Abstract: An electronic voting system is disclosed that provides voters who may be blind, illiterate, or conversant in a foreign language, with a means to enter selection information without having to rely on visually perceptible information. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, candidate and/or referendum information is supplied audibly such that the voter can respond to selection options by speech input, actuating a button on a hand-held device, or other mechanism that permits the voter to indicate his or her selection preferences without having to visually interact with the system. The system provides an audio confirmation of the voter's selection. Such a system allows the aforementioned individuals to vote in confidence without assistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a signal for indicating consent between two parties, comprises a generally box-like housing having a cavity, an indicator light on an exterior portion of the housing, a source of electrical power including a battery in the housing, a circuit including a switch for selectively connecting the source of electrical power to the indicator light, the switch being disposed in the cavity and responsive to multiple actuators for activating the switch, and multiple actuator members positionable into the cavity for closing for closing the circuit and activating the indicator light.

Abstract: An automated voting system that integrates the stages of registering and certifying voters and collecting their votes. A computer-based voter registration station accesses a database to verify that the voter is eligible to vote. Vote entry stations provide a computer-based interactive graphic interface for permitting the voter to enter votes. A vote entry controller activates and monitors the vote entry stations to prevent unauthorized voting. Votes may be collected at either the vote entry stations or at the vote entry controller to which they are downloaded, which enhances security by providing a means to compare votes collected at one point in the system with votes collected at another point.

Abstract: An apparatus for enables electronic computerized counting of votes cast by voters in an election. The apparatus is adapted to enable electronic computerized recording, counting, and storing of votes cast by voters on ballot cards at precinct polling places remote from a central district office without exposing the ballot card to any person other than the voter. It is further adapted to enable electronic computerized programming and testing of the election at large, control of the introduction of the election into individual precinct formats, and reading, aggregating, and tallying of the stored precinct counts for delivering the results of the election. The apparatus includes a plurality of electronic computerized precinct workstations, each adapted to read, count, and store the votes cast at a precinct polling place, powered by a self-contained battery.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained, programmable electronic voting machine includes a motor-driven scroll mechanism carrying a plurality of printed ballot sheets, the scroll mechanism presenting to a voter, in a controlled manner, only a preselected portion of the ballot sheets at any one time. Each selected portion of the ballot sheets is viewed by a voter through a window panel along opposite vertical edges of which extend single columns of push-button switches positioned next to voter selections on the portion of the ballot sheets then being viewed. A voter depresses appropriate push-button switches to make vote selections. The voting selection process is repeated as the voter, by actuating the scroll mechanism, selects other portions of the ballot sheets. A voter then casts his vote using a separate vote casting switch.

Abstract: A memory cartridge for use in connection with an electronic voting system features read only memories which carry signals from a computer at an election headquarters to a programmable voting machine prior to an election, and bring the results of the election to election headquarters. The cartridge comprises electrically erasable read only memory for carrying running totals of the votes cast for various candidates, and non-electrically erasable programmable read only memory for carrying the final results. The memories are sealed in an unbreakable cartridge housing and a fuse is provided in series with the WRITE ENABLE line of the non-electrically erasable programmable read only memory which is blown at the conclusion of voting.

Abstract: An electronic voting system in which a programmable electronic voting machine is personalized by the addition of a ballot sheet and a memory cartridge containing signals output by a computer device operated by election officials in preparing for an election. A corresponding ballot is similarly printed by the computer device. The memory cartridge is arranged to be used to carry the final totals back to a computer at election headquarters for totalization and outputting of the election results. Circuitry is included within the system for insuring election security, for providing absentee balloting and for permitting write in voting.

Abstract: An electronic terminal for electronically collecting opinion data from customers of a service organization as to the satisfaction with the services rendered. The electronic terminal has a keyboard that displays the inquiries with multiple choice responses for each inquiry. A response is associated with each key whereby the operation of the key records the associated response. The response representative of each operated key are collected under the electronic control of a microprocessor controller and visually displaying to the customer each of his selections. A tally of each answer is permanently recorded in the terminal. The electronic control for the terminal includes stored parameters for programming certain operations. The terminal includes a porable data collection terminal for receiving the collected data and permitting it to be transmitted to a remote point by conventional telephone lines to a host processor.

Abstract: Voting machine or system for both punching holes in a ballot and at the same time accumulating the votes. The ballots are fed into the machine, locked in place, and then tests are made to determine if the ballot is valid. If the ballot is valid, voting is accomplished by the user punching holes in the ballot. The punching of holes also produces storage of the vote which is thereafter accumulated in the machine after the ballot is approved by the voter. The machine also includes means to permit a voter to detect the he or she has overvoted a ballot and thus produced an invalid ballot so that a new ballot may be taken and voted.

Abstract: An electronic memory stores votes cast for candidates by means of voting switches which are actuated by the voter. Shields mounted on hinges can be positioned over the switches. The shields have cut-out portions thereon which expose the switches. The voter can select from one group of candidates when a shield is positioned over the switches and from another group of candidates when the shield is not positioned over the switches. Switch means operated by movement of a shield on its hinge connects the switches to one portion of the memory when the shield is positioned over the switch and to a different portion of the memory when it is not so that the same switches can be used to vote for two or more different groups of candidates. A personal choice keyboard is provided. The keys actuate switches which are connected to the electronic memory for storing therein alphabetic representations of personal choice candidates selected by each voter.

Abstract: An electronic memory stores votes cast for candidates by means of voting switches which are actuated by the voter. Shields mounted on hinges can be positioned over the switches. The shields have cut-out portions thereon which expose the switches. The voter can select from one group of candidates when a shield is positioned over the switches and from another group of candidates when the shield is not positioned over the switches. Switch means operated by movement of a shield on its hinge connects the switches to one portion of the memory when the shield is positioned over the switch and to a different portion of the memory when it is not so that the same switches can be used to vote for two or more different groups of candidates. A personal choice keyboard is provided. The keys actuate switches which are connected to the electronic memory for storing therein alphabetic representations of personal choice candidates selected by each voter.

Abstract: An electronic voting system in which votes are manually entered by a voter on a voting board by means of sliding indicators. The board is then momentarily placed in a separate and discrete vote processor which optically reads instances when an indicator has been moved, and after verification of legal selections, registers the votes cast.

Abstract: An electronic voting system in which votes are manually entered by a voter on a voting board by means of sliding indicators. The board is then momentarily placed in a separate and discrete vote processor which optically reads instances when an indicator has been moved, and after verification of legal selections, registers the votes cast.

Abstract: A portable electronic voting machine suitable for use in simple elections includes a number of spring-loaded switches normally centered and movable upward to a vote position to select a candidate and downward to an erase position to erase a previous selection that has not yet been entered with a light above each switch indicating the state of selection. An n of m counter settable prior to the election to the maximum number of votes that may be cast by a voter and associated logical circuitry prevents more than that selected number from being entered by a single voter. An election official operates a voter enable switch to light a ready light and enables the apparatus to receive vote selections.

Abstract: A voting system includes a vote head with a plurality of selector switches for actuation by a voter to indicate choices of candidates, bond issues, referenda and other questions. Switches on the vote head control the drive of a film projector for displaying successive frames of election questions and, after all the selections have been made and reviewed, to transfer the voting information to a data center. The data center generates a train of data pulses for passage to the vote head, continually scanning the switches. Signals are returned from the vote head, indicating the change in status of any switch or indicator lamp. The data center is controlled by a program, in hard-wired circuits and in a memory circuit, for regulating the scanning of the vote head and the registration of the votes. The portion of the program unique to the particular election is stored in the memory from a tape prior to the election procedure.

Abstract: Ballot receiving, storing, and tallying system, capable of reading individual ballots and of delivering a printed record showing the subtotals of votes cast for the various candidates, propositions, and the like, and incorporating solid-state logic circuits for carrying out various functions of the system. The system includes a digital programmable read-only control memory for storing a group of instruction words representing possible vote marking positions on ballot formats interpreted by the system; a digital ballot image memory for temporarily storing representations of all marks on a ballot sensed as the ballot passes a mark sensing station; and a digital totals memory for maintaining incrementally up-dated totals accumulated for each vote marking position on the ballot. Also included is an interlocking circuit which prevents the accepting and feeding of any ballots, for example, until after a key operated switch has been properly actuated.

Abstract: A micro processor is connected to a switch operated voting panel and a vote selection indicating device. The voter-selected switch combination is converted to a digital code which is temporarily stored. The vote is recorded in a permanent form upon completion of voting in both a print-out and in an electronic memory. The electrical record can be connected to a communications system for remote tallying and continuous real-time remote readout. The automatic system is fully compatible with present machine voting systems.

Abstract: A voting machine system employs a processor section and a plurality of peripheral units, all interconnected by a two-way street or bus system. The peripheral units constitute the voting machine proper and the processor or section acts upon the data generated by the peripheral units. One of the peripheral units is a visual display whereas the ballot format upon which a voter may vote is displayed. This ballot format is called up and displayed in response to unique input provided by the voter and different ballot formats are stored for call-up. Vote selections are made by the voter from the display. Provision is made for voter write-in selections which are stored in machine-readable, i.e., digital form. Two other peripheral units are redundant recording devices, one of which remains with the machine for a permanent record and the other of which is removable to permit forwarding thereof to a central data accumulation center.

Abstract: A switch is added to each spindle of a conventional mechanical voting machine where the spindle is rotated or otherwise actuated by a voter when casting a vote for a particular office. The switch is normally open and is closed by the movement of the spindle from a "no vote" position to a "vote" position. An electronic scanning device is connected to the switch of each spindle of the voting machine and electronically scans the condition of each switch of the voting machine when the vote is registered by the operation of the curtain handle by the voter. The electronically scanned output of each of the switches is then transmitted over telephone lines either instantaneously or after a given storage period which could last till the close of the polls, to centrally located computers at county, state, federal and news media locations. These computers keep a current running total of the vote in various categories and further provide print-out at the close of the polls.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously punching a ballot card, to produce a permanent voting record, and generating corresponding electrical signals for use in an electronic balloting system, the apparatus including an electrical contact matrix having a plurality of column contact strips and a plurality of row contact strips, and further including a hand-held stylus which is insertable through holes in the matrix to punch a ballot card held adjacent to the matrix. The stylus has a punch-rod and first and second contact sleeves slidingly mounted with respect to the punch-rod, the contact sleeves being urged by springs into contact with respective column and row strips, to make electrical contact between a column strip and a row strip as the ballot card is punched. An electronic interface connected with the contact matrix detects each contact completed, and generates signals indicative of the row and column punched in the ballot card.

Abstract: An electronic voting machine includes a number of terminals to facilitate accommodating virtually any ballot with nearly the minimum amount of apparatus for the particular ballot. A display lists the candidates for each office beside an identifying tag. A poll worker actuates a switch which enables the apparatus to receive vote selection indicated on a keyboard by the voter. The voter operates a switch to identify the office or issue being voted and then enters his choice on a keyboard to cause a signal representative of his selection to enter a temporary storage means and be illuminated on a display means. The voter turns a switch to the office or issue voted upon, enters a number representative of the candidate or issue decision selected and sees his vote displayed as it enters storage.