Low profile apparatus for ballot tabulation and imprinting of unique identifiers

Abstract

Apparatus and method for implementing a low-profile tabulator. An example apparatus includes scanning optics and an imprinter positioned along a paper path. A ballot is scanned with the scanning optics to obtain a digital image of the ballot. A ballot approval input is received from a user, for example after the user has reviewed information representative of their selections. In response to the ballot approval, the imprinter imprints an identifier on the ballot, and data is stored that associates the identifier with the digital image of the ballot, e.g. by overlaying an image of the identifier on the digital image of the ballot. Example embodiments do not require the ballot to be re-scanned after the imprinting process, thus allowing a lower-profile form factor for the tabulator apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.