Abstract: A remote art jurying system in which art jurors independently evaluate works of art at different locations, times and places. A central database presents information about each work of art and/or the artist to an individual juror. The database provides images of the artwork along with relevant information. Each juror can access the database independent of other jurors in terms of location, or time. The system provides enhanced voting methods. The juror can review or change their votes at any time prior to final submission. They can review all works of art, by categories of art, or by scores. The juror reviews artwork thumbnail images, which can be used to select high resolution images with extended information. Selected categories of art can be enhanced by eliminating the lowest scores to balance artwork finalists across multiple categories of art.

Abstract: A method of surveying a population of voters concerning a pool of contestants to obtain a consensus comprises generating a digital list of all possible pairs, triplets or quadruplets of contestants in the pool and/or sublist of such small subsets of contestants in a subpool such as a social network, presenting to voters in the population at a web site each small subset of contestants in the digital list and/or digital sublist, and for each small subset of contestants presented prompting the voter to select a preferred contestant among the contestants that appear in the small subset of contestants. The voters may also be contestants. A tally of preferred contestants among all voters is assembled as is a tally among contestants from the subpool, and contestants may be ranked. The voting may be applied to costume contests, pet contests, political elections, market surveys and other data collection methods.

Abstract: A remote art jurying system in which art jurors independently evaluate works of art at different locations, times and places. A central database presents information about each work of art and/or the artist to an individual juror. The database provides images of the artwork along with relevant information. Each juror can access the database independent of other jurors in terms of location, or time. The system provides enhanced voting methods. The juror can review or change their votes at any time prior to final submission. They can review all works of art, by categories of art, or by scores. The juror reviews artwork thumbnail images, which can be used to select high resolution images with extended information. Selected categories of art can be enhanced by eliminating the lowest scores to balance artwork finalists across multiple categories of art.

Abstract: A method of surveying a population of voters concerning a pool of contestants to obtain a consensus comprises generating a digital list of all possible pairs, triplets or quadruplets of contestants in the pool and/or sublist of such small subsets of contestants in a subpool such as a social network, presenting to voters in the population at a web site each small subset of contestants in the digital list and/or digital sublist, and for each small subset of contestants presented prompting the voter to select a preferred contestant among the contestants that appear in the small subset of contestants. The voters may also be contestants. A tally of preferred contestants among all voters is assembled as is a tally among contestants from the subpool, and contestants may be ranked. The voting may be applied to costume contests, pet contests, political elections, market surveys and other data collection methods.

Abstract: A method of surveying a population of voters concerning a pool of contestants to obtain a consensus comprises generating a digital list of all possible pairs, triplets or quadruplets of contestants in the pool and/or sublist of such small subsets of contestants in a subpool such as a social network, presenting to voters in the population at a web site each small subset of contestants in the digital list and/or digital sublist, and for each small subset of contestants presented prompting the voter to select a preferred contestant among the contestants that appear in the small subset of contestants. The voters may also be contestants. A tally of preferred contestants among all voters is assembled as is a tally among contestants from the subpool, and contestants may be ranked. The voting may be applied to costume contests, pet contests, political elections, market surveys and other data collection methods.

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 removably 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.

Abstract: An online voting game that teaches the participants the mechanics behind running for office. Registered users can run for office or participate as a voter or do neither and, for example, observe the results as they roll in. Registered users that run for office are required to comply with a set of predetermined rules. Voting at state and city level is performed based on each voter's recorded residence (e.g., city and state); users can run in national elections such as running for President so long as they satisfy the age, residency and citizenship requirements to run for President. In one embodiment, registered users running for office provide photographs and video clips that disclose their views on political issues of the day.

Abstract: An optically readable markable sheet has selection mark spaces and has voiding mark spaces associated with the selection mark spaces. An apparatus and a method for reading the optically readable sheet may comprise a processor decoding a sheet identifier and the mark spaces from an image of the sheet and determining the mark spaces that are marked. Marking a voiding mark space voids a selection marked in the selection mark space with which the voiding mark space is associated. Sheet images and a record of marked mark spaces are stored in a memory, preferably a non-volatile memory. Sheet images may be provided by an optical imager that images the sheet and/or by an optical mark reader that reads the sheet.

Abstract: In some embodiments, techniques for voting and visual cryptography may include various enhancements.

Abstract: A method and system for electronic voting over a network, from a terminal (Te) connected to an administrative server (SA) and to a vote-counting server (SCV). An authentication certificate (CA) and a single-use password (UPWe) are calculated and transmitted (A) from the server (SA) to the voter (Eu), an electronic ballot paper (EB) and an anonymous reference (AREu) are transmitted (B) from the terminal (Te) to the server (SCV) and, upon verification (B1) of the anonymous reference, the vote and the paper are validated (B3), the paper is counted, a confirmation of receipt (ACW) and an electoral register document (DVR) are transmitted from the server (SCV) to the terminal (Te). The terminal (Te) signs the register and transmits (C) the signed register (SDVR) to the server (SA) which closes (D1) the vote of the voter (Eu).

Abstract: A wireless voting method is disclosed. The method comprises generating an optical voting indication (140), and controlling a plurality of handsets (112), capable of electromagnetically transmitting a vote input (150) by a user, and a vote registering arrangement (130), capable of receiving and registering transmitted votes, to register votes for handsets responding to the optical indication (140) in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A process for spatially distributing a population count within a geographically defined area can include the steps of logically correlating land usages apparent from a geographically defined area to geospatial features in the geographically defined area and allocating portions of the population count to regions of the geographically defined area having the land usages, according to the logical correlation. The process can also include weighing the logical correlation for determining the allocation of portions of the population count and storing the allocated portions within a searchable data store. The logically correlating step can include the step of logically correlating time-based land usages to geospatial features of the geographically defined area. The process can also include obtaining a population count for the geographically defined area, organizing the geographically defined area into a plurality of sectors, and verifying the allocated portions according to direct observation.

Abstract: System for processing data and disk removal and storage therein. The enclosure contains the means for data processing, disk removal, and disk storage. The system works by inserting a disk into the tray and sliding it forward into the enclosure opening. As the tray proceeds forward, it activates the data processing devices beneath it (if not already activated) that record the data. As the tray proceeds further into the enclosure, the disk is removed from the tray and deposited into the internal storage canister to be used for future reference.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an information kiosk for use by disabled individuals, particularly in voting processes, is disclosed. The kiosk provides at least a first output device that outputs information to a user that is perceived using a first sense and a second output device that outputs information to a user that is perceived using a second sense, a first input device via which a voter inputs selections using a first physical action and a second input device via which a user inputs selections using a second physical action. A kiosk in accordance with the invention also provides a recording device to provide a record of a users selections and a storage device to retain information for output to a user.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for allowing an individual to view a program remotely. In the preferred embodiment, the invention is used as a healthcare education system. The system comprises a file server which is coupled to a database storing the educational programs. A remote interface coupled to the file server allows an administrator to assign educational programs to an individual. The remote interface also includes a memory card writer which records the individual identification code and the address of the file server on this memory card. Then, the individual may take the memory card with them. When the individual places the memory card in the memory card reader of a multimedia processor, the processor uses the file server address to automatically connect to the file server. The file server receives the individual identification code from the processor, retrieves the corresponding educational program from the database, and sends the program to the processor to be displayed.

Abstract: A computerized voting information system that encompasses one or more voting stations, at least one tabulation center and certification center, and a plurality of voters so as to automatically verify, manipulate, interchange, and manage all data and information that is needed by the voting stations to determine if a particular voting card is authentic and a voter is entitled to cast his/her vote, by tabulation centers to perform the tabulation of the casted votes, by certification centers to guarantee the authenticity of the voting cards and the legitimacy of the card holders, and by voters to prove their identity and voting eligibilities.

Abstract: A method of displaying a self-reading electronic child's book on a display medium that displays a sequence of indicia, such as words, and having associated with the first indicia or word a visual indicator that may be associated with a cursor moved by a child to audibilize the indicia or word associated with the visual indicator and automatically cause the visual indicator to move under the next indicia or word in sequence to enable a book to be read by a child.

Abstract: A lightweight portable voting booth (20) includes a bivalve case (22), a declined electronic voting panel (24) and a support base (26) that permit full frontal access by a wheelchair-bound person (30). The booth (20) can be packed into the case (22) for transport and storage.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in conjunction with a book containing intermixed text and symbols, includes a randomly accessible sound storage-and-playback memory having addressable storage locations, and a plurality of actuatable selectors, each selector being associated with a respective symbol corresponding to a symbol in the book. A switch selects between a recording mode of operation and a playback mode of operation. A microprocessor controls recording at respective addressable storage locations in the memory respective sounds produced by the user, the recorder being active during the selected recording mode of operation. The microprocessor controls the playback from the memory of a respective recorded sound, the playback means being actuated by the microprocessor upon actuation of a respective one of the selectors during the selected playback mode of operation.

Abstract: A ballot consisting of two or more ballot cards is held together by means of perforated creases. The resulting ballot is printed in columns and rows entirely on one side representing a similar ballot format as presented to the voter on the face of the mechanical or fully electronic machine used in that election jurisdiction. Positions for write-in candidates would normally appear on the back of the ballot. After the ballot cards are punched or marked by the voter, they ar detached from each other. The ballot cards are then machine read and tallied. One end of the ballot cards may be provided with a receipt stub attached thereto by a perforated crease. The receipt stub may be given to the voter for record purposes. Unique pre-punched holes or marks on each card of the total ballot identify to the card reading equipment which part of the total ballot is being processed.

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.