Computerized processing of pictorial responses in evaluations

Abstract

A system and methods for computerized processing of evaluations containing responses in a pictorial from are disclosed. The system is suitable for interpreting and displaying contextualized responses in evaluations, such as knowledge assessments and surveys. The system includes a collection terminal for obtaining evaluation response data and a processing terminal with memory storing an evaluation template containing processing rules. The processing method locates areas of interest containing pictorial responses and carries out analysis of each area, which includes locating the area within the obtained data, identifying type of the response within the area, and determining value of a response within the area by applying a processing method corresponding to the type of the response. Then the response is recorded in a database and is available for display in a context of an evaluation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application also a continuation of and claims a benefit of prior filed Non-Provisional Application No. 13 / 470,980 filed on May 14, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated by referenceBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The disclosed embodiments relate to the general field of document processing with data capturing devices. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to a processing system for evaluations containing responses in a pictorial form well suited for use in data collection, and methods of processing thereof.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Efficiency and effectiveness of data collection are both important to evaluation practitioners. While methods of capturing quantitative data directly in digital electronic forms are available, much data collection still involves paper documents as a familiar media providing necessary affordability, simplicity and unconstrained response...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes techniques for automatically collecting high-quality data from unconstrained responses in a pictorial form, while minimizing human intervention. This can be useful in various applications where evaluating large amounts of data is necessary.

Problems solved by technology

While methods of capturing quantitative data directly in digital electronic forms are available, much data collection still involves paper documents as a familiar media providing necessary affordability, simplicity and unconstrained response format.

One challenge associated with these evaluations generally arises from a number of conflicting data collection goals, including the desirability of administering a holistic evaluation containing open-ended responses while maintaining high data collection efficiency.

These gains in efficiency have often sacrificed the effectiveness of acquired data, for example, by reducing the process of answering an evaluation question to selecting among several clearly indicated pre-compiled answer options.

However, there has been relatively little success in creating more effective paper-based and other data collection methods requiring little human intervention.

A crowded field of paper-based evaluation processing has not been able to produce a viable solution to this long felt need among evaluation practitioners.

Presently, unconstrained or open-ended responses typically require discretionary assessment, that is a time-consuming approach prone to human error, and so they are often avoided despite their multiple benefits.

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