US3793505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic voting machine
Assignee: BUSINESS RECORDS Corp A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1972-11-16
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An electronic voting machine including a video screen containing the projected names of candidates or propositions being voted, utilizing a film strip containing individual frames having images projected onto the video screen by a light source, wherein photooptical information transmittal circuits are actuated by the light source projecting the voting image and, by means of controlled light sensitive areas on the film strip, energizing phototransistor units in the system to activate voting buttons, check film alignment, operate vote counters and identify the vote, whether it be cumulative, a proposition or an ordinary vote, with the information furnished by the phototransistor units being read by photosensitive logic units which transmit information to the projector and counter units.
Inventors
- 👤 R Mckay
- 👤 D Hetzel
- 👤 J Snydacker
- 👤 P Ziebold
- 👤 J Kirby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:18
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An electronic voting machine including a video screen containing a light projected image, light means projecting said image from a transparency onto said screen, voting elements operatively mounted in the machine, and means activated by light beams from said light means disposed in the path of said light beams between said light means and said video screen and enabling said voting elements to operate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electronic voting machine including a video screen containing a light projected image, light means projecting said image from a transparency onto said screen, voting elements operatively mounted in the machine, and means activated by light beams from said light means disposed in the path of said light beams between said light means and said video screen and enabling said voting elements to operate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means activated by light beams comprises a plurality of phototransistor units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 2 including a plurality of voting buttons operative to effect a vote when said phototransistor units activate said voting elements upon actuation of said voting buttons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 2 including a film strip from which said light projected image is projected onto said video screen, said film having a blacked out area containing light dots, and said light projecting means projects light beams through said light dots onto said phototransistor units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said photo transistor units are disposed in two or more groups, and said groups of photo transistor units include means to effect activation of said voting elements, alignment of said film strip and identification of voting categories for cumulative, proposition and ordinary voting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said blacked out area is disposed adjacent to an edge of an image on the film strip, and said phototransistor units are disposed in alignment with light dots located in said blacked out area of the film strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said film strip includes a plurality of images projected successively onto said video scree, an electronic circuitry, said light beams activating said phototransistor units in said circuitry in accordance with vote selections made from each of said images, and means including a plurality of voting buttons operable in said circuitry to make said vote selections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in cLaim 4 wherein said light dots include a series of such dots to project light beams onto phototransistor units to control operation of voting buttons and alignment of said film strip, and a series of such light dots directing light beams onto phototransistor units to control operation of vote counters and identify voting categories and alignment of said film strip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 4 including a plurality of voting buttons and a logic unit, certain of said phototransistor units feeding information to said logic unit, and a counter unit, said logic unit transmitting information to said voting buttons and to said counter unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electronic voting machine as set in claim 9 including a second logic unit and a projector, certain of said phototransistor units feeding information to said second logic unit, and said second logic unit transmitting information to said projector and to said counter unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means activated by light beams is disposed adjacent to said video screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means adjacent to said video screen is located at the back side of the video screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said light dots are disposed adjacent to an edge of said film strip and said phototransistor units are aligned with respective light beams from said light dots.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in caim 8 wherein said light dots include a row of light dots which activate phototransistor units which control voting buttons, and a row of light dots which activate phototransistor units which control operation of vote counters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in caim 8 wherein said light dots include a row of light dots which activate phototransistor units which control voting buttons, and a row of light dots which activate phototransistor units which control operation of vote counters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means activated by light beams comprise light sensitive electronic switches actuated by said light beams.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 15 including a film transparency having a blackedout area with light dots in said area and said light beams are projected through said dots.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electronic voting machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said phototransistor units feed information to logic units which transmit the information to said voting buttons and said light means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |