FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to voting systems, more particularly relates to an election extender device for providing a vote count and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The election commission spends a considerable amount of money and time in order to set up elections in various jurisdictions.

[0003] Current election voting machines set up by the election commission, especially of Direct Recording Type are used to conduct elections for use in a localized region. They offer a single election - for a single constituency, a single set of candidate options and a single electronic vote bank.

[0004] Such systems create a need for physical presence of the voter in their registered constituencies. Due to which, many sections of voters are unable to cast their votes. In this regard, in most of the territories, it is observed that the voting percentage is very low. Therefore, the considerable amount of time and money spent by the election commission is pointless. Further, since the voting percentage is low due to many sections of the voters unable to cast their votes, there is no proper representation by the voters in a jurisdiction, thereby leading to other issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One or more embodiments of the present invention, provide election extender devices.

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, an election extender device for providing a vote count is provided. The election extender device comprises an input device, for receiving a data block including identity particulars of a voter. Further, the election extender device includes a microprocessor in communication with the input device. The microprocessor is configured to, extract the identity particulars of the voter from the data block, wherein the identity particulars of the voter are at least one of, a voter ID and a constituency ID. Further, the microprocessor generates a candidate information set by accessing at least a name pool, a symbol pool and a constituency ballot matrix by using the constituency ID. Further, the microprocessor generates a second name array from the candidate information set based on a first name array, wherein the second name array is similar to the first name array. The candidate information set is transmitted to a voting machine. A sequence number corresponding to a choice of vote cast by the voter for a candidate out of a plurality of candidates at the voting machine is received at the microprocessor from the voting machine. A name ID (NID) is determined by the microprocessor based on the sequence number received from the voting machine and the second name array generated. Further, the microprocessor records, the NID determined at the secure counter along with a vote count, wherein the vote count being incremented each time the vote is cast for the NID; and display, the NID along with the corresponding vote count in response to completion of an election.

[0007] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for providing a vote count is provided. The method comprises the steps of, receiving at an input device, a data block including identity particulars of a voter. Further, the method comprises the step of, extracting the identity particulars of the voter from the data block, wherein the identity particulars of the voter are at least one of, a voter ID and a constituency ID. Further, the method comprises the step of, generating by the microprocessor, a candidate information set by accessing at least a name pool, a symbol pool and a constituency ballot matrix. Further, the method comprises the step of, generating a second name array from the candidate information set based on a first name array, wherein the second name array is similar to the first name array. Further, the method comprises the step of, transmitting, the candidate information set to a voting machine. Further, the method comprises the step of, receiving, a sequence number corresponding to a choice of vote cast by the voter at the voting machine for a candidate out of a plurality of candidates. Further, the method comprises the step of, determining, a name ID (NID) based on the sequence number received from the voting machine and the second name array generated. Further, the method comprises the step of, recording, the NID determined along with a vote count, wherein the vote count being incremented each time the vote is cast for the NID. Further, the method comprises the step of, displaying at an output device, the NID along with the corresponding vote count in response to completion of an election.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, are illustrative of one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and together with the description explain various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are intended to be illustrative. Further, the accompanying figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, and any values or dimensions in the accompanying figures are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an election extender device, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an election extender device of FIG. 1 coupled and/or in communication with a voting machine, according to one or embodiments of the present invention; and

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for providing a vote count, according to one or embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. References to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the invention to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims. Moreover, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or between such entities.

[0013] Various embodiments of the invention provide an election extender device for providing a vote count and a method thereof. The present invention discloses an election extender device for providing a vote count, thereby ensuring anonymity and integrity of data is maintained. Further, the election extender device allows conducting multiple elections of different types thereof using just one local voting machine and coupling the said voting machine with the election extender device. The different types of elections can be one of, but not limited to, parliamentary, corporate and trade union elections.

[0014] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an election extender device 100. The election extender device 100 comprises an input device 102, an output device 104, a microprocessor 106 in communication with a memory 108, a signature verification unit 110, a data loading unit 112, a secure counter 114, a first secure container 116, a second secure container 118 and a third secure container 120.

[0015] In an embodiment, the memory 108 includes a set of instructions and the microprocessor 106 is configured to execute these instructions to arrive at the present invention by interacting and/or instructing other components as indicated above of the election extender device 100.

[0016] At the outset, a voter is required to present a digitally signed data block containing information such as, but not limited to, a constituency ID of the voter at the input unit 102 of the election extender device 100. In an embodiment, the voter may present the digitally signed data block by means such as, but not limited to, QR code, manual data entry, smart card or any other electronic or physical ID’s may be presented by the voter.

[0017] Other data such as voter ID, photo etc., could also be part of this digitally signed data block to enable peripheral services such as voter authentication. Additionally, the data block could include a voter serial number to allow for easier administrative process of checking against a pre-created list available with the election officer, aiding in voter authentication. This data-serial number would be used for displaying at the output device 104 and is not stored in any other part of the election extender device. Advantageously, ensuring better voter anonymity.

[0018] In an embodiment, the input device 102 can be a keyboard or a touchpad to allow the voter to enter a digitally signed data block manually.

[0019] In another embodiment, the input device 102 is one of, but not limited to, a bar code reader, a QR coder reader and a smart card reader adapted to read digitally signed data block.

[0020] In another embodiment, when the voter presents a code at the input device 102, the code redirects to the digitally signed data block, wherein the data block is stored in a pre-determined location, such as, but not limited to, internal local memory or on a cloud server.

[0021] In another embodiment, the input device 102 can be a card reader that is adapted to scan the digitally signed data block embedded within a voter’s election card.

[0022] Once the voter presents the digitally signed data block at the input device 102 of the election extender device 100, the microprocessor 106 reads the data block and extracts identity particulars of the voter, such as but not limited to, the constituency ID of the voter, voter ID, photo of the voter, etc. The identity particulars are stored at the memory 108. Further, the microprocessor 106 transmits this identity particulars to the signature verification unit 110 as shown in Fig. 1. [0023] Further, the microprocessor 106 instructs the signature verification unit 110 to access a signature verification key stored at the second secure container 118.

[0024] In an embodiment, the signature verification key is one of, but not limited to, a RSA-4096 public key, a ECC256 public key, a symmetric signature key such as, AES+CMAC.

[0025] Once the signature verification unit 110 accesses the signature verification key stored at the second secure container 118, the microprocessor performs the signature verification operation at the signature verification unit 110 on the data block to determine the authenticity and integrity of the data block. In an embodiment, the signature verification operation is one of but not limited to, a cryptographic signature verification operation.

[0026] In an embodiment, the cryptographic signature verification operation is well known in the art.

[0027] In the event, the cryptographic signature verification operation is successful, the microprocessor 106 then transmits the constituency ID which was present in the data block to the data loading unit 112. Further, the microprocessor 106 instructs the data loading unit 112 to access the first secure container 116 to create a candidate information set as shown in Fig. 1.

[0028] In an embodiment, the candidate information set is a combination of candidate names and symbols arranged in a pre-determined sequence for a particular constituency. The microprocessor 106 creates the candidate information set at the data loading unit 112 by accessing the tables of the first secure container 116.

[0029] In an embodiment, the first secure container 116 is configured to store at least three tables namely, a name pool, a symbol pool and a constituency ballot matrix.

[0030] In an embodiment, the name pool table includes data of names of all candidates contesting in all constituencies and their respective unique name IDs (NID) as shown in Fig. 1. The NIDs are the identifiers which are unique to that particular candidate and are not repetitive.

[0031] The symbol pool includes data of all the party symbols present in all the constituencies and their respective symbol IDs. In an embodiment, the data of the party symbols are stored in an image format. The data of the party symbols will have only one entry irrespective of the party contesting in one or more constituencies. For example, if party A is contesting in constituency X and Y, even then the party symbol will have only one entry in the symbol pool table.

[0032] The constituency ballot matrix provides a mapping of constituency ID (CID) with a first name array and a symbol array. The first name array and the symbol array are arranged in a pre-determined sequence. The pre-determined sequence is arranged in such a manner such that position 0 in symbol array corresponds to position 0 in the first name array. For example, the symbol of the candidate corresponds to the name of the candidate contesting the election. Similarly, like position 0, the rest of the positions are mapped correspondingly in the constituency ballot matrix.

[0033] The data loading unit 112 generates the candidate information set by going through the constituency ballot matrix and resolving the name IDs (NID) and the symbol ID (SID) based on the symbol pool and the name pool, respectively.

[0034] Once the candidate information set is generated by the microprocessor 106, the microprocessor 106 transmits the candidate information set to the voting machine to which the election extender device 100 is connected. Fig. 2 illustrates connection of the election extender device 100 to the voting machine through generic interfaces (not shown) such as, but not limited to, universal serial bus (USB), ethernet, etc.

[0035] In an alternate embodiment, the election extender device 100 can be implemented as an integral device or just the functionality of the election extender device 100 can be embedded within the voting machine. [0036] The copy of the candidate information set is also shared with the secure counter 114. The secure counter 114 isolates name IDs (NID)s by generating a second name array locally within the secure container which is similar to the first name array present in the first secure container 116.

[0037] Once a vote is cast by the voter, a sequence number of the choice of the vote is received instantaneously from the voting machine at the election extender device 100. It is pertinent to note that the voting machine is independent of pre- stored details of name IDs (NID) or the symbol IDs. Advantageously, ensuring there is no tampering that can occur while the sequence number is transmitted to the election extender device from the voting machine, due to the voting machine not having any data of the NIDs stored at the election extender device. Taking this into consideration, the voting machine transmits only the sequence number corresponding to the candidate that the voter voted for. The microprocessor 106 transmits the sequence number of the choice of the vote by the voter to the secure counter 114.

[0038] Using the sequence number and the second name array generated locally at the secure counter 114, the microprocessor 106 determines the NID for which the voter casts the vote at the secure counter 114. In an embodiment, the third secure container 120 contains a secure count table containing NIDs and the corresponding vote counts. The column of the vote counts of the secure count table includes information of the number of votes cast for the particular candidate. In this regard, whenever a vote is cast for the candidate, a corresponding increment of the vote count is tabulated in the said secure count table. In a preferred embodiment, all the vote counts are initialized to a count zero before the election commences.

[0039] In an embodiment, once the NID is determined, the vote count corresponding to the determined NID from the sequence number is accordingly incremented.

[0040] In an embodiment, the above method of determining the vote cast and thereafter incrementing the NID counter for appropriate candidate is performed in response to each vote cast by the voter at the voting machine. [0041] Once the election(s) is completed, based on a command by the election officer, the results stored in the third secure container 120 may be output by the microprocessor 106 at the output device 104. In an embodiment, the output device 104 is one of, but not limited to, a display, a printer printing the results on a sheet of paper and uploaded to cloud or using any other similar means of data display.

[0042] In an embodiment, the output device 104 can also be a unit which transmits the data to any third-party device where further processing occurs.

[0043] In an embodiment, the election extender device 100 commences operation only when a valid data block is presented at the input unit 102 of the election extender device 100. The valid data block is one whose digital signature is successfully verified. Further, this valid data block will contain information of the constituency ID of the constituency which is not covered by the local voting machine. Advantageously, the election extender device 100 can be utilized as an add-on device in combination with the local voting machine to allow voters who are not registered with a particular constituency to vote as well, thereby ensuring that maximum voters are voting in an election irrespective of where they are located at that point in time. Else, the voting machine could operate independently offering voting options for a local election.

[0044] In an alternate embodiment, the four data tables, i.e., the symbol pool, the name pool, the constituency ballot matrix and the secure count table present within the first and the third containers could be located individually or all together or in parts either inside the voting machine or the election extender device 100 or in a local memory or in a separate secure element silicon chips.

[0045] In another alternate embodiments, the four tables can be located in external devices such as peripheral devices such as smart card and pen drives, connected to either the extender election device or the voting machine either in parts or all together. [0046] In an embodiment, the election extender device 100 is also configured to connect with cloud or virtual server by wired and/or wireless connecting means such as, but not limited to, WIFI, LAN, mobile network using a SIM card embedded within the election extender device 100.

[0047] In an embodiment, the first, the second and the third secure containers can be integrally located within the election extender device 100 or can be externally located from the election extender device 100 and can be one of, but not limited to, a data storage means and a smart card.

[0048] In an alternate embodiment, the first, second and third secure containers can be part of an existing component of the voting machine to which the election extender device 100 is attached and can be one of, but not limited to, a device card.

[0049] In another alternate embodiment, the third secure container 120 does not contain the secure count table, instead it only stores a copy of the corresponding NID element for every vote cast. This pool of NID elements can be encrypted and securely transmitted to an external device to perform tabulation. The external device can be one of, but not limited to, a cloud and additional computational devices.

[0050] In an embodiment, the first, the second and third secure container 120 contain encrypted data. Necessary authentication, integrity checks and decryption operations are required to be performed before they are used by the election extender device 100.

[0051] Technical Advantages of the present invention are listed below:

• The symbol pool and name pool tables contained within the first secure container 116 ensures there is no need to create, manage or store individual ballots for voters.

The election extender device can be used with the existing local voting machines to enable voters who are not registered with a particular constituency to also vote. Due to the usage of separate three secure containers eases the process of personalization of the election devices.

• Allows the process of voting to be made secure as there is a separation of critical data and non-critical data in separate containers. This ensures operational procedures for election commission can accordingly be simplified.

[0052] Fig. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 for providing a vote count, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The method is required to be read in relation to the description for figures 1 and 2 as indicated above.

[0053] At step 302 of the method, an input device receives, a data block including identity particulars of a voter.

[0054] At step 304 of the method, a microprocessor extracts, the identity particulars of the voter from the data block, wherein the identity particulars of the voter is at least a constituency ID.

[0055] At step 306 of the method, the microprocessor generates, a candidate information set by accessing at least a name pool, a symbol pool and a constituency ballot matrix.

[0056] At step 308 of the method, the microprocessor generates, a second name array from the candidate information set based on a first name array, wherein the second name array is similar to the first name array.

[0057] At step 310 of the method, the microprocessor, transmits the candidate information set to a voting machine.

[0058] At step 312 of the method, the microprocessor receives, a sequence number corresponding to a choice of vote cast by the voter at the voting machine for a candidate out of a plurality of candidates. [0059] At step 314 of the method, the microprocessor determines, a name ID (NID) based on the sequence number received from the voting machine and the second name array generated. For example, let us consider that the voter voted for party A and the corresponding sequence number for party A is 2. The sequence number is recorded as 2 based on the candidate information set transmitted from the election extender device to the voting machine. In an embodiment, the candidate information set is a combination of the candidate names and the symbols arranged in a pre-determined sequence for a particular constituency defined by the constituency ID. Therefore, if the voter voted for party A, then the sequence number is automatically recorded based on the candidate information set which includes the pre-determined sequence which is present at the voting machine. The microprocessor 106 of the election extender device 100 based on the sequence number 2 and the second name array which includes all the names of the candidates, determines the NID of the candidate.

[0060] At step 316 of the method, the microprocessor records, the NID determined along with a vote count, wherein the vote count being incremented each time the vote is cast for the NID.

[0061] At step 318 of the method, the microprocessor displays, the NID along with the corresponding vote count in response to completion of an election.

[0062] While aspects of the present invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.