Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a voting system and particularly to a voting system using blockchain technology.
Description of Related Art
[002] Blockchain is a method of storing data that makes it challenging or impossible to update, hack, or defraud the system. A blockchain is simply a digital record of transactions that is replicated and distributed throughout the blockchain's complete network of computer systems. Blockchain has found its applications in multiple streams of computer sciences, such as financial transactions, credential verification, authentication and authorization, data security, and so forth. Furthermore, data tampering is always feasible in the digital age, when hacking and circumventing a system is trivial, leading to terrible circumstances. Blockchain is used to store data that is nearly hard to modify or tamper with since it is extremely secure.
[003] Voting is an important activity in any country, and it is bad if votes are overestimated by any external source. Additionally, in traditional methods of voting, there are several cases of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or ballot papers tampering, creating nuisance at the voting premise, misguiding and influencing voters to achieve their benefits, and so forth.
[004] Moreover, to prevent such scenarios and make life more comfortable, blockchain technology has gained acceptance. However, this election and voting system using blockchain technology is very concentrated in small groups and is not diversified in big states or countries. People still prefer traditional methods of voting as they find it easy and no technical skills are required to cast votes when using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or ballot papers.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced voting system using blockchain technology that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a voting system using blockchain technology. The system comprising: a processor located on an application server. The system further comprising: a storage medium comprising programming instructions executable by the processor. The storage medium comprises: a voter registration module configured to register a voter on a voting application by receiving voter details; a comparison module configured to compare a blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter with a list of pre-stored eligible addresses of corresponding voters in a contract; a status determination module configured to determine a voting status of the registered voter when the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter is matched with one of the list of pre-stored eligible addresses; a vote casting module configured to enable the registered voter to cast a vote using the voting application against an eligible candidate; when the voting status of the registered voter is ‘NO’; and a vote storage module configured to store every casted vote against the eligible candidate in form of a transaction.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for casting vote for an eligible candidate using blockchain technology. The method comprising steps of: registering a voter on a voting application by receiving voter details; comparing a blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter with a list of pre-stored eligible addresses of corresponding voters in a contract; determining a voting status of the registered voter when the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter is matched with one of the list of pre-stored eligible addresses; enabling the registered voter to cast the vote using the voting application against the eligible candidate; when the voting status of the registered voter is ‘NO’; and storing every casted vote against the eligible candidate in form of a transaction.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a voting system using blockchain technology.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a voting system using blockchain technology that is easy to use, easy to understand, and easy to demonstrate.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a voting system using blockchain technology that minimizes a scope of tampering.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a voting system using blockchain technology that implements a principle of one person one vote.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a voting system using blockchain technology that ensures transparency in process of elections.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a voting system using immutable blockchain technology that cannot be manipulated.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting a voting system using blockchain technology, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates a sign-up interface of a voting application, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 1C illustrates a login interface of the voting application, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1D illustrates an account recovery interface of the voting application, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1E illustrates a vote registering interface of the voting application, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 1F illustrates a vote casting interface of the voting application, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 1G illustrates a result interface of the voting application, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram depicting tokenization in the voting system using the blockchain technology, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for casting vote for an eligible candidate through the voting system using blockchain technology, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0028] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0029] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0030] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting a voting system 100 using blockchain technology (hereinafter referred to as the system 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may provide a tamper-free and confidential method for casting votes in an election. According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may be implemented in a location such as, but not limited to, a school, a college, a university, an office, an organization, a city, a district, a tehsil, a state, a country, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for implementation of the system 100.
[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a user device 102, a voting application 104, a user interface 106, an application server 108, a processor 110, and a storage medium 112.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 102 may be a device used by a registered voter to cast vote against an eligible candidate in the system 100, those casted votes may be stored in a contract in form of a transaction. The user device 102 may further be configured to view a voting result of an election conducted, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] The user device 102 may be, but not limited to, a personal computer, a consumer device, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 102 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the personal computer may be, but not limited to, a desktop, a server, a laptop, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the personal computer including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the consumer device may be, but not limited to, a tablet, a mobile phone, a notebook, a netbook, a smartphone, a wearable device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the consumer device including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 102 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 102 may comprise software applications such as, but not limited to, a web browser application, a blockchain wallet application, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user device 102 may comprise the voting application 104 that may be a computer-readable program installed in the user device 102 for executing functions associated with the system 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the voting application 104 may further provide the user interface 106 for an interaction of the registered voter with the system 100.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the application server 108 may be a hardware on which the processor 110 may be installed. According to embodiments of the present invention, the application server 108 may be, but not limited to, a motherboard, a wired board, a mainframe, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the application server 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 may be located on the application server 108. The processor 110 may be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processor 110 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage medium 112 may store computer programmable instructions in form of programming modules. The storage medium 112 may be a non-transitory storage medium, in an embodiment of the present invention. The storage medium 112 may communicate with the processor 110 and execute a computer-readable set of instructions present in storage medium 112, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] According to embodiments of the present invention, the storage medium 112 may be, but not limited to, a Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random-access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random-access Memory (DRAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EEPROM), a NAND Flash, a Secure Digital (SD) memory, a cache memory, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid-State Drive (SSD) and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the storage medium 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage medium 112 further comprises a voter registration module 114, a comparison module 116, a status determination module 118, a vote casting module 120, a vote storage module 122, and a result generation module 124.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the voter registration module 114 may be configured to register the voter on the voting application 104 by receiving voter details. According to embodiments of the present invention, the voter details may be, but not limited to, a name of the voter, a contact number of the voter, an electronic mail identification (e-mail ID) of the voter, a blockchain wallet address of the voter, a password of the voter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any voter details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, upon receiving the voter details, the voter registration module 114 may generate a registered voter identification for the registered voter.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the blockchain wallet address may be in a range from 26 to 35 alphanumeric characters. According to embodiments of the present invention, the blockchain wallet may be, but not limited to, Electrum wallet, Blockchain.info wallet, Jaxx wallet, Mycelium wallet, Samurai wallet, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blockchain wallet may be a Meta Mask wallet. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any blockchain wallet, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter may be transmitted to the comparison module 116.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 116 may be configured to compare the blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter with a list of pre-stored eligible addresses of corresponding voters in a contract. The list of pre-stored eligible addresses may contain addresses of the blockchain wallet address for the registered voter who may be eligible for casting their vote in the election, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] The comparison module 116 may be configured to generate a first activation signal when the blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter is matched with one of, the list of pre-stored eligible addresses, in an embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 116 may be configured to transmit the generated first activation signal to the status determination module 118. In another embodiment of the present invention, the comparison module 116 may be configured to enable the voter registration module 114 to continue registering the voter on the voting application 104 by receiving voter details.
[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the status determination module 118 may be configured to determine a voting status of the registered voter upon receiving the first activation signal from the comparison module 116. The voting status of the registered voter may be ‘NO’ when the registered voter may not have casted the vote in the ongoing election, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the voting status of the registered voter may be ‘YES’ when the registered voter may have casted vote in the ongoing election.
[0045] The status determination module 118 may be configured to generate a second activation signal when the voting status of the registered voter is ‘NO’, in an embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiment of the present invention, the status determination module 118 may be configured to transmit the generated second activation signal to the vote casting module 120. In another embodiment of the present invention, the status determination module 118 may be configured to discard the registered voter from the ongoing election when the voting status of the registered voter is ‘YES’.
[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vote casting module 120 may be configured to enable the registered voter to cast a vote using the voting application 104 based upon the second activation signal received from the status determination module 118. The registered voter may cast the vote against the eligible candidate, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the vote casted by the registered voter may further be transmitted to the vote storage module 122.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vote storage module 122 may be configured to store every casted vote against the eligible candidate in form of the transaction. The transaction carried out while casting the vote may be authorized by creating a time stamp, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the transaction carried out while casting the vote may further be updated in the contract. In an embodiment of the present invention, post updating of the transaction, the casted vote may not be modified or manipulated by any means.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the result generation module 124 may be configured to generate a voting result in a graphical format. The voting result generated by the result generation module 124 may be viewed by the registered voter on the user device 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the voting result generated by the result generation module 124 may be in a graphical format such as, but not limited to, a line graph, a bar graph, a histogram, a radial graph, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voting result generated by the result generation module 124 may be in a pie chart format. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any graphical format, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0049] FIG. 1B illustrates a sign-up interface of the voting application 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sign-up interface may require the voter to fill out the voter details. According to embodiments of the present invention, the voter details may be, but not limited to, the name of the voter, the contact number of the voter, the electronic mail identification (e-mail ID) of the voter, the blockchain wallet address of the voter, the password of the voter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any voter details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, upon filling in the voter details, the voter may be required to click a sign-up button present on the sign-up interface of the voting application 104 for completing a sign-up process on the system 100.
[0050] FIG. 1C illustrates a login interface of the voting application 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the login interface may require the registered voter to fill out login details. According to embodiments of the present invention, the login details may be, but not limited to, the registered voter identification of the registered voter, the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter, the password of the registered voter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any login details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, upon filling in the login details, the registered voter may be required to accept terms of services by clicking on a check box. Further, the registered voter may click a login button present on the login interface of the voting application 104 for completing a login process on the system 100.
[0051] FIG. 1D illustrates an account recovery interface of the voting application 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the account recovery interface may require the registered voter to fill out recovery details. According to embodiments of the present invention, the registered voter may fill out the recovery details in scenarios such as, but not limited to, a case of a forgotten password, a case of forgotten registered voter identification of the registered voter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any scenario for which the registered voter may fill out recovery details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0052] According to embodiments of the present invention, the recovery details may be, but not limited to, the contact number of the registered voter, the electronic mail identification (e-mail ID) of the registered voter, the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter, a new password of the registered voter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any recovery details. In an embodiment of the present invention, upon filling in the recovery details, the registered voter may be required to accept the terms of services by clicking on the check box. Further, the registered voter may click a recovery button present on the account recovery interface of the voting application 104 for completing a recovery process on the system 100.
[0053] FIG. 1E illustrates a vote registering interface of the voting application 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the vote registering interface may require the registered voter to fill out vote registering details. According to embodiments of the present invention, the vote registering details may be, but not limited to, the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter, the password of the registered voter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any vote registering details, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, upon filling in the vote registering details, the registered voter may be required to accept terms of services by clicking on the check box. Further, the registered voter may click a button present on the vote registering interface of the voting application 104 for completing a vote registering process on the system 100.
[0054] FIG. 1F illustrates a vote casting interface of the voting application 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the vote casting interface may only be visible to the registered voter who may be eligible for casting the vote in the election. The eligibility of the registered voter may be computed by comparing the blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter with the list of pre-stored eligible addresses of the corresponding voters in the contract, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] The vote casting interface may require the registered voter to select the eligible candidate from a list of eligible candidates, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the registered voter may select the eligible candidate by clicking on a radio button corresponding to the selected eligible candidate. In an embodiment of the present invention, upon selecting the eligible candidate, the registered voter may be required to accept the terms of services by clicking on the check box. Further, the registered voter may click a submit button present on the vote casting interface of the voting application 104 for completing a voting process on the system 100.
[0056] FIG. 1G illustrates a result interface of the voting application 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the result interface may be configured to generate the voting result in the graphical format. The voting result generated on the result interface may be viewed by the registered voter on the user device 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the voting result graphed on the result interface may be in the format such as, but not limited to, the line graph, the bar graph, the histogram, the radial graph, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voting result graphed on the result interface may be the pie chart. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any graphical format on the result interface for the generation of the voting result, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram depicting a process of tokenization in the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, every casted vote may undergo the process of tokenization. The process of tokenization may update every authorized transaction onto each node of a blockchain network, in an embodiment of the present invention. In case of a failure of a node, other nodes from the blockchain network may account for credibility of every vote casted by the registered voter using the user interface 106 of the user device 102.
[0058] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for casting the vote for the eligible candidate through the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] At step 302, the system 100 may register the voter on the voting application 104 by receiving the voter details.
[0060] At step 304, the system 100 may compare the blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter with the list of pre-stored eligible addresses of the corresponding voters in the contract. The method 300 may proceed to a step 306 when the compared blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter is matched with one of, the list of pre-stored eligible addresses. Otherwise, the method 300 may proceed to the step 302.
[0061] At the step 306, the system 100 may determine the voting status of the registered voter. The method 300 may proceed to a step 308 when the voting status of the registered voter is ‘NO’. Otherwise, the method 300 may conclude.
[0062] At the step 308, the system 100 may enable the registered voter to cast the vote using the voting application 104 against the eligible candidate.
[0063] At step 310, the system 100 may store every casted vote against the eligible candidate in form of the transaction.
[0064] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0065] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A voting system (100) using blockchain technology, the system (100) comprising:
a processor (110) located on an application server (108); and
a storage medium (112) comprising programming instructions executable by the processor (110), wherein the storage medium (112) comprises:
a voter registration module (114) configured to register a voter on a voting application (104) by receiving voter details;
a comparison module (116) configured to compare a blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter with a list of pre-stored eligible addresses of corresponding voters in a contract;
a status determination module (118) configured to determine a voting status of the registered voter when the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter is matched with one of, the list of pre-stored eligible addresses;
a vote casting module (120) configured to enable the registered voter to cast a vote using the voting application (104) against an eligible candidate, when the voting status of the registered voter is ‘NO’; and
a vote storage module (122) configured to store every casted vote against the eligible candidate in form of a transaction.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voter details are selected from a name of the voter, a contact number of the voter, an electronic mail identification (e-mail ID) of the voter, the blockchain wallet address of the voter, a password of the voter, or a combination thereof.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage medium (112) comprises a result generation module (124) configured to generate a voting result in a graphical format.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blockchain wallet is a Meta Mask wallet.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction is authorized by creating a time stamp.
6. A method for casting vote for an eligible candidate through a voting system (100) using blockchain technology, the method comprising steps of:
registering a voter on a voting application (104) by receiving voter details;
comparing a blockchain wallet address assigned to the registered voter with a list of pre-stored eligible addresses of corresponding voters in a contract;
determining a voting status of the registered voter when the blockchain wallet address of the registered voter is matched with one of, the list of pre-stored eligible addresses;
enabling the registered voter to cast the vote using the voting application (104) against the eligible candidate, when the voting status of the registered voter is ‘NO’; and
storing every casted vote against the eligible candidate in form of a transaction.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the voter details are selected from a name of the voter, a contact number of the voter, an electronic mail identification (e-mail ID) of the voter, the blockchain wallet address of the voter, a password of the voter, or a combination thereof.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, comprising a step of generate a voting result in a graphical format.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the blockchain wallet is a Meta Mask wallet.
10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transaction is authorized by creating a time stamp.
Date: September 04, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant