How
the
Software
Works
© Diebold Election Systems, Inc. 2002 AccuVote-OS Hardware Guide
18
The unit is now set to Post-Election Mode, and may be powered off before transmitting election
results to the host computer.
4.4. Post-Election
Mode
Once the AccuVote-OS has been electronically locked at the end of election day in Election
Mode, the memory card is set to Post-Election Mode. Post-Election Mode is used to:
•
transmit election results to the host computer
•
print the additional copies of the Election Totals report
•
audit the memory card
•
perform Supervisor Functions
•
Supervisor Functions in Post-Election Mode allow you to:
change setup parameters
duplicate the memory card
resume counting ballots
reset the memory card to Pre-Election Mode
clear the memory card
4.4.1. Auditing the memory card
The program verifies whether or not election results have already been transmitted to the host
computer. If results have already been transmitted, the program enters the Do Audit module
which is used to print the memory card audit report. Once the memory card’s audit history is
printed, the memory card is tagged as audited.
4.4.2. Transmitting election results to the host computer
The AccuVote-OS enters the Send Data module in Post-Election Mode before election results
transmission. The AccuVote-OS is carried from its polling place location to the RJ-11 phone jack
from which modem transmission is performed. Results are transmitted to the host computer and
the memory card is marked as being uploaded.
If election results are being transmitted at election central, an AccuVote-OS is connected to the
host computer using a direct serial connection. Each of the memory cards is loaded into the unit
and results transmitted. Once results for all memory cards have been transmitted, the unit may
be powered off.
4.4.3. Supervisor Functions
Duplicating a memory card in Supervisor Functions creates a memory card copy identical to the
original, including all election results. Setting a memory card to Resume Counting Mode
effectively places it in Ballot Counting Mode in Election Mode.
Resetting the memory card to Pre-Election Mode clears all election results but does not clear vote
center and ballot information programmed onto the memory card in Pre-Election Mode. Clearing
the memory card, on the other hand, causes all information to be removed from the memory card.
4.5. Communications
protocol
The communications protocol is used for programming memory cards and transmitting election
results to the host computer. The protocol is carried over the serial channel at 9,600 baud for
