Method for accurate and secure voting
OwnerRoger E. Weissinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for secure, electronic, distributed voting using existing automated teller machines (ATMs), comprising issuing each voter an access card that can be read by an ATM and a personal identification number (PIN). This card may be a standard bank credit or debit card. ATMs are enabled to read access cards and accept PINs. In response to the reading of an access card and appropriate PIN entry, information relating to the vote to be cast is displayed at the ATM. The user is allowed to cast votes using one or more ATM functions. A particular ATM function is identified as an indication of finalization of the vote. In response, the finalized vote is automatically tallied.
Claims22
A method for secure, electronic, distributed voting using computer equipment connected to the banking network to process votes, in which each voter uses a voter identification that can be input into the equipment, comprising:
- enabling the equipment to receive the voter identifications;
- in response to the receipt of a voter identification, displaying information relating to the vote to be cast;
- allowing the user to cast votes using one or more functions of the equipment;
- identifying a particular equipment function as an indication of finalization of the vote;
- and
- in response, automatically tallying the finalized vote.
A method for secure, electronic, distributed voting using existing automated teller machines (ATMs), comprising:
- issuing voters a unique voter identification that can be input into an ATM, wherein the voter identification encodes at least the voter's name and voting district;
- enabling the ATMs to accept the voter identifications;
- in response to the receipt of a voter identification, displaying at the ATM information relating to the vote to be cast, wherein the information relating to the vote to be cast comprises at least candidate names;
- allowing the user to cast votes using one or more ATM functions;
- displaying or printing voting selections before their finalization;
- identifying a particular ATM function as an indication of finalization of the vote;
- in response, automatically tallying the finalized vote;
- and
- in response, disabling further use of the voter identification to access voting information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.