Patent ID: 6173154
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method for storing information from a test answer booklet comprising a plurality of answer pages, at least one answer page containing an answer to an open-ended question, the method comprising the steps of:providing a database of answer page forms comprising data on a physical location of each answer and a type of answer for each page in an answer booklet, the answer type comprising either an answer to an open-end question or an answer to a multiple-choice question;performing an optical mark recognition scan on each answer page to detect a presence of indicia within a predetermined spectral range, the indicia comprising a mark indicative of a page number;translating the mark into a page number and tracking the page number of the answer page being scanned;performing a visual image scan on each answer page to form a digital image of the answer page;determining from the page number and the forms database whether the page being scanned contains an answer to an open-ended question; andif the page being scanned contains an answer to an open-ended question, storing the digital image of the answer page.