System for archiving electronic images of test question responses

• US 20020122606A1
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCS Pearson Incorporated (Pearson plc)
• Original Assignee: NCS Pearson Incorporated (Pearson plc)
• Inventors: Knowles, Kristian
• Granted Patent: US 6,961,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/305
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

A system and method for electronically archiving electronic images of responses received from a response provider in such a manner that reduces the amount of electronic resources required for said archival.

Claims

1. In a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising a server subsystem having at least one server computer, a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers, and at least one of a plurality of types of optical imaging devices for electronically capturing the test question responses, wherein the electronic images are archived electronically for subsequent analyses or retrieval, a method that reduces the electronic resources required by the workflow system, the method comprising:

a. receiving an electronic representation of a test form template, substantially devoid of test question responses;

b. storing the electronic representation of the test form template;

c. receiving electronic images of segregated test question responses, substantially devoid of the test form template;

d. storing the electronic images of the segregated test question responses;

e. electronically creating an integrated electronic representation of the completed test prepared by the test taker by combining electronically the electronic representation of the test form template with the electronic images of the segregated test question responses;

f. storing the integrated electronic representation of the completed test;

whereby, capturing electronic images of the segregated test question responses substantially devoid of the test form template enhances the speed at which the segregated test question responses are received by the workflow system because an optical imaging device can process segregated test question answers faster when the test form template is omitted; and

because subsequently combining the electronic images of the segregated test question responses with the stored representation of the test form template saves electronic resources.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps:

a. applying an image compression algorithm to the integrated electronic representation of the completed test; and

b. storing the compressed integrated electronic representation of the completed test.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic representation of the test form template comprises the entire test form.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic representation of the test form template comprises at least a portion of the test form.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic images of the test question responses comprise one or more image clips of the test question responses, where an image clip is at least a portion of the test question response.

6. In a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising a server subsystem having at least one server computer, a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers, and at least one of a plurality of types of optical imaging devices for electronically capturing the test question responses, wherein the electronic images are archived electronically in the server subsystem for subsequent analyses or retrieval, a method that reduces the electronic resources required by the server subsystem, the method comprising:

a. receiving in the server subsystem an electronic representation of a test form template, substantially devoid of test question responses;

b. storing in the server subsystem the electronic representation of the test form template;

c. receiving in the server subsystem electronic images of segregated test question responses, substantially devoid of the test form template;

d. storing in the server computer the electronic images of the segregated test question responses;

e. electronically creating an integrated electronic representation of the completed test prepared by the test taker by combining electronically the electronic representation of the test form template with the electronic images of the segregated test question responses; and

f. storing in the server subsystem the integrated electronic representation of the completed test.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps:

a. applying in the server subsystem an image compression algorithm to the integrated electronic representation of the completed test; and

b. storing in the server subsystem the compressed integrated electronic representation of the completed test.

8. In a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising a server subsystem having at least one server computer, a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers, and at least one of a plurality of types of optical imaging devices for electronically capturing the test question responses, wherein the electronic images are archived electronically in the client subsystem for subsequent analyses or retrieval, a method that reduces the electronic resources required by the client subsystem, the method comprising:

a. receiving in the client subsystem an electronic representation of a test form template, substantially devoid of test question responses;

b. storing in the client subsystem the electronic representation of the test form template;

c. receiving in the client subsystem electronic images of segregated test question responses, substantially devoid of the test form template;

d. storing in the client computer the electronic images of the segregated test question responses;

e. electronically creating an integrated electronic representation of the completed test prepared by the test taker by combining electronically the electronic representation of the test form template with the electronic images of the segregated test question responses; and

f. storing in the integrated electronic representation of the completed test.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps:

a. applying in the client subsystem an image compression algorithm to the integrated electronic representation of the completed test; and

b. storing in the client subsystem the compressed integrated electronic representation of the completed test.

10. In a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising a server subsystem having at least one server computer and a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers for evaluating test booklets comprising test question responses provided by test takers, a method for creating electronic representations of the test booklets and enabling the users to select alternative archival of the electronic test booklets, the method comprising:

a. receiving a plurality of electronic images from the client computers coupled to optical imaging devices, the electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test question responses;

b. receiving a plurality of electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test booklets;

c. forming an electronic index uniquely identifying the electronic images of test question responses and the electronic images of test booklets, and for storage and retrieval of the received and stored electronic images;

d. enabling a system user for the customer to select at optical imaging time whether the index will allow the user to;

1. store and retrieve a logical booklet, so that upon retrieval the user can then page through the optically imaged responses integrated with the electronic images representing the pages of the test booklet via an electronic viewer;

or

2. store and retrieve the electronic images of the test question responses separate from the electronic images of the test booklets, so that the electronic images of the test question responses will be logically integrated with the electronic images of the test booklets at display time;

whereby, if retrieval by logical booklet is nominated prior to storage, the electronic images of test question responses are stored with the appropriate electronic images of the test booklets and if retrieval by logical booklet is not nominated prior to storage, the electronic images of test question responses are not stored with the appropriate test booklet images.

11. In a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising a server subsystem having at least one server computer and a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers for evaluating test booklets comprising test question responses provided by test takers, a method for creating electronic representations of the test booklets and enabling the users to select alternative archival of the electronic test booklets, the method comprising:

a. receiving at the server subsystem a plurality of electronic images, from the client computers coupled to optical imaging devices, representing electronically at least a portion of the test question responses;

b. receiving at the server subsystem a plurality of electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test booklets;

c. forming in the server subsystem an electronic index uniquely identifying the electronic images of test question responses and the electronic images of test booklets, and for storage and retrieval of the received and stored electronic images,

d. enabling a system user for the customer to select at optical imaging time whether the index will allow the user to;

1. store and retrieve a logical booklet, so that upon retrieval the user can then page through the optically imaged responses integrated with the electronic images representing the pages of the test booklet via an electronic viewer;

or

2. store and retrieve the electronic images of the test question responses separate from the electronic images of the test booklets, so that the electronic images of the test question responses will be logically integrated with the electronic images of the test booklets at display time.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a. the workflow system configured to apply an image compression algorithm to the integrated electronic representation of the completed test; and

b. storage of the compressed integrated electronic representation of the completed test.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a. means configured to apply an image compression algorithm to the integrated electronic representation of the completed test; and

b. storage means for the compressed integrated electronic representation of the completed test.

12. In a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising a server subsystem having at least one server computer and a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers for evaluating test booklets comprising test question responses provided by test takers, a method for creating electronic representations of the test booklets and enabling the users to select alternative archival of the electronic test booklets, the method comprising:

a. receiving at the client subsystem a plurality of electronic images, from the client computers coupled to optical imaging devices, representing electronically at least a portion of the test question responses;

b. receiving at the client subsystem a plurality of electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test booklets;

c. forming in the client subsystem an electronic index uniquely identifying the electronic images of test question responses and the electronic images of test booklets, and for storage and retrieval of the received and stored electronic images,

d. enabling a system user for the customer to select at optical imaging time whether the index will allow the user to;

1. store and retrieve a logical booklet, so that upon retrieval the user can then page through the optically imaged responses integrated with the electronic images representing the pages of the test booklet via an electronic viewer;

or

2. store and retrieve the electronic images of the test question responses separate from the electronic images of the test booklets, so that the electronic images of the test question responses will be logically integrated with the electronic images of the test booklets at display time.

13. A system for archiving electronic images of test question responses for subsequent analyses or retrieval such that electronic resources are conserved in a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising:

a. a server subsystem having at least one server computer coupled to a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers;

b. at least one of a plurality of types of optical imaging devices coupled to the client subsystem for electronically capturing the test question responses;

c. the workflow system configured to receive an electronic representation of a test form template, substantially devoid of test question responses;

d. the workflow system configured to receive electronic images of segregated test question responses, substantially devoid of the test form template; and

e. the workflow system configured to electronically create an integrated electronic representation of the completed test prepared by the test taker by combining electronically the electronic representation of the test form template with the electronic images of the segregated test question responses.

15. A system for creating electronic representations of test booklets and enabling users to select alternative archival of electronic test booklets in a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising:

a. a server subsystem having at least one server computer coupled to a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers for evaluating test booklets comprising test question responses provided by test takers,

b. the workflow system configured to receive a plurality of electronic images from the client computers coupled to optical imaging devices, the electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test question responses;

c. the workflow system configured to receive a plurality of electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test booklets;

d. the workflow system configured to form an electronic index uniquely identifying the electronic images of test question responses and the electronic images of test booklets, and for storage and retrieval of the received and stored electronic images,

e. the workflow system configured to enable a system user for the customer to select at optical imaging time whether the index will allow the user to;

1. store and retrieve a logical booklet, so that upon retrieval the user can then page through the optically imaged responses integrated with the electronic images representing the pages of the test booklet via an electronic viewer;

or

2. store and retrieve the electronic images of the test question responses separate from the electronic images of the test booklets, so that the electronic images of the test question responses will be logically integrated with the electronic images of the test booklets at display time.

16. A system for archiving electronic images of test question responses for subsequent analyses or retrieval such that electronic resources are conserved in a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising:

a. means to receive an electronic representation of a test form template, substantially devoid of test question responses;

b. means configured to receive electronic images of segregated test question responses, substantially devoid of the test form template; and

c. means to electronically create an integrated electronic representation of the completed test prepared by the test taker by combining electronically the electronic representation of the test form template with the electronic images of the segregated test question responses.

18. A system for creating electronic representations of test booklets and enabling users to select alternative archival of electronic test booklets in a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising:

a. means for receiving a plurality of electronic images from the client computers coupled to optical imaging devices, the electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test question responses;

b. means to receive a plurality of electronic images representing electronically at least a portion of the test booklets;

c. means configured to form an electronic index uniquely identifying the electronic images of test question responses and the electronic images of test booklets, and for storage and retrieval of the received and stored electronic images,

d. means to enable a system user for the customer to select at optical imaging time whether the index will allow the user to;

1. store and retrieve a logical booklet, so that upon retrieval the user can then page through the optically imaged responses integrated with the electronic images representing the pages of the test booklet via an electronic viewer;

or

2. store and retrieve the electronic images of the test question responses separate from the electronic images of the test booklets, so that the electronic images of the test question responses will be logically integrated with the electronic images of the test booklets at display time.

19. A computer program product readable by a computing system for a computer process for a computerized test processing workflow system configured for analyzing electronic images of test question responses provided by a test taker, the system comprising a server subsystem having at least one server computer coupled to a client subsystem having a plurality of client computers and at least one of a plurality of types of optical imaging devices coupled to the client subsystem for electronically capturing the test question responses, wherein the electronic images are archived electronically for subsequent analyses or retrieval, a method that reduces the electronic resources required by the workflow system, the computer program product comprising encoded instructions either embedded on a computer-readable media or transmitted in a propagating wave, the encoded instructions being arranged and configured to be read by the computing system for causing the computing system to perform the steps of:

a. receiving an electronic representation of a test form template, substantially devoid of test question responses;

b. storing the electronic representation of the test form template;

c. receiving electronic images of segregated test question responses, substantially devoid of the test form template;

d. storing the electronic images of the segregated test question responses;

e. electronically creating an integrated electronic representation of the completed test prepared by the test taker by combining electronically the electronic representation of the test form template with the electronic images of the segregated test question responses;

f. storing the integrated electronic representation of the completed test;

whereby, capturing electronic images of the segregated test question responses substantially devoid of the test form template enhances the speed at which the segregated test question responses are received by the workflow system because an optical imaging device can process segregated test question answers faster when the test form template is omitted; and

because subsequently combining the electronic images of the segregated test question responses with the stored representation of the test form template saves electronic resources.