US3601906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Test grading device
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1969-02-10
•
Granted: 1971-08-31
•
Expires: 1989-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A test grading device in which movable sensors scan the corresponding answer indication areas of stationary answer sheets and an answer key; marking pens place marks on the answer sheet in the vicinity of the answer indication areas as to which the student''s answer indication disagrees with the answer indication in the corresponding answer indication areas of the answer key; a counting wheel steps in response to such disagreements; and the counting wheel count is printed on the answer sheet. In response to the scanning sensors'' repetitious movement across a stack of answer sheets, the counting wheel is reset before any answer indication areas of the answer sheet are scanned; feed legs for separately removing each scored answer sheet are cocked; the marking pen and counting wheel are enabled for each question following the completion of the scanning of the answer indication areas for the question; the sensors are reset prior to scanning the answer indication areas of each question; the marking pens mark the answer sheet; the score is printed on the answer sheet and the feed legs are released to remove the scored answer sheet from the test grading device. The feed legs remove only the top answer sheet from the stack by exerting through gripping pads a gripping force on the top answer sheet which force increases in response to feed leg movement until the top answer sheet is torn from a holding pin and then relaxes upon release of the top answer sheet from the holding pin. In a preferred embodiment, each sensor includes a photocell connected to the gate of an SCR reverse blocking triode thyristor. In this embodiment a reed switch with its coil connected between the anodes of corresponding SCRs closes to enable the marking pens and counting wheel when only one photocell of a corresponding pair senses a darkened answer indication area.
Inventors
- 👤 John L Roche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:56
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B3/00; G09B3/06; G09B3/08; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A test grading device for automatically scoring a plurality of answer sheets, each answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising holding means for forcibly holding a plurality of said answer sheets in a stationary stacked position; movable scanning means for movably scanning the answer indication areas of a said held answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between said indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for scoring each said held answer sheet in response to said signals provided by the comparing means; and removing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for removing seriatim from the holding device each said held answer sheet in response to said movement of the scanning means in completing said scanning of the answer indication areas of each said held answer sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A test grading device for automatically scoring a plurality of answer sheets, each answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising holding means for forcibly holding a plurality of said answer sheets in a stationary stacked position; movable scanning means for movably scanning the answer indication areas of a said held answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between said indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for scoring each said held answer sheet in response to said signals provided by the comparing means; and removing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for removing seriatim from the holding device each said held answer sheet in response to said movement of the scanning means in completing said scanning of the answer indication areas of each said held answer sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test grading device according to claim 1, wherein the removing means remove from the test grading device each answer sheet, the scoring of which has been completed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A test grading device according to claim 1, wherein the removing means are physically coupled to the scanning means for physically actuating the removing means in response to said movement of the scanning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A test grading device according to claim 3, wherein the removing means, when removing a said answer sheet, moves from a cocked poSition to a forward position, which test grading device further comprises resetting means physically coupled to the scanning means and responsive to the movement of the scanning means during at least a portion of said scanning of the answer indication areas of said answer sheet for physically resetting the removing means into said cocked position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
275 words
A test grading device according to claim 4, further comprising pin means for forcibly holding a stack of said answer sheets in a stationary position; and wherein the removing means and the resetting means comprise a stationary holder; a baseplate slideably mounted within the stationary holder to move between the cocked and the forward positions, which baseplate contains a lip for retentively hooking onto the holder when the baseplate is in the cocked position; spring means fastened to the holder and to the baseplate and exerting a force tending to move the baseplate away from the cocked position to the forward position; feed legs mounted to the baseplate, which feed legs are positioned, when the baseplate is in the cocked position, for engaging the top sheet on opposite sides of the pin means along a line perpendicular to the direction of said movement of the removing means and which feed legs are positioned, when the baseplate is moving, for engaging the top sheet in a said stack with sufficient force to overcome the force of the pin means; and telescoping linking arms coupling the scanning means to the baseplate, so that in response to the movement of the scanning means the baseplate moves into the cocked position during the first portion of the scanning means movement in scanning an answer sheet, and so that the baseplate lip is pulled from the holder in response to the scanning means moving past the point where the scanning of the answer indication areas of the answer sheet is completed, to release the baseplate to move forward in the holder in response to the force of the spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A test grading device according to claim 4, further comprising propping means operatively coupled to the removing means for propping the answer sheet removing means apart from the answer sheets during the resetting of the removing means wherein the propping means are positioned for said propping of the removing means, in response to the operation of the removing means in removing a said answer sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
217 words
A test grading device according to claim 4, wherein the answer sheet removing means and the resetting means include a stationary holder; a baseplate slideably mounted within the stationary holder to move between the cocked and the forward positions, which baseplate contains a lip for retentively hooking onto the holder when the baseplate is in the cocked position; spring means fastened to the holder and to the baseplate and exerting a force tending to move the baseplate away from the cocked position to the forward position; feed legs mounted to the baseplate, the feed legs each having a gripping means on one end, which gripping means are positioned to grip an answer sheet when the baseplate is in the cocked position; and telescoping linking arms coupling the scanning means to the baseplate, so that in response to the movement of the scanning means the baseplate moves into the cocked position during the first portion of the scanning means movement in scanning an answer sheet, and so that the baseplate lip is pulled from the holder in response to the scanning means moving past the point where the scanning of the answer indication areas of the answer sheet completed, to release the baseplate to move forward in the holder in response to the force of the spring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
A test grading device according to claim 7 wherein the feed legs are pivotally mounted to the baseplate; and further comprising holding means for forcibly holding the answer sheets in the stationary position; and wherein the pivotal axis of the feed legs is positioned higher than tHe gripping means and rearward of the gripping means in relation to the direction of movement of the baseplate from the cocked position to the forward position; whereby when the baseplate moves from the cocked position to the forward position the gripping means grip the gripped answer sheet with a bias force and an additional force which increases in response to the movement of the baseplate until the total gripping force upon the gripped answer sheet overcomes the force of the answer sheet holding means, and which said additional force relaxes in response to the overcoming of the said force of the answer sheet holding means upon the gripped answer sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A test grading device according to claim 8 further comprising propping means for propping the answer sheet removing means apart from the answer sheets during the resetting of the removing means; which propping means include a leg prop pivotally mounted to a feed leg to rest against the remover leg in a position for propping the gripping means from the answer sheets during the cocking of the baseplate; to swing into an inoperative position between the feed legs and the answer sheets when the baseplate is moving to its forward position; and to rest behind and off of the answer sheets when the baseplate is in its cocked position; and wherein the inertia of the feed legs when the baseplate reaches its forward position is such to swing the feed legs sufficiently above the answer sheets to cause the leg prop to swing from its inoperative position to its propping position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
A test grading device according to claim 1, wherein the holding means includes pin means for forcibly holding a stack of said answer sheets in a stationary position; and wherein the removing means include movable feed legs which are positioned for movement and for engaging the top sheet in a said stack on opposite sides of the pin means along a line perpendicular to the direction of said movement; which feed legs, when moving, engage said top sheet with sufficient force to tear said top sheet from said pin means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
A test grading device according to claim 1, further comprising delaying means operatively coupled to the scanning means for delaying each actuation of the scoring means until after the completion of scanning of each said corresponding answer indication areas to which the scoring means is responding, wherein the delaying means include strobe mark sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing strobe marks positioned in relation to the answer indication areas of the answer sheet and answer key and in relation to the strobe mark sensing means to be sensed by the strobe mark sensing means while the answer indication areas are not being scanned by the scanning means; and enabling means responsive to the sensing of a said strobe mark by the strobe mark sensing means for enabling the actuation of the scoring means only during the sensing of a said strobe mark.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
A test grading device according to claim 1 further comprising engaging means operatively coupled to the scanning means and responsive to the movement of the scanning means for physically engaging the scanning means with a said answer sheet prior to scanning the first question area of the answer sheet to enable the sensing of answer indications in said answer indication areas of said answer sheet; and disengaging means operatively coupled to the scanning means and responsive to the movement of the scanning means for disengaging the scanning means from said physically engaged answer sheet prior to removing said physically engaged answer sheet from the test grading device to enable the removal of said answer sheet from the test grading device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
325 words
A test grading device for scoring an answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of said answer sheet and the answer indication aReas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between said indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for scoring said answer sheet in response to said signals provided by the comparing means; and delaying means operatively coupled to the scanning means for delaying each actuation of the scoring means until after the completion of scanning of each said corresponding answer indication areas to which the scoring means is responding, wherein the delaying means include strobe mark sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing strobe marks positioned in relation to the answer indication areas of the answer sheet and answer key and in relation to the strobe mark sensing means to be sensed by the strobe mark sensing means while the answer indication areas are not being scanned by the scanning means; and enabling means responsive to the sensing of a said strobe mark by the strobe mark sensing means for enabling the actuation of the scoring means only during the sensing of a said strobe mark.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
325 words
A test grading device for scoring an answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of said answer sheet and the answer indication aReas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between said indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for scoring said answer sheet in response to said signals provided by the comparing means; and delaying means operatively coupled to the scanning means for delaying each actuation of the scoring means until after the completion of scanning of each said corresponding answer indication areas to which the scoring means is responding, wherein the delaying means include strobe mark sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing strobe marks positioned in relation to the answer indication areas of the answer sheet and answer key and in relation to the strobe mark sensing means to be sensed by the strobe mark sensing means while the answer indication areas are not being scanned by the scanning means; and enabling means responsive to the sensing of a said strobe mark by the strobe mark sensing means for enabling the actuation of the scoring means only during the sensing of a said strobe mark.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
144 words
A test grading device according to claim 13, wherein the answer sheet sensing means and answer key sensing means each include a maintaining means for maintaining answer indication response signals until a time during the sensing of the next strobe mark, which maintaining means include means for providing a first given signal until sensing a mark and a second given signal upon sensing said mark until reset to again provide a first given signal; and which test grading device further comprises resetting means responsive to the sensing of a said strobe mark by the strobe mark sensing means for resetting the maintaining means of the answer sheet sensing means and of the answer key sensing means to provide said first given signals following the sensing of a said strobe mark and before the scanning of the answer indication areas of the next scanned question.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
A test grading device according to claim 13, wherein the answer sheet sensing means and answer key sensing means each include maintaining means for maintaining answer indication response signals until a time during the sensing of the next sensed strobe mark, which maintaining means of either or both of the answer sheet sensing means and answer key sensing means include an SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) reverse blocking triode thyristor, which is connected to be turned on in response to the sensing of a predetermined answer indication in an answer indication area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
164 words
A test grading device according to claim 2, in which the answer sheet sensing means and answer key sensing means each include maintaining means for maintaining answer indication response signals until a time during the sensing of the next sensed strobe mark, and in which either or both of the answer sheet sensing means and answer key sensing means are capable of conducting to the scoring means an answer indication response signal of sufficient magnitude to actuate the scoring means without the necessity of intermediate current amplification, wherein an SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) reverse blocking triode thyristor provides the maintenance of the said answer indication response signal and prOvides the capability of the sensing means to conduct to the scoring means an answer indication response signal of sufficient magnitude to actuate the scoring means without the necessity of intermediate current amplification, which SCR is connected to be turned on in response to the sensing of a predetermined answer indication in an answer indication area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
106 words
A test grading device according to claim 13 wherein a corresponding pair of answer sheet and answer key sensing means comprise in combination a pair of photocells positioned to scan a corresponding pair of answer indication areas and connected between a first voltage potential source and ground; and a pair of SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) reverse blocking triode thyristors, the gate of each SCR being connected to a contact of a different photocell which contact is connected to the first voltage potential source, the cathode of each SCR being connected to ground, and the anode of each SCR being connected to a second voltage potential source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
A test grading device according to claim 17 in which the comparing means comprise a reed switch connected to a corresponding pair of answer sheet sensing means and answer key sensing means wherein the coil of the reed switch is connected between the respective anodes of the corresponding SCRs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
313 words
A test grading device for automatically scoring a plurality of stationary answer sheets, each answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising movable scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of a said answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing the answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with the answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between the indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for each said answer sheet in response to said signals provided by the comparing means; removing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for removing from the test grading device each answer sheet, the scanning of the answer indication areas of which has been completed; and holding means for forcibly holding a stack of said answer sheets in a stationary position; which removing means comprise moveable means which, when moving, engage the top sheet in a said stack with sufficient force to overcome the force of the holding means; which movable means comprise feed legs which are positioned for engaging the top answer sheet on opposite sides of the holding means along a line perpendicular to the direction of said movement of the removing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
313 words
A test grading device for automatically scoring a plurality of stationary answer sheets, each answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising movable scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of a said answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of each said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the movable scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing the answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with the answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between the indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for each said answer sheet in response to said signals provided by the comparing means; removing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for removing from the test grading device each answer sheet, the scanning of the answer indication areas of which has been completed; and holding means for forcibly holding a stack of said answer sheets in a stationary position; which removing means comprise moveable means which, when moving, engage the top sheet in a said stack with sufficient force to overcome the force of the holding means; which movable means comprise feed legs which are positioned for engaging the top answer sheet on opposite sides of the holding means along a line perpendicular to the direction of said movement of the removing means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
264 words
A test grading device for scoring an answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of said answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing the answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between said indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for scoring said answer sheet, in which either or both of the answer sheet sensing means and the answer key sensing means are capable of conducting to the scoring means an answer indication response signal of sufficient magnitude to actuate the scoring means without the necessity of intermediate current amplification, wherein either or both of said sensing means include an SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) reverse blocking triode thyristor, which is connected to be turned on in response to the sensing of a predetermined answer indication in an answer indication area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
264 words
A test grading device for scoring an answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of said answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing the answer indications in said scanned answer indication areas of said answer key; comparing means operatively coupled to the answer sheet sensing means and to the answer key sensing means for comparing answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between said indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means operatively coupled to the comparing means for scoring said answer sheet, in which either or both of the answer sheet sensing means and the answer key sensing means are capable of conducting to the scoring means an answer indication response signal of sufficient magnitude to actuate the scoring means without the necessity of intermediate current amplification, wherein either or both of said sensing means include an SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) reverse blocking triode thyristor, which is connected to be turned on in response to the sensing of a predetermined answer indication in an answer indication area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
287 words
A test grading device for scoring an answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of the answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of the answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing the answer indications in the scanned answer indication areas of the answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing the answer indications in the scanned answer indication areas of the answer key; comparing means for comparing the answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with the answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between the indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means responsive to the signals provided by the comparing means for scoring the answer sheet; and wherein a corresponding pair of answer sheet and answer key sensing means and corresponding comparing means in combination comprise a pair of photocells positioned to scan a corresponding pair of answer indication areas, and connected between a first voltage potential source and ground; a pair of SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) reverse blocking triode thyristors, the gate of each SCR being connected to a contact of a different photocell which contact is connected to the first voltage potential source, the cathode of each SCR being connected to ground, and the anode of each SCR being connected to a second voltage potential source; and a reed switch having its coil connected between the anodes of the two SCRs.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
287 words
A test grading device for scoring an answer sheet containing a plurality of answer indication areas for each question, comprising scanning means for scanning the answer indication areas of the answer sheet and the answer indication areas of an answer key, which answer key has answer indication areas corresponding to the answer indication areas of the answer sheet; answer sheet sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing the answer indications in the scanned answer indication areas of the answer sheet; answer key sensing means operatively coupled to the scanning means for sensing the answer indications in the scanned answer indication areas of the answer key; comparing means for comparing the answer indications sensed by the answer sheet sensing means with the answer indications sensed by the answer key sensing means, which comparing means provide signals indicating agreement or disagreement between the indications sensed from the answer sheet and the answer key; scoring means responsive to the signals provided by the comparing means for scoring the answer sheet; and wherein a corresponding pair of answer sheet and answer key sensing means and corresponding comparing means in combination comprise a pair of photocells positioned to scan a corresponding pair of answer indication areas, and connected between a first voltage potential source and ground; a pair of SCR (silicon controlled rectifier) reverse blocking triode thyristors, the gate of each SCR being connected to a contact of a different photocell which contact is connected to the first voltage potential source, the cathode of each SCR being connected to ground, and the anode of each SCR being connected to a second voltage potential source; and a reed switch having its coil connected between the anodes of the two SCRs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |