Apparatuses, methods and systems to deploy testing facilities on demand

• US 20060199165A1
• Filed: 03/03/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Prometric Inc. (Educational Testing Service)
• Original Assignee: Prometric Inc. (Educational Testing Service)
• Inventors: Cassidy, Thomas George Jr., Guenther, Richard Alan, Crowhurst, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/073,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20060199165A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

The disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods and systems for an on Demand Test Facility Provider System (DTFPS). The DTFPS enables the deployment of testing facilities on demand. Generally, the invention enables interactions between four actors: a testing authority, a testing provider, a testing facility, and a test candidate. The testing authority is a body having the credentials and authority to conduct testing over a pool of candidates. The test provider is a service provider arranging for the administration of testing. The test provider offloads the logistics of test administration from the testing authority and coordinates with test facilities, candidates, and the testing authority to provide the administration of various tests. Various components of the DTFPS take on the role of a test provider enabling the administration of a wide spectrum of tests for different groups of people. As such, the DTFPS may offer various types of tests to candidates by acting as a proxy for a testing authority. The candidates in many instances must qualify to sit for the tests. The test provider, e.g., the DTFPS, enables candidates to schedule tests, provides facilities for the actual test, collects and may grade the results, and may report the results to the testing authorities and candidates.

Claims

1. A method for allocating testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

receiving a request for a test event, said request including testing facility requirements, including operational metric requirements;

searching for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

generating approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database, said approvals including contracts and work orders with the identified test facilities,

allocating testing facility capacity in accordance with the identified test facilities;

establishing new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from said searching; and

updating the testing facilities database to include the identified test facilities and any new testing facilities.

2. A method for allocating testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

receiving a request for a test event, said request including testing facility requirements;

searching for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

generating approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

allocating testing facility capacity in accordance with the identified test facilities.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the testing facility requirements include operational metric requirements.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the approvals include contracts and work orders with the identified test facilities.

5. The method of claim 2, further, comprising:

generating a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from said searching.

6. The method of claim 5, further, comprising:

establishing the new testing facilities based on the allocation of testing facility capacity and based on the generated request to establish new testing facilities.

7. The method of claim 2, further, comprising:

updating the testing facilities database to include the identified test facilities and any new testing facilities.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the testing facilities database comprises a federated series of databases, and searching may occur across the federated databases.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the searching occurs through a brokerage layer for the federated databases.

10. A method for allocating testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

searching for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match testing facility requirements;

allocating testing facility capacity in accordance with identified test facilities;

establishing new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from the searching;

generating a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from said searching;

11. The method of claim 10, further, comprising:

establishing the new testing facilities based on the allocation of testing facility capacity and based on the generated request to establish new testing facilities.

12. The method of claim 11, further, comprising:

updating the testing facilities database to include the identified test facilities and any new testing facilities.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the testing facilities database comprises a federated series of databases, and searching may occur across the federated databases.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the searching occurs through a brokerage layer for the federated databases.

15. A method to determine testing facility availability, comprising:

obtaining desired characteristics for a testing facility,

wherein the desired characteristics are from testing facility requirements from a testing authority,

searching for testing facilities with the desired characteristics,

wherein the search takes place in a testing facility database and wherein the testing facility database comprises a federated series of databases, and data transactions may occur across the federated databases through a brokerage layer for the federated databases;

wherein the desired characteristics include specified geographic regions;

sending a request for testing facility availability,

wherein the request is triggered by updates to capacity demand for the testing facility,

wherein the request includes desired facility characteristics,

wherein the request is sent to testing facilities,

wherein the testing facilities are identified by the search results based on the desired characteristics;

receiving a response to the request from a testing facility;

updating the testing facility database with the response;

determining capacity demand for a testing facility,

wherein applications for the testing facility by test candidates dynamically affect the capacity demand.

16. A method, comprising:

obtaining desired characteristics for a testing facility,

sending a request for testing facility availability,

wherein the request is triggered by updates to capacity demand for the testing facility;

receiving a response to the request.

17. The method of claim 16, further, comprising:

updating the testing facility database with the response.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the response is received from a testing facility.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the testing facility database comprises a federated series of databases, and data transactions may occur across the federated databases through a brokerage layer for the federated databases.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the desired characteristics are from testing facility requirements from a testing authority.

21. The method of claim 16, further, comprising:

searching for testing facilities with the desired characteristics,

wherein the testing facilities are identified by the search results based on the desired characteristics,

wherein the desired characteristics include specified geographic regions.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the search takes place in a testing facility database.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the search takes place in a testing facility database.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the request includes desired facility characteristics.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the request is sent to testing facilities.

26. The method of claim 16, further, comprising:

determining capacity demand for a testing facility,

wherein applications for the testing facility by test candidates dynamically affect the capacity demand,

wherein capacity demand is affected dynamically.

27. The method of claim 18, further, comprising:

establishing new testing facilities for a testing event.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein testing facilities may include fixed, temporary, and mobile facilities,

wherein testing facilities include testing infrastructure.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein mobile facilities may include a mobile home, a bus, a tractor-trailer, a recreation vehicle, and a van.

30. A method to increase testing facility availability, comprising:

receiving a request for a test event,

wherein the request includes testing facility requirements,

wherein the testing facility requirements include operational metric requirements;

searching for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements,

wherein the testing facilities database comprises a federated series of databases, and data transactions may occur across the federated databases through a brokerage layer for the federated databases;

generating approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database,

wherein the approvals are contracts with the identified test facilities,

wherein the approvals are work orders with the identified test facilities;

establishing new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from searching;

updating the testing facilities database,

wherein the update to the testing facilities database includes the new testing facilities, and

wherein the update to the testing facilities database includes the identified test facilities.

31. A method, comprising:

receiving a request for a test event,

wherein the request includes testing facility requirements;

searching for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

generating approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

generating a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from searching.

32. The method of claim 31, further, comprising:

updating the testing facilities database.

33. The method of claim 31, further, comprising:

establishing the new testing facilities based on the generated request to establish new testing facilities.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the testing facilities database comprises a federated series of databases, and data transactions may occur across the federated databases through a brokerage layer for the federated databases.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the testing facility requirements include specified geographic regions,

wherein the testing facility requirements include operational metric requirements.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein multiple testing facilities are approved to supply requisite testing facility capacity.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the approvals are contracts with the identified test facilities.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the approvals are work orders with the identified test facilities.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the update to the testing facilities database includes the new testing facilities, if established,

wherein the update to the testing facilities database includes the identified test facilities, if identified.

57. The method of claim 31, wherein the test database comprises a federated series of databases, and data transactions may occur across the federated databases through a brokerage layer for the federated databases.

40. A method to schedule testing facilities, comprising:

receiving test candidate credentials;

obtaining a test candidate identifier based on the test candidate credentials,

wherein the test candidate identifier is unique to the test candidate;

receiving a scheduling request to participate in a test event,

wherein the scheduling request includes a test event identifier, the candidate identifier, and a desired location, date and time for the test candidate to participate in the test event;

determining availability of testing facilities that match the scheduling request,

wherein a testing facility database is searched for testing facilities that match the scheduling request;

scheduling the test candidate for the testing event, if testing facilities are available,

wherein a lowest cost testing facility is selected as the testing candidates testing facility if more than one testing facility is determined to be available;

determining if more testing facilities should be made available, if testing facilities are unavailable to the testing candidate,

wherein the testing authority'"'"'s testing facility requirements determine if more facilities should be made available;

allocating additional testing facility capacity, if more facilities should be made available,

wherein multiple testing facilities may be allocated to supply requisite capacity;

providing alternative testing facilities, if more facilities should not be made available.

41. A method, comprising:

receiving test candidate credentials;

obtaining a test candidate identifier based on the test candidate credentials,

wherein the test candidate identifier is unique to the test candidate;

receiving a scheduling request to participate in a test event,

wherein the scheduling request includes a desired location and time for the test candidate to participate in the test event;

determining availability of testing facilities that match the scheduling request,

wherein a testing facility database is searched for testing facilities that match the scheduling request; and

scheduling the test candidate for the testing event, if testing facilities are available.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the testing facility database comprises a federated series of databases,.and data transactions may occur across the federated databases through a brokerage layer for the federated databases.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein credentials are received by a test provider.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein credentials are received by a testing authority.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the test candidate identifier is generated by the testing authority.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the test candidate identifier is generated by the test provider.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein the scheduling request includes a test event identifier and the candidate identifier.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein a lowest cost testing facility is selected as the testing candidates testing facility if more than one testing facility is determined to be available.

49. The method of claim 41, further, comprising:

determining if more testing facilities should be made available, if testing facilities are unavailable to the testing candidate.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the testing authority'"'"'s testing facility requirements determine if more facilities should be made available.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the testing authority'"'"'s operational metric requirements determine if more facilities should be made available.

52. The method of claim 41, further, comprising:

allocating additional testing facility capacity, if more facilities should be made available,

providing alternative testing facilities, if more facilities should not be made available.

53. The method of claim 52, further, comprising:

establishing the new testing facilities based on additional testing facility capacity allocations.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein multiple testing facilities may be allocated to supply requisite capacity.

55. A method to generate tests, comprising:

receiving a test specification for a type of test,

wherein the test specification includes a test generation procedure,

wherein the test generation procedure is embodied as an SQL command,

wherein the test specification includes test questions, answers, and wrong answers;

wherein the test specification includes a test grading procedure;

parsing the test specification into its constituent test components,

wherein a test type identifier is obtained for the test specification;

storing the constituent test components in test database;

generating a test by applying the test generation procedure to the test database,

wherein the test generation procedure searches the test database for constituent test components related to the test type identifier;

updating the test database with generated tests, if the generated tests are approved.

56. A method, comprising:

receiving a test specification for a type of test,

wherein the test specification includes a test generation procedure;

parsing the test specification into its constituent test components,

wherein a test type identifier is obtained for the test specification;

storing the constituent test components in test database; and

generating a test by applying the test generation procedure to the test database.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the test generation procedure is embodied as an SQL command.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the test specification may include test questions, answers, wrong answers, and a test grading procedure.

60. The method of claim 59, further, comprising:

generating a test results report by applying the test grading procedure to the test database,

wherein the test grading procedure searches the test database for constituent test results from a test candidate; and

updating the test database with generated tests, if the generated tests are approved.

61. The method of claim 56, wherein the test type identifier is generated by a test provider for a test authority.

62. The method of claim 56, wherein the test type identifier is provided by a test authority to a test provider.

63. The method of claim 56, wherein the test generation procedure searches the test database for constituent test components related to the test type identifier.

64. A method to report testing results, comprising:

receiving test results from a test candidate,

wherein the test results include a test facility identifier, a test identifier, and a test candidate identifier,

parsing the test results into its constituent test components,

storing the constituent test components in a test results database,

generating a test results report by searching the test results database,

wherein the test results database is searched for constituent test results components based on the test facility identifier, the test identifier, and the test candidate identifier,

providing the test results report,

wherein the test results report is provided to the candidate;

wherein the test results report is provided to the test authority.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the test results database comprises a federated series of databases, and data transactions may occur across the federated databases through a brokerage layer for the federated databases.

66. A system for allocating testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

means to receive a request for a test event, said request including testing facility requirements;

means to search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

means to generate approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

means to allocate testing facility capacity in accordance with the identified test facilities.

67. A system for allocating testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

means to search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match testing facility requirements;

means to allocate testing facility capacity in accordance with identified test facilities;

means to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from the searching;

means to generate a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from said searching;

68. A system to ascertain testing facility availability, comprising:

means to obtain desired characteristics for a testing facility,

means to send a request for testing facility availability,

wherein the request is triggered by updates to capacity demand for the testing facility;

means to receive a response to the request.

69. A system for testing facility availability, comprising:

means to receive a request for a test event,

wherein the request includes testing facility requirements;

means to search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

means to generate approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

means to generate a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from searching.

70. A system to schedule test candidates, comprising:

means to receive test candidate credentials;

means to obtain a test candidate identifier based on the test candidate credentials,

wherein the test candidate identifier is unique to the test candidate;

means to receive a scheduling request to participate in a test event,

wherein the scheduling request includes a desired location and time for the test candidate to participate in the test event;

means to determine availability of testing facilities that match the scheduling request,

wherein a testing facility database is searched for testing facilities that match the scheduling request; and

means to schedule the test candidate for the testing event, if testing facilities are available.

71. A system to generate a test, comprising:

means to receive a test specification for a type of test,

wherein the test specification includes a test generation procedure;

means to parsing the test specification into its constituent test components,

wherein a test type identifier is obtained for the test specification;

means to store the constituent test components in test database; and

means to generate a test by applying the test generation procedure to the test database.

72. A system to report testing results, comprising:

receive test results from a test candidate,

wherein the test results include a test facility identifier, a test identifier, and a test candidate identifier,

means to parse the test results into its constituent test components,

means to store the constituent test components in a test results database,

means to generate a test results report by searching the test results database,

wherein the test results database is searched for constituent test results components based on the test facility identifier, the test identifier, and the test candidate identifier,

means to provide the test results report,

wherein the test results report is provided to the candidate; and

wherein the test results report is provided to the test authority.

73. A medium readable by a processor to allocate testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

receive a request for a test event, said request including testing facility requirements;

search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

generate approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

allocate testing facility capacity in accordance with the identified test facilities.

74. A medium readable by a processor to allocate testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match testing facility requirements;

allocate testing facility capacity in accordance with identified test facilities;

establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from the searching;

generate a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from said searching;

75. A medium readable by a processor to ascertain testing facility availability, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

obtain desired characteristics for a testing facility,

send a request for testing facility availability,

wherein the request is triggered by updates to capacity demand for the testing facility;

receive a response to the request.

76. A medium readable by a processor for testing facility availability, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

receive a request for a test event,

wherein the request includes testing facility requirements;

search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

generate approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

generate a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from searching.

77. A medium readable by a processor to schedule test candidates, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

receive test candidate credentials;

obtain a test candidate identifier based on the test candidate credentials,

wherein the test candidate identifier is unique to the test candidate;

receive a scheduling request to participate in a test event,

wherein the scheduling request includes a desired location and time for the test candidate to participate in the test event;

determine availability of testing facilities that match the scheduling request,

wherein a testing facility database is searched for testing facilities that match the scheduling request; and

schedule the test candidate for the testing event, if testing facilities are available.

78. A medium readable by a processor to generate a test, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

receive a test specification for a type of test,

wherein the test specification includes a test generation procedure;

parsing the test specification into its constituent test components,

wherein a test type identifier is obtained for the test specification;

store the constituent test components in test database; and

generate a test by applying the test generation procedure to the test database.

79. A medium readable by a processor to report testing results, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

receive test results from a test candidate,

wherein the test results include a test facility identifier, a test identifier, and a test candidate identifier,

parse the test results into its constituent test components,

store the constituent test components in a test results database,

generate a test results report by searching the test results database,

wherein the test results database is searched for constituent test results components based on the test facility identifier, the test identifier, and the test candidate identifier,

provide the test results report,

wherein the test results report is provided to the candidate; and

wherein the test results report is provided to the test authority.

80. An apparatus to allocate testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

a memory;

a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the instructions issue signals to;

receive a request for a test event, said request including testing facility requirements;

search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

generate approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

allocate testing facility capacity in accordance with the identified test facilities.

81. An apparatus to allocate testing facility capacity and increase availability, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match testing facility requirements;

allocate testing facility capacity in accordance with identified test facilities;

establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from the searching;

generate a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from said searching;

82. An apparatus to ascertain testing facility availability, comprising:

a memory;

a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the instructions issue signals to;

obtain desired characteristics for a testing facility,

send a request for testing facility availability,

wherein the request is triggered by updates to capacity demand for the testing facility;

receive a response to the request.

83. An apparatus for testing facility availability, comprising:

instruction signals in the processor readable medium, wherein the instruction signals are issuable by the processor to;

receive a request for a test event,

wherein the request includes testing facility requirements;

search for testing facilities in a testing facilities database that match the testing facility requirements;

generate approvals for test facilities identified from searching the testing facilities database;

generate a request to establish new testing facilities, if no testing facilities are identified from searching.

84. An apparatus to schedule test candidates, comprising:

a memory;

a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the instructions issue signals to;

receive test candidate credentials;

obtain a test candidate identifier based on the test-candidate credentials,

wherein the test candidate identifier is unique to the test candidate;

receive a scheduling request to participate in a test event,

wherein the scheduling request includes a desired location and time for the test candidate to participate in the test event;

determine availability of testing facilities that match the scheduling request,

wherein a testing facility database is searched for testing facilities that match the scheduling request; and

schedule the test candidate for the testing event, if testing facilities are available.

85. An apparatus to generate a test, comprising:

a memory;

a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the instructions issue signals to;

receive a test specification for a type of test,

wherein the test specification includes a test generation procedure;

parsing the test specification into its constituent test components,

wherein a test type identifier is obtained for the test specification;

store the constituent test components in test database; and

generate a test by applying the test generation procedure to the test database.

86. An apparatus to report testing results, comprising:

a memory;

a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the instructions issue signals to;

receive test results from a test candidate,

wherein the test results include a test facility identifier, a test identifier, and a test candidate identifier,

parse the test results into its constituent test components,

store the constituent test components in a test results database,

generate a test results report by searching the test results database,

wherein the test results database is searched for constituent test results components based on the test facility identifier, the test identifier, and the test candidate identifier,

provide the test results report,

wherein the test results report is provided to the candidate; and

wherein the test results report is provided to the test authority.