Redundant system for interactively evaluating the capabilities of multiple test subjects to perform a task utilizing a computerized test system

• US 5,170,362 A
• Filed: 01/15/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Pact Corporation
• Original Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company Incorporated (BP PLC)
• Inventors: Greenberg, Howard L., Rodriguez, Ensor
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Application Number:
  US07/641,218
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 364/400, 364/401, 364/410, 364/419, 364/514, 364/550, 340/825.06, 434/29, 434/62, 434/99, 434/323, 434/333, 434/334, 434/336, 434/350, 434/353
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A redundant interactive subject evaluation system composed of multiple, distinct test sites containing multiple test stations, nodes which interconnect several test sites and a single integrating evaluating hub into which flows all site and node data. The system is operable to receive dial-in telecommunications data from any remote test site location including transportation vehicles in transit by air, water, or land. System reliability is high with continued node and test site activity even during overall system outages. The performance evaluation test runs on the test stations at the individual sites interactively evaluating the performance capabilities of multiple subjects by comparing the test subjects'"'"' hub data stored as historical performance characteristics with their new test results secured at the test stations. Trained, evaluating personnel not located at the test sites such as Medical Review Officers (MRO'"'"'s) are located at the nodes and hub to analyze, evaluate and interpret data received from the test subject'"'"'s results at the remote sites. One embodiment of the system is described in detail.

Claims

1. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations, comprising:

a plurality of test sites;

at least one test station at each of said test sites, said test station having at least one interactive computer means for interfacing with said subject;

performance evaluation means at said test station for producing current subject performance data representative of said subject'"'"'s current performance level, said performance evaluation means including means for presenting a verbal and spatial attention test to said subject on said interactive computer means;

at least one node site;

means for coupling each of said plurality of test sites, to said at least one node site, said at least one node site operable to communicate with each of said test sites, said at least one node site having a node data base of said subject'"'"'s past performance data and further operable to store said subject'"'"'s current performance data from said plurality of test sites and to present both said past and current subject'"'"'s performance data to evaluating personnel located at said at least one node site;

a hub site; and

means for coupling said at least one node site to said hub site, said hub site operable to communicate with said at least one node site and further operable to store said subject'"'"'s current and past performance data from said at least one node site.

2. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of test sites includes a plurality of test stations.

3. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 1 which further includes a plurality of node sites each of said plurality of node sites having a plurality of different test sites coupled thereto, and means coupling each of said node sites to said hub.

4. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said plurality of test sites to said at least one node site includes modem means and telephone lines.

5. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 1 wherein at last one of said test sites further includes surveillance means for remotely observing said subject during the time said test is being presented to said subject.

6. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 5 which further includes means for coupling said surveillance means to said node site.

7. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said test sites further includes a consultation area separate from said at least one test station.

8. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 7 wherein said consultation area further includes camera means for providing a record of said subject'"'"'s condition when said subject is in said consultation room.

9. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 8 wherein said consultation room further includes a test station.

10. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 9 wherein said consultation room further includes a means for testing the breath of said subject.

11. A system for interactively evaluating performance capabilities of a plurality of subjects at different and separated locations as defined in claim 10 wherein said consultation room further includes security alarm means coupled thereto.

12. An interactive method of evaluating performance capabilities of multiple test subjects to perform a task utilizing a computerized test system for comparing each said subject'"'"'s response to a test to each said subject'"'"'s previously generated base line, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) verifying the identity of each said test subject after said subject accesses a personal compute, said personal computer having a view screen and keyboard;

(b) determining if each said test subject has been tested within a predetermined period of time;

(c) if step (b) is negative, then accessing said each test subject'"'"'s previously stored personal performance base line test results from said test subject'"'"'s data base file, said data base file located physically distant from said personal computer;

(d) testing each said test subject utilizing a predetermined interactive test, said test presented to each said test subject on said personal computer view screen;

(e) recording each said test subject'"'"'s responses to said test as generated by each said test subject through said personal computer keyboard;

(f) communicating said recorded test results to each said test subject'"'"'s data base file;

(g) comparing said communicated recorded test results to each said test subject'"'"'s previously stored personal performance base line test results;

(h) determining if said communicated, recorded test results are different from each said test subject'"'"'s previously stored test results;

(i) retesting any of said test subjects at least one more time if said communicated, recorded test results are less than that test subject'"'"'s previously stored base line test results;

(j) conducting an interview said subject if that said subject'"'"'s retesting test results are less than that said subject'"'"'s previously stored base line test results; and

(k) discharging that said test subject from the performance of said task upon that said test subject'"'"'s failure to perform satisfactorily during said interview such that said repeated failure of that said subject to produce communicated recorded test results at least equal to said test subject'"'"'s previously stored base line test results can be overridden.

13. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said interview is performed by a Medical Review Officer.

14. A method as defined in claim 13 wherein said interview is performed using an interview video camera.