US5947747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for computer-based educational testing
Assignee: Walker Digital LLC
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Filing: 1996-05-09
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Granted: 1999-09-07
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Expires: 2016-05-09
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for computer-based evaluation of a test-taker's performance with respect to selected comparative norms. The system includes a home testing computer for transmitting the test-taker's test results to a central computer which derives a performance assessment of the test-taker. The performance assessment can be standardized or customized, as well as relative or absolute. Further, the transmitted test results are configured to reliably associate the student with his test results, using encoding, user identification, or corroborative techniques to deter fraud. Thus, for example, the system allows a parentally-controlled reward system such that children who reach specified objectives can claim an award that parents are confident was fairly and honestly earned without the parent being required to proctor the testing. Fraud, and the need for proctoring, is also deterred during multiple student testing via an option for simultaneous testing of geographically dispersed test-takers.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 Bruce Schneier
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:49
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A computer system, comprising: means for storing instructions and data comprising a test taker database having a record containing a test taker field representing a test taker identifying datum and a reward threshold field representing a reward threshold provided by an end user; means for receiving a score code having said test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; means for decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; means for retrieving said record of said test taker database corresponding to said test taker identifying datum and locating said corresponding reward threshold; means for comparing said test score relative to said reward threshold; and means for providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer system, comprising: means for storing instructions and data comprising a test taker database having a record containing a test taker field representing a test taker identifying datum and a reward threshold field representing a reward threshold provided by an end user; means for receiving a score code having said test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; means for decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; means for retrieving said record of said test taker database corresponding to said test taker identifying datum and locating said corresponding reward threshold; means for comparing said test score relative to said reward threshold; and means for providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer system, comprising: means for receiving a score code having a test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; means for decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; means for comparing said test score with a plurality of stored test scores; means for generating a performance indication based upon said comparison; and means for providing said performance indication to an end user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer system, comprising: means for receiving a score code having a test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; means for decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; means for comparing said test score with a plurality of stored test scores; means for generating a performance indication based upon said comparison; and means for providing said performance indication to an end user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
The computer system of claim 2, further comprising means for storing instructions and data comprising a test taker database and a test result database; wherein said test taker database comprises a record containing a test taker field representing said test taker identifying datum and a statistic field representing a statistical datum of said test taker; wherein said test result database comprises a plurality of score records, each score record containing a test result field representing one of said stored test scores, a software field representing a corresponding software identifier and a benchmark field representing a test benchmark.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer system of claim 3, wherein said means for comparing said test score is further configured to: retrieve said record from said test taker database and locate said statistical datum; and retrieve said plurality of score records from said test result database wherein said test benchmark is the same as said statistical datum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said test benchmark is a demographical identifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of claim 4, wherein said test benchmark is a geographical identifier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 3, wherein said test taker database further includes a reward threshold provided by said end user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system of claim 7, wherein said means for comparing said test score is further configured to locate said reward threshold, compare said test score relative to said reward threshold and provide a reward attainment message if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer system of claim 2, wherein said means for generating a performance indication is further configured to identify an area of weakness and generate a control message to said electronic testing device directing said electronic testing device to focus on said area of weakness during a subsequent testing session.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 9, wherein said control message is provided with said performance indication to said end user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: a computer system receiving a score code having a test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; said computer system decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; said computer system retrieving a record of a test taker database having a test taker field representing said test taker identifying datum and a reward threshold field representing a reward threshold provided by an end user; said computer system comparing said test score relative to said reward threshold; and said computer system providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: a computer system receiving a score code having a test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; said computer system decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; said computer system retrieving a record of a test taker database having a test taker field representing said test taker identifying datum and a reward threshold field representing a reward threshold provided by an end user; said computer system comparing said test score relative to said reward threshold; and said computer system providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: a computer system receiving a score code having a test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; said computer system decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; said computer system comparing said test score with a plurality of stored test scores; said computer system generating a performance indication based upon said comparison; and said computer system providing said performance indication to an end user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: a computer system receiving a score code having a test taker identifying datum and a test score incorporated therein encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; said computer system decoding said score code and distinguishing said test taker identifying datum from said test score; said computer system comparing said test score with a plurality of stored test scores; said computer system generating a performance indication based upon said comparison; and said computer system providing said performance indication to an end user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
97 words
The testing method of claim 12, wherein said computer system comprises a memory device comprising a test taker database and a test result database; wherein said test taker database comprises a record containing a test taker field representing said test taker identifying datum and a statistic field representing a statistical datum of said test taker; wherein said test result database comprises a plurality of score records, each score record containing a test result field representing one of said stored test scores, a software field representing a corresponding software identifier and a benchmark field representing a test benchmark.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The testing method of claim 13, wherein the step of said computer system comparing said test score further comprises the steps of: retrieving said record from said test taker database and locating said statistical datum; and retrieving said plurality of score records from said test result database wherein said test benchmark is the same as said statistical datum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The testing method of claim 14, wherein said test benchmark is a demographical identifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The testing method of claim 14, wherein said test benchmark is a geographical identifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The testing method of claim 13, wherein said test taker database further includes a reward threshold provided by said end user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The testing method of claim 17, wherein the step of said computer system comparing said test score further comprises the steps of: locating said reward threshold; comparing said test score relative to said reward threshold; and providing a reward attainment message if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The testing method of claim 12, wherein the step of said computer system generating a performance indication further comprises the steps of: identifying an area of weakness; and generating a control message to said electronic testing device to direct said electronic testing device to focus on said area of weakness during a subsequent testing session.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The testing method of claim 19, wherein the step of said computer system providing said performance indication further comprises the step of providing said control message to said end user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer system, comprising: means for receiving a test score encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; means for decoding said test score; means for comparing said test score against a reward threshold specified by an end user; and means for providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test taker has attained said reward threshold.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer system, comprising: means for receiving a test score encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; means for decoding said test score; means for comparing said test score against a reward threshold specified by an end user; and means for providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test taker has attained said reward threshold.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
70 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: a computer system receiving a test score encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; said computer system decoding said test score; said computer system comparing said test score against a reward threshold specified by an end user; and said computer system providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test taker has attained said reward threshold.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: a computer system receiving a test score encoded by an electronic testing device associated with a test taker; said computer system decoding said test score; said computer system comparing said test score against a reward threshold specified by an end user; and said computer system providing a reward attainment message to said end user if said test taker has attained said reward threshold.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer device, comprising: means for administering a test to a test taker; means for generating a test score and incorporating said test score and a test taker identifying datum into a score code; means for encoding said score code; and means for transmitting said encoded score code to a central computer; wherein said central computer decodes said encoded score code and distinguishes said test taker identifying datum from said test score, retrieves a corresponding reward threshold, compares said test score relative to said reward threshold and provides a reward attainment message to an end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer device, comprising: means for administering a test to a test taker; means for generating a test score and incorporating said test score and a test taker identifying datum into a score code; means for encoding said score code; and means for transmitting said encoded score code to a central computer; wherein said central computer decodes said encoded score code and distinguishes said test taker identifying datum from said test score, retrieves a corresponding reward threshold, compares said test score relative to said reward threshold and provides a reward attainment message to an end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
99 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: administering a test to a test taker; generating a test score and incorporating said test score and a test taker identifying datum into a score code; encoding said score code; and transmitting said encoded score code to a central computer; wherein said central computer decodes said encoded score code and distinguishes said test taker identifying datum from said test score, retrieves a corresponding reward threshold, compares said test score relative to said reward threshold and provides a reward attainment message to an end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
99 words
A testing method, comprising the steps of: administering a test to a test taker; generating a test score and incorporating said test score and a test taker identifying datum into a score code; encoding said score code; and transmitting said encoded score code to a central computer; wherein said central computer decodes said encoded score code and distinguishes said test taker identifying datum from said test score, retrieves a corresponding reward threshold, compares said test score relative to said reward threshold and provides a reward attainment message to an end user if said test score exceeds said reward threshold.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer-based method for evaluating the performance of an individual associated with an electronic testing device, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an encoded test result, originating from said testing device, at a central computer; (b) decoding the received test result; (c) comparing the decoded test result with a test benchmark; and (d) providing a performance indication of the individual with respect to the test benchmark.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer-based method for evaluating the performance of an individual associated with an electronic testing device, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an encoded test result, originating from said testing device, at a central computer; (b) decoding the received test result; (c) comparing the decoded test result with a test benchmark; and (d) providing a performance indication of the individual with respect to the test benchmark.
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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) | 2002-09-06 | 2003-03-08 | 2003-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-06 | 2007-03-08 | 2007-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-08 | 2011-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |