Patents by Inventor Robert E. Thornton

Robert E. Thornton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10380333
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining whether a user is authorized to take an examination. Facial recognition technology is used to determine whether an image of a user's face corresponds to an image of a set of images of individuals not permitted to take the examination. Based on a determination that the image of the user's face corresponds to an image of the set of images, a confidence score is assigned or modified. Voice recognition technology is used to determine whether a recording of the user's voice corresponds to a recording of a set of recordings of individuals not permitted to take the examination. Based on a determination that the recording of the user's voice corresponds to a recording of the set of recordings, the confidence score is modified. A determination is made as to whether the user is authorized to take the examination based on the confidence score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Educational Testing Service
    Inventors: James B. Moran, Michael J. Cripps, Kenneth H. Berger, Robert E. Thornton
  • Patent number: 9721080
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a computer-based test to be taken at a computer. A determination is made as to whether a geolocation of the computer is within an approved geolocation range. A determination is made as to whether a time at which the computer-based test is to be provided to the computer is within an approved time range. A hardware profile of the testing center is compared to an expected hardware profile of the testing center. Biometric data of a test center administrator is compared to expected biometric data of the test center administrator, and a confidence score is modified based on results of the comparison. If the confidence score meets or exceeds a threshold, the computer-based test is provided to the computer over a network. If the confidence score is less than the threshold, the computer-based test is prevented from being provided to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Educational Testing Service
    Inventors: James B. Moran, Michael J. Cripps, Kenneth H. Berger, Robert E. Thornton