INTEGRATED PAPER AND COMPUTER-BASED TESTING ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM

• US 20080140865A1
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: BORCHERS, GREGORY EUGENE
• Granted Patent: US 7,831,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An improved system for administering a computer and paper-based test, including a multifunction peripheral having a printing function and a scanning function for operating on the test, and a host remotely connected to the peripheral over a network. The multifunction peripheral is configured to receive the test from the host and transmit a scanned copy of a modified paper test to the host, and the host is configured to transmit a result of an evaluation of the modified test to the peripheral.

A method for administering a test including transmitting a registration code, receiving a print job including a test associated with the registration code and printing the test The method further includes digitizing the test and transmitting the digitized test.

Claims

1. A system for administering a computer and paper-based test comprising:

a multifunction peripheral including an integrated printer and scanner; and

a host remotely connected to the peripheral over a network, where the peripheral is configured to receive the test from the host, print the test, scan a modified paper test including answers, and transmit a scanned copy of the modified test to the host, and the host is configured to transmit a result of an evaluation of the modified test to the peripheral.

2. The system according to claim 1 including a test administration application to control identification and registration functions of the peripheral.

3. The system according to claim 1 including an identification application that analyzes an identification of a test taker during a registration process prior to an administration of the test.

4. The system according to claim 3 where the identification includes a scanned identification card or an identifying characteristic of the test taker.

5. The system according to claim 1 where the modified test includes both questions and answers, and the answers include constructed responses.

6. The system according to claim 5 including a central test application residing in the host for evaluating the scanned copy of the modified test.

7. The system according to claim 1 including a secure print data stream application to render the test result.

8. A method for administering a test comprising:

transmitting a registration code;

receiving a print job including a test associated with the registration code;

printing the test for a test session;

digitizing a modified paper test; and

transmitting the digital test.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

digitizing an identification of a test taker;

transmitting the identification; and

receiving an authentication acknowledgment.

10. The method according to claim 8 including releasing the print job after printing the test and clearing the print job from a data storage.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

storing the modified paper test;

receiving a test result; and

destroying the modified paper test.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a second print job including a test result;

providing a secure key; and

printing the test result.

13. The method according to claim 8 including receiving an electronic test result.

14. The method according to claim 13 where the modified test includes constructed responses.

15. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution and when executed operable to:

receive a registration code associated with a test;

render a first file including the test;

transmit the first rendered file;

receive a modified test identified by the registration code;

render a second file including the test result; and

transmit the second rendered file.

16. The logic according to claim 15 further operable to:

receive an identification of a test taker; and

verify the identification.

17. The logic according to claim 16 further operable to transmit an authentication acknowledgment.

18. The logic according to claim 15 further operable to interpret the modified test to determine a test result and evaluate confidence in the test result.

19. The logic according to claim 15 where the first file is included in a print job and the second file is included in a print job or in an e-mail.

20. The logic according to claim 19 further operable to render the first and second files using a secure print data stream.