US3721807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card grading machine
Assignee: MILLER SCIENT CORP
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Filing: 1971-10-20
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-10-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for grading optically readable answer cards wherein each card to be read is marked with optically readable marks in selected predetermined locations, the apparatus comparing a marked answer card with a correctly marked master card also having optically readable marks in the locations corresponding to the correct selection of predetermined locations on the answer card. A transport carries two arrays of photosensors for simultaneously optically reading both the master card and the answer card, and comparing the readings obtained thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 D Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:02
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for grading optically readable answer cards wherein each card to be read is marked with optically readable marks in selected predetermined locations, said apparatus comparing a marked answer card with a correctly marked master card having optically readable marks in the locations corresponding to the correct selection of predetermined locations on said answer card, said apparatus comprising: support means for holding said master and answer cards in stationary, opposed, face-to-face positions substantially parallel to each other; a transport means carrying two arrays of photosensors for simultaneously optically reading said master card and said answer card, one array capable of reading all of the possible predetermined locations of marks on said answer card and the other array capable of reading all of the possible predetermined corresponding locations of marks on said master card; means for moving said transport means simultaneously across both said cards to enable said arrays of photosensors to simultaneously read both cards, each array providing one of two opposite electrical output signals depending upon the existance or the non-existance of marks at each of said predetermined locations on the respective card being read; and comparison means for comparing each electrical output signal from the master card-reading array with the corresponding electrical output signal from the answer card-reading array, coincidence between such compared signals being indicative of a correct answer on said answer card.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for grading optically readable answer cards wherein each card to be read is marked with optically readable marks in selected predetermined locations, said apparatus comparing a marked answer card with a correctly marked master card having optically readable marks in the locations corresponding to the correct selection of predetermined locations on said answer card, said apparatus comprising: support means for holding said master and answer cards in stationary, opposed, face-to-face positions substantially parallel to each other; a transport means carrying two arrays of photosensors for simultaneously optically reading said master card and said answer card, one array capable of reading all of the possible predetermined locations of marks on said answer card and the other array capable of reading all of the possible predetermined corresponding locations of marks on said master card; means for moving said transport means simultaneously across both said cards to enable said arrays of photosensors to simultaneously read both cards, each array providing one of two opposite electrical output signals depending upon the existance or the non-existance of marks at each of said predetermined locations on the respective card being read; and comparison means for comparing each electrical output signal from the master card-reading array with the corresponding electrical output signal from the answer card-reading array, coincidence between such compared signals being indicative of a correct answer on said answer card.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by said transport means moving along the length of said cards, and being located between their opposed faces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by said photosensors including a light source focused on said predetermined locations on said cards, and including solid-state photosensitive devices arranged and adapted to detect the light reflected off said predetermined locations, said photosensors providing one of said two opposite electrical output signals if such light is reflected off an unmarked location, and the other of said two opposite electrical output signals if such light is reflected off a marked location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized by a single light source projecting a light beam onto the predetermined locations on the opposed faces of both of said cards simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by each array of photosensors simultaneously sensing the light reflected off a row of predetermined locations on its respective card, a different sensor in said array sensing light reflected off each predetermined location in said row, whereby the presence or absence of more than one mark in a row is simultaneously detected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized by marking means connected to receive the output signals from a plurality of said photo-sensors within one row, and to indicate that the answers are correct only if all the output signals from the photosensors reading said plurality of marks on said answer card correspond with all corresponding output signals from the other array of photosensors reading the corresponding marks in the corresponding row on said master card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized by said plurality of marks comprising an entire row.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by the addition of a means for automatically rejecting the answer card after grading is completed comprising: a moveable stop bar abutting one end of said answer card when said answer card rests in the position to be graded; and answer card removal means including meanS for moving said stop bar out of the path of said answer card, and impelling means for simultaneously impelling said answer card out of said apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized by said impelling means including a spinning belt which is mounted to come into frictional contact with said answer card after said stop bar has been moved out of said path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized by said stop bar being mounted on one end of a pivoted arm and said spinning belt being mounted on the other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |