Online Exam Proctoring with Dual Camera Blind Spot Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current online exam proctoring systems have blind spots that allow examinees to cheat by accessing unauthorized materials or using secondary devices, as they cannot capture all areas around the computer screen effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a mobile device with a video camera positioned next to or behind the examinee to capture images, video, and audio, communicating with the examinee's computing device and a server to monitor for cheating and ensure the camera is correctly positioned to capture all necessary areas, using QR code verification to validate the camera's position and detect potential cheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a video camera is mounted directly to the computer to record the exam-taker, then the exam-taker can be monitored, but blind spots remain under the screen, above the screen, and to the sides where cheating materials can be hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single fixed camera mounted on the computer to a mobile device that can be positioned in multiple locations around the examinee. This dimensional change allows the system to capture blind spots by placing the camera in positions such as on the examinee's lap or nearby surfaces, achieving comprehensive monitoring coverage through spatial repositioning rather than relying on a single fixed mounting point.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a mobile device that can be dynamically positioned and repositioned during the exam setup process. The camera is not fixed but can be moved to optimal positions to eliminate blind spots. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to different exam setups and examinee configurations, ensuring complete coverage without requiring complex fixed mounting structures.
2Reliability
If the mobile device is positioned to capture all blind spots, then monitoring coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases due to positioning verification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a QR code as an intermediary element to simplify the positioning verification process. Instead of implementing complex sensor-based or manual verification systems, the QR code serves as a visual mediator that encodes positioning information. The mobile device's camera captures the QR code to verify correct positioning, transforming a potentially complex verification task into a simple visual recognition process that maintains reliability while minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical or sensor-based positioning verification mechanisms with an optical recognition system using QR codes. Instead of using physical alignment marks, sensors, or manual verification procedures, the patent employs QR code scanning that leverages the mobile device's existing camera and image processing capabilities. This substitution eliminates the need for additional verification hardware while ensuring accurate positioning.
3Measurement precision
If QR code verification is implemented to ensure proper camera positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the exam process time increases due to verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements QR code verification as a preliminary action that must be completed before the exam can begin. The positioning verification is performed during the setup phase, and once verified, the system proceeds to the actual exam without requiring repeated verification interruptions. This preliminary verification approach ensures accurate camera positioning is established beforehand, preventing time losses during the exam itself while maintaining positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the verification process to be completed quickly by leveraging the mobile device's fast QR code scanning and recognition capabilities. The verification step is designed to be rapid, enabling the system to move efficiently from setup to exam execution. The QR code verification process is optimized to minimize interaction time, allowing examinees to complete positioning and verification in a matter of seconds rather than minutes, thus reducing the time penalty while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for proctoring an online exam is provided. The system includes a computing device including a first recording device facing towards a user taking the exam and configured to capture images, video, and audio to enable monitoring the user and surrounding environment for possible instances of cheating. The system also includes a mobile device including a second recording device facing towards the computing device and configured to capture images, video, and audio to enable monitoring of the first computing device and workspace for possible instances of cheating. The computing device and the mobile device analyze the captured recordings to detect and log anomalous events. The system may further include a server configured to analyze log files and rate user activities during the exam based on a risk level of cheating.