IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0171726
(2008-07-11)
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등록번호 |
US-8225998
(2012-07-24)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
2 인용 특허 :
4 |
초록
▼
A secure ballot box includes a main compartment for receiving ballots, a case including a base and a cover supported by the main compartment, and a scanner supported within the base. The cover is coupled with the base and is moveable between a closed position enclosing the scanner and an open positi
A secure ballot box includes a main compartment for receiving ballots, a case including a base and a cover supported by the main compartment, and a scanner supported within the base. The cover is coupled with the base and is moveable between a closed position enclosing the scanner and an open position exposing at least a portion of the scanner. The case and scanner are removable from the main compartment for easy transport. A sensor, operable to detect the height of the ballots collected within the main compartment, is coupled with the scanner to switch the scanner to an off mode such that additional ballots will not be accepted when the height of ballots within the main compartment reaches a predetermined threshold level.
대표청구항
▼
1. A ballot box comprising: a main compartment configured to receive ballots;a case positioned on and supported by said main compartment, said case comprising a base and a cover, said cover movably attached to said base;a scanner, said scanner removably positioned on said base such that said cover i
1. A ballot box comprising: a main compartment configured to receive ballots;a case positioned on and supported by said main compartment, said case comprising a base and a cover, said cover movably attached to said base;a scanner, said scanner removably positioned on said base such that said cover is moveable between a closed position wherein said scanner is completely enclosed within said case and an open position wherein at least a portion of said scanner is exposed, wherein said case and said scanner are removable from said main compartment; anda sensor positioned within said main compartment, said sensor operable to detect a height of ballots within said main compartment and further operable to detect a ballot door in a closed position in said main compartment, said sensor in electrical communication with said scanner and operable to signal said scanner when said height equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold or when said ballot door is in a closed position such that said scanner switches from an on mode to an off mode. 2. The ballot box of claim 1, wherein said scanner is operable in a first mode wherein said scanner accepts and scans ballots and passes said ballots to said main compartment, and is operable in a second mode wherein said scanner will not accept and scan said ballots; and wherein said scanner can be switched between said first and second modes. 3. The ballot box of claim 2, further comprising a sensor in electrical communication with said scanner, said sensor operable to detect a height of ballots accumulated in said main compartment and to provide a signal to said scanner when said height reaches a predetermined threshold such that said scanner is switched to said second mode to not accept subsequent ballots. 4. The ballot box of claim 1, further comprising a first rail attached to said base and a second rail attached to said scanner, said first and second rails configured to mate together to mount said scanner to said base. 5. The ballot box of claim 4, further comprising a retaining door movably coupled to said base, said door moveable between an open position wherein access to said rails is permitted such that said scanner may be attached to or removed from said base, and a closed position wherein access to said rails is prohibited such that said scanner may be secured to said base. 6. The ballot box of claim 5, further comprising: a first lock operable to secure said base to said main compartment;a second lock operable to secure said cover to said base; anda third lock operable to secure said retaining door to said base. 7. The ballot box of claim 6, further comprising at least one tamper resistant seal attached to at least one of said first, second, and third locks. 8. The ballot box of claim 1, further comprising a ballot path, wherein said scanner comprises a first portion of the ballot path configured to direct ballots towards said base, wherein said base comprises a second portion of the ballot path configured to direct ballots toward said main compartment, and wherein said main compartment comprises a top surface configured to support said base, said top surface comprising an opening generally aligned with said second ballot path such that ballots exiting said second portion of the ballot path pass into said main compartment. 9. The ballot box of claim 8, wherein said main compartment further comprises side walls coupled to said top surface and a bottom wall coupled to said side walls to define an interior cavity, said interior cavity configured to receive at least one of an emergency ballot bin and a main ballot bin. 10. The ballot box of claim 9, further comprising an emergency ballot bin and a main ballot bin positioned within said interior cavity, wherein at least one of said side walls comprises a slot aligned with said emergency ballot bin such that ballots deposited in said slot fall into said emergency ballot bin; and wherein said opening in said top surface of said main compartment is aligned with said main ballot bin such that ballots entering said opening fall into said main ballot bin. 11. The ballot box of claim 10, wherein one of said side walls comprises a first side door moveable between a closed position enclosing said interior cavity and an open position exposing at least a portion of said interior cavity, said first side door allowing access to said main ballot bin. 12. The ballot box of claim 11, wherein one of said side walls comprises a second side door moveable between a closed position enclosing said interior cavity and an open position exposing at least a portion of said interior cavity, said second side door allowing access to said emergency ballot bin. 13. The ballot box of claim 8, further comprising: a ballot door positioned within said second portion of the ballot path, said ballot door moveable between a closed position blocking said second portion of the ballot path and an open position allowing ballots to travel through said second portion of the ballot path; anda lever coupled with said ballot door operable to move said ballot door between said open and closed positions. 14. The ballot box of claim 1, wherein said main compartment comprises a bottom coupled with side walls to define an interior cavity, and wherein said main compartment further comprises a top removably coupled with said side walls and configured to lock to said side walls. 15. The ballot box of claim 1, further comprising a power supply for supplying power to said scanner. 16. The ballot box of claim 1, wherein said case further comprises: at least one wheel and a handle attached to said base for transporting said case. 17. The ballot box of claim 1, further comprising a damper coupled between said base and said cover to maintain said cover in its open position. 18. The ballot box of claim 1, further comprising a main ballot bin configured to fit within said main compartment, said main ballot bin comprising bottom, top and side walls attached to define an interior area, wherein said top is movable between an open position for accepting ballots into said interior area and a closed position for enclosing said interior area, and wherein said top is configured to mate with and lock to said side walls to secure said interior area. 19. The ballot box of claim 18, wherein said main ballot bin is removable from said main compartment, and wherein said main ballot bin comprises wheels and a handle coupled thereto to allow transport of said main ballot bin. 20. A ballot box comprising: a bin for collecting ballots;a scanner coupled to said bin and operable to switch between an on mode in which said scanner accepts and scans ballots and deposits the ballots in said bin, and an off mode in which said scanner does not accept and scan ballots;a case positioned upon and supported by said bin, wherein said case further supports said scanner;a ballot path, wherein said scanner comprises a first portion of the ballot path and said case comprises a second portion of the ballot path, wherein said bin comprises a top surface configured to support said case, said top surface comprising an opening, and wherein said first portion of the ballot path is positioned adjacent said second portion of the ballot path and said second portion of the ballot path is positioned adjacent said opening such that ballots pass from said scanner through said first portion of the ballot path, through said second portion of the ballot path, and through said opening into said bin; anda ballot door positioned within said second portion of the ballot path and moveable between a closed position blocking said second portion of the ballot path and an open position allowing ballots to travel through said second portion of the ballot path; anda sensor operable to detect a height of ballots within said bin and further operable to detect a ballot door in a closed position in said bin, said sensor in electrical communication with said scanner and operable to signal said scanner when said height equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold or when said ballot door is in a closed position such that said scanner switches from said on mode to said off mode. 21. The ballot box of claim 20, wherein said sensor is attached to said case.
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