The PCOS System

Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) is a ballot counting machine used with ballot box. The system is designed to scan marked paper ballots, interpret the voter marks, tabulate each vote, generate reports, transmit the results and store each ballot image.

PCOS PARTS Front Side View

Security Key Receptacle the contact point for the security key. Ballot entry slot - the narrow paper tray in the front slot where ballots are inserted. LED indicator - determines the power status of the PCOS Administrator access compartment input - is where the Backup Memory Card is inserted. Poll Worker access compartment input - is where the Main Memory Card is inserted.

1. Main Memory Card Slot - Primary compartment for storage of configured files

2. Back-up Memory Card Slot - Secondary compartment for Back-up memory card

Corresponding LED indicator located in front of the PCOS machine determines the power status when it is turned on. These are as follows:
Attribute Green Power Source AC power connected Battery Status Battery present

Flashing Green/Orange
Orange

AC power connected
Battery power, no AC power

No battery present
Battery present

Red (machine has been shut down)

Flashing Red (machine has been shut down)

AC power connected
AC power connected

Battery charging
No battery present

PCOS PARTS Front Side View

Printer compartment - is where the
built-in printer of PCOS is located.

Operator LCD Screen with counter used to interact with the application.

Transmission port - a RJ45 interface on

the right side of the PCOS machine. It is used for connecting the external modem/cellular device for transmission of election results.

Green Cast & Red Return Buttons special buttons used solely for FTS diagnostic procedure.

PCOS PARTS Rear Side View

Ballot Exit Slot - located directly at the opposite side of the Ballot entry slot. Valid ballots are ejected from the ballot exit slot. DC Power Restart button

Power ports - The PCOS machine is capable of operating with AC power or via optional external battery pack (DC). The external battery can last at least 12 hours of continuous operation. There is no power switch. It is turned on by connecting the plug to the power source.

Other Components and Peripherals of PCOS

IButton security key The iButton is used to access the administrative options of the PCOS.

iButton makes contact with PCOS through the security key receptacle.

Compact Flash Removable Memory (Results Storage) Main and Backup memory cards are compact flash memory cards that store configuration and results. Main memory card is located in the Poll Worker access compartment Back-up memory card is located in the administrator access compartment. The Backup memory card holds a copy of the election results and audit log from the Main memory card. The Main and Back-up memory cards are sealed for the entire election process. The Backup memory card is used to confirm that the Main memory card has not been tampered.

Thermal Paper

Ballot Box

This is the paper that is used for printing election results and it is located inside the PRINTER COMPARTMENT.

The ballot box is constructed using a steel frame and steel side panels. It has security features to prevent unauthorized access, including physical locks on all access doors.

Power Supply
AC adaptor that comes with the PCOS Machine which uses 220 volts AC and an output of 20 volts AC.

Power Supply
The Battery Pack of the PCOS Machine uses 12 volts DC

Transmission Devices
Option 2: BGAN* Antenna

SIM CARD

Option 1: PCOS Modem

MODEM (Modulator/Demodulator)

BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network)