WO2019111042A1 - Device for printing out votes in electronic voting systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing device for electronic voting systems that prints the vote on a reel, separates by cutting and provides secure transfer to a tightly sealed area, allowing viewing of the vote without physical contact, configuration and transportation to a sealed place of storage. The use of "easy-load" thermal printing mechanisms has been rendered viable by means of a retractable system that moves the assembly [mechanism/reel compartment] outside the printing device in order to change the paper reel, thereby preserving the tamperproof structure of the cabinet, together with a system for transporting the vote that is provided with an integral means of traction using belts for automatically aligning the vote, passing via a tightly sealed viewer and eliminating the effect of the curvature of paper with lateral ribs.

Description

 PRINTER FOR VOTES IN ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS

Technical Field of Use of the Invention

 The present invention relates to a printer, which is applicable in the area of electronic voting systems, which gives the vote, printed on a reel and individualized by cut, safe transit in an airtight region, allowing the voter to view the complete vote, but totally inaccessible to their physical contact, in

sealed compartment, liquid-proof and penetration of objects of any size, and transporting the vote to a sealed vessel.

Prior art

[0002] An electronic voting system to be reliable should provide means for auditing; the impression of voting is the most accepted and used feature in the latest generation systems to achieve this goal.

[0003] In order to maintain the integrity of this feature, the printer's cabinet must be resistant to the action of vandals and not allow, especially in the transit area of the printed vote, any type of access of the voter to the vote other than the strictly visual one.

In this sense, as shown in US2009 / 0166417, one way of recording the printed votes and keeping them contained and safe is to use a coil paper, to make the impression and to rewind it at the end; such a system has a high degree of reliability as merit, but fails to store votes sequentially by breaking the

confidentiality of voter choices.

Thus, the votes must be separated to avoid the memory of the sequence and, when making the cut, we come across the problem of the loose end in a paper that has been stored in reel with the tendency to maintain the curvature. To escape this problem, one solution is the use of continuous forms as proposed in the patent

XR1842682Ά1, but the high cost of this type of paper prevents its use on a large scale.

Returning to the coil printing with separation of votes, we have the solution proposed in patent US9235944B1 which describes how current tendency for thermal printing to use "easy load" mechanisms in detriment of "auto load" mechanisms.

In the "auto load" method, the open end of the coil is sensed by a sensor and the motor charges; however, a poorly cut tip or a wrong angle to the paper inlet can cause poor loading and possible jamming of the printer.

In the "easy load" method, the mechanism is open in the middle in the paper path region, facilitating the positioning and

alignment in the traction system.

 As described in the patent US9235944B1, to use the "easy load" solution, a front cover has been implemented by which the coil is charged. This cover, however, brings a safety problem, even with the suggested seal, the inviolability is

committed.

[0010] In addition, this same cap is used as the traction screen for the vote carrier and brings two new problems:

need for high precision parts and connections; a malicious voter can press the cap and lock the vote during its transport to the reservoir or even insert some object or liquid through the gap between the cap and the cabinet.

Summary of the Invention

 In order to solve the aforementioned problems of the previous solutions, the present invention has been developed by which the use of the current "easy load" thermal mechanisms has been made possible by the application of a retractable drawer system (7), which moves the [coil mechanism / housing] assembly out of the printer in exchange of the paper spool (9) to allow a tight cabinet construction in the transit area of the printed vote to be protected, improving its adherence to good

an anti-vandal construction and the team with a voting transport system, through a viewing window (3), provided with an integral continuous traction system by synchronizing belts (21), anchored on a traction reference surface with mixed curves , which allow self-alignment of the printed vote in the system and ends by eliminating the "bobbin memory" effect of the paper by applying lateral ribs on the printed vote (18) rigidity needed to be entered in the reservoir of votes and automatic readers in the case of post-election recount.

Detailed Description of the Invention

 The invention may be better understood through this detailed description, in accordance with the attached figures:

 Figure 1: Rear view of the cabinet (1) where the vote output is located (2).

 Figure 2: Front view of cabinet (1) and view window (3) airtight for printed vote.

 Figure 3: Bottom view of the transport mechanism and the retractable drawer (7) in the open position.

 Figure 4: Top view showing the retractable drawer 7 open, lever 11 that unlocks the drawer and lever 10 enabling the opening of the printing mechanism where the assembly [movable blade / roller] 8 is rotated backwards .

 Figure 5: Right rear view with the retractable drawer closed, showing the right side slot (12) that locks the bobbin shaft. Figure 6: Left rear view with the retractable drawer closed, showing the drawer lock (13) and the lever (11) that unlocks the drawer.

 Figure 7: Detail of the shaper / extortion mechanism (15) of the vote.

Figure 8: Detail showing the input sensors (16) and output (17) of the vote carrier.

 Figure 9: Detail showing the rigid vote (18) after passing through the forming mechanism.

 Figure 10: Detail showing the mechanical elements in the entrance of the vote on the conveyor with emphasis on the progressive abutment guide (4).

 Figure 11: Front view showing thermal mechanism (22) and voting area (23).

 Figure 12: Front left view with the retractable drawer closed.

[0013] This is an equipment generally referred to herein as

A printer, constituted of a virgin thermal coil storage compartment, a thermal printer mechanism (22), a guillotine, a printed vote conveyor, a vote shaping device (15) and which acts as a vote ejector for output connected to a an electronic control board (24). The electronic board (24) has embedded software that manages the synchronized operation between the thermal printer mechanism (22), the guillotine and the motor of the conveyor (6), using the signals from the sensors; controls the communication with an external device transmitting the votes through a protocol that may include

encryption of messages with key negotiation; makes it possible to update the firmware through the communication port through a secure process; reads an external flash memory attached to the voucher.

On the voting conveyor, there are input (16) and output (17) sensors so that the control firmware can ensure an adequate flow of paper and make the decision to interrupt the flow in case of paper jam reporting the error through the protocol of

Communication .

In the print / guillotine / coil chamber assembly, there is a thermal head temperature sensor to prevent overheating damage; there is position sensor of the guillotine blades allowing controlled cutting; there is available paper level sensor on the spool.

[0017] To ensure safe operation, a sensor indicates that the enclosure of the equipment is closed and sealed.

[0018] The entire system is powered by a preferably internal source and may have internal or external battery with charge for a time up to the entire election period.

[0019] The coil load is made by the "easy load" method. A retractable drawer (7) containing the printing mechanism (22), the guillotine and the reel holder has been implemented. A lock (13) ensures that the drawer stays in the (closed) printing position.

To load / replace the spool (9), a pressure applied to the lever (11) releases the latch and the drawer can be moved towards the rear leading the printing mechanism to the outside of the printer. The new bobbin can then be engaged in the recess (25) with the loose end on the back side and pointing down.

By pressing the lever (10), the printing mechanism opens, the assembly [movable blade / roller] (8) is rotated back; by turning the bobbin forward, the tip is available to pass through the gap open and the paper is positioned between the thermal head and the roller; the printing mechanism closes, pressing down on its sides for locking occurs, the electronic controller advances the paper and cuts off the excess. Upon closing the drawer (7), the mechanism will be ready and positioned by the lock (13) to start printing; the coil housed in the recess (25) is now locked by the action of the slot (12) in the sides that support the entire structure.

The adoption of the drawer system implied in the distancing between the printing mechanism and the entrance of the voting transport system forcing the loose end of the paper to a free flight between them, in which it is aided by the action of a guide of abutment (4) which projects the loose end to the inlet on the conveyor.

After printing the first rows, said tip at both ends enters the conveyor system and, upon reaching the pulley (19), where the conveyor belt (21) meets the traction reference surface with mixed curves , has its ends positioned between them and, in a synchronized way, are conducted, in parallel, throughout the voting window.

The positioning of the pulley (19) and the radius of said traction reference surface in the initial stretch relieve the friction and allow the loose end to self-align with the voting transport system, whereupon said trailing surface reference forces the extremity of the vote against the back of the toothed belt (21) guaranteeing full and integral traction throughout the entire course of the vote on both sides.

Slacks and variations of the belt system are compensated by the action of a spring on the tensioning pulley (5).

The voting transport continues until it reaches the top and is fully exposed in the viewing window (23) where, after the voter confirms the impression of his choices, a completion message is printed, the vote is cut and sent to the outlet of the printer through a forming mechanism (15) which produces ribs on the sides of the vowel (18), eliminating the "coil bending memory" and giving the vote the rigidity necessary to be introduced into the reservoir of votes (urn) and in the automatic recount system in case of post-election audit.

Claims

 1. Voting printer in coiled paper, with guillotine to separate votes, with conveyor to take the votes to an external reservoir, with display to show the printed vote characterized by using a retractable drawer system (7) that moves the set [mechanism  printer / guillotine / coil bin] out of the printer in the paper coil change operation.  A voting printer according to claim 1 characterized by being airtight in the front for the voter and the transport region of the vote.  Voting printer according to claim 1 characterized by using a paper forming system (15) which applies lateral ribs (18) on the printed vote eliminating the curvature by being stored in a bobbin.  A voting printer according to claim 1 characterized in that it can be powered by internal or external battery for a period of time up to the entire election period.  A voting printer according to claim 1 characterized by employing a system of planning the initial loose end of the vote by using a progressive stop tab (4) ensuring the correct introduction of the vote into the voting system  transport .  A voting printer according to claim 4 characterized by using a traction reference surface with mixed curves (20) which provides controlled friction level, being reduced in its initial and nominal stretch in the remaining stretch, ensuring the alignment of the vote in the guides of the conveyor and its continuous and integral traction in the transport system.