WO2006137681A1

WO2006137681A1 - Electronic voting system and recording method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2006137681A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/002376
Authority: WO
Inventors: Soo-Kyung Kim; Won-Hyung Cho; Kyung-Ho Kim; Jin-Bok Chung
Original assignee: Nanostorage Co., Ltd.; Miru Data System Inc.
Priority date: 2005-06-21
Filing date: 2006-06-21
Publication date: 2006-12-28

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic voting system and method. An electronic voting system of the present invention comprises a voting deck including a display means for displaying personal information about candidates thereon, and an input means for enabling a voter to input a chosen candidate; a cartridge for accommodating roll type poll-recording paper; and a recording deck electrically connected to the voting deck so as to print a poll result of the voter on the poll- recording paper. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that it is possible to originally prevent falsification of poll results and loss of data in electronic voting by printing and recording the poll results on poll-recording paper in addition to recordation thereof in an electronic recording medium. Particularly, since the poll-recording paper is in the form of a roll and poll results of a number of voters are consecutively recorded on such poll-recording paper, there are advantages in that the poll-recording paper can be safely managed, stored and transported, and that ballot counting can be rapidly performed.

Description

ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM AND RECORDING METHOD

THEREOF

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an electronic voting system and method, and more particularly, to an electronic voting system and method capable of originally preventing falsification of results and loss of data in electronic voting. Background Art

[2] In parliamentary democracies including South Korea, many elections including a presidential election, an Assemblyman election, an election of a representative to a specific organization, and the like are usually performed. A conventional voting method is performed by affixing a voting stamp to a column of a desired candidate on a ballot on which several candidates' names and symbols are printed, and putting the ballot into a ballot box.

[3] A conventional ballot will be described with reference to Fig. 1. A ballot 10 inclu des a candidate list of a plurality of candidates printed thereon. The candidate list contains candidates' symbols 11 and names 12, and stamping areas 13.

[4] However, such a conventional voting method has problems in that voters should be identified through a poll book at designated voting booths in order to cast their votes and cannot cast their votes at other places except the designated voting booths, and that it takes a great deal of time to count the ballots.

[5] To solve these problems, many studies on electronic voting methods have been conducted and some of them were successful.

[6] Notwithstanding, conventional electronic voting methods have many problems with their practical use due to lack of supplementary measures to prevent falsification of poll results and loss of data. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic voting system and method capable of originally preventing falsification of results and loss of data in electronic voting.

[8] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic voting system and method capable of sequentially or non- sequentially recording poll results of a number of voters on a roll-shaped poll-recording paper.

[9] A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronic voting system and method capable of preventing a null vote by enabling a voter to confirm his/her choice.

Technical Solution

[10] In order to accomplish the objects, an electronic voting system of the present invention comprises a voting deck including a display means for displaying personal information about candidates thereon, and an input means for enabling a voter to input a chosen candidate; a cartridge for accommodating roll type poll-recording paper; and a recording deck electrically connected to the voting deck so as to print a poll result of the voter on the poll-recording paper.

[11] Further, the recording deck may comprise a body for loading the cartridge therein; a reel motor assembly for rotating the supply roll and the take-up roll; and a printing means for printing the poll result of the voter on the poll-recording paper. The printing means may print the poll result of the voter in the form of at least one selected from characters and a bar code.

[12] Moreover, the poll-recording paper may have control codes formed at uniform intervals to allow for check of used and remaining amounts of the poll-recording paper. The recording deck may comprise a control code recognition sensor for sensing the control codes.

[13] Furthermore, the print head may be a thermal transfer head, and the poll-recording paper may be thermal transfer paper.

[14] In addition, the reel motor assembly may further comprise a control means for controlling a rotational speed of the reel motor. The reel motor may rotate forward or reversely.

[15] The electronic voting system preferably further comprises an electronic recording medium for storing the poll result therein.

[16] An electronic voting method of the present invention comprises the steps of 1) inputting a chosen candidate by a voter; and 2) printing a poll result of the voter on poll-recording paper. The method may further comprise, prior to step 1), the step of providing personal information about each candidate by a display means. The method may further comprise, prior to step 2), the step of displaying the poll result on a display means for confirmation.

[17] Moreover, step 2) may comprise printing poll results of a number of voters in the form of characters or a bar code on the poll-recording paper. A boundary code may be printed at a lower end of a recording area on which the poll result has been printed.

[18] The method may comprise the steps of feeding the poll-recording paper and allowing the voter to confirm the poll result on the recording area through a display window after a boundary code has been printed; and reversely feeding the poll- recording paper until the boundary code is sensed, thereby saving the poll-recording paper.

Advantageous Effects

[19] According to the present invention, there are advantages in that it is possible to originally prevent falsification of poll results and loss of data in electronic voting by printing and recording the poll results on poll-recording paper in addition to recordation thereof in an electronic recording medium.

[20] Particularly, since the poll-recording paper is in the form of a roll and poll results of a number of voters are consecutively recorded on such poll-recording paper, there are advantages in that the poll-recording paper can be safely managed, stored and transported, and that ballot counting can be rapidly performed.

[21] Moreover, personal information about and public pledges of candidates can be provided by a display means.

[22] In addition, voters can primarily confirm their poll results through the display means before the poll results are printed, and secondarily confirm the poll results through a display window by feeding the poll-recording paper after the poll results are printed, thereby minimizing null votes. Particularly, the printed poll-recording paper is fed so that a voter confirms his/her poll result, and is then reversely fed in order to print a poll result of a next voter, thereby saving the poll-recording paper. Thus, there are advantages in that the poll-recording paper can be easily transported, stored, counted and examined.

[23] Furthermore, poll results of a number of voters can be sequentially printed, and perfect secret voting can be guaranteed even through non- sequential printing. Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] Fig. 1 shows a conventional ballot.

[25] Fig. 2 shows an electronic voting system according to the present invention.

[26] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a recording deck shown in Fig. 2.

[27] Fig. 4 shows an electronic voting recording cartridge according to the present invention.

[28] Fig. 5 shows a use state of the recording deck shown in Fig. 3.

[29] Fig. 6 is a rear view of the recording deck shown in Fig. 3.

[30] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an electronic voting method according to the present invention.

[31] Fig. 8 shows a poll-recording paper on which poll results of a number of voters are printed in accordance with the electronic voting method of Fig. 7.

[32] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another electronic voting method according to the present invention. [33] Fig. 10 shows a poll-recording paper on which poll results of a number of voters are printed in accordance with the electronic voting method of Fig. 9.

[34] Figs. 11 to 13 illustrate a further electronic voting method according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[35] The constitution and operation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[36] Referring to Fig. 2, an electronic voting system according to the present invention includes a voting deck 100 and a recording deck 200.

[37] The voting deck 100 includes a display means 110 for displaying personal information about candidates in order to enable voters to know the personal information, and an input means 120 for enabling the voters to choose and vote for one of the candidates displayed on the display means 110. The input means may be a touch screen mounted at one side of the display means.

[38] The recording deck 200 is connected through USB to the voting deck 100 in an electrically/mechanically detachable manner. Poll results input through the input means 120 are printed on poll-recording paper.

[39] Although not shown in the figure, the electronic voting system may further include an electronic recording deck capable of storing poll results in an electronic recording medium in addition to the poll-recording paper.

[40] Referring to Fig. 3, the recording deck 200 includes a body 210, a reel motor assembly, and a printing means (not shown).

[41] The body 210 includes a cartridge loading unit 213 at its front side. The cartridge loading unit 213 must have a locking member (not shown) for preventing arbitrary ejection of the cartridge and allowing the cartridge to be ejected only in response to a certain signal of the electronic voting system according to the present invention. The body further has a display window 211 and an opening/closing door 212 in an upper surface thereof. The display window 211 enables a voter to confirm his/her poll result, whereas the opening/closing door 212 is provided to prevent a voter from viewing poll results of other voters except his/her own poll result. In other words, the opening/ closing door 212 is operated to be in a closed state for a period of time except a time when a voter confirms his/her own poll result. The opening/closing door 212 is opened and closed by an actuator (not shown) such as a motor or an air cylinder.

[42] Referring to Fig. 4, the cartridge 300 includes a case 310, and a supply roll 320 and a take-up roll 330 for winding poll-recording paper 360 into a roll within the case 310. Further, the case 310 has a display window 340 formed in an upper surface thereof to correspond to the display window 211 of the body. The case 310 has an opening at the center of the upper surface thereof so that the poll-recording paper 360 can come into contact with a print head 241 through the opening. The case 310 has an operation groove 350 formed below the poll-recording paper 360. Poll results of a number of voters are consecutively printed on the poll-recording paper 360 wound in the form of a roll.

[43] Referring to Fig. 5, the supply roll and the take-up roll of the cartridge 300 are coupled to and rotated by a supply reel and a take-up reel of the body 210, respectively.

[44] The system is ready for printing when a pressing unit 242 is inserted into the operation groove 350. When a voter inputs his/her choice, a cam 244 is rotated in response to an electric signal so that the print head 241 can come into contact with the poll-recording paper 360 and print the poll result thereon. In this embodiment, the print head 241 is a thermal transfer head, and the poll-recording paper 360 is thermal transfer paper. A pinch roller 243 conveys the poll-recording paper 360 for consecutive printing.

[45] Meanwhile, a front surface of the cartridge 300 is formed with transparent windows 370 so that the used and remaining amounts of the poll-recording paper 360 can be checked therethrough.

[46] Referring to Fig. 6, the reel motor assembly includes the supply reel 231a and the take-up reel 231b for rotating the supply roll and the take-up roll of the cartridge, and a reel motor (not shown) for providing rotational forces to the supply reel 231a and the take-up reel 231b. The reel motor 232 provides forward and reverse rotational forces.

[47] Further, the reel motor assembly includes a solenoid 233, a transmission member

234, and a brake pad 235, which control the rotational forces from the reel motor 232.

[48] The solenoid 235 is a known means extending or contracting as power is applied or cut off. That is, the solenoid 235 is operated by controlling the power. The brake pad 235 can be operated via the transmission member 234 depending on the operating state of the solenoid 235. The rotational speed of the reel motor 232 is controlled by means of the operation of the brake pad 235.

[49] The electronic voting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7.

[50] First, a first voter confirms information about several candidates displayed on the display means, chooses a specific candidate among the displayed candidates, and casts a vote using the input means (Sl 10).

[51] When the input choice is displayed on the display means, the first voter primarily confirms his/her poll result (S 120).

[52] If it is confirmed that the desired candidate has been correctly chosen, the poll result is printed on the poll-recording paper (S130). At this time, a boundary code is printed at a lower end of an recording area on which the poll result has been printed.

[53] When the poll result is completely printed on the poll-recording paper, the poll- recording paper is fed such that the recording area on which the poll result has been printed is shown through the display window, thereby enabling the first voter to secondarily confirm the poll result (S 140 and S 150).

[54] After the first voter completes the voting by secondarily confirming the poll result, a second voter casts a vote in the same manner (S 160). Of course, the poll result of the second voter is consecutively printed on the poll-recording paper.

[55] Fig. 8 shows poll-recording paper on which poll results have been printed by means of the method of Fig. 7. It can be seen from Fig. 8 that recording areas 362 on which poll results of a number of voters have been printed are consecutively arranged on the poll-recording paper 360. More specifically, the poll-recording paper 360 contains the recording areas 362 on which the poll results have been printed, and information about a chosen candidate is exhibited in the form of characters and a bar code obtained by encrypting the characters on the recording areas 362. The characters and the bar code contain a variety of information about election as well as the position, symbol, and name of a chosen candidate.

[56] Further, since the recording areas 362 on which the poll results of a number of voters have been printed are consecutively arranged, a boundary code 363 is printed at a lower end of each of the recording areas in order to discriminate between adjacent recording portions 362. The body 210 is provided with a boundary code recognition sensor (not shown) that is disposed to correspond to the boundary code 363 so as to recognize the boundary code 363.

[57] Control codes 361 are also printed at one side of the poll-recording paper 360. The control codes 361 are recognized by a control code recognition sensor (not shown) provided in the body 210 of the recording deck 200 so that the used and remaining amounts of the poll-recording paper 360 can be checked from the control codes 361.

[58] As shown in Fig. 8, a blank 364 is also formed between the adjacent recording areas 362. The blank is created because the poll result of the second voter is printed in the same manner after the poll-recording paper 360 is fed so that the first voter can confirm the recording area 362 through the display window.

[59] Another electronic voting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, a first voter confirms information about several candidates displayed on the display means, chooses a specific candidate among the candidates, and casts a vote through the input means (S210).

[60] Then, the poll result is displayed on the display means so that the first voter can primarily confirm his/her poll result (S220).

[61] If it is confirmed that a desired candidate has been chosen, the poll result is printed on the poll-recording paper (S230). In this case, a boundary code is printed at a lower end of a recording area on which the poll result has been printed.

[62] After the poll result is completely printed on the poll-recording paper, the poll- recording paper is fed so that the first voter can secondarily confirm the poll result printed on the recording area through the display window (S240 and S250).

[63] After the first voter completes the voting through the secondary confirmation, the poll-recording paper is reversely fed by the amount previously fed for the first voter's secondary confirmation before a poll result of a second voter is printed (S260). In this method, it is checked whether the boundary code is recognized by the boundary code sensor while the poll-recording paper is reversely fed.

[64] When the boundary code is recognized, the reverse feeding of the poll-recording paper is stopped and the second voter then casts a vote in the same manner (S270).

[65] Fig. 10 shows poll-recording paper on which poll results of a number of voters have been printed by means of the electronic voting method of Fig. 9.

[66] It can be seen from Fig. 10 that there is no blank between adjacent ones of the recording areas 362a, 362b and 362c contrary to that shown in Fig. 8. The absence of a blank is because the poll-recording paper is reversely fed by the amount previously fed for the first voter's confirmation of the recording area before the poll result of the second voter is printed. By printing the poll result on the poll-recording paper 360 without a blank, the poll-recording paper can be saved and easily transported and stored, and ballot counting time is greatly shortened.

[67] Figs. 11 to 13 illustrate a further electronic voting method according to the present invention.

[68] Referring to these figures, poll-recording paper 360 is fed such that a poll result of a first voter is printed on a recording area 362a in a third printing section C, as shown in Fig. 11. A boundary code 363a is printed at a lower end of the recording area 362a.

[69] As shown in Fig. 12, the poll-recording paper 360 is then reversely fed and a poll result of a second voter is printed on a recording area 362b in a first printing section A. A boundary code 363b is printed at a lower end of the recording area 362b.

[70] As shown in Fig. 13, the poll-recording paper 360 is then forward fed and a poll result of a third voter is printed on a recording area 362c in a second printing section B. A boundary code 363c is printed at a lower end of the recording area 362c.

[71] With this method, the poll results of a number of voters can be non-sequentially and consecutively printed, thereby assuring perfect secret voting.

[72] The poll results may be printed using various other methods. For example, poll results may be printed non-sequentially only in specific sections such as a first or last section and sequentially in other sections.

Claims

[I] An electronic voting system, comprising: a voting deck for enabling a voter to input a chosen candidate; a cartridge having poll-recording paper; and a recording deck electrically connected to the voting deck so as to print a poll result of the voter on the poll-recording paper. [2] The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voting deck comprises: a display means for displaying personal information about candidates thereon; and an input means for enabling the voter to input the chosen candidate therethrough. [3] The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the input means is a touch screen provided at one side of the display means. [4] The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises: a casing having an opening formed therein; and a supply roll and a take-up roll for winding the poll-recording paper within the casing. [5] The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the poll-recording paper has boundary codes for indicating boundaries between adjacent ones of a plurality of recording areas on which poll results of a number of voters are consecutively printed. [6] The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the poll-recording paper has control codes formed at uniform intervals to allow for check of used and remaining amounts of the poll-recording paper. [7] The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control codes are formed on a front or rear surface of the poll-recording paper. [8] The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control codes are formed of ink capable of reacting to only ultraviolet or infrared rays. [9] The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recording deck comprises: a body for loading the cartridge therein; a reel motor assembly for rotating the supply roll and the take-up roll; and a printing means for printing the poll result of the voter on the poll-recording paper. [10] The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the printing means prints the poll result of the voter in the form of at least one selected from characters and a bar code.

[I I] The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the casing and the body comprises a display window for enabling check of the recording area on which the poll result of the voter has been printed, the display windows of the casing and the body corresponding to each other. [12] The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the body further comprises an opening/closing door capable of opening or closing the display window. [13] The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the recording deck further comprises a locking member for preventing the cartridge from being arbitrarily ejected from the body. [14] The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the printing means comprises: a print head for printing the poll result of the voter on the poll-recording paper; and a feeder for feeding the poll-recording paper. [15] The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the printing means further comprises a pressing unit for supporting the poll-recording paper while the print head is printing the poll result. [16] The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the print head is a thermal transfer head, and the poll-recording paper is thermal transfer paper. [17] The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reel motor assembly comprises: a supply reel and a take-up reel to which the supply roll and the take-up roll are respectively coupled; and a reel motor for providing driving forces to the supply reel and the take-up reel. [18] The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the reel motor assembly further comprises a control means for controlling a rotational speed of the reel motor. [19] The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control means comprises: a brake pad for braking the reel motor; and a solenoid for controlling an operation of the brake pad. [20] The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body further comprises a control code recognition sensor. [21] The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body further comprises a boundary code recognition sensor. [22] The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electronic recording medium for storing the poll result therein. [23] An electronic voting method, comprising the steps of:

1) inputting a chosen candidate by a voter; and

2) printing a poll result of the voter on poll-recording paper.

[24] The method as claimed in claim 23, prior to said step 1), further comprising the step of providing personal information about each candidate by a display means.

[25] The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said step 1) is performed using a touch screen.

[26] The method as claimed in claim 23, prior to said step 2), further comprising the step of displaying the poll result on a display means for confirmation. [27] The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said step 2) comprises printing poll results of a number of voters in the form of characters or a bar code on the poll- recording paper. [28] The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein a boundary code is printed at a lower end of a recording area on which the poll result has been printed. [29] The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the steps of feeding the poll-recording paper and allowing the voter to confirm the recording area through a display window. [30] The method as claimed in claim 29, comprising the step of reversely feeding the poll-recording paper until a boundary code is sensed. [31] The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of storing the poll result in an electronic recording medium. [32] The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the poll results of the voters are non-sequentially printed.