Patent US3800439A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3800439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Test scoring apparatus
Assignee: SCAN TRON CORP
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Filing: 1972-05-04
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-05-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for scoring a test sheet having a control mark column containing (a) a start of test mark, (b) a plurality of answer control marks, and (c) an end of page mark and having answer receiving spaces associated with the answer control marks in either a ''''vertical'''' or ''''horizontal'''' format. The apparatus includes a control column sensor and circuitry distinguishing the (a), (b), and (c) control marks. Detection of a start of test mark enables mode selection circuitry to condition the apparatus in accordance with mode indicating marks on the sheet. For example detection of a ''''master'''' mark conditions the apparatus to enter answers from a master sheet into a correct answer memory. The absence of a master mark places the apparatus in the scoring mode. As each answer control mark is detected, answers from the answer spaces row aligned with that mark are entered into a storage register, then compared serially with data from the correct answer memory. Detection of an incorrect answer to a valid question causes an error mark to be printed on the test sheet; a correct answer increments a score counter. Detection of the end of page mark causes score printout. Provision is made for calculating the average score of many test sheets, and for rescoring individual tests with the same or a different set of stored correct answers.
Inventors
- 👤 M Sokolski
- 👤 T Poole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for scoring a test sheet having a control mark column beginning with (a) a start of test control mark, ending with (b) a page termination control mark and including therebetween a plurality of (c) answer control marks, said (a), (b) and (c) marks being of different size, and having a plurality of answer spaces for receiving indicia indicative of selected answers to multiple choice questions, said spaces being row aligned with said answer control marks, said apparatus comprising: control means including a control channel sensor for detecting said control marks, transport means for moving a test sheet past said sensor, and discrimination circuitry for distinguishing between said (a), (b) and (c) control marks, data channel sensors row aligned with said control channel sensor for sensing indicia in said answer spaces concurrently with detection of a control mark by said control channel sensor, means responsive to detection of an answer control mark for comparing said concurrently sensed indicia with a stored correct answer to the corresponding question and for advancing a scoring counter in response to said comparison, and means responsive to detection of said page termination control mark for causing print-out of the score in said counter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for scoring a test sheet having a control mark column beginning with (a) a start of test control mark, ending with (b) a page termination control mark and including therebetween a plurality of (c) answer control marks, said (a), (b) and (c) marks being of different size, and having a plurality of answer spaces for receiving indicia indicative of selected answers to multiple choice questions, said spaces being row aligned with said answer control marks, said apparatus comprising: control means including a control channel sensor for detecting said control marks, transport means for moving a test sheet past said sensor, and discrimination circuitry for distinguishing between said (a), (b) and (c) control marks, data channel sensors row aligned with said control channel sensor for sensing indicia in said answer spaces concurrently with detection of a control mark by said control channel sensor, means responsive to detection of an answer control mark for comparing said concurrently sensed indicia with a stored correct answer to the corresponding question and for advancing a scoring counter in response to said comparison, and means responsive to detection of said page termination control mark for causing print-out of the score in said counter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive also causes said scoring counter to reset.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising; a memory storing said correct answers in binary storage locations each associated with a respective test sheet answer space, address control means for accessing from said memory the correct answers related to spaces from which said concurrently sensed indicia is obtained, and means for initializing said address control means upon detection of said start of test control mark.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said page termination control mark also functions as an answer control mark, at least one answer space being row aligned with said page termination control mark.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 4 and operative with either a test sheet or a master sheet configured like a test sheet but containing correct answers to be stored by said apparatus, and wherein each master sheet and test sheet also includes spaces row aligned with said start of test control mark and containing mode selection indicia sensed by said data channel sensors, said apparatus further comprising: mode selection means enabled by detection of said start of test control mark for conditioning said apparatus to the mode specified by said mode selection indicia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising; program latch means set manually cooperating with detection of said start of test control mark to cause entry into said memory of correct answers sensed by said data channel sensors from a master sheet configured like said test sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 6 wherein one of said mode selection indicIa indicates that the sheet is a master sheet, said mode selection means conditioning entry of correct answers into said memory only upon sensing said one master sheet indicating indicia while said program latch means is set, sensing of said one indicia while said program latch means is not set conditioning said apparatus to verify that previously entered correct answers have been non-erroneously stored by said memory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a second of said mode selection indicia indicates whether the answer spaces associated with a single question are aligned horizontally with a single answer control mark or are individually aligned vertically with several successive answer control marks, said mode selection means conditioning addressing of said memory in accordance with whether horizontal or vertical format is specified.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said memory is divided into two or more sections each associated with answer spaces on separate pages of a multi-page test, and wherein other mode selection indicia indicate whether the sheet being sensed is the first page or another page, said mode selection means cooperating with said address control means and said initializing means to enter into or access from said memory correct answers associated with the test section contained on said sheet being sensed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 9 wherein only the last page of a multi-page test has a page termination control mark, the multiple pages of a single test being scored in order by said apparatus, said scoring counter advancing throughout scoring of said test, score print-out of the total score for the entire test occurring upon sensing of said page termination control mark at the end of said last page.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each page of a multi-page test has a page termination control mark, the test section score being printed-out at the end of the page containing that section, thereby enabling scoring of unsorted sheets of a multi-page test.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
208 words
A scoring apparatus for use with a test sheet comprising: a sheet of paper or like material having a first, generally straight longitudinal edge, a control mark column parallel to said first edge containing a start of test mark of first length, a plurality of answer control marks each of a second length different from said first length, each answer control mark being aligned with a corresponding answer row perpendicular to said first edge, and a page termination mark having a third length different from both said first and second lengths, and at least one answer column parallel to said control mark column but spaced therefrom, each answer row containing an answer receiving space aligned in each answer column, said test scoring apparatus having (a) means for separately, concurrently sensing from said test sheet both an answer control mark and all answer receiving spaces in the answer row corresponding to tha answer control mark, (b) means responsive to said start of test mark to initiate scoring of said test sheet, and (c) means responsive to said page termination mark to end scoring of said test sheet and to talley the number of correct answers marked in said test sheet answer receiving spaces and sensed by said (a) means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
208 words
A scoring apparatus for use with a test sheet comprising: a sheet of paper or like material having a first, generally straight longitudinal edge, a control mark column parallel to said first edge containing a start of test mark of first length, a plurality of answer control marks each of a second length different from said first length, each answer control mark being aligned with a corresponding answer row perpendicular to said first edge, and a page termination mark having a third length different from both said first and second lengths, and at least one answer column parallel to said control mark column but spaced therefrom, each answer row containing an answer receiving space aligned in each answer column, said test scoring apparatus having (a) means for separately, concurrently sensing from said test sheet both an answer control mark and all answer receiving spaces in the answer row corresponding to tha answer control mark, (b) means responsive to said start of test mark to initiate scoring of said test sheet, and (c) means responsive to said page termination mark to end scoring of said test sheet and to talley the number of correct answers marked in said test sheet answer receiving spaces and sensed by said (a) means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for scoring a test sheet of the type having plural indicia receiving spaces associated with answer options to a multiple choice question and having answer control marks row aligned with said spaces, comprising: detector means for concurrently sensing an answer control mark and any answer spaces row aligned therewith and for entering binary data corresponding to indicia in said sensed spaces in parallel into a shift register, drive means for transporting said test sheet past said detector means, shift control means for shifting said binary data serially from said register and for concurrently accessing stored answer data from a correct answEr memory, answer comparator means for serially comparing said binary data and said stored answer data for each question and for providing an increment score signal indicative of a correct answer to that question when said binary data and answer data match, said serial comparison being completed before said detector means senses the answer spaces associated with the next question.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for scoring a test sheet of the type having plural indicia receiving spaces associated with answer options to a multiple choice question and having answer control marks row aligned with said spaces, comprising: detector means for concurrently sensing an answer control mark and any answer spaces row aligned therewith and for entering binary data corresponding to indicia in said sensed spaces in parallel into a shift register, drive means for transporting said test sheet past said detector means, shift control means for shifting said binary data serially from said register and for concurrently accessing stored answer data from a correct answEr memory, answer comparator means for serially comparing said binary data and said stored answer data for each question and for providing an increment score signal indicative of a correct answer to that question when said binary data and answer data match, said serial comparison being completed before said detector means senses the answer spaces associated with the next question.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said comparator means comprises an exclusive or circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the plural answer spaces associated with one question are row aligned with a single answer control mark, answer data for the corresponding question being stored in consecutive binary storage locations of said memory, said shift control means accessing answer data from said consecutive locations in unison with said serial shifting and at a rate sufficient for comparison of all answer options to said one question prior to detection of the next answer control mark.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each of the plural answer spaces associated with one question is row aligned with a respective answer control mark, there being an end of question mark row aligned with the last answer space for said one question, answer data for the corresponding question being stored in consecutive binary storage locations of said memory, said shift control means accessing answer data from each of said consecutive locations as each answer control mark is sensed, said increment score signal being enabled upon detection of said end of question mark.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising valid question means cooperating with said answer comparator means for determining from said answer data whether a correct answer option to an associated question has been stored in said memory and for inhibiting said increment score signal if no such option has been stored.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said increment score signal advances both a scoring counter for said test sheet and a score accumulator for totaling the scores of a number of corrected test sheets.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a number of tests counter for tallying the number of corrected test sheets the scores of which have been totaled in said score accumulator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising means for computing the average score for said number of corrected test sheets by dividing the contents of said score accumulator by the contents of said number of tests counter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 20 together with means for entering into said correct answer memory answer data read from a master sheet configured like said test sheet, said means for entering also clearing the contents of said score accumulator and said number of tests counter when said answer data is entered.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said increment score signal advances a score counter having an associated printer, and wherein said test sheet has a termination mark of size different from said answer control marks by column aligned therewith, detection of said termination mark causing print-out of the contents of said score counter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
66 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said score counter comprises a decimal or binary coded decimal counter and further comprising a decimal printer and print logic enabled by detection of said termination mark to increment said printer as said score counter is decremented to zero, separate decimal columns of said printer being incremented as the corresponding decimal portions of said score counter are decremented.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising an error marker responsive to a mismatch between said binary data and said answer data for printing on said test sheet a mark adjacent an incorrect answer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
Test scoring apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising rescore means cooperating with said error marker and said printer for offsetting the mark printed by said error marker and the score print-out when a test sheet is rescored.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |