Abstract: A simplified computerized voting information system that encompasses voting through a voice communication system using the voter's voice in conjunction with their social security number, driver's license number, telephone number to verify the person and register their vote. This database will be used for registration of a person to vote. It contains a database of known records of a person such as a telephone directory which contain the person's name, phone number, address, social security number and driver's license number. This database is the main source which the system will verify a user's identity against. Using the “Caller Id” a function of most phone today, the computerized system will recognize the incoming phone number and register it in the system. Upon its registration of this phone number, it will enter into a verification mode where it will search for the person's record of telephone in the directory database until a match is found.

Abstract: There is presented a method for formulating yes/no answers and the Likert value scale of five responses, viz., strongly disagrees, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree, plus abstain, and object to two percentage figures in juxtaposition to each other. One figure is the Polarization Rating. The other figure is the Consensus Rating. The two figures in juxtaposition to each other form the Polarization-Consensus Rating or the Converted Polarization-Consensus Rating. These new social indicators can represent considerable complex information in a brief format. A leader can use the Polarization-Consensus Rating and Converted Polarization-Consensus Rating in the mathematical analysis of data from large numbers of people without “information overload”. This forms the basis for a “symbolic dialogue” between a “Chief of State”, i.e.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of collecting and collating data including the steps of: a) providing each user with an option or question paper where each option or question has a unique transmittable signal or code; b) assigning each user with a unique transmittable signal or code; c) assigning each user a specified address for receiving information to be transmitted by the user by any telecommunications means, or any other means for the transmitting and/or receiving of any signal or code; d) instructing the user to connect to the said specified address and enter the user signal or code, and signal or code or signals or codes for the selected options or questions (the data); e) receiving the entered user data; and f) processing and/or collating some or all of the user data. A computerised data processor is preferably used for receiving and processing the data. The method is particularly suitable for conducting an election, and the preferred telecommunication means is the telephone.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for selecting the best rap musicians comprising the steps of connecting at least two competitors on a network, such as a computer network, providing means for the competitors and observers to register on the network, providing means for the competitors to input their words, usually by microphone and in preferred cases by a video web camera. The competitors and observers will vote on their preferred competitor and following a series of competitions, a winner of each group or stage competition will be selected regarding said competitors and means to tabulate said vote. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, these competitions will be used to select the individuals to present live concerts, to make commercial records or to appear on televised music programs.

Abstract: A software-based system for organizing information and conducting thematic inquiry using inductive analysis of material from multiple sources. The user gathers material on a chosen topic from multiple sources and for each source composes ideas that express the key concepts found in the source material. The software automatically pools the ideas from all the sources and presents them in a particular display format supported by a graphical organizing capacity; the goal is to aid the user in abstracting from these ideas a smaller group of distilled ideas which express the themes or commonalities within the pool. The software then presents the distilled ideas in the same display format supported by the same graphical organizing capacity so that the user may abstract a smaller group of ultradistilled ideas which express the themes or commonalities within the distilled ideas.

Abstract: An election system provides, in one example, each voter with multiple physical “layers” that the voter is able to choose between. The voter takes part of the layers as a kind of receipt and the other layers are retained and/or destroyed the system. The actual vote is not readily revealed by the layers taken by the voter, thus protecting against improper influence. In the voting booth, when all the layers are combined, however, the voter is readily able to verify the vote. Moreover, posted images of the layers not taken by the voter can be used to compute the election results in a way that is verifiable by interested parties. The results cannot be changed without substantial probability of detection and privacy of votes can be maintained unless a number of parties are compromised or collude.

Abstract: While the invention has been described with respect to what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood by one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various equivalent arrangements and modifications which are included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As an example of equivalent arrangements, one skilled in the art will recognize that the system described herein can be implemented using symmetric or asymmetric encryption, and readily in total or for each part in diverse software languages, in diverse hardware, ASICS, FPGAs and embedded with each of its various parts in any portable, hand held computing system, such as a smart-card, PDA, laptop computer, or other portable, hand held device incorporating a computer, such as a cellular telephone, fax, pager or the like, devices which may be capable of being communicatively coupled with the Internet.

Abstract: A method provided for conducting a mock trial exercise in a lawsuit utilizes an attorney for a first party and an attorney for a second, opposing party. An initial pool of potential mock jurors is assembled and questioned in a manner that resembles as closely as possible a manner in which the venire will be questioned during the actual trial. Members of the initial pool are struck for cause, and the attorneys are permitted to make a predetermined number of peremptory strikes. A probable jury comprising members of the initial pool not struck for cause and not struck using a peremptory strike; and a stricken jury comprising members of the initial pool struck for cause or struck using a peremptory strike are assembled. Then, the first mock attorney and the second mock attorney present to both the probable jury and the stricken jury at least a summary of the case to be presented at trial.

Abstract: A facility for conducting a coercion-resistant electronic collection is described. The facility receives from the voter a first voter conformation value. At a later time, the facility receives from the voter an encrypted ballot and a second voter confirmation value. Without regard for the value of the received second voter confirmation value, the facility adds the received ballot to a publicly-available list of cast ballots. After the addition, members of the public are able to verify the addition of the received ballot to the list without being able to determine whether the ballot will be counted. The facility counts the ballot if and only the second voter confirmation value received with the ballot matches the received first voter confirmation value.

Abstract: An interactive voting application is broadcast to a broadcast receiver. The broadcast receiver executes the voting application, allowing a voter to cast one or more votes on an electronic ballot, and then transmits the votes to a server. In a preferred embodiment, the server stores the votes so that the voters cannot be associated with their votes.

Abstract: An interactive method of voting wherein the voter is issued a voter-specific identification code which allows the voter to call an interactive telephone system which asks the voter questions and then checks a database to confirm the correctness of the answers. If the answers are correct the person calling is confirmed as the person identified in the voter-specific-identification code. The interactive telephone system polls the voter and records the voter preference on issues or candidates. Once the vote is completed the link between the voter identification information and the vote is severed thereby ensuring the secrecy of the ballot while still maintaining a record of who has voted.

Abstract: An electronic voting system includes a ballot rotation engine for use in changing the order of candidates that are presented to voters through electronically configurable ballot information presentation devices, such as visual displays and audio speakers. The ballot rotation engine may operate according to any schema for changing the selected order, for example, including randomization, uprotation between sequential ballot, downrotation, or a lookup table. The rotation schema may be implemented at a precinct level or throughout an entire election jurisdiction.

Abstract: A Direct Vote Recording System (DVRS) (10) has three primary components, Personal Computer (PC) (100) which runs an Election Management System (EMS), Direct Vote Recording Machine (DVRM) (300) and a Smart Card Activator Device (SCAD) (500). In addition, the DVRS includes Data Carriers (800), Voter Smart Cards (710) and Polling Office smart cards (720).

Abstract: An electronic voting system for use in an election makes it possible to simply find out unlawfulness in voting or election at low cost and to prevent unlawful or dishonest voting, and man-made mistakes and data falsification in an election administration commission, thereby providing fair vote counting results. This system comprises a voting terminal operably configured to permit a voter to cast a vote and a voting process execution subsystem connected to the voting terminal. The voting process execution subsystem receives voting information of the vote sent from the voting terminal for vote counting operation. A validation subsystem, which is connected to the voting terminal, requests the voter to confirm the voting information of his/her own vote, thereby judging validity of the vote. Preferably, the voting process execution subsystem offers the voter to send the voting information to the voting process execution subsystem by electronic mail or at a site on the Internet, selectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for collaborative voting that maintains anonymity of the voters are provided. With the apparatus and method, information regarding voters is compiled into a database and used to generate one or more interfaces through which another voter or potential voter may be informed of the voting patterns of other voters. Through the apparatus and method, the voter or potential voter may select a subject, an individual voter, one or more groups of voters, a geographical voter area, voting information for various times, and the like. In response to such a selection, voting information for the corresponding selection is provided to the voter. In addition, the apparatus and method may provide an interface through which a voter may enter a comment or the like. The entered comments may then be viewed by other voters or potential voters when the submitter of the comment is selected or is part of a group of voters falling within a category selected by a voter or potential voter.

Abstract: A system and method for non-attending members of a group to remotely participate in a voting meeting through a network such as the Internet. The system includes authentication, broadcast and voting computers which work together to authenticate the online members, broadcasts the meeting to the authenticated members, and receive votes from the authenticated online members. The present system provides the advantage of allowing voters to virtually attend the meeting and vote on any issues that are presented at the meeting.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of a method for tracking legislative activities are disclosed. Certain disclosed embodiments can include the actions of rendering a user interface via which a database can be populated with information regarding a legislative activity, the user interface comprising data entry elements for individual legislator voting information, legislative activity identifier, and legislative activity description, and populating the database with the information regarding the legislative activity. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A system and method for anonymous message forwarding architecture is presented. A voter sends a vote selection to a mail forwarding server that removes the identity of the voter. The mail forwarding server has administrative options given to it by the receiving server. Administrative options include the ability to manage who is authorized to vote, how often an individual is allowed to vote, and confirmation of accepting a vote from an authorized user, or confirmation of rejecting a vote from an unauthorized user. The mail forwarding server sends the anonymous vote selection to the receiving server for vote calculation. The mail forwarding server also has the ability to perform vote selection calculation and may send a single, compiled file to the receiving server.

Abstract: A voting system and technique is disclosed for determining a selected subset of participants from a plurality of candidates wherein each of the participants receive an equitable ownership interest of an item in exchange for a contribution. According to the present invention, the voting system and its method is used to select investors to participate in an investment vehicle, wherein the investment vehicle characteristically has a potentially high venture capital-type ROI (“return on investment”). The system and method optimizes asset diversification to meet the needs of holders of large blocks of private equity.

Abstract: The disclosure is for an apparatus and method for voting that are based on personal computers. All data and software, including the operating system, voting software, and original ballot information are on a single portable data storage medium, such as a diskette. During use, voting results and security-check information are added to the same portable storage medium. The apparatus also includes a tamper detectable seal for a diskette in the computer and means for officials to authorize each voter to begin voting. In one sealing system diskette removal is prevented by a blocking plate that slides into the diskette slot above the diskette and an extension fastened to the diskette is also attached to the blocking plate assuring that the diskette cannot be removed until a visible seal is broken.

Abstract: A system for permitting a voter to make an educated choice among candidates that includes a single database that is partitioned into a first section, a second section, a third section, a fourth section, a fifth section, and a sixth section. The first section includes how laws are made. The second section includes bulletins and reports related to making the educated choice. The third section includes resumes of the candidates. The fourth section includes past and present performance of the candidates. The fifth section includes bills introduced by the candidates. The sixth section includes tracks of the bills introduced by the candidates. The system further includes first, second, and third apparatuses for allowing presentation, selection, and viewing of sections by the voter, respectively.

Abstract: A facility for transmitting a ballot choice selected by a voter is described. The facility encrypts the ballot choice with a first secret known only to the client to generate a first encrypted ballot component. The facility also encrypts the ballot choice with a second secret known only to the client, the second secret chosen independently of the first secret, to generate a second encrypted ballot component. The facility then generates a proof demonstrating that the first and second encrypted ballot components are encrypted from the same ballot choice. The facility sends the first and second encrypted ballot components and the proof to a vote collection computer system.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a system, method and apparatus for providing an efficient means for qualifying a petition, referendum or initiative on a ballot on a network. Users on the network access the petition qualifying system via a user interface and requests petitions or initiatives in the user's relevant voting area. After the user has reviewed the petition, the user can endorse the petition by providing the petition qualifying system endorsement indicia. The petition qualifying system verifies the eligibility of the user. The petition qualifying system compiles the received endorsement indicia, and presents such indicia to the relevant agency to secure placement of the initiative on the appropriate ballot.

Abstract: A system features (a) enabling electronic posting of a performance that expresses a position of a party on an issue, (b) storing the posted performance digitally, (c) enabling at least two different individuals at two different locations to observe at least portions of the performance, and (d) enabling each of the individuals to post electronically feedback relating to the persuasiveness of the performance of the party with respect to the issue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for (1) transmitting, from a Web server to a user's personal computer that is connected to the Internet, Web pages for a virtual exhibition to be displayed on said personal computer and (2) easily collecting specific product information through simple operations performed by the user. Exhibit data provided by companies participating in the exhibition is edited in a uniform format, classified into a plurality of categories by types of business, further classified by specific product and technology themes, and stored in a database, thereby facilitating access of specific product information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus with data collection and preprocessing subsystems interconnected by a network, carry out open and secret votes, referenda and public opinion polls. A payment system with communication environment is used with the subsystems and network. A poll data processing center for final processing of the data is connected to the subsystems by the communication environment. Software of the payment system includes functions for carrying out votes, referenda and public opinion polls, for preprocessing the data, for encrypting and decrypting the data, and for placing the data into information blocks to carry out the votes, referenda and polls. To exchange electronic messages containing these information blocks between the subsystems and the processing center, the software of the center includes functions for exchanging the messages, for decrypting the blocks and for accumulating and analyzing the data in the blocks.

Abstract: A method for assessing a process of an organization is provided. First, information concerning the organization and the process is acquired, such as from a set of questionnaires, interviews and/or document reviews. Then, a plurality of preliminary findings are developed based upon the information. Each of the developed preliminary findings has an associated characterization of either a strength or a weakness. Next, a conclusion associated with each preliminary finding is voted for electronically, where the conclusion is either an agreement with the preliminary finding or a disagreement with the preliminary finding. A plurality of final findings are then developed based upon the vote for each conclusion. Each final finding also has a characterization of either a strength or a weakness.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are shown that provide an improved system for recording intended votes in elections. The system includes the voter verifying the interpretation of a voter's ballot by a ballot counting device, an electronic recording of the voter's intended votes on the ballot for possible recounting, and providing a printed receipt of the votes case by the voter. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, voters record their vote by making marks on paper ballots, which are interpreted by reading device. Alternative implementations are provided using mechanical voting, optical reading, or electronic voting devices including interactive systems such as would be used on the Internet. A recording and receipt device presents the interpreted vote for verification by the voter before recording the choices. This creates a less ambiguous record of the choices. The recording and receipt then present the voter with a receipt showing the votes recorded.

Abstract: Users of an Intranet portal can propose new modules to be added to the Intranet portal. To propose a new module a user has to provide a name and description of the new module. After providing the name and description of the new module, the user can then add the new module to a list of proposed new modules. Other users of the Intranet portal can then review the list of proposed new modules. In reviewing the proposed modules the other users can obtain the description of the module provided by the user who suggested the module. If the other user like the proposed new module the other user can vote for the proposed new module. The total number of votes for each proposed new module is maintained and then used to determine which modules should be added to the Intranet portal.

Abstract: A process for creating an accurate, unambiguous, tangible physical record of the choices made by voters in an election. It includes a two-stage ballot creation process, and a “corrective feedback loop” which causes the two stages to repeat if necessary. In the first stage, a human records votes on a ballot which will be interpreted by a machine. In the second stage, the machine records votes on a ballot which will be interpreted by humans. The machine-generated ballot is always unambiguous, but it may not correctly reflect the voter's intent. If the voter rejects the machine-generated ballot, the process returns to the first stage. This loop does not terminate until an unambiguous, tangible, physical ballot has been created by the machine, and directly perceived by the voter, and approved by the voter. This ballot becomes the official record of the vote, and is preserved for use in recounts.

Abstract: A method and system are described for completing and submitting an electronic voter registration form and an electronic ballot over a network. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a blank registration form is transmitted, upon request at a first computer, via a transaction mediator, to the first computer. Registration information is transmitted from the first computer, via a transaction mediator, to a computer database that resides on a transaction repository server, all of which are networked together, to establish a registered voter. Upon request by a registered voter at a second computer, a blank electronic ballot is transmitted from the computer database that resides on the transaction repository server, via a transaction mediator, to the second computer. A voted electronic ballot is transmitted from the second computer, via the transaction mediator, to the computer database that resides on the transaction repository server.

Abstract: A method and system for securely voting over a network, such as a global computer network, involves a system which delivers an electronic ballot from a server with the server's private key and a vote serial number on the ballot to an individual terminal connected to the network. The ballot may be filled in and a subset of the filled-in ballot is created with a digital signature created from the individual's secret key on the subset of the ballot corresponding to the ballot choices. The subset of the filled-in ballot together with the individual's electronic signature, and a vote serial number is then delivered to the server. A data element is then created to record a subset of the ballot in a data store at the server, in which the ballot vote information is retained as a vote.

Abstract: A voting apparatus for display of candidates for offices in elective races and selective voting by a voter to elect one of said candidates in which a computer displays on a touch-sensitive video screen a sequential series of ballot screens corresponding to a race with candidate information block having a text name and/or a graphic image for each candidate. The voter touches the selected candidate information block, and a signal is sent to the central processor corresponding to the selected candidate. The vote is communicated to a tabulator for summing the votes for the candidate. The apparatus provides a voter validation receipt for voter certification, validation and verification of voting. An method of voting and for voters to certify, validate, and verify votes tabulated by the vote tabulation center is disclosed.

Abstract: A facility for discerning corruption of an electronic ballot is described. The facility sends from a first computer system to a second computer system an encrypted ballot that reflects a ballot choice selected by a voter. The facility then sends a confirmation from the second computer system to the first computer system, which serves to convey the decrypted contents of the encrypted ballot as received at the second computer system, and which is generated without decrypting the encrypted ballot. In the first computer system, the facility uses the confirmation to determine whether the decrypted contents of the encrypted ballot as received at the second computer system match the ballot choice selected by the voter.

Abstract: An election apparatus for voter certification, validation and verification of voting, providing a voting device for receiving from a voter a vote for at least one ballot selection in an election and a generator that provides a voter validation receipt bearing a voter validation number containing indicia of the voter and a report of the voting by the voter. An accessor responsive to the voter validation number enables the voter to validate the vote by comparing a report of the vote with an election result tabulated by a vote tabulation center. An election method is disclosed for voters to certify, validate, and verify votes tabulated by a vote tabulation center.

Abstract: Anyone having Internet access can contact a scholarship award web site and nominate a student for a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a voting criterion, such as the number of votes cast at the web site, thereby motivating large numbers of supports of nominees to visit the web site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for defining rules in a general-purpose rules engine and applying those rules to the rating of usage records, optionally using external data sets, without reprogramming the engine. Available inputs, data sets, and required outputs are defined and rules are entered into a spreadsheet. The rules are extracted and compiled, then executed. The method and apparatus are applicable to any service that requires billing or other business response based on customer usage of the service(s).

Abstract: The present specification discloses a secure, inexpensive, highly accurate and convenient mobile voter precinct tabulating computer terminal operably associated with touchtone telephones on a virtual private network, which employs audio ballot questionnaire software to solicit and record voter preferences and then transmit voter tabulations to a remote central processing terminal for final certification.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method of collecting user responses to questions over a network. The method includes receiving sets of data identifying a question and possible responses. The method includes sending one set of data for presentation of the question and possible responses and user selection of at least one of the possible responses. The method further includes receiving data identifying user selections of at least one of the possible responses of the set of data.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating high-density interactive voting (such as during a live event) using a computer network and tabulating and providing voting results in real-time. In general, the high-density interactive voting system of the present invention includes five major components that reside on the voting network: (1) a Live Event Wizard; (2) a Live Event Staging Component; (3) a Live Event Database; (4) a Live Event Object (LEO); and (5) a Live Event Display Engine. The Live Event Wizard is enables a user to quickly and easily create polling questions for distribution and presentation to a voter. The Live Event Staging Component ensures the validity of the polling questions and sends a copy of a live event definition and the polling questions to the Live Event Database. The Live Event Database tabulates current voting results at specified (or pre-determined) time intervals and performs statistical calculations of voting results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a choice processor that gauges group choice in a computer-mediated environment. The system uses scientific analysis of collective choice processes and outcomes produced by different voting methods to provide result data to guide an individual or group in making decisions synchronously or asynchronously. Three forms of instantaneous result data are provided. First, the system makes use of distinctive user dialogue boxes to communicate a scientific description of the initial conditions of the group choice being initiated by an individual or group. This information is processed to select the voting system or systems that facilitate the achievement of organizational or individual objectives.

Abstract: A child adoption proceeding is conducted in the form of a television game show and online media event, wherein couples compete against each other to win legal custody of the child. Adoptive parents are selected using a vote-by-phone and/or Internet voting scheme, together with 24-hour surveillance of the prospective parents, which enables television viewers and Internet users to inspect prospective parent-contestants in detail before voting for the winning parents. The present invention overcomes inequities of state-run or private adoption agencies, permitting a fairer selection process while providing greater time and access to observe a pool of prospective parents.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to improve election with easy use, security, and accuracy. Voters use vote stamp to vote on ballot. The ballot with a vote stamp design not only provides voters very clear and easy use way to vote, but also the standardized vote stamp greatly improve the tally accuracy. The digital encrypted start code on the ballot provides both pre-vote validity check of the ballot and the validity check of the tally system. Computerized tally system comprises multiple tally units can tally the regular ballot accurately and efficiently, while the non-regular voted ballot, bad ballots, illegal ballots are sorted out for further process. The counted record on the ballot helps the system to identify the ballots, which are already counted. Graphic identification system comprises multiple graphic identification units, can process the non-regular voted ballots and find out the exact intend of the voters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conducting a shareholders meeting when shareholders can participate in the shareholders meeting through a network without having to actually go to the meeting hall of the shareholders meeting. Remote shareholders are assigned to satellite sites in order to spread the processing load among the satellite sites. Among the meeting site, satellite sites, and remote shareholder sites of the sponsoring company, votes from remote shareholders sites are tabulated on the satellite sites and sent to the meeting site. Voting can be performed promptly because of hierarchical vote tabulation on a plurality of satellite sites and at the meeting site.

Abstract: An interview method through network questionnairing includes steps of: (a) a user inputting an interview request at a user end and then sending it out; (b) a server end receiving the interview request, generating thereby a first questionnaire, and then sending it out; (c) the user end receiving the first questionnaire and then answering the first questionnaire by articulating for recording an interview reply data while the user starting the first questionnaire; (d) the user sending out the interview reply data while the user completing the interview reply data; (e) the server end receiving the interview reply data as an articulation data recording replies of the user during answering the first questionnaire and then storing thereto the interview reply data; and (f) the server end utilizing an articulation recognizing procedure to transform the interview reply data into a written data to be stored therein for further reviewing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an architecture that enables anonymous electronic voting over the Internet using public key technologies. This invention provides a simple yet robust architecture for electronic voting over the unsecured network that is the Internet, using the public and private key pair belonging to the voting entity, not a separate userid and password for each election. In the voting method of the present invention, a voting entity requests a ballot using a public key and a private key belonging to the voting entity. The request is made to a voting mediator. Using a separate public key/private key pair, the voting mediator validates the voting ballot request. After validation of the request, the voting mediator generates an election ballot. The voting mediator sends this ballot to the voting entity. The voting entity casts a vote and sends the ballot to the voting tabulator. The voting tabulator authenticates the ballot and counts the vote.

Abstract: A method of holding an election including enabling voters to register with a registrar facility by providing encryption keys to registered voters and storing the encryption key with an authenticator facility. The method includes distributing ballots having unique ballot ID's to requesting voters, receiving ballots having voter choices on them and encrypted using voters encryption keys, receiving from voters ballot ID, encrypted vote information and, voter ID at an authenticator facility, indications that votes have been cast with a ballots having indicated ballot ID's at a distributor facility, and an indication that the voter has voted at a registrar facility. The method includes authenticating the voter at the authenticator facility and passing authenticated votes and the ballot ID to a counter facility.

Abstract: The voting apparatus, system and method of the invention provides at least two independently means for recording and counting votes, i.e. one associated with the voting apparatus and one separate therefrom. A preferred voting apparatus, system and method provides triple data redundancy in that each vote is recorded by three independent and verifiable means: i.e. by recording in an electronic memory included in each voting machine or system, by recording in the memory of a smart card separate from the voting machine or system, and by a confirmatory printed record for each voter. The invention utilizes a voting session identifier to provide transparency of each and every vote and to maintain the anonymity of each and every vote and voter.

Abstract: A method and online system for interactively assessing functional competency with respect to an employment function and providing a variety of learning solutions for eliminating gaps between the assessed level of functional competency and a level of functional competency required for the employment function. The learning solutions are provided in a learning format most compatible with the preferred method of learning. Feedback assesses the effectiveness of learning solutions, facilitates their improvement, and identifies organizational roadblocks to their implementation in the business environment. Users may assess and increase their functional competency with respect to current or desired employment functions. Additionally, a database of employee functional competencies is populated for mining by administrative personnel for decisions related to employment advancement, employee team selection and hiring objectives.

Abstract: A voting system provides for a computer-prepared and computer-printed election ballot generated by input from the voter, and provides for auto-verification whereby the voter has the opportunity and the responsibility to inspect the computer-printed ballot with his or her votes. The voting system also provides for correction of the votes of the voter in the computer station and correction of the votes of the voter shown on the printed ballot if such votes are not shown on the printed ballot as intended by the voter. Ultimately, the voter is presented with a printed ballot prepared by the voting station and its connected printer which accurately presents the votes of the voter for submission by the voter for final tabulation.