Method and system for providing secure remote testing

A method and system provides security for remotely administered tests to examinees at respective remote locations by providing, with a head mounted image capture device for each examinee, video and data signals representing a series of images including both the forward field of view of the examinee and the examinee's eyes. The video and data signal are transmitted to a central sever which logs the data and makes it available in real time to a proctor. The image capture device may be any head mounted device equipped with one or more cameras arranged to provide the necessary images of the examinee's field of view and eyes and may comprise a frame for eyeglasses, a resiliently flexible head attachment clamp, or any device that may be secured to the examinee and support a camera or cameras having suitably directed viewing fields.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention pertains generally to methods and apparatus for administering tests and examinations remotely while maintaining examination security by validating the authenticity of a remotely located test candidate and his/her examination responses that are transmitted to a central location. The invention further pertains to head-mounted image capture devices having one or more integrated cameras that capture images and image data and transmit those images and data to computer networks for processing.

Terminology

It is to be understood that, unless otherwise stated or contextually evident:The terms “test”, “exam” and “examination” as used herein refer to a process wherein a remotely located test candidate is presented with a series of questions or problems and is required to respond thereto by entering information into a computer for transmission to a centrally located server. The questions or problems are typically presented on the computer screen but may instead be presented orally or in a hard copy document.The terms “test candidate”, “candidate”, “test taker” and “examinee” as used herein refer to a student or other person taking an examination with the use of the present invention.The term “device” as used herein refers to the image capture device200depicted inFIG. 1and to all of the embodiments thereof illustrated and/or described herein. Any component described as a “device” component (e.g., “device controller”, “device battery”, etc.), means such component mounted on or in the image capture device.The phrase “remote test terminal” as used herein refers to a computer terminal in an unsupervised environment at which a test candidate takes a test. The unsupervised environment may be located any distance (e.g., many miles) from the centrally located server or may be in a room in the same building in which that server is located.The phrases “test sponsor”, “test administrator” and “test delivery organization” as used herein refer to an institution or organization administering a test on its own behalf or on behalf of another person or entity.The phrase “central location” refers to a location where a system server or other computer equipment is located and arranged to receive information transmitted from remote test terminals. Alternatively, or in addition, an individual for monitoring the received information may be at the central location to monitor the information in real time.The terms “forward”, “rearward”, “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “top”, “lower”, “bottom”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, etc., are used for convenience to refer to the orientation of a device when normally worn or used by an examinee and are not intended to otherwise limit the structures described and claimed.

Discussion of the Prior Art

The Internet has opened up a world of possibilities for on-line learning for all ages and levels of education. What does not currently exist is a reliable way to validate a person's learning through a secure remote testing environment when a test or exam leads to credit, a certificate, a credential, or a license, etc. More specifically, there is a need for a way to assure the integrity and security of remotely administered tests and examinations (e.g., school exams, exams for college entrance and professional qualification, etc.). The testing industry has been plagued with security breaches prior to, during, and after examinations. The effects of this problem are not limited to primarily testing companies that deliver exams, but include primary, secondary, and higher education institutions, industry, and other test delivery organizations. Security breaches include test form and item theft through brain dumping sites that collect test items and sell them on-line, test candidates capturing images of the exam through various illicit methods, test candidates bringing unauthorized materials to the designated place of testing, and candidates using proxy testers to take their exams. In recent years the number of computer delivered examinations has been growing exponentially, and keeping the networks and exams secure is of utmost concern to the test sponsor and to the test delivery organization.

The latest trend in testing has candidates testing remotely in their choice of settings. This opens up a whole new set of problems for the test sponsor and test delivery organization. Some test delivery organizations, or “remote proctoring” organizations, are claiming to have test security that validates the candidate/examinee, featuring a 360° camera view of what the candidate is doing throughout the examination period. The problem is that neither tripod-set cameras nor remote or in-person proctors can capture what a candidate is doing 100% of the time.

Accordingly, there is a need to ensure that a remotely located test candidate, while taking an exam, is looking only at the computer screen, or at items that are acceptable to the test sponsor. These items could be, for example, calculators, paper and pencil for calculations, prescribed books if permitted, and other items that the testing sponsor has approved for use during an exam.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in light of the above, and for other reasons that will become apparent from the descriptions below, it is one object of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for assuring that an examinee, located in a remote environment or an environment where there is no in-person proctor, views or is looking only at predetermined items such as a computer screen or other test-related items acceptable to the test administrator.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for enhancing remote test security in real time by 360°-monitoring of both a test candidate's field of view and that candidate's ocular movements, and streaming the monitoring information to a server at a central location where it can be analyzed in real time and/or stored for analysis at a later date.

It is still another object of the invention to provide improved head mounted image capture devices to be worn by an examinee during a test that can monitor both the forward field of view from the device and the position and movement of the examinee's eye or eyes.

The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.

With the foregoing objects in mind, in accordance with one aspect of the invention a method and system provide security for remotely administered tests to examinees at respective remote locations by providing:with a head mounted image capture device for each examinee, video and data signals representing a series of images including the forward field of view of the examinee and the examinee's eyes;for each examinee, transmitting the video and data signals from the examinee image capture device to the examinee computer;transmitting the video and data signals from each examinee computer to a central location via a transmission link; and,at a centrally located system server, receiving the video and data signals from said transmission link for each examinee and saving information representing said signals in files dedicated to respective examinees.
The examinee image capture device may be any head mounted device equipped with one or more cameras arranged to provide the necessary images of the examinee's field of view and eyes and may comprise a frame for eyeglasses, a resiliently flexible head attachment clamp, or any item that may be secured to the examinee and support a camera or cameras having suitably directed viewing fields.

The above and still further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the definitions, descriptions and descriptive figures of specific embodiments thereof set forth herein. In the detailed description below, like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components and elements, and like terms are used to refer to similar or corresponding elements in the several embodiments. While these descriptions go into specific details of the invention, it should be understood that variations may and do exist and would be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed explanations of the drawings and the preferred embodiments reveal the methods and systems of the present invention.

Referring specifically toFIG. 1of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the system and method of the present invention in connection with a remotely located examinee taking an exam administered from a central location. Each remotely located examinee in this embodiment is provided with an examinee image capture device200that communicates with a computer240at his/her remote location via a link230(e.g., a wired or wireless connection). Device200is a head mounted unit such as an eyeglasses frame, a resiliently flexible head clamp, or other unit capable of being supported on the examinee and carrying one or two cameras220, as needed for the embodiments described hereinbelow, that can view the examinee's field of view and the examinee's eyes. The camera system permits capture of the examinee's 360° field of view during an exam. Computer240may be a personal desktop computer, laptop computer, or the like, that is configured to communicate with device200via communication link230. Computer240and the image capture device200may include wireless transmission components to enable the communication link230. The wireless connection can be made by using, e.g., Bluetooth radio technology, communication protocols described in IEEE 802.11 (including any IEEE 802.11 versions), etc. Computer240may access the Internet or other communication channel250to gain access to a centrally located secure testing server system260. The video streaming data from the image capture device200is received at the server system260where it is monitored (in real time or after the exam) and saved in system logs275in a server database270on a per examinee basis. That is, there is typically an individual file (virtual or actual) in the database for each examinee.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate an exemplary unit100comprising one embodiment of an image capture device of the present invention. Unit100is shown in the form of eye-gear, specifically an eyeglasses unit with or without lenses. The elements of the unit100include a frame or rims102and two side arms or temples104and106. Hinges110connect the left temple104and right temple106to the front rims102. The rims102and temples104,106may be formed of solid or hollow structural plastic or metal or similar material as to allow for the connections and functions described herein, and particularly for wiring and/or other electrical connections to be internally routed through the eye-gear.

Unit100may have mounted thereon or built into the unit a front facing video camera120and lens118, an ocular tracking video camera112and lens114, and a device processing system which includes a wireless transmitter124, a microprocessor126and a graphics processor128, all of which may be connected to and/or mounted on a circuit board.

The on-board device processing system is shown positioned on temple106of the eye-gear100and is used for scaling and streaming real time front facing video to the remote secure testing server260(FIG. 1). The front facing video camera/recorder120is forward facing and positioned at the junction between temple106and right rim102with its lens118located exposed at the far upper right hand side of right frame or rim102. The ocular tracking video camera/recorder112is positioned on the inside of the left frame or rim102. Both video cameras/recorders112and120provide continuous video streams of front facing images and ocular eye images, respectively. The video recorders112and120may be standard definition video recorders limited to recording in low resolution, such as video graphic array (VGA) resolutions of 640×480 pixels.

More specifically, the front facing video recorder120may be embedded in a corner between the right frame or rim102and the proximal end of the right temple106with its lens118protruding through the frame. The ocular tracking video camera112may be embedded in a corner between the left rim102and the proximal end of the left temple104. The video recorder lens114is angled to face rearwardly to capture direct images of the examinee's eye from a peripheral vantage point. The two cameras allow the image capture device100to capture the user's eye movements while viewing the front facing images during the taking of an exam.

Both video recorders112and120are connected to a graphic processor128, the microprocessor126and the wireless transmitter124. Both the front facing video signals and the ocular video signal for the device100are transmitted to the examinee's computer240from their respective video cameras120and112by the wireless transmitter124and then remotely streamed to the secure centrally located testing server260(FIG. 1) as described.

The video transmission data may be streamed from the video recorders112and120with a resolution of 640×480 pixels to the graphic processor128. The graphic processor128may encode and scale the video data into a particular video compression format such as H.264 video stream, and scale the video into a 0.5 Mbps stream with a resolution of 480×360 pixels. The encoded and scaled video stream from the graphic processor128is transmitted to the microprocessor126, which packages the data for the transmission via the wireless transmitter124. The wireless transmitter124transmits the data to the secure testing server260via the examinee's computer240(FIG. 1). The front facing and ocular tracking video streams are time keyed or synchronized with each other.

The front facing camera120captures the front facing image as viewed by the examinee wearing device100. A front facing image is a continuous video stream of single frame front facing images. The front facing images may be captured using a variety of different standardized imaging codecs (e.g. MPEG, MPEG4, series of JPEG images etc.) or a proprietary imaging protocol. The front facing image includes anything viewed by the examinee who typically sits at a remote testing station or terminal (e.g., for a desk top computer or laptop), the front facing images typically including various items such as the computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, and calculator or other items that are permitted in the remote testing environment. The front facing images are obtained continuously in real-time, recording everything viewed by the examinee wearing device100.

Prior to operating the system, the examinee is asked to execute a calibration test where the user is instructed to look in various directions or at various objects, as described hereinbelow in relation toFIGS. 23A and 23B. In the process, device200transmits information to the secure testing server system260so that the system log275is tracked and saved. The information gathered by the image capture device will be continuously streamed to the secure testing server260in real time.

The image capture device utilizes both the front facing image video camera120and the ocular video camera112which also provides video signals that may be captured using a variety of different standardized imaging codecs (e.g. MPEG, MPEG4, series of JPEG images etc.) or proprietary imaging. The eye images can be analyzed along with the front facing images to determine the user's ocular movements. Those ocular movements can be correlated to the forward facing images captured by the front facing camera120to determine what the user was directly looking at when viewing the front facing images through the eye gear.

The ocular tracking camera112captures an eye image of the user in real time while the user is viewing the front facing image when wearing the eye gear device100. The ocular tracking camera captures the eye images contemporaneously with the front facing camera118, and the two captured video streams are time keyed or synchronized with each other. The front facing images and the ocular images are transmitted in real time to the testing server system.

If the ocular tracking camera option is included in the eye gear, prior to operating, the examinee is asked to execute a calibration test. The calibration software must be downloaded after the eye gear is turned on and wireless connection has been made between the eye gear100or200and the computer240. The examinee is instructed to look in various directions or at various objects. During the calibration the pupil location with each eye image may then be calibrated to the corresponding items captured in the front facing images (e.g., computer monitor, keyboard, and calculator).

Image capture device100transmits information to the secure testing server so that system log information (i.e., the ocular tracking images and front facing images) for the examinee can be captured and logged. This log functions as a history of what the examinee was viewing during the exam and his/her ocular eye movements during the exam.

The information gathered by the image capture device100(or, generically,200) is continuously streamed to the central testing secure server260in real time. Thus, if the image capture device detects a constant image on the ocular or front facing download for more than a predetermined time (e.g., five) minutes, the remote proctor will send a message to the examinee; if no response is received from the examinee, the exam will be shut down. This predetermined time may be selected to accommodate a test sponsor's particular exam content or format (e.g., looking at a long passage or a diagram that is complex)

The device100shown inFIGS. 2 and 3has an On/Off switch122located on right temple106. Switch122must be activated in order for the device to function. Once the device has been turned on, the testing software provided by the test delivery organization prompts the examinee to download the system program. This program allows the device to be calibrated and also runs a security check to validate that the unique device ID number matches the examinee's test profile. If it does not match, the image capture device software shuts down and the exam does not proceed.

The device battery108typically has a lifespan of at least four hours and preferably at least eight hours; the battery is preferably rechargeable. Battery108may be located in the left temple104of the eye gear and coupled by wiring116through the frame to the electronic components embedded in the right temple106to provide power to the components. For example, the battery108is connected to the video cameras112and120, wireless transmitter124, microprocessor126and the graphic processor128. The wiring116may be extended from the battery108on the left temple104through the frame or rim102to the right temple106through the hinges110that couple the right and left temples to the frame or rim102. The wiring116may be embedded in the front frame and the right and left temples via over-molding. For example, wiring116may be placed directly into an injection molding tool before hot liquid plastic is injected into the tool to form the front frame and the eye glass temples. This allows the plastic to flow around the wiring which embeds the wiring116into the device. Over-molding the wire116into the device reduces the space consumed by the wiring which minimizes size requirements needed for the device to accommodate the video cameras112and120and the electronic components124,126and128.

FIGS. 4-10pertain to an exemplary device130comprising another embodiment of an image capture device of the present invention. Device130is also shown in the form of eye-gear or, specifically, a frame133for eyeglasses which may or may not have lenses mounted in the frame. The frame is comprised of elements that allow for the expansion of temples131,132through the addition of respective temple adjustment plugs136,137, and for expansion of or addition to the device processor system through the left arm pivot case138which may house additional processors, cameras, or other elements as/if needed. A left hinge plug139connects the proximal end of left eyeglass temple pivot case138to the front eyeglass frame133. The opposite or distal end of pivot case138is connected to the left eyeglass temple adjustment plug137from which the distal end of left temple132extends. A right hinge plug140of frame133is pivotally connected to the proximal end the device controller case142. The opposite or distal end of device controller case142is connected to the right temple adjustment plug136from which the distal end of temple131extends. The frame and temples may be formed of solid structure of plastic or metal or of a hollow structure of similar material as to allow wiring and component interconnections to be internally routed through the eye-gear.

The device controller case142and all embedded elements may be placed on the right or left side of the front frame133and connected by using the hinge plugs139and140. The embedded elements included in controller case142are a device processor143, a battery144, control buttons145, a device transmitter146, an ocular tracking video camera including a very wide angle (i.e., fish eye) lens134and a 360° mirror135. The pivot case138may be placed on the right or left side of the front of frame133and connected by using the right or left hinge plugs140,139. The device controller case142and the pivot case138may be coupled or attached to a circuit board.

The device processing system is shown to be positioned on the right temple131; alternatively, it may be positioned on the left temple132. The device processing system is used for scaling and streaming real time 360° video to the remote secure testing server260(FIG. 1).

The fish eye lens134of the video camera and the 360° mirror135comprise the video recorder or camera system of the eye-gear image capture device130. The camera fish eye lens134is centrally mounted on the bottom side of the frame top bar147that joins the two lens support sections of frame133. The 360° mirror135is secured on the top side of the bridge148extending between the lens support sections parallel to and spaced below top bar147. The fish eye lens134and mirror135are vertically aligned and spaced from one another. The fish eye lens and the 360° mirror combine to provide a continuous video stream of a 360° field of view including eye images of the examinee. The video recorders embedded in the camera and receiving the images from the fish eye lens134and mirror135may be a standard definition video recorder limited to recording at a relatively low resolution, such as video graphic array (VGA) resolutions of 640×480 pixels. A suitable camera for this purpose is the model 3.4 mm Diameter 1/18 OV6920 3M COMS Video Camera Module sold by Alibaba.com.

FIG. 6is diagrammatic view from in front of an examinee showing the functional relationship between the camera fish eye lens134and the 360° mirror135. This allows for a 360° view and recording of examinee's movements and the surrounding area. The field of view of camera lens134is represented by semicircle150which is actually a slice in the vertical plane of a hemispheric field of view. The field of view of mirror135, which is reflected into and received by lens134, is represented by a semicircle151which is actually a slice in the vertical plane of another hemispheric field of view.FIG. 7shows the fields of view150,151as inFIG. 6with the eye gear superimposed thereon.FIG. 8shows the fields of150and151from the right side of the eye gear130ofFIG. 6.FIG. 9is a view also from right side showing camera lens134, mirror135and the fields of view150,151relative to the position of an examinee's head155.FIG. 10is a view from above the examinee's head showing slices of the respective fields of view150,151in respective horizontal planes and relative to a computer screen156that is typically part of the examinee's computer240referred to in relation toFIG. 1.

FIGS. 11-13show a resiliently expandable clamp or pincher type headset160functioning as an alternative embodiment of the image capture device200ofFIG. 1. Headset160is generally U-shaped with one leg164projecting longer than the other leg163, the legs being resiliently expandable outwardly to permit placement of the headset about a portion of a wearer's head and then released to engage the head. Headset160is provided with a device processor or controller161that includes the components described in connection with the embodiment ofFIG. 5but not repeated inFIG. 11, namely the device microprocessor, battery, control switches, etc. A camera assembly162that typically is comprised of the fish eye camera lens and 360° mirror, described above, is secured at the distal end of the longer leg164of the headset so as to project beyond the examinee's eye (i.e., the right eye when the headset is worn as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13). The headset may be worn in either of two orientations so that the longer leg164may be on either the right side or left side of the examinee's head, as desired by the examinee. The device controller161may be rotatable through 360° about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of leg164to facilitate calibrating the system for processing as described below in connection with step306inFIG. 20A. The field of view150as provided by headset160is illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13.

FIGS. 14-17show an alternative embodiment wherein a hook camera mount170may be attached to the headset160or to an examinee's own prescription eyeglasses. The hook camera mount170embodiment includes the same integrated device controller components described in connection with the embodiment ofFIG. 5but not repeated inFIGS. 14-17, namely the device microprocessor, battery, control button switches, etc. At the distal end of mount170there is secured a camera assembly including fish eye camera lens134and 360° mirror135.

The hook camera mount170may be positionally rotatable 360° about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of leg164at their point of attachment171to enable optimal positioning of the camera and mirror unit134,135, and to facilitate calibrating the system for processing as described below in connection with processing step306inFIG. 20A.

FIG. 18illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the image capture device180is a separate unit that can be selectively attached to and removed from the examinee's own eyeglasses181. As shown, device180includes an elongate housing182for the device microprocessor, battery, control button switches, etc., terminating at a pivot joint184from which extends an arm186having at its distal end a camera assembly187that typically is comprised of the fish eye camera lens134and 360° mirror135described above. Housing182is secured at its proximal end to a temple188of the eyeglasses181by a band183which may be an elastic band, a strap or any suitable connection means that permits device180to be readily attached securely to eyeglasses181during use and removed thereafter. Arm186is selectively pivotable about a vertical axis relative to temple188to any position in which it can remain during an examination.

FIG. 19illustrates an analogous arrangement for a resiliently flexible headset190of the type described hereinabove where the long leg of the U-shaped clamp terminates at a pivot joint191from which extends an arm192having at its distal end a camera assembly193that typically is comprised of the fish eye camera lens134and 360° mirror135described above.

FIGS. 20A and 20Bconstitute a flow chart illustrating the test candidate side process300for a typical embodiment of the invention. Process300may be executed by any image capture device200illustrated inFIG. 1including, but not limited to, the devices illustrated inFIGS. 2-19.

In process block301the examinee, or test candidate, logs onto the test delivery organization's secure test site and as an additional security feature may turn on a 360° room camera if available from that organization. In process block302there is interaction between the test candidate and the remote proctor to validate the test candidate. If it is determined that the candidate is invalid, the exam will stop as in process block303. In block304, if the test candidate passes the first validity test, he/she is prompted to turn on the image capture device and download the software validation and calibration program described below in connection withFIGS. 22A and 22B. Process block305validates the image capture device's unique ID with the examinee's testing profile. If the unique ID does not match the examinee's testing profile, process block303will stop the exam. Process block306calibrates the image capture device through the wireless connection. In process block307the device establishes the streaming video connection with the integrated device camera through the wireless connection. In process block308the test candidate begins taking the exam. In process block309the image capture device streams the 360° videos, in real time, to the test delivery organization secure server. In process blocks310and311, if the image capture device detects that a front facing or ocular screen image has been frozen on the same image with no movement for more than a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes), the remote proctor will send a message to the testing candidate via the testing software. If no response is received within, for example, fifteen seconds, the exam will shut down as in process block303. In process block312, when the testing candidate finishes the exam he/she will submit the exam and will sign off with the remote proctor. In process block313, when the exam has been submitted by the test candidate the image capture device will be automatically disabled. In process block314the 360° camera is turned off.

FIGS. 21A and 21Bconstitute a flow chart illustrating the proctor side progressing400for a typical embodiment of the invention. Process400may be executed by any image capture device200illustrated inFIG. 1including, but not limited to, the devices illustrated inFIGS. 2-19. In process block401the proctor receives notification that a testing candidate has signed onto the secure server. In process block402there is communication between the test candidate and the proctor via the test candidate's computer. In the process block403the proctor logs on to view the candidate if room cameras are available at the test candidate's location. In process block404the proctor checks the validity of the test candidate. If it is determined the candidate is invalid the exam will stop as in process block405. In process block406, if the test candidate passes the first validity test, he/she is prompted to turn on the image capture device and download the software validation and calibration program; this process also validates the image capture detector's unique ID with candidate's testing profile. If not valid, process block405will stop the exam. In process block407the image capture device establishes the streaming video connection with the device camera through the wireless connection for 360° tracking video to the test delivery organization secure server. In process block408the system monitors the exam. In process block409the image capture device is streaming in real time 360° videos to the test delivery organizations secure server. In process blocks410and411, if the image capture device detects that a front facing or ocular screen image has been frozen on the same image with no movement for more than a predetermined amount of time (e.g., five minutes), the proctor will send a message to the testing candidate. If no response is received the exam will shut down in process block405. In process block412, when the testing candidate finishes the exam he/she will submit the exam and will sign off with the proctor. In process block413, when the exam has been submitted by the test candidate, the image capture devise will be automatically disabled. In process block414the test candidate turns off the 360° room cameras, if available, from the test delivery organization.

FIG. 22Aand constitute a flow chart illustrating the test delivery organization side processing500for a typical embodiment of the invention. Process500may be executed by any image capture device200illustrated inFIG. 1including, but not limited to, the devices illustrated inFIGS. 2-19. In process block501the test delivery organization secure server verifies the identity of the testing candidate through the secure logon procedure. In process block502the test delivery organization secure server checks the validity of the test candidate. If it is determined the candidate is invalid, the exam will stop in process block505. In process block503if the test candidate passes the first validity test, he/she is prompted to turn on the image capture device and download the software validation and calibration program; this process also validates the device's unique ID with candidate's testing profile. If the unique ID does not match the candidate's testing profile, process block505will stop the exam. In process block506the STEW eye gear establishes the streaming video connection with the integrated camera through the wireless connection for 360° tracking video to the test delivery organization secure server. In process block507the testing candidate's exam is activated. In process blocks508and509the image capture device is streaming in real time the 360° tracking videos to the test delivery organization secure server. In process blocks510and511, if the image capture device detects that a front facing or ocular screen image has been frozen on the same image with no movement for more than a predetermined period of time (e.g., five minutes), the proctor will send a message to the testing candidate via the testing software. If no response is received the exam will shut down in process block505. In process block512, when the testing candidate finishes the exam he/she will submit the exam and will sign off with the proctor. In process block513, when the exam has been submitted by the test candidate the image capture device will be automatically disabled. In process block514the device video streaming tracking history log is stopped and saved for the testing candidate with their secure login.

FIGS. 23A and 23Bconstitute a detailed continuous calibration cycle for the test candidate; his/her eye, personal computer, test sponsor, test delivery organization, the camera(s), and the image capture device. Once the test candidate has turned on his/her computer and image capture device, the device begins to communicate with the central server. The candidate enters his/her unique identification code. The initial communication will include the authentication of the unique testing identification number and the identity of the candidate. After the candidate's identity is authenticated he/she will complete an eye calibration procedure which includes a series of eye movement and image captures for identification and confirmation. The candidate may be asked to look at objects and move his/her head and eyes in various ways, such as up, down, left, right, in order to capture the entire area at the candidate's location. The images will be recorded and sent to the server. This calibration will be continuous to ensure at all times that the candidate is still testing, is the same candidate that began the exam, and that the candidate is not cheating or using unauthorized materials. The dotted lines depict the omnidirectional area that may be recorded all centered on the candidate's eye movements throughout the testing session.

From the foregoing descriptions it will be understood that, in the image capture devices described herein, the camera system comprised of the fish eye camera lens and 360° mirror may be coupled with the device processor which may include a microprocessor, graphic processor and wireless transmitter. The omnidirectional video signals are transmitted from the video camera by the wireless transmitter and then remotely streamed to the secure testing server. The encoded and scaled video stream from the device processor is transmitted to the device transmitter which packages the data for transmission through the wireless transmitter embedded in the device controller. The device transmitter sends the data to the secure testing server260inFIG. 1.

The image capture device camera system captures the omnidirectional image as viewed by the examinee wearing that device. Omnidirectional images are sent as a continuous video stream of individual frame images. The image capture device may utilize two cameras or a camera with a fish eye lens and a 360° mirror. The examinee's eye images can be analyzed along with the front facing images. The ocular movements can be correlated to the forward facing images to determine what the user was directly looking at when viewing the front facing images. The camera captures continuous real-time omnidirectional images.

The examinee will be asked by the remote monitor to execute a calibration test (the calibration software must be downloaded after the image capture device is powered on and wireless connection has been made between the device and the examinee's computer where the user is instructed to look in various directions or at various objects. During the calibration the pupil location with each eye image may then be calibrated to the corresponding items captured in the front facing images (e.g. computer monitor, keyboard, and calculator).

The image capture device includes an On/Off switch which is located in the device controller unit. The On/Off switch must be activated to the On mode in order for the image capture device to function. Once the image capture device has been turned on, the testing software provided by the test delivery organization will prompt the examinee to download the image capture device program. This program allows the device to be calibrated; in addition, a security check will be run to validate that the image capture device ID number matches the examinee's test profile. If it doesn't match, the device will be shut down.

The device battery should have a charge life of at least four hours, preferably more. The battery may be rechargeable using a USB port connection to the examinee's computer from the device controller unit. The device battery is located in the device controller and coupled to the electronic components embedded device controller to provide power to the electronic components. For example the battery may be connected to power the video camera, wireless transmitter, the device microprocessor and other components in the device controller. The device controller, microprocessor, battery, control button switches, and transmitter are all encased in the device controller housing and are electrically interconnected to one another and other device electronic components device gear through wiring that run through the device itself.

Although the embodiments described above focus on system operation for an individual examinee for purposes of simplicity and to facilitate understanding, it is to be understood that the system typically functions with multiple examinees communicating with the centrally located server, and that equipment and system functions described herein as associated with one examinee are replicated for each of the other examinees.

The invention may be viewed as a method and system that records a remote test candidate's ocular movement through integrated cameras secured to a head mounted image capture device with the capability of recording and sending the images to a central server that stores the data and sends the images in real time to a proctor if desired. The system is comprised of the head mounted image capture device with an integrated panoramic video camera system that may include a fish eye lens and 360° mirror to capture the examinee's field of view and images of the examinee's eye. A controller integrated with the image capture device includes a battery that can be charged by the examinee's computer and houses a device microprocessor, control switches, and a device transmitter. A processing system located at the central server logs data directly to each candidate's testing event file.

The invention has numerous advantages. For example:Proctors have the ability to stop an exam if deemed appropriate according to the test sponsor, and/or test delivery organizations guidelines.The recorded data that is streamed to test delivery organizations can also utilize proprietary security methods that track unusual examinee behavior.This system may be use as a complement to already established security protocols set up by test delivery organizations, such as 360° web cameras, proprietary software products, hardware devices, and other security products.The method and apparatus for tracking a test candidate's eye contact mitigates risk for security breaches.The system detects misuse, tampering, and other illicit activity that may be monitored at a centralized test delivery place of business.

Further embodiments and uses for the system may include: tracking an athlete's eye(s) during training; assisting in safety for the elderly or disabled by alerting the person wearing the image capture device to potentially dangerous surrounding objects or impediments such as an up-coming curb; use by professionals working with remote clients when the wearer (i.e., the client) needs assistance by the professional for training; installation, maintenance or repair of equipment; use by marketing professionals for new products or films to track what interests patrons for marketing purposes such as development of a trailer for a movie; use by remote medical personnel to review emergency procedures with colleagues in another location; or for family members of a patient in a hospital or nursing home or other medical setting to use as a viable means of communication.

Having described preferred embodiments of new and improved method and system for providing secure remote testing, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.