U.S. patent application number 14/539583 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for computer methods and computer systems for voting.
The applicant listed for this patent is Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph Vicari.
Application Number | 20150294519 14/539583 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46829208 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150294519 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vicari; Joseph |
October 15, 2015 |
COMPUTER METHODS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR VOTING
Abstract
In one embodiment, a mobile electronic device at least having a
processor programmed to acquire an access instruction to allow a
voter to access vote issues; and execute the following code: to
provide, to the voter, information identifying vote issues; to
enable the mobile electronic device to transmit at least one vote
of the voter, where the enabling is based on: a first software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device to present
a first vote issue, a second software instruction that instructs
the mobile electronic device to receive a first vote from the
voter, where the voter submits the first vote by a first single
action performed immediately after the presentation of the first
vote issue and without any intervening action, a third software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to transmit the received first vote from the voter to the
computer system.
Inventors: |
Vicari; Joseph; (Edgewood,
NY) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. |
Jersey City |
NJ |
US |
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Family ID: |
46829208 |
Appl. No.: |
14/539583 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13435497 |
Mar 30, 2012 |
8892456 |
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14539583 |
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13419265 |
Mar 13, 2012 |
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13435497 |
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13349278 |
Jan 12, 2012 |
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13419265 |
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61432007 |
Jan 12, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20130101;
H04L 63/08 20130101; G06Q 2230/00 20130101; G06Q 20/3829 20130101;
G07C 13/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07C 13/00 20060101
G07C013/00; G06Q 10/10 20060101 G06Q010/10 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: transmitting, by a
mobile electronic device of a voter, at least one first access
instruction received by a voter, wherein the at least one first
access instruction has been acquired by the mobile electronic
device of the voter from at least one first access document,
wherein the at least one first access instruction is encoded in at
least one of: i) at least one first QR code, and ii) at least one
first hypertext link; wherein the voter has received the at least
one first access instruction based, at least in part, on the
voter's ownership and/or management of at least one share of a
publicly traded company; wherein the at least one first access
instruction comprises at least one first control number associated
with: i) the voter, and ii) a corporate voting event of the
publicly traded company; transmitting, by the mobile electronic
device of the voter, authentication information associated with the
voter, wherein the authentication information comprises at least
one first personal identifier of the voter and at least one first
device identifier of the mobile electronic device of the voter;
after the voter has been authenticated based, at least in part, on
the at least one first access instruction and the authentication
information, receiving, by the mobile electronic device of the
voter, based on the at least one first control number associated
with the at least one first access instruction: i) corporate
information identifying a plurality of corporate issues related to
the corporate voting event of the publicly traded company whose
shares are owned and/or managed by the voter, and ii) at least a
portion of at least one first corporate document related to the
corporate voting event, wherein the at least one first corporate
document is available for access by the voter; individually
presenting, based at least in part on the corporate information, by
the mobile electronic device of the voter, on a screen of the
mobile electronic device, to the voter, a first corporate issue
from the plurality of corporate issues and at least one first
option to access the at least one first corporate document, wherein
the individually presenting of the first corporate issue is based,
at least in part, on (1) a content of the first corporate issue and
(2) at least two of the following characteristics: a brand of the
mobile electronic device of the voter, a model of the mobile
electronic device of the voter, and a geographic location of the
voter; receiving, by the mobile electronic device of the voter,
from the voter, based on a first single action performed by the
voter with the mobile electronic device, a first vote on the first
corporate issue immediately after the individually presenting, by
the mobile electronic device of the voter, on the screen of the
mobile electronic device, the first corporate issue and the at
least one first option to access the at least one first document;
automatically transmitting, by the mobile electronic device of the
voter, the first vote to the computer system, wherein the computer
system records the first vote; individually presenting, based at
least in part on the corporate information, by the mobile
electronic device of the voter, automatically after the mobile
electronic device of the voter receives the first vote on the first
corporate issue from the voter, on the screen of the mobile
electronic device, to the voter, a second corporate issue from the
plurality of corporate issues, wherein the individually presenting
of the second corporate issue is based, at least in part, on (1) a
content of the second corporate issue and (2) at least two of the
following characteristics: the brand of the mobile electronic
device of the voter, the model of the mobile electronic device of
the voter, and the geographic location of the voter; receiving, by
the mobile electronic device of the voter, from the voter, based on
a second single action performed by the voter with the mobile
electronic device, a second vote on the second corporate issue
immediately after the individually presenting, by the mobile
electronic device of the voter, on the screen of the electronic
device of the voter, the second corporate issue; automatically
transmitting, by the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
second vote to the computer system, wherein the computer system
records the second vote, wherein the first vote is transmitted by
the mobile electronic device of the voter to the computer system
before the second vote is transmitted by the electronic device of
the voter to the computer system so as to result in: i) separate
voting, by the voter, on each corporate issue from the plurality of
corporate issues, and ii) separate recordation, by the computer
system, of the first vote and the second vote; and allowing the
voter, utilizing the mobile electronic device of the voter, to
independently change at least one of the first vote and the second
vote so as to result in the computer system recording for a
tabulation at least one change in at least one of the first vote
and the second vote.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
transmitting, by the mobile electronic device of the voter, the at
least one first access instruction is based at least in part on a
third single action performed by the voter with the mobile
electronic device.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the third
single action is: tapping by the voter on a button of the mobile
electronic device so as to cause the mobile electronic device to
acquire the at least one first access instruction.
4. A mobile electronic device of a voter, comprising: at least one
processor programmed to execute particular program code associated
with a specialized computer system, wherein the mobile electronic
device and the specialized computer system are connected through a
computer data network and wherein the particular program code is
configured to allow the mobile electronic device to communicate
with the specialized computer system in a specialized manner to at
least perform the following operations: transmitting, by a mobile
electronic device of a voter, at least one first access instruction
received by a voter, wherein the at least one first access
instruction has been acquired by the mobile electronic device of
the voter from at least one first access document, wherein the at
least one first access instruction is encoded in at least one of:
i) at least one first QR code, and ii) at least one first hypertext
link; wherein the voter has received the at least one first access
instruction based, at least in part, on the voter's ownership
and/or management of at least one share of a publicly traded
company; wherein the at least one first access instruction
comprises at least one first control number associated with: i) the
voter, and ii) a corporate voting event of the publicly traded
company; transmitting, by the mobile electronic device of the
voter, authentication information associated with the voter,
wherein the authentication information comprises at least one first
personal identifier of the voter and at least one first device
identifier of the mobile electronic device of the voter; after the
voter has been authenticated based, at least in part, on the at
least one first access instruction and the authentication
information, receiving, by the mobile electronic device of the
voter, based on the at least one first control number associated
with the at least one first access instruction: i) corporate
information identifying a plurality of corporate issues related to
the corporate voting event of the publicly traded company whose
shares are owned and/or managed by the voter, and ii) at least a
portion of at least one first corporate document related to the
corporate voting event, wherein the at least one first corporate
document is available for access by the voter; individually
presenting, based at least in part on the corporate information, by
the mobile electronic device of the voter, on a screen of the
mobile electronic device, to the voter, a first corporate issue
from the plurality of corporate issues and at least one first
option to access the at least one first corporate document, wherein
the individually presenting of the first corporate issue is based,
at least in part, on (1) a content of the first corporate issue and
(2) at least two of the following characteristics: a brand of the
mobile electronic device of the voter, a model of the mobile
electronic device of the voter, and a geographic location of the
voter; receiving, by the mobile electronic device of the voter,
from the voter, based on a first single action performed by the
voter with the mobile electronic device, a first vote on the first
corporate issue immediately after the individually presenting, by
the mobile electronic device of the voter, on the screen of the
mobile electronic device, the first corporate issue and the at
least one first option to access the at least one first document;
automatically transmitting, by the mobile electronic device of the
voter, the first vote to the computer system, wherein the computer
system records the first vote; individually presenting, based at
least in part on the corporate information, by the mobile
electronic device of the voter, automatically after the mobile
electronic device of the voter receives the first vote on the first
corporate issue from the voter, on the screen of the mobile
electronic device, to the voter, a second corporate issue from the
plurality of corporate issues, wherein the individually presenting
of the second corporate issue is based, at least in part, on (1) a
content of the second corporate issue and (2) at least two of the
following characteristics: the brand of the mobile electronic
device of the voter, the model of the mobile electronic device of
the voter, and the geographic location of the voter; receiving, by
the mobile electronic device of the voter, from the voter, based on
a second single action performed by the voter with the mobile
electronic device, a second vote on the second corporate issue
immediately after the individually presenting, by the mobile
electronic device of the voter, on the screen of the electronic
device of the voter, the second corporate issue; automatically
transmitting, by the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
second vote to the computer system, wherein the computer system
records the second vote, wherein the first vote is transmitted by
the mobile electronic device of the voter to the computer system
before the second vote is transmitted by the electronic device of
the voter to the computer system so as to result in: i) separate
voting, by the voter, on each corporate issue from the plurality of
corporate issues, and ii) separate recordation, by the computer
system, of the first vote and the second vote; and allowing the
voter, utilizing the mobile electronic device of the voter, to
independently change at least one of the first vote and the second
vote so as to result in the computer system recording for a
tabulation at least one change in at least one of the first vote
and the second vote.
5. The mobile electronic device claim 4, wherein the operation of
transmitting the at least one first access instruction is based at
least in part on a third single action performed by the voter with
the mobile electronic device.
6. The mobile electronic device claim 5, wherein the third single
action comprises is: tapping by the voter on a button of the mobile
electronic device so as to cause the mobile electronic device to
acquire the at least one first access instruction.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/435,497, entitled "COMPUTER METHODS AND COMPUTER
SYSTEMS FOR VOTING", filed Mar. 30, 2012, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/419,265, entitled "COMPUTER
METHODS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR VOTING," filed on Mar. 13, 2012,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/349,278, entitled "COMPUTER METHODS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR
VOTING," filed on Jan. 12, 2012, which claims the priority of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/432,007, entitled "METHODS AND
SYSTEMS FOR PROXY VOTING THROUGH PORTABLE DEVICES OF LIMITED
COMPUTER INTERFACE ABILITIES," filed on Jan. 12, 2011, all of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all
purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] In some embodiments, the instant invention relates to
methods and systems for voting. In some embodiments, the instant
invention relates to computer methods and computer systems for
voting on corporate issues of publicly traded companies.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There are Internet-based voting systems. For example,
Proxyvote.com is a web-based voting system capturing shareholders'
voting instructions for corporation's meeting agenda. FIG. 1 shows
a screen of Proxyvote.com's meeting agenda page.
[0004] Telephone Voting is another option available to voters as an
alternative to the web-based voting such as Proxyvote.com.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide a
computer-implemented method that at least include the steps of:
providing, by a computer system, to a mobile electronic device of a
voter, information identifying a plurality of vote issues; enabling
the mobile electronic device of the voter to transmit to the
computer system at least one vote of the voter on at least one vote
issue from the plurality of the vote issues, wherein the enabling
is based at least in part on: at least one first software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to present a first vote issue from the provided plurality of
vote issues, at least one second software instruction that
instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to receive a
first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter submits the first vote
by a first single action performed immediately after the
presentation of the first vote issue and without any intervening
action, at least one third software instruction that instructs the
mobile electronic device of the voter to transmit the received
first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues to the computer system, at least one
fourth software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to present a second vote issue from the
provided plurality of vote issues, at least one fifth software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to receive a second vote from the voter on the second vote
issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter
submits the second vote by a second single action performed
immediately after the presentation of the second vote issue and
without any intervening action, at least one sixth software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to transmit the received second vote from the voter on the
second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues to the
computer system, wherein the first vote is transmitted by the
mobile electronic device of the voter to the computer system before
the second vote is transmitted by the electronic device of the
voter to the computer system; and processing, by the computer
system, the first and the second votes of the voter as official
votes of the voter on the first and second vote issues from the
provided plurality of vote issues hereby enabling the voter to
separately vote on each vote issue from the provided plurality of
vote issues.
[0006] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include receiving from the mobile electronic device of the voter at
least one authentication identifier.
[0007] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include identifying the mobile electronic device of the voter as a
particular mobile electronic device based, at least in part, on one
or more of the following characteristics: a) a brand, b) a model,
and c) a geographic location.
[0008] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include reformatting the information identifying the plurality of
vote issues for displaying on the particular mobile electronic
device.
[0009] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include: providing at least one access instruction to the voter,
where the at least one access instruction is in coded on a paper
document, and where the at least one access instruction allows the
voter to receive, utilizing the mobile electronic device, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues. In some
embodiments of the instant invention, the at least one access
instruction allows the voter to receive, by performing a single
action with the mobile electronic device, the information
identifying the plurality of vote issues. In some embodiments of
the instant invention, the single action is when the voter taps on
a button of the mobile electronic device, instructing the mobile
electronic device to acquire the at least one access instruction.
In some embodiments of the instant invention, the at least one
access instruction is encoded on the paper document in at least one
QR code. some embodiments of the instant invention, the mobile
electronic device acquires the at least one access instruction by
acquiring at least one image of the at least one QR code.
[0010] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide a
computer system that at least includes the following components: a
non-transient memory having at least one region for storing
computer executable program code; and at least one processor for
executing the program code stored in the non-transient memory,
wherein the program code that at least includes: code to provide to
a mobile electronic device of a voter, information identifying a
plurality of vote issues; code to enable the mobile electronic
device of the voter to transmit to the computer system at least one
vote of the voter on at least one vote issue from the plurality of
the vote issues, wherein the enabling is based at least in part on:
at least one first software instruction that instructs the mobile
electronic device of the voter to present a first vote issue from
the provided plurality of vote issues, at least one second software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to receive a first vote from the voter on the first vote
issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter
submits the first vote by a first single action performed
immediately after the presentation of the first vote issue and
without any intervening action, at least one third software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to transmit the received first vote from the voter on the
first vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues to the
computer system, at least one fourth software instruction that
instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to present a
second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, at
least one fifth software instruction that instructs the mobile
electronic device of the voter to receive a second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues, wherein the voter submits the second vote by a second
single action performed immediately after the presentation of the
second vote issue and without any intervening action, at least one
sixth software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to transmit the received second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues to the computer system, wherein the first vote is
transmitted by the mobile electronic device of the voter to the
computer system before the second vote is transmitted by the
electronic device of the voter to the computer system; and code to
process the first and the second votes of the voter as official
votes of the voter on the first and second vote issues from the
provided plurality of vote issues hereby enabling the voter to
separately vote on each vote issue from the provided plurality of
vote issues.
[0011] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide a
mobile electronic device that at least includes the following
components: at least one processor programmed to execute program
code received by the mobile electronic device from a computer
system, wherein the mobile electronic device and the computer
system are connected through a network and wherein the program code
at least includes: code to provide to the voter information
identifying a plurality of vote issues; and code to enable the
mobile electronic device to transmit at least one vote of the voter
on at least one vote issue from the plurality of the vote issues,
wherein the enabling is based at least in part on: at least one
first software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to present a first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues, at least one second software instruction
that instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to receive
a first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the
provided plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter submits the
first vote by a first single action performed immediately after the
presentation of the first vote issue and without any intervening
action, at least one third software instruction that instructs the
mobile electronic device of the voter to transmit the received
first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues, at least one fourth software instruction
that instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to present
a second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, at
least one fifth software instruction that instructs the mobile
electronic device of the voter to receive a second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues, wherein the voter submits the second vote by a second
single action performed immediately after the presentation of the
second vote issue and without any intervening action, at least one
sixth software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to transmit the received second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues, wherein the first vote is transmitted by the mobile
electronic device of the voter before the second vote is
transmitted by the electronic device of the voter hereby enabling
the voter to separately vote on each vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues.
[0012] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the first and
the second votes of the voter are official votes of the voter on
the first and second vote issues from the provided plurality of
vote issues.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will be further explained with
reference to the attached drawings, wherein like structures are
referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The
drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead
generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the
present invention. Further, some features may be exaggerated to
show details of particular components.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exemplary screen of Proxyvote.com described in
the Background section.
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2G show some embodiments of the instant
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a screen utilized in another embodiment of the
instant invention.
[0017] FIGS. 4A-4E show yet some other embodiments of the instant
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a computer and
network system utilized in some embodiments of the instant
invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of a computer
and network system utilized in some other embodiments of the
instant invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the instant
invention.
[0021] The figures constitute a part of this specification and
include illustrative embodiments of the present invention and
illustrate various objects and features thereof. Further, the
figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be
exaggerated to show details of particular components. In addition,
any measurements, specifications and the like shown in the figures
are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Among those benefits and improvements that have been
disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying figures. Detailed embodiments of the present
invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood
that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the
invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each
of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of
the invention which are intended to be illustrative, and not
restrictive.
[0023] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms
take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise. The phrases "In some embodiments" and
"in some embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to
the same embodiment(s), though it may. Furthermore, the phrases "in
another embodiment" and "in some other embodiments" as used herein
do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it
may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention
may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit
of the invention.
[0024] In addition, as used herein, the term "or" is an inclusive
"or" operator, and is equivalent to the term "and/or," unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "based on" is not
exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not
described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In
addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of "a," "an,"
and "the" include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes
"in" and "on."
[0025] In addition, as used herein, the term "official vote(s)"
means information used for calculating (e.g., by a voting
tabulator) the numerical voting requirements of a voting (e.g., a
number of votes that are "For" on a voting issue (e.g.,
management's proposal).
[0026] In some embodiments, in contrast to some web-based voting
systems, as detailed above regarding Proxyvote.com and illustrated
by FIG. 1, the instant invention can provide a different experience
due to its display and flow that is modified to provide a positive
voting experience that behaves like a native application on any
electronic device, including personal mobile devices such as, but
not limiting to, tablets (e.g., iPad), smart phones (e.g., iPhone,
Blackberry, etc) and other similar devices.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, for a voting
on corporate issues, the instant invention can display a screen 200
that offers the following voting options:
[0028] a) Vote Boards recommendations (201);
[0029] b) Vote according to my instructions (202); and
[0030] c) View Management recommendations (203).
[0031] In some embodiments, by selecting/clicking on the "Vote
Boards recommendations" option (201), the instant invention allows
the user to automatically vote all of the proposals, in a
one-selection (i.e., a single action fashion), as Management has
recommended and route the voter to, for example, a "Thank You"
screen.
[0032] In some embodiments, the single action includes, but not
limited to, a single click on the respective control displayed to
the user. In some embodiments, the single action is an action
performed immediately after the presentation of the vote issue and
without any intervening action.
[0033] In some embodiments, the single action is an action
performed immediately after the presentation of the vote issue and
without any intervening action, but not necessarily immediately
after the first presentation or every presentation of the vote
issue.
[0034] In some embodiments, the instant invention provides a
functionality to view management recommendations by going through
an icon "Mgmt Recs" (205) in a footer menu (204). In some
embodiments, by choosing the "Mgmt Recs" option (205), the instant
invention can sequentially present to the user each proposal on the
agenda (e.g., a single proposal per a screen) along with the "Vote
Management's (Board's) recommendation" option for each
proposal.
[0035] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A, by selecting "Vote
according to my instructions" (202), the instant invention can
allow the user to vote one-proposal-at-a-time presentation, shown
in FIGS. 2B-2E, rather than the one page approach shown in FIG. 1.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, by selecting "Vote for
all" or "Withhold all" options (208, 209), the instant invention
allows the voter to vote each respective option with the single
action (e.g., a single click).
[0036] In some embodiments, as shown for example in FIGS. 2A-2B,
each voting screen (e.g., 200, 206) can provide a proposal number
(207) that the voter they are viewing out of the total number of
the voting issues (e.g., proposals) that the voter can individually
vote on (e.g., "1 of 3"). In some embodiments, as shown for example
in FIGS. 2A-2B, each voting screen (e.g., 200, 206) can provide an
ability to move back (211) to the previous proposal.
[0037] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2D, by selecting a
"Vote for" option (219), a "Vote against" option (220), or an
"Abstain" option (221), "the instant invention can allow the user
to vote each respective option with the single action (e.g., a
single click).
[0038] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2E, by selecting a
"Vote for" option (225), a "Vote against" option (226), or an
"Abstain" option (227), "the instant invention can allow the user
to also vote each respective option with the single action (e.g., a
single click) on a third proposal (223) on a voting screen
(222).
[0039] In some embodiments, the total number of shown on a voting
screen can reflect all proposals, including the director proposal
plus all "other items" that are votable. In some embodiments, other
items can be displayed immediately after the last proposal. In some
embodiments, other items are individually displayed and each item
is voted with the single action. In some embodiments, voting on a
first proposal or an other item can automatically cause the next
proposal to be displayed to the voter.
[0040] In some embodiments, the font size can be driven by a
database of device resolution, screen-size and/or capabilities of
the voter's device such that each voting item is optimally
presented allowing the voter to vote in the single action.
[0041] In some embodiments, the instant invention allows for a
modified vote confirmation. As described in the Background section
and shown in FIG. 1, a typical web-based voting experience is at
least a multi-step process where a plurality of voting issues are
presented to a voter first (Step 1), then a voter makes selections
on the voting issues (Step 2), the voter submits the plurality of
vote decisions/selection (Step 3), the voter is asked to confirm
his or her selection and finally to vote the shown selections on
the confirmation page (Step 4). In contrast, in accordance with the
instant invention, in some embodiments, the inventive confirmation
page immediately follows the single-action voting and represents
that the voter has voted in the single action and no further action
from the voter is required to effectuate his or her vote. In some
embodiments, the instant invention allows the user to return to the
voting screen by, for example, selecting a "Change your vote"
option (229) to vote again on the previously voted issue(s).
[0042] In some embodiments, as shown for example in FIGS. 2E and
2F, the instant invention allows for a functionality of
automatically dialing a call to a telephone voting system by making
a single-action selection of a "Vote by Phone" option (233) on a
footer menu. In some embodiments, the selecting the "Vote by Phone"
option (233), a call to the telephone voting system is
automatically launched and, for example, the voter's control number
is automatically provided to the telephone voting system.
[0043] In some embodiments, the selecting the "Vote by Phone"
option (233) allows the voter to vote on some proposals using the
voting screen and on others through the telephone voting system. In
some embodiments, the confirmation page (228) is automatically
updated with a combination of vote decisions made by the voter
through the voting screen(s)(e.g., 206, 216, 222) and through the
telephone voting system.
Additional Illustrative Examples of Some Embodiments of the Instant
Invention
Example 1
[0044] In some embodiments, the instant invention enables the
Internet's proxy vote web sites to be fully integrated with
e-delivery communication to portable devices of limited computer
interface abilities. In some embodiments, the instant invention
enables the retail shareholder to vote using portable devices of
limited computer interface abilities. In some embodiments, the
instant invention enables the retail shareholder to vote using
their mobile phone by providing e-mail with a smart link that logs
them directly into the proxy voting web site and land on a page
displaying the agenda to be voted on. From there they should be
able to clearly read the agenda language and easily submit their
voting instructions. In some embodiments, the instant invention
increases shareholder participation.
Example 2
[0045] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following functionalities:
[0046] 1) E-delivery Integration--Ability for user to open
e-delivery e-mail on mobile device, click link to Proxyvote.com and
land on agenda to be voted.
[0047] 2) Mobile device support--The application should be
functional in all mobile devices that support web browsing.
[0048] 3) Authentication and Authorization--Control number and PIN
based authentication as well as Meeting and control number
authorization.
[0049] 4) Proxy Voting--Display of agenda to be voted on based on
control number and capture of voting instructions.
[0050] 5) Viewing of Electronic Proxy Material--Ability for
shareholder to click links to HTML and PDF versions of Proxy
Material and view on their mobile device.
[0051] 6) Legal Proxy.
[0052] 7) Notice and Access Fulfillment--Ability for shareholders
to request printed copies of proxy material for Notice and Access
mailings.
[0053] 8) Display of Appointee Language--Display of Appointee
language prior to agenda when applicable.
[0054] 9) Shareholder Forum and VSM content when
applicable--Display of Shareholder Forum and Virtual Annual Meeting
content when applicable.
[0055] 10) Multi Lingual Capabilities--Support for English, French
and Dutch languages.
[0056] 11) Blocking of Certain Agenda Types--Ability to block user
from accessing agendas not supported in this release and display a
message. Examples included Canadian jobs and Contest short
slates.
[0057] 12) Confirmation E-mails--Provide e-mail confirmation box on
final page that allows user to request an e-mail confirmation. Have
users e-mail address filled in as default if available.
[0058] 13) Contest short slate agendas--On contest opposition
agendas with short slate enabled, display a text box with custom
verbiage (customizable thru Workbench) preceding it. This text box
will be used by the voters to vote for the nominees that are not
displayed on the voting page.
[0059] 14) On Canadian jobs (BC service type), display an Appointee
text box that allows a shareholder to supply the name of an
individual who will serve as their Proxy at the meeting and vote on
their behalf
[0060] 15) Annual Interim Questions (AIQ) may apply to Canadian
jobs only. Allows the shareholder to request Annual Interim
Financial Statements through extra questions to be displayed at the
bottom of the agenda page.
[0061] 16) Custom Branded Web Sites--Provide capability to custom
brand the mobile proxy voting website site for an issuer, fund or
broker.
[0062] 17) Investor Delivery Support--Have proxy voting website and
PV Mobile site incorporate the functionality of Investor Delivery.
Requires Investor Delivery exit strategy.
Example 3
[0063] In some embodiments of the instant invention, e-delivery
e-mails are sent nightly to all shareholders that have opted in for
that delivery service. In some embodiments of the instant
invention, the e-mails contain information about a company's annual
meeting along with a link to, for example, Proxyvote.com. In some
embodiments of the instant invention, the e-mails are sent in
either text or HTML format. In some embodiments of the instant
invention, the link to proxy vote is always clickable. In some
embodiments of the instant invention, the actual URL to
Proxyvote.com has the shareholders control number embedded in so
that Proxy vote can accept this parameter and automatically log
them in.
Example 4
[0064] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the following
is an exemplary integration and flow between e-delivery e-mails and
a proxy voting website:
[0065] 1) User receives e-delivery e-mail on their mobile
device.
[0066] 2) From the same mobile device, the user clicks link to a
proxy voting website in their e-mail.
[0067] 3) The proxy voting website recognizes that a mobile device
is attempting to access it and redirects them to the Mobile proxy
voting website application, keeping all of the URL parameters
(control number) in place.
[0068] 4) The instant invention parses control number out of the
Query String and authenticates the user.
[0069] 5) Upon successful authentication the user is routed to the
Agenda Page which displays the agenda that is associated with the
control number they logged in with.
Example 5
[0070] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following additional functionalities:
[0071] 1) supporting any mobile device that supports web
browsing
[0072] 2) unbeknownst to the user, proxy voting website will detect
that they are accessing the site from a mobile device and route
them to a mobile compatible web site. Depending on the type of
mobile device being used, the web site will be rendered to best
provide all of the site features and functionality in a manner that
allows for optimum usability. The end result should be a delighted
shareholder as a result of their extremely quick and successful
mobile proxy voting experience
Example 6
[0073] In some embodiments, a user interface of a user's device can
be optimized for mobile devices and provides the user with an
app-like (e.g., iPone's applets) experience.
Example 7
Authentication and Authorization
[0074] In some embodiments, the instant invention uses a 12 digit
control number to authenticate and authorize a shareholder. The
control number is associated with the company's meeting and agenda
to be voted on. There are business rules that prevent meetings to
be voted on or after meeting date as well as certain control number
status codes that are not votable. These business rules are mostly
handled through authentication API.
[0075] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following additional functionalities:
[0076] 1) The mobile web application will need to call in to the
proxy voting website's authentication API (e.g., getAccountDetails)
to authenticate the control number and retrieve all of the
associated account business data required to proceed.
[0077] 2) Upon successful authentication the user should be routed
to the agenda page for voting.
[0078] 3) If authentication or authentication failed, the
appropriate error message should be displayed. Examples of error
messages follow:
Proxy Voting
Example 8
[0079] In some embodiments, the instant invention can display
agenda to be voted on based on control number and capture of voting
instructions.
Example 9
Viewing of Electronic Proxy Material
[0080] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide
electronic access to meeting-related materials (e.g., Annual
Reports, Proxy Materials) in PDF or HTML format.
[0081] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following additional functionalities:
[0082] 1) The mobile proxy voting website should allow viewing of
this electronic material. The links will be viewable and clickable
from the Agenda page.
[0083] 2) The links will be retrieved by calling into the Meeting
API.
[0084] 3) In addition, the instant invention can track every time a
Material link is clicked. This is accomplished by calling into the
Material Link API.
Example 10
Legal Proxy
[0085] In some embodiments, the instant invention can allow a
shareholder to indicate that they will attend the meeting and vote
their shares in person (and in the process forfeit the ability to
do so online). This process is referred to as requesting Legal
Proxy. Once a request for Legal Proxy is processed, the user will
no longer be able to access the Agenda screen and vote in proxy
voting website. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary screen of the legal proxy
language provided to the voter.
[0086] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following additional functionalities:
[0087] 1) The mobile voting web can record the shareholder consent
for attending a meeting and submitting the votes at the
meeting.
[0088] 2) The mobile voting web can allow the shareholder to
provide their email address if they wish to be notified when their
votes are recorded for the tabulation. This e-mail address should
default if available.
[0089] 3) All the validations for the legal proxy is at the meeting
level, A Legal proxy block will appear to the shareholder based,
for example, on the following conditions in the meeting DTO are
met:
[0090] If the Meeting_Type_cd is not `R`
[0091] If the Vote_instruction is not `4`
[0092] If the Market_Key is not `BC` or `DE`
[0093] In some embodiments, Table 1 provides exemplary exceptions
on when the Legal Proxy can be presented to the shareholder.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Meeting Types Exceptions Vote Meeting Type
Instruction Code Meeting Type Legal Option 4 R Registered No 3 R
Beneficial Yes 2 R Beneficial Yes 1 R Beneficial Yes * * Beneficial
Yes
[0094] Any combinations of other meeting type codes and Vote
instructions (except R and 4) have legal option. Vote instruction
code `4` may indicate it's a registered meeting
Example 11
Notice and Access Fulfillment
[0095] In some embodiments, when a job mails using Notice and
Access (no paper material was mailed to the shareholder by
default--the shareholder has to explicitly request it), a
shareholder can request an email or paper delivery of the
electronic materials and can also elect to enroll for email or
paper delivery of this material in the future. In some embodiments,
there are the following fulfillment options that the shareholder
can choose from on Notice and Access mailings:
[0096] 1) Please send a full set of proxy materials related to this
control number to the same address as the Notice at no cost to
me.
[0097] 2) Please send a full set of proxy materials by mail for all
future meetings to the same address as the Notice at no cost to me
and email the proxy materials related to this control number to the
email address below.
[0098] 3) Please send a full set of proxy materials related to this
control number by email to the email address below.
[0099] 4) Please send a full set of proxy materials related to this
control number by mail for this meeting and for all future meetings
to the same address as the Notice at no cost to me.
[0100] In some embodiments, Option (1) & (2) are for enrolling
in the Fulfillment Request Service for Proxy materials by email, so
the email address is mandatory, when a shareholder chooses either
(1) or (2).
[0101] In some embodiments, Option (3) and (4) is for enrolling in
the Fulfillment Request Service for proxy materials by mail or
printed copies of the materials, so the email address is optional.
The email address provided with either of these options will be
ignored or recorded in the database for future use.
Example 12
[0102] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following additional functionalities:
[0103] 1) The mobile proxy voting website can capture fulfillment
requests (the fulfillment option may be made available up until 12
months after meeting date.) Since voting is typically allowed only
until Meeting Date, the agenda page should not allow voting and
only fulfillment between Meeting Date and 12 months after. In some
embodiments, the fulfillment options can be also presented as
follows:
[0104] 1) Please send the proxy materials related to this control
number to the same address as the Notice at no cost to me.
[0105] 2) Please send a full set of proxy materials related to this
control number by email to the following email address:
[0106] 3) [ ] Check this box if you'd like to select this
preference for all future mailings.
Example 13
Display of Appointee Language
[0107] In some embodiments of the instant invention, a proxy voting
website can display an Appointee Block, static verbiage relating to
the agenda being presented, on the agenda page just above where the
votable agenda is displayed. In some embodiments of the instant
invention, the display of this section is dynamic and dependent on
the existence of a "Flash ID".
Example 14
[0108] Shareholder Forum and VSM content when applicable.
[0109] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the mobile
proxy voting website shareholder portal page is an interim page
that is only displayed if the user has logged in to a meeting that
has mailed Notice and Access, or that Issuer has a Shareholder
Forum or Virtual Shareholder Meeting available.
[0110] The Shareholder Forum is a venue for validated shareholders
of an Issuer to collaborate with the Issuer and other shareholders.
The Virtual Annual Meeting is a web application that hosts an
Issuer's annual meeting live online. Validated shareholders can
vote, ask questions, and view material while watching the meeting
in real time.
[0111] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following additional functionalities:
[0112] 1) The mobile proxy voting website can display information
when a Shareholder forum and/or Virtual Meeting is available.
[0113] 2) Displaying dynamic content on the agenda page.
[0114] 3) Using indicators (available in the MeetingDTO after
calling the getMeetingDetails API) should be referenced to
determine if a Shareholder forum and/or Virtual Meeting are
available.
Example 15
Multi-Lingual Capability
[0115] In some embodiments, the instant invention can have one or
more of the following additional functionalities:
[0116] 1) Multilanguage support (e.g., English, French, Dutch,
etc.).
[0117] 2) Providing a wizard to define a default site for each
language and market specifically. For example, the below matrix,
Table 2, shows the exemplary correspondence to Site ID's:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 SITE_ID SITE NAME MARKET SITE_LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE_CD 0 Default C EN 1 (Generic Site) -1 Default Canada BC EN
1 site -1 Canada French BC FR 2 default site -2 Default NL NL 3
NetherLand site
[0118] In some embodiments, English is a default language. In some
embodiments, users are given the ability to toggle between English,
French and Dutch on the home page. Once the user logs in with their
control number their language preference, as returned by the
Account API can be used throughout their user session.
Example 15
Blocking Of Certain Agenda Types
[0119] In some embodiments, the instant invention provides ability
to block user from accessing agendas not supported in this release
and display a message. Examples included Canadian jobs and Contest
short slates.
Example 16
Confirmation E-Mails
[0120] In some embodiments, the instant invention provides e-mail
confirmation box on final page that allows user to request an
e-mail confirmation. Have users e-mail address filled in as default
if available.
Example 17
Contest Short Slate Agendas
[0121] In some embodiments, the instant invention provides contest
opposition agendas with short slate enabled, display a text box
with custom verbiage preceding it. In some embodiments, contest
opposition agendas will be used by the voters to vote for the
nominees that are not displayed on the voting page.
Example 18
Canadian Appointee Name
[0122] On Canadian jobs (BC service type), in some embodiments, the
instant invention can display an Appointee text box that allows a
shareholder to supply the name of an individual who will serve as
their Proxy at the meeting and vote on their behalf
[0123] Canadian Annual Interim Questions (AIQ)
[0124] In some embodiments, the instant invention may allow the
shareholder to request Annual Interim Financial Statements through
extra questions to be displayed at the bottom of the agenda
page.
Example 19
Investor Delivery Support
[0125] In some embodiments, the instant invention may provide a
functionality of electronic delivery of proxy and
investment-related materials. In some embodiments, the instant
invention may require Investor Delivery exit strategy.
Example 20
[0126] In some embodiments, the instant invention can be
implemented as shown in FIGS. 4A-4E.
Example 21
[0127] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide a
functionality to initiate a voting (e.g., shareholder proxy voting)
on a mobile electronic device when a voter uses a mobile electronic
device to acquire initiation instruction(s) that activate the
voting process on the user's mobile electronic device. In some
embodiments, the initiation instruction(s) can be coded into Quick
Response Code(s) (e.g., QR code, 2D Bar Code or any other suitable
scannable identifier) on a physical printed form(s)/document(s)
mailed to voters. In some embodiments, shoppers with a camera phone
equipped with the correct reader software may scan the image of the
QR Code displayed through an electronic device by the inventive
computer system causing the phone's browser to launch and redirect
to the programmed URL. This act of linking from physical world
objects is known as a hardlink or physical world hyperlinks. For
example, Google's mobile Android operating system supports the use
of QR codes by natively including the barcode scanner (ZXing) on
some models and the browser supports URI redirection, which allows
QR Codes to send metadata to existing applications on the device.
Another example, Nokia's symbian operating system is also provided
with a barcode scanner, which is able to read QR Codes.
[0128] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, QR code can be
printed on a Proxy Notice which is provided to shareholders. In
some embodiments, initiation instruction(s) encoded/embedded in a
QR code can include an online locator (e.g., web site, "cloud"
source pointer) for voting choices and/or voting material. For
example, in some embodiments, initiation instruction(s)
encoded/embedded in a QR code can include a resource locator and
voter's unique identifier (e.g., a unique number assigned by vote
conducting authority or an intermediary that is responsible for
gathering votes), as, for example, follows: URL for ProxyVote.com
and the voter's embedded control number:
www.proxyvote.com/0[control number] (e.g.,
www.proxyvote.com/012345678912.)
[0129] In some embodiments, initiation instruction(s)
encoded/embedded in a QR code can include an online locator for
voting choices, the voter's unique identifier, and/or the voter's
authentication information.
[0130] In some embodiments, initiation instruction(s)
encoded/embedded in a QR code can include an online locator for
voting choices and instructions to identify and/or authenticate the
voter by, for example, performing one of the following, but not
limiting to, by utilizing the voter's mobile electronic device:
[0131] a) identifying the mobile electronic device that the user
uses to assess the voting;
[0132] b) determining that the user owns the mobile electronic
device that the user uses to assess the voting; and
[0133] c) electronically requesting from a service provider to
confirm the identity of the user who uses the mobile electronic
device which is used to assess the voting.
[0134] In some embodiments, for example, after the user/voter scans
a QR code, initiation instruction(s) encoded/embedded in the QR
code can include instruct the user's mobile electronic device to
directly bring the user into voting without performing any
additional identification and/or authorization procedures.
[0135] In some embodiments, a shareholder can use the built-in
camera of their mobile device to scan the barcode with an embedded
control number and the URL for ProxyVote.com and be taken directly
to ProxyVote.com. In some embodiments, the invention allows to
combine the voting process of the present invention with a single
click access to voting and/or voting materials (e.g., DEF14A) by,
for example but not limiting to, just pressing a button on the
mobile device.
[0136] In some embodiments, the inventive computer system and
methods may utilize devices that can communicate via IEEE 802.11b,
a wireless networking standard, e.g., wireless chipsets.
[0137] In some embodiments, the inventive computer system and
methods may utilize devices with technologies such as NetSense,
UPnP, iReady, Bluetooth as a communication medium.
[0138] In another embodiment, a remote voting system can
dynamically configure the voter's mobile device with a user
interface for voting in accordance with the described embodiments
of the present invention. To do so, for example, the voter's mobile
device can transmit user interface information that specifies
components of a user interface. The user interface information can
be structured in an open format. The components can be related to
application level control of the service provided by the network
appliance. For example, the networked device can use XML to format
name-value pairs, i.e., names of components and current values
associated with the components. The host then generates the user
interface from a component repository and sets values as indicated
by the networked device.
[0139] In some embodiments, the user interface can also display
components related to lower level control such as an information
about the networked device (e.g., on, off, online, offline, error,
product category, UPC, and the like); communications configuration
(e.g., IP address, port, network connection, and the like);
position intelligence (e.g., data from Global positioning system
(GPS), position on a floor plan, etc.) and/or location intelligence
(neighboring networked/non-networked device(s)).
[0140] In some embodiments, the instant invention can utilize Near
field communications, or NFC, which is a set of short-range
wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of 10 cm or
less. NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and at rates ranging from 106
kbit/s to 848 kbit/s. NFC always involves an initiator and a
target; the initiator, typically, actively generates a RF field
that can power a passive target.
[0141] In some embodiments, the encoded paper documents or posters
displayed in corporate meetings are initiators and voters' mobile
devices are targets. This can enable NFC targets to take very
simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards that
do not require batteries.
[0142] In some embodiments, NFC can be an open platform technology
standardized in, for instance, ECMA-340 and ISO/IEC 18092
standards. These standards specify the modulation schemes, coding,
transfer speeds and frame format of the RF interface of NFC
devices, as well as initialization schemes and conditions required
for data collision-control during initialization for both passive
and active NFC modes. Furthermore, they also define the transport
protocol, including protocol activation and data-exchange
methods.
[0143] In some embodiments, voters' electronic device may utilize
the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) which is a solid state image pickup
device for electro-optically converting the optical image of a
code, and the F/E-IC (Front End Integrated Circuit) includes a CDS
(Correlation Double Sampling) circuit for performing correlation
double sampling used to remove image noise, an AGC (Automatic Gain
Control) for performing gain adjusting, an A/D (Analog-to-Digital)
converter for performing digital signal conversion, a CCD mechanism
which is typically supplied with a vertical synchronization signal
(hereinafter, referred to as a VD) and a horizontal synchronization
signal (hereinafter, referred to as an SD) from the CCD and
controlled by a CPU, and a TG (Timing Generator) for generating a
driving timing signal for the F/E-IC.
[0144] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide a
computer-implemented method that at least include the steps of:
providing, by a computer system, to a mobile electronic device of a
voter, information identifying a plurality of vote issues; enabling
the mobile electronic device of the voter to transmit to the
computer system at least one vote of the voter on at least one vote
issue from the plurality of the vote issues, wherein the enabling
is based at least in part on: at least one first software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to present a first vote issue from the provided plurality of
vote issues, at least one second software instruction that
instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to receive a
first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter submits the first vote
by a first single action performed immediately after the
presentation of the first vote issue and without any intervening
action, at least one third software instruction that instructs the
mobile electronic device of the voter to transmit the received
first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues to the computer system, at least one
fourth software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to present a second vote issue from the
provided plurality of vote issues, at least one fifth software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to receive a second vote from the voter on the second vote
issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter
submits the second vote by a second single action performed
immediately after the presentation of the second vote issue and
without any intervening action, at least one sixth software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to transmit the received second vote from the voter on the
second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues to the
computer system, wherein the first vote is transmitted by the
mobile electronic device of the voter to the computer system before
the second vote is transmitted by the electronic device of the
voter to the computer system; and processing, by the computer
system, the first and the second votes of the voter as official
votes of the voter on the first and second vote issues from the
provided plurality of vote issues hereby enabling the voter to
separately vote on each vote issue from the provided plurality of
vote issues.
[0145] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include receiving from the mobile electronic device of the voter at
least one authentication identifier.
[0146] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include identifying the mobile electronic device of the voter as a
particular mobile electronic device based, at least in part, on one
or more of the following characteristics: a) a brand, b) a model,
and c) a geographic location.
[0147] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include reformatting the information identifying the plurality of
vote issues for displaying on the particular mobile electronic
device.
[0148] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the step of
the providing, to the mobile electronic device of the voter, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues can further
include: providing at least one access instruction to the voter,
where the at least one access instruction is in coded on a paper
document, and where the at least one access instruction allows the
voter to receive, utilizing the mobile electronic device, the
information identifying the plurality of vote issues. In some
embodiments of the instant invention, the at least one access
instruction allows the voter to receive, by performing a single
action with the mobile electronic device, the information
identifying the plurality of vote issues. In some embodiments of
the instant invention, the single action is when the voter taps on
a button of the mobile electronic device, instructing the mobile
electronic device to acquire the at least one access instruction.
In some embodiments of the instant invention, the at least one
access instruction is encoded on the paper document in at least one
QR code. some embodiments of the instant invention, the mobile
electronic device acquires the at least one access instruction by
acquiring at least one image of the at least one QR code.
[0149] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide a
computer system that at least includes the following components: a
non-transient memory having at least one region for storing
computer executable program code; and at least one processor for
executing the program code stored in the non-transient memory,
wherein the program code that at least includes: code to provide to
a mobile electronic device of a voter, information identifying a
plurality of vote issues; code to enable the mobile electronic
device of the voter to transmit to the computer system at least one
vote of the voter on at least one vote issue from the plurality of
the vote issues, wherein the enabling is based at least in part on:
at least one first software instruction that instructs the mobile
electronic device of the voter to present a first vote issue from
the provided plurality of vote issues, at least one second software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to receive a first vote from the voter on the first vote
issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter
submits the first vote by a first single action performed
immediately after the presentation of the first vote issue and
without any intervening action, at least one third software
instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the
voter to transmit the received first vote from the voter on the
first vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues to the
computer system, at least one fourth software instruction that
instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to present a
second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, at
least one fifth software instruction that instructs the mobile
electronic device of the voter to receive a second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues, wherein the voter submits the second vote by a second
single action performed immediately after the presentation of the
second vote issue and without any intervening action, at least one
sixth software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to transmit the received second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues to the computer system, wherein the first vote is
transmitted by the mobile electronic device of the voter to the
computer system before the second vote is transmitted by the
electronic device of the voter to the computer system; and code to
process the first and the second votes of the voter as official
votes of the voter on the first and second vote issues from the
provided plurality of vote issues hereby enabling the voter to
separately vote on each vote issue from the provided plurality of
vote issues.
[0150] In some embodiments, the instant invention can provide a
mobile electronic device that at least includes the following
components: at least one processor programmed to execute program
code received by the mobile electronic device from a computer
system, wherein the mobile electronic device and the computer
system are connected through a network and wherein the program code
at least includes: code to provide to the voter information
identifying a plurality of vote issues; and code to enable the
mobile electronic device to transmit at least one vote of the voter
on at least one vote issue from the plurality of the vote issues,
wherein the enabling is based at least in part on: at least one
first software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to present a first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues, at least one second software instruction
that instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to receive
a first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the
provided plurality of vote issues, wherein the voter submits the
first vote by a first single action performed immediately after the
presentation of the first vote issue and without any intervening
action, at least one third software instruction that instructs the
mobile electronic device of the voter to transmit the received
first vote from the voter on the first vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues, at least one fourth software instruction
that instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to present
a second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote issues, at
least one fifth software instruction that instructs the mobile
electronic device of the voter to receive a second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues, wherein the voter submits the second vote by a second
single action performed immediately after the presentation of the
second vote issue and without any intervening action, at least one
sixth software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic
device of the voter to transmit the received second vote from the
voter on the second vote issue from the provided plurality of vote
issues, wherein the first vote is transmitted by the mobile
electronic device of the voter before the second vote is
transmitted by the electronic device of the voter hereby enabling
the voter to separately vote on each vote issue from the provided
plurality of vote issues.
[0151] In some embodiments of the instant invention, the first and
the second votes of the voter are official votes of the voter on
the first and second vote issues from the provided plurality of
vote issues.
Illustrative Operating Environments of Some Embodiments of the
Instant Invention
Example 21
[0152] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of an environment in which
the present invention can operate. However, not all of these
components may be required to practice the invention, and
variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be
made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
In some embodiment, the system hosts a large number of members and
concurrent transactions. In other embodiments, the system is based
on a scalable computer and network architecture that incorporates
varied strategies for assessing the data, caching, searching, and
database connection pooling. An example of the scalable
architecture is an architecture that is capable of operating
multiple servers.
[0153] In some embodiments, client devices 502-504 include
virtually any computing device capable of receiving and sending a
message over a network, such as network 505, to and from another
computing device, such as servers 506 and 507, each other, and the
like. In embodiments, the set of such devices includes devices that
typically connect using a wired communications medium such as
personal computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, and the like. In
embodiments, the set of such devices also includes devices that
typically connect using a wireless communications medium such as
cell phones, smart phones, pagers, walkie talkies, radio frequency
(RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, CBs, integrated devices
combining one or more of the preceding devices, or virtually any
mobile device, and the like. Similarly, in some embodiments, client
devices 502-504 are any mobile device that is capable of connecting
using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a PDA,
POCKET PC, wearable electronic device (such as cellular phone,
smart phone, or other equivalent mobile devices), and any other
device that is equipped to communicate over a wired and/or wireless
communication medium.
[0154] In some embodiments, each client device within client
devices 502-504 includes a browser application that is configured
to receive and to send web pages, and the like. In embodiments, the
browser application is configured to receive and display graphics,
text, multimedia, and the like, employing virtually any web based
language, including, but not limited to Standard Generalized Markup
Language (SMGL), such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML), a
wireless application protocol (WAP), a Handheld Device Markup
Language (HDML), such as Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript,
JavaScript, and the like. In embodiments, The Investor Network is
programmed in either Java or .Net.
[0155] In embodiments, client devices 502-504 are further
configured to receive a message from the another computing device
employing another mechanism, including, but not limited to email,
Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS),
instant messaging (IM), internet relay chat (IRC), mIRC, Jabber,
and the like.
[0156] In embodiments, network 505 is configured to couple one
computing device to another computing device to enable them to
communicate. In embodiments, network 105 is enabled to employ any
form of computer readable media for communicating information from
one electronic device to another. Also, in embodiments, network 505
includes a wireless interface, and/or a wired interface, such as
the Internet, in addition to local area networks (LANs), wide area
networks (WANs), direct connections, such as through a universal
serial bus (USB) port, other forms of computer-readable media, or
any combination thereof. In embodiments, on an interconnected set
of LANs, including those based on differing architectures and
protocols, a router acts as a link between LANs, enabling messages
to be sent from one to another.
[0157] Also, in some embodiments, communication links within LANs
typically include twisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while
communication links between networks may utilize analog telephone
lines, full or fractional dedicated digital lines including T1, T2,
T3, and T4, Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital
Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wireless links including satellite links,
or other communications links known to those skilled in the art.
Furthermore, in embodiments, remote computers and other related
electronic devices could be remotely connected to either LANs or
WANs via a modem and temporary telephone link. In essence, in
embodiments, network 505 includes any communication method by which
information may travel between client devices 502-504, and servers
506 and 507.
Example 22
[0158] FIG. 6 shows another exemplary embodiment of the computer
and network architecture that can support the disclosed systems and
methods of the instant invention. The client devices 602a, 602b
thru 602n shown each comprises a computer-readable medium, such as
a random access memory (RAM) 608 coupled to a processor 610. The
processor 610 executes computer-executable program instructions
stored in memory 608. Such processors comprise a microprocessor, an
ASIC, and state machines. Such processors comprise, or are in
communication with, media, for example computer-readable media,
which stores instructions that, when executed by the processor,
cause the processor to perform the steps described herein.
Embodiments of computer-readable media include, but are not limited
to, an electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or
transmission device capable of providing a processor, such as the
processor 610 of client 602a, with computer-readable instructions.
Other examples of suitable media include, but are not limited to, a
floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, an
ASIC, a configured processor, all optical media, all magnetic tape
or other magnetic media, or any other medium from which a computer
processor can read instructions. Also, various other forms of
computer-readable media transmit or carry instructions to a
computer, including a router, private or public network, or other
transmission device or channel, both wired and wireless. The
instructions comprise code from any computer-programming language,
including, for example, C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, Java, Python,
Perl, and JavaScript.
[0159] Client devices 602a-n also comprise a number of external or
internal devices such as a mouse, a CD-ROM, DVD, a keyboard, a
display, or other input or output devices. Examples of client
devices 602a-n are personal computers, digital assistants, personal
digital assistants, cellular phones, mobile phones, smart phones,
pagers, digital tablets, laptop computers, Internet appliances, and
other processor-based devices. In general, a client device 602a are
any type of processor-based platform that is connected to a network
206 and that interacts with one or more application programs.
Client devices 602a-n operate on any operating system capable of
supporting a browser or browser-enabled application, such as
Microsoft.TM., Windows.TM., or Linux. The client devices 202a-n
shown include, for example, personal computers executing a browser
application program such as Microsoft Corporation's Internet
Explorer.TM., Apple Computer, Inc.'s Safari.TM., Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome, and/or Opera.
[0160] Through the client devices 602a-n participants 612a-n
communicate over the network 606 with the system. As shown in FIG.
6, server devices 604 and 613 are also coupled to the network
606.
[0161] For the purposes of this disclosure, a computer readable
medium is a medium that stores computer data/instructions in
machine readable form. By way of example, and not limitation, a
computer readable medium can comprise computer storage media as
well as communication media, methods or signals. Computer storage
media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data
structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media
includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash
memory or other solid state memory technology; CD-ROM, DVD, or
other optical storage; cassettes, tape, disk, or other magnetic
storage devices; or any other medium which can be used to tangibly
store the desired information and which can be accessed by the
computer.
[0162] Further, the present invention may, of course, be
implemented using any appropriate computer readable medium,
computer system(s), computer hardware and/or computer software. In
this regard, those of ordinary skill in the art are well versed in
the type of computer hardware that may be used (e.g., a mainframe,
a mini-computer, a personal computer ("PC"), a network (e.g., an
intranet and/or the Internet)), the type of computer programming
techniques that may be used (e.g., object oriented programming),
and the type of computer programming languages that may be used
(e.g., C++, Basic). The aforementioned examples are, of course,
illustrative and not restrictive.
[0163] While a number of embodiments of the present invention have
been described, it is understood that these embodiments are
illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications
may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further,
any steps described herein may be carried out in any desired order
(and any steps may be added and/or deleted).
* * * * *
References