Abstract:
A ballot box assembly includes a secure location for storing a paper ballot generated by an interactive user terminal. The assembly includes a housing, a ballot storage chamber, an aperture and a drive assembly. The housing is provided for holding the ballot generated by the interactive user terminal. The housing includes a coupling portion for removeably securing the housing to the interactive user terminal. The ballot storage chamber is disposed within the housing. The aperture is provided for receiving the ballot from the interactive user terminal when the housing is secured to the interactive user terminal. The aperture passes through the housing. The drive assembly is provided for conveying the ballot from the aperture to the inner ballot storage chamber. The drive assembly selectively blocks passage of the ballot between the aperture and the ballot storage chamber. An input device is provided for authenticating a voting session.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/043,590, filed Mar. 6, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,053 on Oct. 18, 2011, herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a system for and method of securely generating and storing a ballot as part of a voting apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to a ballot box assembly for an interactive voting apparatus, as well as the system and method of generating the ballot and conveying it to a secure ballot box, as well as a secure authentication for initiating a voting session. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Providing a reliable and secure method, apparatus and/or system for collecting and counting votes is paramount to a democratic system of government. One method requires a voter to cast their votes by entering their selections into a machine that generates a paper record or ballot, which is then collected and later counted. While the collection of paper ballots is fairly reliable and secure, it does have its problems. 
         [0004]    In contemporary voting systems, problems are encountered relating to the accuracy of the ballot. In particular, the generated ballot may not precisely reflect the voter&#39;s selections. Also, the voter is not given an opportunity to review the paper ballot generated by the machine, prior to it being deposited in a ballot box. Thus, the voter must trust that the machine will properly record his or her vote. 
         [0005]    Also, ballots are traditionally made of paper or some similar material. However, the transfer of such material from the voting machine into the ballot box encounters other problems. Generally, voting machines rely on gravity to “drop” the ballot into the ballot box. Alternatively, a paper handling system inside the voting machine pushes the ballot into the ballot box. Either way, such systems are unreliable since the ballot is prone to getting jammed as it is pushed or otherwise externally forced into the ballot box. 
         [0006]    Further, the ballot box itself becomes a security risk if someone can tamper with the contents. In particular, the integrity of the ballot box contents becomes compromised when an unauthorized person is able to either remove ballots from or insert ballots into a ballot box after it is separated from the voting machine. Ballot boxes include simple mechanical covers or doors that close an aperture used for inserting ballots. Such covers or doors can often be opened by poll workers or other non-authorized personnel, thus compromising the integrity of the ballots therein. 
         [0007]    There is therefore a need for an efficient, reliable and secure method, apparatus or system for collecting and counting votes, which overcomes the shortcomings found in the prior art as set forth above. Such a method, apparatus or system preferably allows a voter to review their generated ballot before it is deposited within the ballot box. Also, a more reliable method, apparatus or system of depositing ballots within the ballot box should be provided. Preferably, such a method, apparatus or system is capable of keeping the ballot box secure, even after it is separated from the voting machine. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a voting apparatus includes a housing and interactive user terminal associated with the housing for receiving a voter selection. The generating means are disposed within the interactive user terminal. A ballot box receives the generated ballot. The ballot box is removeably coupled to the interactive user terminal for securely storing the generated ballot. The ballot box includes a drive assembly for conveying the ballot into a chamber within the ballot box. An input device provides for authenticating a voting session. 
         [0009]    In various further specific forms, the input device is a pin pad, and the pin pad can optionally be removeably attached to the housing. For example, the pin pad may be a hand-held device, such as a PDA. Alternatively, the input device can be integrated or incorporated into the interactive user interface. 
         [0010]    Optionally, the drive assembly can be disposed within the housing. The coupling portion can be disposed within the interactive user terminal when the outer housing is secured to the interactive user terminal. The drive assembly can be activated by the interactive user terminal. The coupling portion can include a contact element for communicating at least one of power and signaling information from the interactive user terminal to the drive assembly. The drive assembly can include at least one roller for engaging the ballot. The drive assembly further includes a guide surface disposed below the aperture for directing the ballot toward the at least one roller. 
         [0011]    Further, optionally, the interactive user terminal can include a ballot display window for displaying the generated ballot to a user prior to conveying the ballot to the chamber within the ballot box. The drive assembly can be contained within at least one of the interactive user terminal and the ballot box. The drive assembly can include at least one roller for engaging the generated ballot. The drive assembly can further include a guide surface disposed below a ballot box aperture for directing the ballot toward the at least one roller. The drive assembly can be activated by the interactive user terminal. Also, the means for generating a ballot can be a printer assembly contained within the interactive user terminal. 
         [0012]    The present invention, in another form thereof, relates to a method for establishing a voting session. The method includes authenticating a voting session by an authorized voting personnel using an input device operatively associated with a voting apparatus. A voter input is received from the interactive user terminal and a paper ballot is generated inside the interactive user terminal corresponding to the received user input. The ballot is conveyed through an aperture in the ballot box using a drive assembly contained in the ballot box, while the ballot box is removeably coupled to the interactive user terminal. At least a portion of the ballot box is disposed inside the interactive user terminal, such that the paper ballot is deposited inside the ballot box from inside the interactive user terminal. 
         [0013]    Other embodiments and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1   a  is a partially exploded rear perspective view of a voting apparatus with a secure ballot box assembly pulled away from the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   b  is a rear perspective view of the voting apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the printer assembly in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a voting system including a user interface, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a ballot handling path within the voting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4   a - e  are respectively a perspective, right side, top, front, left side views of a ballot box assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5   a - e  are respectively a perspective, right side, left side, top and front views of a ballot box assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a pin pad in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial exploded rear perspective view of another voting apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a screen shot of a pin pad in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    With reference to the drawings,  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  2  show a voting system  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The voting system  10  includes a main housing unit  100  and a removeably coupled ballot box  200 . Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the main housing unit  100  also includes an internal printer assembly  300  for securely generating ballots. Once a ballot is generated and approved by the user, it can be securely conveyed to and deposited within the coupled ballot box  200 . In  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , the secure ballot box  200  is shown pulled away or uncoupled from the main housing unit  100 . The main housing unit  100  is preferably provided with a coupling arrangement for having the ballot box  200  removeably secured thereto. The coupling arrangement preferably provides a configuration that enables a secure transfer of a ballot from inside the main housing unit  100  to the ballot box  200 . Also, the ballot box  200  preferably includes a secure design that prevents tampering or fraud. 
         [0024]    The main housing unit  100  shown in the drawings is an exemplary portable interactive user terminal. Supplemental features, such as handles  115  and edge guards  117  can be provided to assist in moving and protecting the unit  100 . Also, fold-out arms  110  may be provided for maintaining the unit in a substantially vertical position as shown. The left arm  110  is shown in  FIG. 1   a  in a stored position, but both arms  110  can preferably be rotated to extend away from the back of the unit  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1   b . As the main housing  100  preferably includes an interactive user terminal, the arms  110  are configured to allow the unit  100  to lean slightly backward, providing a slight tilt to the user interface. Other features include removeably secured redundant memory ports  120 , speakers  135  and additional input/output ports  125  as commonly found in contemporary desktop computer systems. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the voting system  10 , showing a user  50  interacting with a user interface  140  that displays information while also providing a primary means for the user  50  to input information and/or make selections. Preferably, the user interface  140  is a touch-screen apparatus, such as those used in contemporary automated teller machines (ATM&#39;s) and other interactive electronic kiosks. 
         [0026]    It should be understood that in place of or in addition to the touch-screen user interface  140 , a contemporary user monitor and keyboard (not shown) can be provided in the front of the housing unit  100  for user  50  input. Such a keyboard can be similar to the keyboards used with traditional computer terminals or more compact versions used in hand-held mobile communication devices. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  6  show a supplemental hand-held keypad  145  that can be stored in a pocket or recess on the main housing unit  100 . The hand-held keypad  145  can be provided as an alternative input means for authorized personnel to enter security codes or information, or for people with special needs to make their voting selections. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand-held keypad  145  is stored in the rear of the machine, but such a pocket could be located almost anywhere on the unit  100 . Preferably, such a hand-held device  145  is easily removed from the rear pocket for a user  50  to handle and operate. 
         [0028]    The hand-held keypad  145  can be used by authorized personnel to initiate a voting session, program the voting system  10  or for other official uses. For example, authorized personnel can use hand-held keypad  145  to enter a PIN number or authorization code to lock and unlock the voting system  10  and to gain access to management settings of the voting system  10 . Further, the hand-held keypad  145  can be used by authorized personnel, e.g., poll workers, to enter their user code, followed by their password, to activate a voting session. 
         [0029]    In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , rather than a removable, hand-held keypad, voting system  1010  has a permanently affixed pin pad  1147 . Otherwise, voting system  1010  is the same as voting system  10 . In yet an alternative voting system, rather than a removable hand-held device  145  or integrated pin pad  1147 , the user interface  140  may include pin pad  2149  ( FIG. 8 ) for use as an alternative input means for authorized personnel having the same functionality as described above with regard to hand-held keypad  145 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic representation of a ballot handling path  305  as a ballot (not shown) passes through the voting apparatus  10 . The ballot handling path  305  in a preferred embodiment originates in a stock ballot tray  315 . As part of the system and method described herein, a ballot is moved from the stock ballot tray  315  along the path  305  to a printing station adjacent the printer  310 . The stock ballot tray  315  preferably holds blank ballots. The printer  310  will then fill-in the ballot with the user&#39;s selection (i.e., the voter&#39;s elections). Although the blank ballots preferably include some pre-printed material on them, they could alternatively start completely blank. Also, while the ballots are preferably a card stock, other paper or materials could be used, including a roll of paper combined with a cutter for creating individual ballots. 
         [0031]    Once a user  50  has indicated that he/she is finished with his/her selections, the ballot gets moved, at least temporarily, to a ballot review station adjacent the ballot display window  130  for the user to view. The ballot display window  130  is also illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The ballot display window  130  is intended to give the user a chance to view the printed ballot and confirm it accurately represents the selections the user made through the interactive terminal  140 . If the ballot is inaccurate, preferably the user can direct the ballot back to the printing station to void and/or correct the inaccurate ballot before it is sent to and deposited in the ballot box  200 . Otherwise, if the printed ballot is approved by the user  50 , it then gets moved to the ballot box  200  through the ballot box aperture  230 , over guide surface  232 , past the mechanical roller assembly  250  into the internal ballot box chamber  290 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   e  show further details of the ballot box assembly  200 . An access lid  220  provides secure access to the internal ballot box chamber  290 . The access lid  220  is supported by a protruding internal shoulder  222  and attached to a rear end by hinge  241  of the rear top cover  240  for the ballot box. The access lid  220  is also secured at a front end of the ballot box by engaging elements  215  of the locking mechanism  210 . A handling tab  225  is provided to make the lid  220  easier to open once the locking mechanism  210  is released. Also, the handling tab  225  can be used for holding the lid  220  as it is slid back under the portion  241  of the rear top cover  240 . The ballot box aperture  230  is disposed in a portion of the rear top cover  240 . Also, the aperture  230  is located above the internal mechanical roller assembly  250 . The rear top cover  240  also has a power contact aperture  245 . This smaller aperture  245  allows electrical contact to be made from contact elements (not shown) inside the main unit  100  to the drive assembly contacts  255 , to power the mechanical roller assembly  250 . 
         [0033]    An interlock entrance  235  of the ballot box  200  engages with a tumble lock  160  ( FIG. 1   a  and  FIG. 1   b ) of the main housing unit  100  to lockingly secure the ballot box  200  to the main housing unit  100 . Advantageously, the interlock entrance  235  acts as a level indicator when the ballot box  200  is removed from the main housing  100 . The level indicator feature allows poll workers or other individuals managing the system  10  to see or at least get a general idea of how many ballots are in the ballot box  200 . In this way, when the ballot box  200  is removed from the main housing  100 , one can view the height of the stack of ballots contained in the ballot box  200  which rises past interlock entrance  235 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   e  show further details of the drive assembly  250 , which is disposed in the rear upper portion of the ballot box  200 . Frame  252  supports the elements of the drive assembly  250  and attaches to the ballot box  200 . One function of the drive assembly  250  is to draw-in a ballot, after it is conveyed or simply dropped from the ballot display window  130  toward the ballot box  200 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Also, once the ballot box  200  is uncoupled from the main housing unit  100 , the drive assembly  250  preferably becomes inoperable, thus preventing anyone from inserting/removing one or more ballots. 
         [0035]    The drive assembly  250  includes a traction roller roller  260 , a rigid roller  262  and a slide plate  264 , which cooperate to direct each ballot into the ballot box chamber  290 . Each roller  260 ,  262  is supported by a drive shaft  261 ,  263 , respectively and both drive shafts are supported at opposed ends by the drive assembly frame  252 . Generally, just after passing through the ballot aperture  230 , the ballot will engage the slide plate  264 . The slide plate  264  directs to ballot toward the rollers  260 ,  262 . The traction roller  260  is driven directly by motor  270 . As a result, each roller  260 ,  262  rotates counter to each another. Thus, with reference to  FIG. 5   b , the upper roller  260  rotates clockwise, while the lower roller  262  rotates counterclockwise. Once a ballot engages either roller  260 ,  262  it is immediately directed toward the area between both rollers  260 ,  262 . Preferably, this causes both rollers  260 ,  262  to engage and draw the ballot toward and into the chamber  290 . 
         [0036]    The drive assembly  250  is driven by motor  270 . Preferably, motor  270  is a 12 volt DC motor that is supplied current through metal drive assembly contacts  255 . However, it should be understood that an alternative motor assembly can be used. Also, the drive assembly contacts  255  can alternatively comprise a mating pin assembly. Thus, in addition to conveying power between the main housing unit  100  and the ballot box  200 , the contacts  255  can be adapted to receive signaling information in order to prevent unauthorized activation of the drive assembly  250 . Preferably, when a user  50  enters his or her approval of a ballot displayed in the ballot window  130 , power and/or a signal is transmitted through contacts  255  to the motor  270 , which in turn activates the motor  270 . Thus, rotation of the motor gear  272  activates the roller gears  274 ,  276 , which in-turn drive the rollers  260 ,  262 . After a predetermined time interval, the main unit  100  can cut-off power to the drive assembly  250 , when it is presumed the ballot will have fully passed through the rollers  260 ,  262 . Alternatively, the drive assembly  250  can include one or more sensors that detect whether the ballot is present in or near the aperture  130 , thus activating the motor  270 . 
         [0037]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , a rear side of the ballot box  200  is inserted in direction A into a housing aperture  150 . The housing aperture  150  is designed to matingly receive a portion of the ballot box  200  for coupling to the main housing unit  100 . Thus, at least a portion of the ballot box  200  is disposed inside the main housing unit  100  when fully seated. Also, once the ballot box  200  is properly seated inside aperture  150 , the contacts  255  should engage housing unit elements (not shown) for transferring power and/or signals to the drive assembly  250 . 
         [0038]    It should be understood that the main housing unit  100  can be formed with different proportions and/or an entirely different configuration of elements. Also, the user interface  140  or other supplemental features can be separate peripheral elements securely coupled to the main housing unit  100 . Further, additional drive assembly can be provided to further guide the ballots along the ballot handling path  305 . 
         [0039]    Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various other changes and modifications may be affected herein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, and that it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.