Maintaining a secure computing device in a test taking environment

• US 9,141,513 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2009
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kryterion, Inc. (Drake International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kryterion, Inc. (Drake International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Foster, David, Bonsall, Russ, Caddel, Jeff, Dormann, William, Perryman, Laura, Peeke-Vout, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/571,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20120077176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,182 Days
• Field of Search: 434/323, 434/350, 434/362
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3664 Environments for testing or debugging software
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• 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: 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
• 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: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security

Abstract

The presently disclosed invention provides for the security of a computing device in the context of a test taking environment. By securing a computing device, an individual (or group of individuals) may more effectively proctor a large examination without worrying about a test taker illicitly accessing information on their computer or via a remote source of data. Securing a computing device includes locking out or preventing access to any application not deemed necessary or appropriate by the test administrator.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for securing a computing device during a testing event, the method comprising:

receiving a testing protocol for the testing event, the testing protocol including limitations to be applied to the computing device during the testing event, the testing protocol received from a test server by the computing device over a communication network, wherein a testing routine delivers test data in accord with the testing protocol, the test data including test answers to test questions answered by a test-taker during the testing event;

granting access to the computing device before initiating execution of the testing routine, wherein granting access to the computing device allows the computing device to be searched for illicit files related to the testing routine;

applying the limitations by modifying a system registry of the computing device in accordance with the testing protocol, the system registry modified before executing the testing routine;

initiating execution of the testing routine corresponding to the testing event, the execution initiated after the system registry has been modified;

observing a keystroke log for attempts to switch to another account with a different system registry;

transmitting to a proctoring center in real-time a feed of on-screen activity displayed on the screen of the computing device, the transmission automatically triggered when the computing device detects an attempt to change the system registry of the computing device that is not in accordance with the testing protocol during the testing routine;

transmitting to the proctoring center in real-time the feed of the on-screen activity displayed on the screen of the computing device, the transmission automatically triggered when the computing device detects an attempt to switch to another account with a different system registry;

sending the test answers to the test server over the communication network when the testing routine is complete; and

locking the test answers when the testing routine is complete.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the limitations include limitations for the computing device during a particular portion of the testing routine.

3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the limitations include prohibiting execution of an application on the computing device.

4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 3, wherein the limitations identify applications allowed to execute on the computing device.

5. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the limitations include limiting functionality of an application when executed on the computing device.

6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the limitations include prohibiting access to certain data stored in memory of the computing device.

7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the limitations include restricting use of a hardware device of the computing device.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the hardware device is a network interface card of the computing device.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the limitations include allowing only certain types of data to be exchanged via the network interface card.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the limitations include disabling network connectivity of the network interface card for a particular portion of the testing routine.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the limitations correspond to occurrences of particular events of the testing routine.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the computing device locks the test answers after a test-taker clicks on a test complete icon.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the computing device locks the test answers after a test-taker activates a test complete button.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the computing device locks the test answers after an allotted time period.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, further comprising the test routine receiving the test questions from the testing server.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein environmental data is collected and sent to the proctoring center.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the proctoring center is the test server.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the environmental data are collected by a microphone.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the environmental data are collected by a camera.