transmitted to the computer system 72 where it is recorded as a vote for a specific candidate or party.

Final verification of the vote cast is by visual inspection of the mark made on the ballot paper 52.

Although the above description above relates specifically to the ballot papers, it will be appreciated that, for example, censorship forms, medical and insurance forms, marketing surveys, multiple-choice exam papers, order forms etc. can all be constructed in this way to provide for electronic storage of a mark made to the uppermost layer.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A paper for recording a selection comprising conductive tracks through which current can flow, means for applying a voltage to said tracks to induce current flow through said tracks, and means for detecting a change in the electrical resistance of said tracks.

2. A paper for recording a selection as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said tracks are printed on an external surface of said paper.

3. A paper for recording a selection as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tracks are constituted by carbon impregnated conductive fibres woven into a layer of fabric.

4. A paper for recording a selection as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tracks are between two layers of the paper and have a layer of fabric with carbon impregnated conductive fibres bonded thereto.

5. A method of recording a selection, said method comprising the steps of; providing a paper for recording a selection having conductive tracks through which current can flow, means for applying voltages to the tracks to induce current flow through the tracks, and means for detecting a change in the electrical resistance of the tracks; applying pressure to one of the tracks to short out part of such track and change its resistance; and detecting said change in resistance.

6. A method of recording a selection, said method comprising the steps

of; providing a paper for recording a selection having conductive tracks through which current can flow, means for applying voltages to the tracks to induce current flow through the tracks, and means for detecting a change in the electrical resistance of the tracks; making a mark on one of the tracks using an electrically conductive marker to short out part of such track and change its resistance; and detecting said change in resistance.

7. A selection recording system, said system comprising; a paper for recording a selection having conductive tracks through which currents can flow, power supply means for applying voltages to the tracks to induce current flow through the tracks, and means for detecting changes in the electrical resistances of the tracks; and a platen on which said paper can be placed, the platen including means for activating the power supply means of said paper so that current flows through the tracks.

8. A selection recording system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means for activating the power supply means comprises a coil which constitutes the primary of a transformer and the paper for recording a selection includes a coil which forms the secondary of the transformer.

9. A paper for recording a selection as claimed in claim 7 or 8, and including means for transmitting to the platen a signal indicative of the fact that a change in the electrical resistance of one of the tracks has occurred.

10. A paper for recording a selection as claimed in any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, and including an electronic memory for storing data indicative of the fact that the electrical resistance of one of the tracks has been changed.