Information processing device, operating mode control system, control method, and program

Abstract

To improve fairness when multiple users use electronic devices in a mode where each user has limited available features. [Solution] The information processing device (2) includes a communication unit (240) that can wirelessly connect to a plurality of electronic devices (3, 4) which can be selectively set to either a standard mode or a function-restricted mode in which the available functions are more limited than in the standard mode, and a control unit (200) that, when the number of electronic devices wirelessly connected to the communication unit reaches a predetermined number (N), simultaneously transmits transition instruction information to a predetermined number of electronic devices via the communication unit, instructing them to switch to the function-restricted mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an operation mode control system, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, tests conducted at schools and the like include tests that can use portable computers and the like sometimes called scientific calculators, and tests that have examinees solve problems using computers. Among electronic devices such as scientific calculators that can be used during a test, there are those that can switch between a standard mode in which all of the multiple functions provided by the electronic device can be used and a test mode in which only some of all the functions, those permitted to be used during the test, can be used. As a method for preventing examinees from misusing this type of electronic device in the standard mode during a test, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of generating and recording a signal indicating that a change has occurred when changing from the test mode to the standard mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When conducting a test in which the above-described electronic device can be used, each examinee's electronic device is switched from the standard mode to the test mode before the start of the test. For this reason, the period from when each examinee's electronic device is switched to the test mode until the start of the test may be different, resulting in low fairness.

[0005] <清 One object of the present invention is to enhance fairness when using an electronic device in a mode in which the functions available to each of a plurality of users are restricted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that can wirelessly connect to a plurality of electronic devices, which can selectively set to either a standard mode or a function-restricted mode in which the available functions are more limited than those of the standard mode; and a control unit that, when the number of electronic devices wirelessly connected to the communication unit reaches a predetermined number, simultaneously transmits transition instruction information to the predetermined number of electronic devices via the communication unit, instructing them to transition to the function-restricted mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above embodiment, fairness can be enhanced when multiple users use an electronic device in a mode in which the available functions are limited for each user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a monitoring system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the external configuration of a scientific calculator. [Figure 3] This table illustrates examples of function restriction modes on scientific calculators. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the process performed by the monitoring system before the start of the test. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the processes performed by the monitoring system after the start of the test. [Figure 6] Figures 6A to 6C illustrate examples of display screens shown on the examiner's terminal. [Figure 7] Figures 7A and 7B are topology diagrams illustrating examples of communication configurations between the examiner terminal and multiple scientific calculators. [Figure 8] This flowchart illustrates an example of the processing performed by a scientific calculator upon receiving information about the transition to test mode. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram illustrating another example of electronic equipment used by test takers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the term "examination" refers to an examination in which examinees answer questions posed by a question creator (e.g., a school teacher, a question creator for a certification exam, etc.), such as an academic ability test conducted at a school. In this specification, the terms "standard mode" and "examination mode" refer to operating modes of an electronic device associated with the available functions among the functions that the electronic device possesses. "Standard mode" may be an operating mode in which all functions of the electronic device are available, and "examination mode" may be an operating mode in which only functions permitted to be used during the examination by the examination administering body (e.g., the question creator) are available. During the examination refers to the period from the start to the end of the examination, and will be referred to as "during the examination" in the following description.

[0010] The monitoring system 1 illustrated in Figure 1 may include an examiner terminal 2 and multiple scientific calculators, including the three scientific calculators 3A to 3C shown. The letters following the number "3" in the three scientific calculators 3A to 3C are added to distinguish the three scientific calculators. In the following description of scientific calculators, a code including an letter will be used only when referring to a specific scientific calculator among multiple scientific calculators; otherwise, it will simply be referred to as "scientific calculator 3". The illustrated monitoring system 1 may be a system for monitoring whether the scientific calculator 3 used by the examinee during the exam is operating in the appropriate exam mode. In another aspect, monitoring system 1 may be an example of an operating mode control system in which an information processing device (examiner terminal 2) controls the operating modes of multiple electronic devices (scientific calculators 3). The examiner terminal 2 is a terminal used by the examiner (exam supervisor) to monitor whether the examinee is cheating during the exam. Scientific calculator 3 is an example of an electronic device that can be used by the examinee during the exam under predetermined conditions. The prescribed conditions may include, for example, operating the electronic device in a test mode that allows only the functions permitted for use in the test being conducted. The scientific calculator 3 may be brought by the examinee or lent to the examinee by the test administering body, etc. Multiple scientific calculators 3 can be wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 according to a common wireless communication standard. The wireless communication standard for wirelessly connecting the examiner terminal 2 and the scientific calculator 3 may be, for example, Bluetooth® or Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0011] The examiner terminal 2 may be an information processing device capable of wirelessly connecting to multiple scientific calculators 3 and displaying the number and identification information of the wirelessly connected scientific calculators 3 to the examiner. The information processing device as the examiner terminal 2 can also simultaneously transmit instructions to the scientific calculators 3 wirelessly connected to it to switch from standard mode to test mode and instructions to switch from test mode to standard mode (instructions to deactivate test mode). The examiner terminal 2 may be a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone, but it may also be another type of computer capable of wirelessly connecting to the scientific calculators 3 (e.g., a desktop personal computer).

[0012] As illustrated in Figure 1, the examiner terminal 2 includes a control unit 200, a storage unit 210, an input unit 220, a display unit 230, and a communication unit 240, which are interconnected by a bus 290. The control unit 200 controls the operation of the examiner terminal 2. The control unit 200 may be a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a monitoring program including processing described later with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The storage unit 210 stores the monitoring program executed by the processor, as well as other programs and various types of information. The storage unit 210 may include ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) as main memory, as well as auxiliary storage devices such as SSDs (Solid State Drives). The auxiliary storage devices may include portable recording media such as memory cards, HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), etc. The input unit 220 is an input device that detects various input operations to the examiner terminal 2 by the user (examiner). The display unit 230 is a display device that displays various information related to the operation of the examiner terminal 2. The communication unit 240 is a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating with electronic devices such as a scientific calculator 3, for example, using Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy. The examiner terminal 2 is not limited to a specific hardware configuration. The examiner terminal 2 is not limited to a general-purpose computer such as a mobile terminal capable of executing various programs, including monitoring programs; it may also be a dedicated terminal designed and manufactured for use with the monitoring system 1.

[0013] As illustrated in Figure 1, the scientific calculator 3 includes a control unit 300, a memory unit 310, an input unit 320, a display unit 330, and a communication unit 340, which are interconnected by a bus 390. The control unit 300 controls the operation of the scientific calculator 3. The control unit 300 may be a processor such as a CPU that executes the calculator control program. The memory unit 310 stores the calculator control program executed by the processor and various information. The memory unit 310 includes ROM and RAM as main memory, and may further include additional memory that stores functions, equations, mathematical tables, programs, etc., entered (created) by the user. The input unit 320 is an input device that detects various input operations on the scientific calculator 3 by the user (examinee). The display unit 330 is a display device that displays various information regarding the operation of the scientific calculator 3. The communication unit 340 is a wireless communication device for wireless communication with the examiner terminal 2, for example, according to Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0014] As illustrated in Figure 2, the scientific calculator 3 has a key layout section as an input section 320 and a display section as a display unit 330 on one main surface of the device housing. The device housing has a sufficiently small distance (thickness dimension) between the main surface and its back surface compared to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the main surface on which the key layout section (input section 320) and the display unit (display unit 330) are located, allowing the user to easily grasp and operate it with one hand. The scientific calculator 3 is an example of an electronic device that can switch between a "standard mode" in which all functions of the device are available and a "test mode" in which only the functions permitted to be used during testing are available.

[0015] In the key array section (input section 320), there are arranged a numerical value / operation symbol key group 321, a function key group 322, a shift key ([SHIFT]) 323, a menu key ([MENU]) 324, a cursor key 325, etc. In this specification, characters, character strings, symbols, etc. sandwiched between the initial and final angle brackets such as [SHIFT] indicate the keys arranged in the key array section (input section 320) of the scientific calculator 3 illustrated in FIG. 2. The number, types, and order of arrangement of the keys arranged in the key array section (input section 320) are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 2. The keys arranged in the key array section may be hardware keys or software keys. Also, both hardware keys and software keys may be arranged.

[0016] The display (display section 330) of the scientific calculator 3 can be a dot matrix type liquid crystal display unit or the like. On the display section, there are displayed a calculation formula input by the user operating the keys of the key array section (input section 320), its solution, a menu screen for selecting any one of a plurality of functions provided in the scientific calculator 3, etc.

[0017] The scientific calculator 3 has functions to perform basic arithmetic operations, as well as multiple functions that enable, for example, statistical processing, spreadsheet calculations, graph drawing, and program creation. Users of the scientific calculator 3 can select and use desired functions from among the multiple functions provided by the scientific calculator 3, for example, from a menu screen displayed on the display (display unit 330) when the menu key 324 is pressed. In one embodiment, the scientific calculator 3 can switch between a "standard mode" in which all functions provided by the device are available, and a "test mode" in which only functions permitted to be used during the test are available. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the scientific calculator 3 may change the available functions depending on the test the user is taking. The scientific calculator 3 has multiple test modes with different available functions, as illustrated in Table 311 in Figure 3, and users can select one of the multiple test modes depending on the test being performed. As an example, Table 311 shows the functions available in the standard mode, the first test mode, and the second test mode of the scientific calculator 3, which has five functions, "Function #1" to "Function #5," available. The first and second test modes differ in their combination of available functions. The first and second test modes are associated with different subjects or courses of study. For example, the first test mode may be the mode set when taking the "Mathematics IIA" exam, and the second test mode may be the mode set when taking the "Mathematics IIB" exam. Alternatively, for example, the first test mode may be the mode set when taking the "Mathematics" exam, and the second test mode may be the mode set when taking the "Science (Physics, etc.)" exam. Note that the scientific calculator 3 may have only one test mode.

[0018] The scientific calculator 3 according to one embodiment stores, in the storage unit 310, information indicating functions that can be used in the test mode corresponding to the table 311 illustrated in FIG. 3. The information indicating functions that can be used in the test mode can be stored in the storage unit 310, for example, at the manufacturing stage of the scientific calculator 3. The information indicating functions that can be used in the test mode may be included, for example, in the test mode transition information transmitted from the examiner terminal 2 to the scientific calculator 3 before the start of the test. In this example, the scientific calculator 3 restricts functions that can be selected by a user (test taker) among all the functions provided in the device based on the information indicating functions that can be used during the test included in the test mode transition information.

[0019] Next, the processing performed in the monitoring system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The examiner terminal 2 performs the processing illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 mainly by the control unit 200. The scientific calculator 3 performs the processing illustrated in FIGS. The monitoring system 1 can include a plurality of scientific calculators 3 not illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the scientific calculator 3 not illustrated also performs the processing illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 mainly by the control unit 300.

[0020] In the monitoring system 1, the pre-test processing illustrated in Figure 4 is performed first. Before the test starts, the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 sets the number of monitoring devices N of the scientific calculator 3 in response to an operation by the examiner and turns on the wireless communication function of the examiner terminal 2 (S200), and establishes a wireless connection with the scientific calculator 3 that each examinee will use during the test (step S201). The number of monitoring devices N is the number of scientific calculators 3 that are wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 during the test, and in one example, it is the number of examinees monitored by the examiner using the examiner terminal 2. The control unit 300 of the scientific calculator 3 that each examinee uses during the test turns on the wireless communication function of the scientific calculator 3 in response to an operation by the examinee and sets the connection destination to the examiner terminal 2 (S300). If the wireless communication standard used is Bluetooth Low Energy, the examiner terminal 2 becomes the central (master) and the multiple scientific calculators 3 become peripherals (slave) devices. In step S201, the display unit 230 of the examiner terminal 2 displays the identification information of the scientific calculator 3 whose wireless communication function is turned on and which is emitting advertisements. When the examiner performs the operation to select the scientific calculator 3 to pair (wirelessly connect) with the examiner terminal 2, the selected scientific calculator 3 and the examiner terminal 2 are paired.

[0021] In step S201, the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 may display the wireless connection information screen 900, as illustrated in Figure 6A, on the display unit 230. The wireless connection information screen 900 includes connected device count information 911, a device list 912, and an information transmission button 913. The connected device count information 911 includes the number of scientific calculators 3 wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 (number of connected devices M) and the number of monitoring devices N set in step S200, which are displayed in the format "M / N" in Figure 6A. The information transmission button 913 is a button that accepts the transmission of information instructing the transition to test mode (hereinafter referred to as "test mode transition information"), and becomes active, for example, when the number of connected devices M and the number of monitoring devices N equal M=N. The device list 912 displays the identification information of the scientific calculators 3 detected by the examiner terminal 2 and information indicating the connection status. For example, when an examiner selects a scientific calculator 3 whose connection status information in the device list 912 is "Not Connected", the control unit 200 pairs (wirelessly connects) the selected scientific calculator 3 with the examiner terminal 2 and updates the value of the number of connected devices M in the connected device count information 911. The control unit 200 may also automatically pair (wirelessly connect) the scientific calculator 3 with the examiner terminal 2 when it detects a scientific calculator 3 whose connection status is "Not Connected". The wireless connection process in step S201 may be a well-known process according to the wireless communication standard applicable to the wireless connection between the examiner terminal 2 and the scientific calculator 3. For this reason, a detailed explanation of the wireless connection process in step S201 is omitted in this specification.

[0022] When the number of connected devices M is updated in step S201, for example, the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 determines whether the magnitude relationship between the number of connected devices M and the number of monitored devices N is M = N (step S202). If it is determined that M ≠ N (step S202; NO), the control unit 200 determines whether M < N (step S203). If it is determined that M < N (step S203; YES), the control unit 200 performs the processes of steps S201 and S202 until M = N. When it is determined in step S202 that M = N (step S202; YES), the control unit 200 transmits the test mode transition information to a predetermined number (N) of function calculators 3 that are wirelessly connected all at once (step S206). In step S206, the control unit 200, for example, enables the information transmission button 913 on the wireless connection information screen 900 in FIG. 6A, and when the information transmission button 913 is pressed, transmits the test mode transition information to the function calculators 3 that are "connected" in the device list 912 all at once.

[0023] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that M < N is not true, the relationship between the number of connected devices M and the number of monitoring devices N is M > N, and an electronic device other than the function calculator 3 to be monitored is paired (wirelessly connected) with the examiner terminal 2. Therefore, if it is determined in step S203 that M < N is not true (step S203; NO), the control unit 200 issues an alert notification to notify the examiner that an electronic device other than the function calculator 3 to be monitored is wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 (step S204). In step S204, the control unit 200, for example, adds information indicating that M > N to the wireless connection information screen 900 shown in FIG. 6A and causes the display unit 230 to display it. The control unit 200 performs processing such as changing the M / N (M > N) of the connected device number information 911 to a prominent color, blinking it, or adding character information to the wireless connection information screen 900, and causes the display unit 230 to display it. The alert notification in step S204 is preferably a notification that does not include sounds, vibrations, etc. so as not to interfere with the examinee's concentration on the test. The examiner or the like who receives the alert notification identifies the cause of M > N and takes measures to make M = N. After the measures are taken, when the examiner terminal 2 receives an alert cancellation operation on the examiner terminal 2 by the examiner (step S205), the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 transmits the test mode transition information to the plurality of function calculators 3 connected wirelessly all at once (step S206). Note that as a result of taking measures in response to the alert notification, M < N may also occur. Therefore, although not shown in FIG. 4, after receiving the alert cancellation operation in step S205, the examiner terminal 2 may make the determination in step S202. By doing so, for example, it is possible to prevent some of the function calculators 3 to be monitored from transmitting the test mode transition information all at once in a state where they are not wirelessly connected due to an electronic device other than the function calculator 3 used by the examinee during the test being wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2.

[0024] In step S206, the examiner terminal 2 may automatically send test mode transition information to each scientific calculator 3 simultaneously when the number M of wirelessly connected scientific calculators 3 reaches a predetermined number N. For example, a list of identification information for the scientific calculators 3 that examinees will use during the test may be stored in the memory unit 210 of the examiner terminal 2 before the start of the test, and the examiner terminal 2 may send test mode transition information simultaneously when it is determined in step S201 that all scientific calculators 3 registered in the list are wirelessly connected. This reduces the workload on the examiner in verifying the wirelessly connected scientific calculators 3 immediately before the start of the test.

[0025] In step S206, the test mode transition information transmitted by the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 may include, for example, information specifying one of several test modes that can be set on the scientific calculator 3. For example, if the scientific calculator 3 can selectively set the first test mode and the second test mode as described above with reference to Figure 3, the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 generates test mode transition information including information specifying the test mode to transition to from the first test mode and the second test mode, and transmits it to each scientific calculator 3. The information specifying the test mode is not limited to information that identifies the test mode (for example, information such as "test mode 1" or "test mode 2"), but may also be information indicating the subject or course associated with the test mode. Furthermore, the test mode transition information may also be information indicating the functions available during the test. Upon receiving the test mode transition information transmitted by the examiner terminal 2, the control unit 300 of each scientific calculator 3 transitions the scientific calculator 3 from standard mode to test mode based on the received test mode transition information (step S301), and transmits information (hereinafter referred to as "transition completion notification") to the examiner terminal 2 indicating that the transition to test mode has been completed. The transition completion notification only needs to contain information that allows the examiner terminal 2 to identify the scientific calculator 3 that has completed the transition to test mode, and is not limited to information in a specific format.

[0026] As described above, in the monitoring system 1 according to one embodiment, when the number M of scientific calculators 3 wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 reaches a predetermined number N, the examiner terminal 2 simultaneously transmits test mode transition information to each scientific calculator 3, causing each scientific calculator 3 to transition to test mode. Therefore, multiple scientific calculators 3 transition from standard mode to test mode at substantially the same time. Accordingly, the illustrated monitoring system 1 prevents differences in the time between each scientific calculator 3 transitioning to test mode and the start of the test, thereby ensuring a high degree of fairness. Furthermore, in the monitoring system 1 according to the embodiment, each scientific calculator 3 transitions to test mode based on the test mode transition information from the examiner terminal 2. Therefore, for example, if it is possible to selectively transition to multiple test modes with different combinations of available functions, it is possible to prevent a decrease in fairness, such as transitioning to the wrong (inappropriate) test mode and being unable to use some of the available functions during the test. In addition, it is possible to prevent examinees from intentionally enabling functions that are prohibited from being used during the test using their scientific calculator 3, thus reducing the burden on examinees in verifying whether each examinee's scientific calculator 3 is operating in the appropriate test mode.

[0027] Furthermore, the examiner terminal 2 of the illustrated monitoring system 1, after simultaneously transmitting test mode transition information, monitors for notifications of completion of transition to test mode from the N scientific calculators 3 that are subject to monitoring (step S207). In step S207, the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 can, for example, display the transition status confirmation screen 901 shown in Figure 6B on the display unit 230. The transition status confirmation screen 901 includes connected device number information 911, device list 912, and transitioned device number information 914. The transitioned device number information 914 displays the number of scientific calculators 3 that have sent a test mode transition completion notification (transition completion number Q) and the number of monitored devices N in the format "Q / N". The transition status confirmation screen 901 may also include an information transmission button 915 that accepts the transmission of information instructing a transition to standard mode (hereinafter referred to as "standard mode transition information"), as illustrated in Figure 6B. The information transmission button 915 is used, for example, to simultaneously transmit standard mode transition information to switch each scientific calculator 3 from test mode to standard mode at the end of the test.

[0028] When the transition status confirmation screen 901 is displayed on the examiner's terminal 2, the examiner can start the exam after confirming that the number of completed transitions Q has reached Q=N. Therefore, the monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment can prevent examinees from using a scientific calculator 3 that has not transitioned from standard mode to exam mode for any reason during the exam. In addition, the examiner can use the connected device count information 911 and the device list 912 included in the transition status confirmation screen 901 to check for any scientific calculators 3 whose wireless connection has been disconnected for any reason. By checking for any scientific calculators 3 whose wireless connection has been disconnected, it is possible to prevent situations where a scientific calculator 3 becomes unusable during the exam due to, for example, a dead battery. When the transition status confirmation screen 901 is displayed on the examiner's terminal 2, the examiner can avoid the task of visually checking the display of the scientific calculator 3 before and during the exam to confirm the operating status of each examinee's scientific calculator 3 (for example, whether it is in the appropriate exam mode, whether the battery is dead, etc.). Therefore, this reduces the workload on examiners, who are responsible for tasks performed before and during the exam to prevent cheating by examinees and to avoid situations that could compromise fairness, such as the inability to use scientific calculators.

[0029] Once it is confirmed that all of the multiple scientific calculators 3 to be monitored have transitioned from standard mode to test mode and the test is started, the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 monitors the number of connected terminals. Specifically, the control unit 200 detects the number of scientific calculators 3 wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 (number of connected devices M) (step S208) and determines whether M=N (step S209), and continues this process until the test is completed. If it is determined that the relationship between the number of connected devices M detected in step S208 and the number of monitored devices N is M=N (step S209; YES), the control unit 200 determines whether the test has been completed (step S212). If it is determined that the test has not been completed (step S212; NO), the process from step S208 onwards is repeated. In step S212, the control unit 200 determines whether the test has been completed based, for example, on whether the information transmission button 915 for sending standard mode transition information to the scientific calculator 3, which is included in the transition status confirmation screen 901 in Figure 6B, has been pressed. If it is determined in step S209 that M=N is not true (step S209; NO), the control unit 200 issues an alert notification to the examiner that there is a scientific calculator 3 whose wireless connection to the examiner terminal 2 has been disconnected (step S210). In step S210, the control unit 200 displays, for example, the alert screen 902 shown in Figure 6C on the display unit 230. The alert screen 902 includes connected device count information 911, a device list 912, alert information 916, and an alert cancellation button 917. The alert notification in step S210 is preferably a notification that does not include sound or vibration so as not to disturb the examinee's concentration on the exam. The examiner who receives the alert notification can, for example, use the device list 912, etc., to identify the scientific calculator 3 whose wireless connection has been disconnected and take appropriate action. After the action is taken, when the examiner terminal 2 receives an alert cancellation operation from the examiner (an operation to press the alert cancellation button 917) (step S211), the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 determines whether the test has ended or not (step S212).

[0030] In this way, by monitoring the number of scientific calculators 3 wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 during the exam, it is possible to check whether any scientific calculators 3 have lost their wireless connection for any reason. By checking whether any scientific calculators 3 have lost their wireless connection, it is possible to detect early on, for example, a scientific calculator 3 that has become unusable due to a dead battery, thereby preventing a decrease in fairness due to the inability to use a scientific calculator 3 during the exam.

[0031] If it is determined in step S212 that the test has ended (step S212; YES), the control unit 200 of the examiner terminal 2 simultaneously transmits standard mode transition information to multiple wirelessly connected scientific calculators 3 (step S213). The standard mode transition information includes information that transitions the operating mode of the scientific calculator 3 from test mode to standard mode. Upon receiving the standard mode transition information transmitted by the examiner terminal 2, the control unit 300 of each scientific calculator 3 transitions its operating mode from test mode to standard mode (step S308) and disconnects the wireless connection with the examiner terminal 2 (step S309). In this way, by transitioning the operating mode of the scientific calculator 3 to standard mode after the test is completed, the convenience for the user of the scientific calculator 3 is improved, as functions that are unavailable in test mode can be used immediately, compared to, for example, if the scientific calculator 3 remains in test mode for a certain period after the test is completed. Furthermore, by having the scientific calculator 3 disconnect wirelessly from the examiner terminal 2, the transmission and reception of signals (information) to disconnect wirelessly between the examiner terminal 2 and each scientific calculator 3 is omitted, for example, reducing the processing load on the monitoring system 1 after the end of the test. The standard mode transition information transmitted by the examiner terminal 2 in step S213 may be an example of release instruction information that instructs the scientific calculators 3, which are wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2, to release the test mode (function restriction mode). In step S213, instead of standard mode transition information, the examiner terminal 2 may simultaneously transmit information that releases the setting to disable functions that have been set to be unavailable by the test mode transition information, or information that enables all functions. In step S213, for example, standard mode transition information (release instruction information) may be transmitted simultaneously to each scientific calculator 3 based on user operation on the buttons displayed on the display unit 230. This prevents, for example, the standard mode transition information (release instruction information) from being transmitted before the end of the test.

[0032] In the monitoring system 1 described above, the multiple scientific calculators 3 only need to be wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 according to a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth Low Energy, and the connection configuration (network topology) is not limited to a specific configuration. For example, as shown in the monitoring system 1 in Figure 7A, each scientific calculator 3 may be wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 directly (in other words, without going through other scientific calculators 3). The connection configuration between the examiner terminal 2 and the multiple scientific calculators 3 in the monitoring system 1 illustrated in Figure 7A is called a broadcast type, star type, hub-and-spoke type, etc. The scientific calculators 3 that are wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 are not limited to the four scientific calculators 3A to 3D illustrated in Figure 7A. More scientific calculators 3 may be wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 during the examination. Note that depending on the wireless communication standard, there may be a limit to the number of electronic devices (scientific calculators 3) that can be wirelessly connected to one examiner terminal 2 at the same time, and it may not be possible to wirelessly connect all scientific calculators 3 in the examination venue (e.g., a school classroom) to one examiner terminal 2. In such cases, for example, multiple examiner terminals 2 may be prepared, and each examinee may be instructed before the start of the exam to specify which examiner terminal 2 their scientific calculator 3 should be wirelessly connected to.

[0033] Furthermore, in the monitoring system 1 according to the embodiment, due to limitations in the range of radio waves that can reach according to the wireless communication standard (the range in which a stable wireless connection can be established), it is possible that some of the scientific calculators 3 in the examination room may not be able to establish a wireless connection with the examiner terminal 2. For example, in the case of Bluetooth, the range of radio waves is about 10m to 100m, so in an examination room accommodating several dozen to over a hundred examinees, the broadcast-type monitoring system 1 illustrated in Figure 7A may not be able to establish a stable wireless connection with some of the scientific calculators 3 (for example, scientific calculator 3D) with the examiner terminal 2. Moreover, if the examiner using the examiner terminal 2 moves around the examination room with the examiner terminal 2 during the examination, the wireless connection between the scientific calculator 3 and the examiner terminal 2 may be unintentionally disconnected depending on the location of the examiner terminal 2 within the examination room. In addition, if a wireless communication standard with a wide range is applied, problems may arise such as electronic devices outside the examination venue becoming wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2, making it difficult to confirm the number of wirelessly connected scientific calculators 3 inside the examination venue or whether any scientific calculators 3 have been disconnected, or the batteries of the scientific calculators 3 being drained quickly, potentially leading to them running out of power during the examination. For this reason, some of the scientific calculators 3 in the monitoring system 1 according to the embodiment may be wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 via other scientific calculators 3, as illustrated in the monitoring system 1 shown in Figure 7B. The connection configuration between the examiner terminal 2 and multiple scientific calculators 3 in the monitoring system 1 shown in Figure 7B is called a tree type, mesh type, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, after receiving test mode transition information from the examiner terminal 2, the scientific calculator 3 used by the examiner during the test may perform background processing as illustrated in Figure 8, separate from the processing for creating answers to the questions. The background processing in Figure 8 is mainly performed by the control unit 300 of the scientific calculator 3. After receiving the test mode transition information, the control unit 300 of the scientific calculator 3 performs processing to transition the operating mode from standard mode to test mode based on the received test mode transition information (step S301), and determines whether the transition was successful or not (step S302). The processing in step S301 in Figure 8 corresponds to the processing in step S301 in Figure 4. If it is determined that the transition was unsuccessful (step S302; NO), the control unit 300 notifies the examiner terminal 2 via the communication unit 340 that the transition to test mode failed (step S310), and terminates the background processing. In step S310, instead of notifying the examiner terminal 2, the control unit 300 may disconnect the wireless connection with the examiner terminal 2. An examiner using the examiner terminal 2 can recognize from the display unit 230 that there has been a notification from the scientific calculator 3 or that the wireless connection with the scientific calculator 3 has been disconnected, and can then check the scientific calculator 3 in question and consider countermeasures.

[0035] If the transition to test mode is successful (step S302; YES), the control unit 300 of the scientific calculator 3 notifies the examiner terminal 2 via the communication unit 340 that the transition to test mode is complete (step S303). After this, the scientific calculator 3 communicates with the examiner terminal 2 to confirm that it is wirelessly connected to the examiner terminal 2 until the test is completed. After the scientific calculator 3 has entered test mode, the examiner terminal 2 periodically sends packets to the scientific calculator 3 to check the status of the wireless connection, and when the test is completed, it sends a packet to the scientific calculator 3 instructing it to transition from test mode to standard mode (standard mode transition information). Therefore, after step S303, when the control unit 300 of the scientific calculator 3 receives a packet from the examiner terminal 2, it determines whether or not it has received the standard mode transition information (step S304). If it is determined that standard mode transition information has not been received (step S304; NO), the control unit 300 determines whether the current operating mode is the appropriate test mode specified by the test mode transition information from the examiner terminal 2 (step S305). If it is determined that it is the appropriate test mode (step S305; YES), the control unit 300 performs a wireless connection confirmation process with the examiner terminal 2 (step S306) and returns to the determination in step S304. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not the appropriate test mode (step S305; NO), the control unit 300 automatically disconnects the wireless connection with the examiner terminal 2 (step S307) and terminates the background processing. In this example, after the scientific calculator 3 has transitioned to the appropriate test mode, if it detects that the operating mode has transitioned to standard mode or another test mode before the end of the test, it automatically disconnects the wireless connection with the examiner terminal 2. Therefore, if an examiner recognizes, through the display unit 230 of the examiner terminal 2, that there is a scientific calculator 3 whose wireless connection has been disconnected, they can, for example, check whether the examinee using that scientific calculator 3 is engaging in any cheating behavior without the examinee knowing.

[0036] When the test is completed and information indicating a transition to standard mode is received from the examiner terminal 2 (step S304; YES), the control unit 300 of the scientific calculator 3 transitions from test mode to standard mode (step S308) and disconnects the wireless connection with the examiner terminal 2 (step S309). The processing details of steps S308 and S309 are as described above with reference to Figure 5. Once the processing of step S309 is completed, the control unit 300 terminates background processing.

[0037] Furthermore, the background processing performed by the scientific calculator 3 after receiving the test mode transition information is not limited to the procedure illustrated in Figure 8. The background processing performed by the scientific calculator 3 may be changed in order or content as long as it does not cause inconsistencies, or it may be modified to include additional processing not shown. In addition, in the monitoring system 1 according to the embodiment, for example, in the process in which the examiner terminal 2 confirms the wireless connection with the scientific calculator 3, the scientific calculator 3 may send a packet to the examiner terminal 2 containing information indicating whether the operating mode of its device is an appropriate test mode. In this example, the examiner terminal 2 can notify the examiner by disconnecting the wireless connection with the scientific calculator 3 which is not in an appropriate test mode and displaying the identification information of the disconnected scientific calculator 3 on the display unit 230. For this reason, for example, when the examiner terminal 2 displays information on the display unit 230 indicating that the wireless connection of the scientific calculator 3 has been disconnected, it may add information indicating whether the reason for the disconnection is that the scientific calculator 3's battery is dead or that it is not in an appropriate test mode. Therefore, the examiner can respond appropriately to examinees using a scientific calculator 3 whose wireless connection to the examiner terminal 2 has been disconnected, depending on the reason for the disconnection.

[0038] The scientific calculator 3 in the monitoring system 1 described above is an example of an electronic device that examinees may use during the exam. The electronic devices that examinees may use during the exam vary depending on the subject of the exam being administered, and in an exam for a particular subject, an electronic dictionary may be an example of an electronic device that can be used. Alternatively, the electronic device that examinees may use during the exam may be a tablet device that examinees (students, children, etc.) use when accessing learning support websites in school classes, etc.

[0039] As illustrated in Figure 9, the tablet terminal 4 includes a control unit 400, a storage unit 410, an input unit 420, a display unit 430, and a communication unit 440, which are interconnected by a bus 490. The control unit 400 may be a processor such as a CPU that executes various programs to control the operation of the tablet terminal 4. The storage unit 410 stores monitoring programs executed by the processor, as well as other programs and various information. The storage unit 410 may include ROM and RAM as main memory, and auxiliary storage devices such as SSDs. The auxiliary storage devices may include portable recording media such as memory cards. The input unit 420 is an input device that detects various input operations on the tablet terminal 4 by the user (student, child, etc.). The display unit 430 is a display device that displays various information related to the operation of the tablet terminal 4. The communication unit 440 may be a communication device that can connect the tablet terminal 4 to a communication network 5 such as the Internet, and can wirelessly connect the tablet terminal 4 to the examiner terminal 2. The communication unit 440 is wirelessly connected to the communication network 5 according to a wireless LAN communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In the monitoring system 1 illustrated in Figure 9, a notebook-type personal computer or the like may be used instead of the tablet terminal 4. The communication network 5 is not limited to the internet, but may also be, for example, a school LAN.

[0040] A tablet device 4 connected to the communication network 5 can access the learning support site 6 using a web browser and run various content provided by the learning support site 6 on the web browser. Figure 9 shows four types of content that can be run on the tablet device 4's web browser in the learning support site 6: dictionary content 610, scientific calculator 620, electronic sticky notes 630, and encyclopedia 640. The content of the learning support site 6 is not limited to these four types.

[0041] When using such a tablet device 4 during an exam, for example, the websites that the tablet device 4 can access via the communication network 5 can be restricted to only the learning support site 6. Furthermore, some of the content provided by the learning support site 6 can be made unavailable. For example, by preventing students from viewing notes created using the electronic sticky notes 630 before the exam on the tablet device 4 during the exam, cheating using the electronic sticky notes 630 can be prevented.

[0042] The embodiments described above are specific examples provided to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The information processing device as the test subject terminal 2, the operating mode control system using the information processing device, the control method, and the program can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1…Monitoring system, 2…Examiner terminal, 3…Scientific calculator, 4…Tablet terminal, 5…Communication network, 6…Learning support site, 200, 300, 400…Control unit, 210, 310, 410…Memory unit, 240, 340, 440…Communication unit

Claims

1. A communication unit that can wirelessly connect to multiple electronic devices, which can selectively set either a standard mode or a function-limited mode in which the available functions are more limited than those of the standard mode, The system includes a control unit that, when the number of electronic devices wirelessly connected to the communication unit reaches a predetermined number, simultaneously transmits transition instruction information via the communication unit to the predetermined number of electronic devices, instructing them to transition to the function restriction mode. An information processing device characterized by the following:

2. The control unit, when the number of wirelessly connected electronic devices reaches the predetermined number, transmits the transition instruction information simultaneously based on user operation by the user of the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. When the number of wirelessly connected electronic devices reaches the predetermined number, the control unit transmits the transition instruction information all at once without accepting any user operations associated with the transmission of the transition instruction information by the user of the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

4. After the control unit transmits the transition instruction information, if the number of electronic devices wirelessly connected to the communication unit changes, it will display an alert on the display unit indicating that the number has changed. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

5. The aforementioned multiple electronic devices can select and set one of several function restriction modes, each with a different combination of available functions, when setting a function restriction mode. The transition instruction information transmitted simultaneously by the control unit includes information instructing a transition to one of the multiple function restriction modes. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

6. The aforementioned function restriction mode is an operating mode set to allow test takers to use electronic devices available during the test, and the predetermined number is the number of test takers. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

7. After the control unit transmits the transition instruction information, it transmits release instruction information to the electronic device via the communication unit, based on user operation by the user of the information processing device, instructing the release of the function restriction mode. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

8. After transmitting the transition instruction information, the control unit acquires information from the wirelessly connected electronic devices at predetermined intervals indicating whether the standard mode or the function restriction mode is set, and terminates the wireless connection with any electronic devices that are determined not to be set to the function restriction mode. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The system includes an information processing device and a plurality of electronic devices wirelessly connected to the information processing device, Each of the aforementioned plurality of electronic devices is A control unit that selectively sets the system to either a standard mode or a function-limited mode in which the available functions are more limited than those of the standard mode, The system comprises a first communication unit that can be wirelessly connected to the aforementioned information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device is A second communication unit that can wirelessly connect to the aforementioned plurality of electronic devices, The system includes a control unit that, when the number of electronic devices wirelessly connected to the second communication unit reaches a predetermined number, simultaneously transmits transition instruction information via the second communication unit to the predetermined number of electronic devices, instructing them to transition to the function restriction mode. An operating mode control system characterized by the following:

10. Each of the plurality of electronic devices, after transitioning to the function restriction mode based on the transition instruction information from the information processing device, will disconnect the wireless connection with the information processing device if the function restriction mode is released before receiving release instruction information from the information processing device instructing the release of the function restriction mode. The operating mode control system according to feature 9.

11. The computer of the information processing device, A wireless connection is established with an electronic device that can be selectively set to either a standard mode or a function-limited mode in which the available functions are more limited than those of the standard mode. When the number of wirelessly connected electronic devices reaches a predetermined number, the system executes a process that simultaneously transmits transition instruction information to the predetermined number of electronic devices, instructing them to transition to the function restriction mode. A control method characterized by the following:

12. In the computer of the information processing device, A wireless connection is established with an electronic device that can be selectively set to either a standard mode or a function-limited mode in which the available functions are more limited than those of the standard mode. When the number of wirelessly connected electronic devices reaches a predetermined number, the system will execute a process that simultaneously transmits transition instruction information to the predetermined number of electronic devices, instructing them to switch to the function restriction mode. A program characterized by the following features.

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