Wearable Camera Proctoring System with Unpredictable Prompts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Online educational and certification programs face challenges in ensuring against cheating without a human proctor, leading to increased costs and limited testing venues, which restricts the frequency and accuracy of assessments.

Innovation Solution

A system employing a wearable camera to capture images within the subject's field of vision, combined with a computer system that issues unpredictable prompts and captures audio responses, along with a second camera for face authentication, to monitor and deter cheating by recording and indexing visual and audio data for later review.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a human proctor is used to monitor students during tests, then cheating can be prevented, but costs increase and testing venues are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecheating preventionVSAvoidproctoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of human proctoring with an automated computer-based monitoring system that uses software to capture images, analyze behavior, and detect cheating indicators, thereby eliminating the need for human proctors while maintaining cheating prevention capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service proctoring where the examination system automatically monitors itself and test-takers through embedded cameras and sensors, performing proctoring functions without external human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If human proctors are deployed for examinations, then cheating is deterred, but testing frequency and accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecheating detectionVSAvoidtesting frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By substituting human proctors with automated imaging and analysis systems, the patent enables continuous, unlimited testing frequency without the logistical constraints of human availability, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If automated proctoring systems are implemented, then testing accessibility increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting accessibilityVSAvoidproctoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary automated system that mediates between the test-taker and the examination authority, using imaging technology and algorithmic analysis to bridge the gap between remote accessibility and reliable cheating detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The replacement of human proctors with automated systems removes geographical and temporal constraints, allowing examinations to be administered anywhere with appropriate imaging equipment, thereby significantly increasing accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9154748B2Online examination proctoring system

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 BOARD OF TRUSTEES OPERATING MICHIGAN STATE UNIV

AI summary

The system to proctor an examination includes a first camera worn by the examination taking subject and directed to capture images in subject's field of vision. A second camera is positioned to record an image of the subject's face during the examination. A microphone captures sounds within the room, which are analyzed to detect speech utterances. The computer system is programmed to store captured images from said first camera. The computer is also programmed to issue prompting events instructing the subject to look in a direction specified by the computer at event intervals not disclosed to subject in advance and to index for analysis the captured images in association with indicia corresponding to the prompting events.