Secure Vote Storage Using Programmable Non-Volatile Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic voting systems using fuse elements face limitations such as the need for external programming methods, high current requirements, and inflexible design, making them difficult to implement and test, especially in field-level applications.

Innovation Solution

A secure voting system utilizing a programmable non-volatile memory device with an array of areal capacitively coupled floating gate cells that can record and store votes as logical groups, allowing for easy programming and validation without special equipment, and enabling flexible design and testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fuse elements are used for vote recording, then security against vote tampering is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate due to requirements for external programming equipment, high current pads, and special circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against vote tamperingVSAvoidprogramming circuit requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the programming mechanism from external laser/explosion methods or high-current electrical programming to standard electrical programming methods. This allows fuse elements to be programmed using conventional circuitry without requiring special high-current pads or external programming equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the programming function from external equipment and integrates it into the voting device itself. By incorporating on-chip programming capability, the system eliminates the need for external programming equipment and special handling procedures, simplifying both manufacturing and field deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If fuse elements require external laser or explosion programming, then programming capability is achieved, but ease of operation and ease of manufacture worsen due to inability to program at field level and need for specialized equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming capabilityVSAvoidfield-level programming ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/explosive programming methods with electrical programming methods. This substitution enables programming to be performed using standard electrical circuits and procedures that can be executed at field level without specialized equipment, improving both ease of manufacture and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If one terminal of every programmable fuse element is connected to power supply, then programming is enabled, but adaptability and design flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming enablementVSAvoidsensing circuit design flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the power connection requirement from a two-dimensional plane constraint to a three-dimensional solution by using vertical interconnect structures or multi-layer routing. This allows fuse elements to be programmed while maintaining flexibility in sensing circuit design, as the power connection can be routed through additional dimensions without blocking other circuit paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If fuse elements are used for vote recording, then security is improved, but productivity and ease of manufacture worsen due to inability to perform testing and screening at wafer production level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevote recording securityVSAvoidwafer-level testing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary testing and screening of fuse elements at the wafer level before final device assembly. By incorporating test structures and programming capabilities that work at wafer level, defective elements can be identified and marked early in the manufacturing process, improving productivity while maintaining security through proper element selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables secure, efficient, and flexible vote recording and validation without the need for special equipment, allowing for easy programming and verification at the field level, improving the reliability and usability of electronic voting systems.

Implementation Method 1

each vote is stored as a logical group of N separate cells (102) to record a vote for one of the N items. Each of the logical group of N separate cells (102) preferably includes an areal capacitively coupled floating gate cell (100) which is programmable to a first logical value or a second logical value.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10198889B2Automatic valid vote count storage using secure embedded non volatile memory

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 JONKER LLC

AI summary

A non-volatile memory system adapted for securely registering votes within a voting system is described. The votes are encoded as a set of logically grouped cells based on a voter's selection of an item. The encoding assures that the votes are easily distinguishable by a read circuit.