Abstract: To determine a read level threshold for discriminating those response bubbles on a scannable answer sheet intended to be marked from those response bubbles not intended to be marked, an adjustable read level threshold is dynamically determined based on the read levels of a designated pool of response bubbles. In an optical scanner the darkness (read level) of each response mark entered for a particular question is determined to make a profile. From this profile showing the various read levels present for the response marks, the system determines read level "gaps," i.e., read levels in the profile for which there are no marks present, and adjusts the threshold for discriminating intended marks based on the read level(s) comprising the gaps.

Abstract: A system for increasing the speed at which test answers are processed. The system receives electronic representations of test answers and organizes the test answers into separate groupings. The system next displays a particular grouping of test answers to a test resolver so that the resolver can score the test answers. In displaying the answers, the system uses a matrix of cells and displays one test answer in each of the cells. The test resolver can thus simultaneously view multiple test answers, which facilitates efficient scoring of the answers.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that manages patient information and assessment information associated with those patients. The system maintains a list of patient records and links those patient records with assessment records. The present invention further utilizes assessment processing and reporting rules for managing, analyzing, and generating reports of assessment information. In a preferred embodiment, the reports are displayed by an efficient method of displaying repeated measures data, to assist a user in managing and objectively analyzing a patient's treatment.

Abstract: A mark sense form and an optical mark reader operate together as an optical mark reading system to accomplish the opposite side scanning of the mark sense form. The opposite side scanning mark sense form comprises a sheet of material having a timing track preprinted on only one side of the sheet and one or more response areas located on the opposite side of the sheet, or on both sides of the sheet, in a predetermined relationship to one of the timing marks in the timing track. The response areas may have an associated response bubble printed as an outline for the user in selectively marking the mark sense form with data marks.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a sheet from the top of a stack of sheets and transporting it laterally in the direction of a processing station has a pick roller with an arcuate contact surface for frictionally engaging an exposed edge of the top sheet in a stack. The arcuate contact surface transports the sheet laterally at a small downward angle relative to the plane of the top of the stack. The arcuate contact surface contacts the exposed edge so that portions of the arcuate contact surface adjacent the edge extend both above and below the plane of the top of the stack. A dam is located adajcent but spaced from the arcuate contact surface and below the plane of the top of the stack. The dam slidingly engages the sheet edge and the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the arcuate contact surface to guide the sheet edge toward the arcuate contact surface.

Abstract: A scannable form for use in an optical mark reading system has a timing track that is pre-encoded with data information known or determined prior to a respondent completing the scannable form. The data information is pre-encoded in the control mark column on the scannable form by utilizing that portion of the control mark column that is not essential for conveying the scan control information associated with the scan control marks. The data information is encoded using data marks that represent the data information in a binary or other similar coding technique. The data marks are column-aligned with the scan control marks in the control mark column.

Abstract: A method for extracting information from a document bearing (a) first indicia detectable in a first scan mode, using light in a first spectral range, but not detectable in a second scan mode, using light outside the first spectral range, and (b) second indicia detectable in either the first scan mode or second scan mode, where the second indicia represent information encoded in one or more forms decodable by automated symbol recognition resources, comprise several steps. One or more areas of interest on the document are defined in which the second indicia may appear, with the definition including information specifying the form of encoding for the second indicia. The document is scanned in the second mode, using a scanner that produces a pixel image of the indicia detected and the resulting pixel data are stored in a memory device.

Abstract: A method storing multiple scanned images of a response-marked form document comprises scanning a copy of the form document on which no response information has been marked, using a scanning method that detects substantially all visual information present on the form document and produces a pixel image thereof and storing that pixel image data in a computer storage device. Additonal steps comprise scanning at least one copy of the same form document that has been marked with at least one response mark that absorbs light falling outside the visible spectrum, using a scanning method that detects only the presence of light outside the visible spectrum and that produces a pixel image of said at least one response mark, then compressing that pixel image to reduce the amount of pixel data used to repressent areas of the form document bearing no response marks and storing the compressed pixel image data in a computer storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating bar codes for an optical mark reader is provided comprising a scanning means for scanning a target area on a scannable form and producing a signal in response to certain indications, i.e.

Abstract: A data processing form used with photosensing apparatus that senses the presence of indicia in indicia-receiving locations on the form comprises a sheet of paper or like material. The form has a first control mark column containing a plurality of control marks in specified relation to a plurality of indicia-receiving locations on a first surface of said sheet. On the second surface of the sheet is a fail-safe mark opposite to and aligned with the first control mark column. The fail-safe mark has a continuous extend sufficient to connect at least two adjacent marks on said first surface, were such control marks on the second surface of said sheet in a location immediately opposite their location on said first surface.

Abstract: A desktop survey system for creating and scanning a survey form to be completed by a survey respondent, the survey form being printed on a scannable form having a preprinted timing track that can be scanned by an optical mark scanner is comprised of a processor for entering, editing, and formatting customized questions and corresponding response areas and for adjusting and aligning the locations of the questions and response areas to be printed on the scannable form, a printer for printing the customized questions and the corresponding response areas on the scannable form to create a customized survey form, and an optical mark scanner and attached processing means for defining the fields to be scanned, scanning the survey forms and tabulating and analyzing the results.

Abstract: An apparatus is shown for removing a sheet from the top of a stack of sheets and transporting it laterally in the direction of a processing station. The apparatus comprises a pick mechanism for frictionally engaging the exposed surface of the top sheet in a stack and transporting it laterally substantially in the plane of the top of the stack. An angled dam is located adjacent the pick mechanism for slidingly engaging the sheet edge and the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the pick mechanism to lift sheets transported by the frictional engagement device out of the plane of the top of the stack. A first thickness sensor senses the number of sheets that are transported past the dam. A brake responsive to the first thickness sensor selectively apply a friction surface to the sheet surface opposite the surface engaged by the frictional engagement device when more then one sheet is transported past the dam.

Abstract: A scannable form for an optical mark scanning apparatus in the form of a generally rectangular sheet of paper or like material having a preprinted timing track along one edge and a plurality of preprinted quality assurance marks is printed by a laser printer with customized questions and corresponding response bubbles to create a survey form. An overprint registration system is used in conjunction with the scannable forms to align material for printing on the scannable forms prior to printing the survey form by printing an overprint registration mark corresponding to at least one of the quality assurance marks and adjusting the position of said overprint registration mark to establish the alignment between the response bubbles to be printed and the preprinted timing track.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of optical mark readers and mark scanning systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for checking the velocity of a scannable document as it travels under the read head of a mark scanning system.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeding apparatus (20) for feeding sheets in a forward direction to a scanner device (22) or the like is disclosed. Sheet feeding apparatus (20) includes a frame including side plates (34, 36) a hopper table (40) pivotally mounted at a back edge, and transversely extending frame members (38). A lift mechanism (44) is interconnected to the hopper table (40) for raising the same. A pick roller (26) is utilized to advance the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets (28) toward the scanner device (22). In addition, the pick roller (26) is operatively interconnected to the lift mechanism (44) to activate the lift mechanism (44) upon being lowered below a predetermined height such that the hopper table (40) is raised by the lift mechanism (44). Sheet separator rollers (30, 32) are positioned forwardly of the pick roller (26) for separating the uppermost sheet from any of the sheets inadvertently moved forwardly therewith.

Abstract: The reading head of an optical reading system for determining the presence or absence of marks on the surface of a document consists of an array of the single ends of a plurality of bifurcated light fibers. The first and second branches of the bifurcated ends of each light fiber are arranged in serial arrays. A single light source and a single light detector sequentially interface with the first and second branches respectively of the light fibers with the light source transmitting light through the first branch and the light detector generating a signal indicative of the light level reflected from the document surface through the second branch. The sequential signals generated by the light detector are processed to determine the information content of the document.

Abstract: An optically scannable answer sheet booklet is comprised of a plurality of signatures which are folded to provide the various sheets or leaves of the booklet. The opposite sides of each sheet or leaf constitutes a page of the booklet and has printed thereon certain instructions or questions as well as so-called response areas or bubbles which are to be marked by the examinee. The various signatures are each printed with a sequence bar which collectively, if the correct number of signatures are properly inserted, form a recognizable pattern. If a signature is incorrectly inserted, duplicated or omitted, the pattern will be broken or will contain an extra sequence bar which apprises the inspector of faulty booklets.

Abstract: An answer document or form, on which the user darkens certain discrete response areas with a graphite or lead pencil to denote his selected choices or data entries, has a bias bar printed across one end with the same color ink used in printing the remainder of the document. When the document is read by the optical scanner, the light passing through the translucent paper also passes through the printed bias bar. Analog voltage signals are obtained from each of the photocells in the optical scanner and these signals are capacitively stored, then converted to digital values. The digital values are averaged and the individual digital values for each photocell are compared with the computed average to check for bad cells. If a poor photocell response persists for a predetermined number of answer documents, the entire scanning operation is stopped.

Abstract: After certain checks have been automatically made, and answer document is continuously scanned by successively and repeatedly switching the various phototransistors, one for each column of response positions or bubbles printed with ink visible to infrared energy, into a conductive or light-responsive state. In this way, between timing marks, each phototransistor is constantly employed to determine the light transmittivity of the document as far as that particular phototransistor is concerned. When an opaque timing mark is not passing by an additional phototransistor assigned to sense light passing through the document at that period, the data obtained is used to determine what the level of paper translucency is, an average paper level being stored for each cell that is subsequently compared with acquired data obtained between later arriving timing marks, the average being modified as required.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and transferring digital electromagnetic information. The apparatus makes use of a plurality of standard pipe cartridges each of which is independently capable of storing a quantity of electromagnetic information. The cartridges are removably stored in a carousel which is rotatably carried on a control housing. The carousel is removable from the control housing, permitting interchangeability of carousels and access to substantial quantitites of stored information. The control housing includes a plurality of independently operable read/write stations, each of which has a read/write head for transferring information. The read/write heads are selectively connected to output ports permitting access to computer equipment. The control housing also includes means for indexing a selected cartridge relative to a selected read/write station.