JP7535899B2 - Test system, server and test method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a test system, a server, and a test method.

In recent years, a test system has become known in which a test is taken from a remote location via a communication network. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-290412 discloses a test system that includes a test terminal installed in an unmanned booth, a surveillance camera that captures the environment inside the unmanned booth, and a management terminal that is connected to the test terminal via a communication network. The surveillance camera is connected to the test terminal. Images captured by the surveillance camera are sent to the test terminal. The test terminal includes a portrait camera that captures the upper body of the test taker. The test terminal transmits images captured by the portrait camera to the management terminal along with images captured by the surveillance camera. This allows an operator of the management terminal to monitor test takers for cheating by checking images from the two cameras.

JP 2001-290412 A

In the test system disclosed in JP 2001-290412 A, if communication between the test terminal and the management terminal is interrupted, the management terminal cannot acquire images from both the surveillance camera and the person camera. Therefore, it is not possible to monitor fraudulent activity during the period when communication is interrupted.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide an examination system, server, and examination method that makes it easy to monitor examinee misconduct.

A test system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a server capable of communicating with the first terminal and the second terminal. The first terminal includes a display that displays test questions received from the server, a first camera that captures images of the test taking place, and a first communication module that transmits a first image captured by the first camera to the server. The second terminal includes a second camera that captures images of the test taking place, and a second communication module that transmits a second image captured by the second camera to the server.

A server according to one aspect of the present disclosure is capable of communicating with a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal includes a display and a first camera. The second terminal includes a second camera. The server includes a providing unit, a first acquiring unit, and a second acquiring unit. The server provides the first terminal with test questions to be displayed on the display. The server acquires a first image captured by the first camera showing the state of the test, and acquires a second image captured by the second camera showing the state of the test.

A testing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a testing method using a first terminal and a second terminal. The testing method includes the steps of: providing the first terminal with test questions to be displayed on a display; acquiring a first image showing the state of the test taken by a first camera by communicating with the first terminal; and acquiring a second image showing the state of the test taken by a second camera by communicating with the second terminal.

The present disclosure provides an examination system, server, and examination method that makes it easy to monitor examinee misconduct.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a test system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a server, a test terminal, and an auxiliary terminal. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a server, a test terminal, and an auxiliary terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the process flow of steps S1 to S11 of the test method. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the process flow of steps S12 to S22 of the test method. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the process flow of steps S23 to S33 of the test method. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of authentication information stored in a storage unit of the server. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a web page including a two-dimensional code. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of association information. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a second image captured by the camera of the auxiliary terminal. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a first image captured by a camera of a test terminal.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or equivalent parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated. The embodiments and modifications described below may be combined as appropriate.

(Overall configuration of the test system)
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a test system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the test system 1 includes a server 10, a test terminal 20, and an auxiliary terminal 30. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the test system 1 includes one server 10. However, the test system 1 may include multiple servers that can communicate with each other. In this case, the multiple servers work together to provide the functions of the server 10 described below.

The test terminal 20 is composed of, for example, a desktop computer or a notebook computer, and is capable of browsing web pages. The test terminal 20 displays the test questions received from the server 10, and transmits the answers entered by the examinee to the server 10.

The examination terminal 20 has a camera 206. The camera 206 captures images of the examinee taking the examination. The examination terminal 20 transmits a first image captured by the camera 206 to the server 10.

The auxiliary terminal 30 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet. The auxiliary terminal 30 has a camera 306. The auxiliary terminal 30 is placed against the stand 40 so that the camera 306 can capture an image of the examinee taking the test. The auxiliary terminal 30 transmits a second image captured by the camera 306 to the server 10.

The state of the test taken in the first and second images includes the state of the examinee's body and the state of the examinee's surroundings (the entire desk, the room, etc.). In other words, the first and second images may show at least a part of the examinee's body, or may not show the examinee's body. If the examinee's body is not shown, the first and second images only need to show the state of the examinee's surroundings. The first and second images may be videos, or may be still images taken at a specified timing (interval).

The server 10 can communicate with the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 individually. The server 10 operates as a web server, transmits test questions to the test terminal 20, and receives answers from the test terminal 20. The server 10 stores the received answers. By checking the stored answers, test results such as score and pass/fail can be obtained.

The server 10 communicates with the examination terminal 20 to obtain a first image taken by the camera 206 of the examination terminal 20. Furthermore, the server 10 communicates with the auxiliary terminal 30 to obtain a second image taken by the camera 306 of the auxiliary terminal 30. The server 10 stores the first and second images acquired during the examination. By checking the first and second images stored in the server 10, a monitor can monitor examinees for cheating.

Furthermore, since the first image and the second image are respectively acquired from the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, which can respectively communicate with the server 10, even if the communication between the test terminal 20 and the server 10 is interrupted, it is possible to monitor cheating during the period when the communication is interrupted by checking the second image acquired from the auxiliary terminal 30. Similarly, even if the communication between the auxiliary terminal 30 and the server 10 is interrupted, it is possible to monitor cheating during the period when the communication is interrupted by checking the first image acquired from the test terminal 20. Since the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 can respectively communicate with the server 10, it is unlikely that the communication between the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 and the server 10 will be interrupted at the same time, and cheating during the test can be effectively monitored.

(Hardware configuration)
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 10, the test terminal 20, and the auxiliary terminal 30. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 10 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, and a communication module 104. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus 111 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

The processor 101 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 101 reads various programs stored in the storage 103, expands them in the memory 102, and executes them. The memory 102 is composed of, for example, a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

The storage 103 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 103 stores a management program 105 for managing the test system 1. Furthermore, the storage 103 stores various information related to the execution of the program.

The communication module 104 communicates with the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 via the communication network.

The test terminal 20 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, a communication module 204, a camera 206, a display 207, an input device 208, a speaker 209, and a microphone 210. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus 211 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The input device 208 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.

The processor 201 is composed of, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc. The processor 201 reads out various programs stored in the storage 203, expands them in the memory 202, and executes them. The memory 202 is composed of, for example, a volatile storage device such as a DRAM or an SRAM. The storage 203 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as an SSD or an HDD. The storage 203 stores a browser 205, which is software that connects to a web server.

The communication module 204 communicates according to a communication protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or WiFi (registered trademark).

The auxiliary terminal 30 includes a processor 301, a memory 302, a storage 303, a communication module 304, a camera 306, a display 307, an input device 308, a speaker 309, and a microphone 310. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus 311 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The input device 208 includes, for example, a touch panel.

The processor 301 is composed of, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc. The processor 301 reads out various programs stored in the storage 303, expands them in the memory 302, and executes them. The memory 302 is composed of, for example, a volatile storage device such as a DRAM or an SRAM. The storage 303 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as an SSD or an HDD. A test assistance application 305 for assisting the test is stored in the storage 303.

The communication module 304 performs wireless communication according to one communication protocol selected from a plurality of communication protocols according to a priority. The plurality of communication protocols include, for example, WiFi (registered trademark), 4G/LTE, and the like. When wireless communication according to WiFi (registered trademark), which has the highest priority, is interrupted while the communication module 304 is performing wireless communication according to 4G/LTE, the communication module 304 starts wireless communication according to 4G/LTE.

(Functional configuration)
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 10, the test terminal 20, and the auxiliary terminal 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the server 10 includes a providing unit 11, a generating unit 12, acquiring units 13 and 14, a judging unit 15, and a storage unit 16. The providing unit 11, the generating unit 12, the acquiring units 13 and 14, and the judging unit 15 are realized by the processor 101 shown in Fig. 2 executing a management program 105. The storage unit 16 is realized by the memory 102 and the storage 103 shown in Fig. 2.

The providing unit 11 provides a web page in response to a request from the test terminal 20. For example, the providing unit 11 generates a web page showing test questions based on the question information 161 stored in the memory unit 16, and provides the generated web page.

The generation unit 12 associates the examinee with the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 in response to a match between the first and second authentication signals received from the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, respectively, and the first and second authentication data indicated by the authentication information 162 stored in the memory unit 16. Typically, the generation unit 12 generates association information 163 that associates the examinee with the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30. The generation unit 12 stores the generated association information 163 in the memory unit 16.

The first authentication data indicated by the authentication information 162 is, for example, an examinee ID and a password that are assigned to each examinee. The first authentication data is assigned, for example, when an examinee applies for an exam.

The second authentication data indicated by the authentication information 162 is, for example, a two-dimensional code assigned to each examinee. The second authentication data is assigned at any time between when the examinee applies for the exam and before the exam begins.

The acquisition unit 13 communicates with the examination terminal 20 to acquire a first image of the examinee taken by the camera 206 of the examination terminal 20. The acquisition unit 13 stores image data 164 showing the first image acquired during the period from the start to the end of the examination in the storage unit 16. The acquisition unit 13 stores the image data 164 for each examinee.

The acquisition unit 14 communicates with the auxiliary terminal 30 to acquire a second image of the examinee taken by the camera 306 of the auxiliary terminal 30. The acquisition unit 14 stores image data 165 showing the second image acquired during the period from the start to the end of the test in the memory unit 16. The acquisition unit 14 stores the image data 165 for each examinee.

The determination unit 15 determines whether or not the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted based on at least one of the image data 164 and the image data 165.

The test terminal 20 includes a request unit 21, a display processing unit 22, and an image transmission unit 23. The request unit 21, the display processing unit 22, and the image transmission unit 23 are realized by the processor 201 shown in FIG. 2 executing the browser 205.

The request unit 21 requests a web page from the server 10 in response to an input to the input device 208 (see FIG. 2). For example, the request unit 21 requests a web page from the server 10 that shows a login screen that prompts the examinee to enter an examinee ID and password. The request unit 21 transmits a first authentication signal indicating the entered examinee ID and password to the server 10. Furthermore, the request unit 21 requests a web page showing test questions from the server 10. Note that since the web page provided by the providing unit 11 of the server 10 may be updated, the request unit 21 reloads the web page not only when an input is made to the input device 208, but also periodically (e.g., every 30 seconds).

The display processing unit 22 performs processing to display the web page received from the server 10 on the display 207 (see Figure 2).

The image transmission unit 23 transmits a first image captured by the camera 206 (see FIG. 2) to the server 10. In response to an instruction to permit image transmission being input to the input device 208, the image transmission unit 23 starts capturing images with the camera 206 and transmitting the first image obtained by capturing the images.

The auxiliary terminal 30 includes an initial setting unit 31 and an image transmission unit 32. The initial setting unit 31 and the image transmission unit 32 are realized by the processor 301 shown in FIG. 2 executing the test auxiliary application 305.

The initial setting unit 31 performs the settings required to start the test. Specifically, the initial setting unit 31 generates a second authentication signal indicating the input two-dimensional code, and transmits the generated second authentication signal to the server 10. Furthermore, the initial setting unit 31 displays guidance on the display 307 (see FIG. 2) to encourage adjustment of the position of the auxiliary terminal 30.

The image transmission unit 32 transmits the second image captured by the camera 306 (see FIG. 2) to the server 10. In response to an instruction to permit image transmission being input to the input device 308, the image transmission unit 32 starts capturing images with the camera 306 and transmitting the second image obtained by the capture.

The image sending unit 32 sends the second image captured by the camera 306 (see FIG. 2) to the server 10 without processing the second image. In other words, the test assistant application 305 does not have an image editing function. This makes it possible to prevent the examinee from tampering with the second image.

(Processing flow)
An example of the process flow of the test method in the test system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 11. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the process flow of steps S1 to S11 of the test method. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the process flow of steps S12 to S22 of the test method. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the process flow of steps S23 to S33 of the test method. Before step S1 in Figure 4, the browser 205 of the test terminal 20 is started.

As shown in FIG. 4, the request unit 21 of the examination terminal 20 accesses the server 10 in response to the examinee's input and requests a login page (step S1). The provision unit 11 of the server 10 provides the login page to the examination terminal 20 in response to the request (step S2). The display processing unit 22 of the examination terminal 20 displays the login page on the display 207. The login page is, for example, a screen that prompts the examinee to enter an examinee ID and password.

The request unit 21 generates a first authentication signal indicating the examinee ID and password entered on the login page, and transmits the generated first authentication signal to the server 10 (step S3).

The generation unit 12 of the server 10 executes the first authentication process using the received first authentication signal and the authentication information 162 (step S4).

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of authentication information 162 stored in the memory unit 16 of the server 10. As shown in Figure 7, the authentication information 162 includes, for example, a record that associates first authentication data with second authentication data for each examinee. The first authentication data indicates an examinee ID and a password. The second authentication data indicates a two-dimensional code.

The examinee ID and password are uniquely assigned to the examinee when he or she applies for the test. The two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), and is uniquely assigned to the examinee. The two-dimensional code may be assigned before step S4, or after it is determined in step S4 that the authentication has been successful.

In the first authentication process, the generation unit 12 determines whether the first authentication signal matches the first authentication data of any record included in the authentication information 162. The generation unit 12 determines that the authentication is successful when the first authentication signal matches the first authentication data of any record. The generation unit 12 determines that the authentication is unsuccessful when the first authentication signal does not match the first authentication data of any record. When the server 10 receives the first authentication signal from the test terminal 20, it determines that communication with the test terminal 20 has been established.

If authentication fails (NO in step S4), the process returns to step S2. If authentication succeeds (YES in step S4), the generation unit 12 identifies a record that includes first authentication data that matches the first authentication signal (step S5).

The providing unit 11 transmits the second authentication data of the identified record to the test terminal 20 (step S6). Specifically, the providing unit 11 provides the test terminal 20 with a web page including the two-dimensional code that is the second authentication data.

Next, the test terminal 20 outputs the second authentication data received from the server 10 (step S7). Specifically, the display processing unit 22 of the test terminal 20 displays a web page including the two-dimensional code on the display 207.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a web page 50 including a two-dimensional code. The web page 50 includes a message 51 that causes the terminal on which the test assistant application 305 is installed to read the two-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code 52, and a button 53 that is operated when the initial settings of the test assistant application 305 are completed. Note that in step S7, the button 53 is displayed in a grayed-out state.

The examinee operates the auxiliary terminal 30 in accordance with the message 51 and starts the test auxiliary application 305 (step S8). This causes the initial setting unit 31 of the auxiliary terminal 30 to start processing in accordance with the test auxiliary application 305.

The initial setting unit 31 causes the display 307 to display a message prompting the user to input the second authentication data (step S9). Specifically, the initial setting unit 31 causes the camera 306 to start capturing images, and causes a message to be displayed to cause the camera 306 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code. At this time, the initial setting unit 31 causes the display 307 to display an image obtained by the image capture by the camera 306. This allows the examinee to move the auxiliary terminal 30 so that the two-dimensional code displayed on the examination terminal 20 is within the field of view of the camera 306.

The initial setting unit 31 transmits a second authentication signal indicating the input information to the server 10 (step S10). The generation unit 12 of the server 10 executes a second authentication process using the second authentication signal received from the auxiliary terminal 30 and the second authentication data transmitted in step S5 (step S11). That is, the generation unit 12 determines that the authentication is successful if the second authentication signal matches the second authentication data, and determines that the authentication is unsuccessful if the second authentication signal does not match the second authentication data. When the server 10 receives the second authentication signal from the auxiliary terminal 30, it determines that communication with the auxiliary terminal 30 has been established.

For example, the initial setting unit 31 may transmit an image (including a two-dimensional code) captured by the camera 306 to the server 10. In this case, the generation unit 12 determines that the authentication is successful if the two-dimensional code in the received image matches the two-dimensional code transmitted in step S6, and determines that the authentication is unsuccessful if they do not match.

Alternatively, the initial setting unit 31 may transmit information indicated by the two-dimensional code captured by the camera 306 to the server 10. In this case, the generation unit 12 determines that the authentication is successful if the received information matches the information indicated by the two-dimensional code transmitted in step S6, and determines that the authentication is unsuccessful if they do not match.

Alternatively, if the two-dimensional code indicates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the initial setting unit 31 may access the URL indicated by the two-dimensional code photographed by the camera 306. The generation unit 12 determines that the authentication is successful if the URL indicated by the two-dimensional code transmitted in step S6 is accessed within a specified time (e.g., three minutes), and determines that the authentication is unsuccessful if there is no access within the specified time.

If the authentication fails (NO in step S11), the process returns to step S6. If the authentication succeeds (YES in step S11), as shown in FIG. 5, the generation unit 12 generates association information 163 and stores the generated association information 163 in the storage unit 16 (step S12). The association information 163 associates the test terminal 20, which is the sender of the first authentication signal that matches the first authentication data of the record identified in step S5, with the auxiliary terminal 30, which is the sender of the second authentication signal that matches the second authentication data of the record.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the association information 163. The association information 163 associates an examinee ID, an IP address of the examination terminal 20, information identifying image data 164 showing a first image, an IP address of the auxiliary terminal 30, and information identifying image data 165 showing a second image. The information identifying the image data 164, 165 includes, for example, the name of the folder in which the image data 164, 165 are saved, the file names of the image data 164, 165, etc.

When the generation unit 12 completes the generation and storage of the association information 163, it transmits a position adjustment instruction to the auxiliary terminal 30 based on the IP address of the auxiliary terminal 30 included in the association information 163 (step S13).

In response to the instruction, the initial setting unit 31 of the auxiliary terminal 30 displays guidance on the display 307 to encourage the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 (step S14). The guidance encourages the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 so that the field of view of the camera 306 of the auxiliary terminal 30 includes the examinee's appearance during the test (e.g., the examinee's hands when operating the test terminal 20, the screen of the display 207 of the test terminal 20, and the surroundings of the display 207). Furthermore, the guidance requests permission to send an image from the camera 306 to the server 10.

Next, with the examinee's permission, the image transmission unit 32 of the auxiliary terminal 30 starts taking pictures with the camera 306 and transmitting the second image obtained by the taking pictures to the server 10 (step S15). At this time, the image transmission unit 32 may display the second image on the display 307. This makes it easier for the examinee to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 by following the guidance.

When the auxiliary terminal 30 is configured as a smartphone, the auxiliary terminal 30 has an in-camera and an out-camera as the camera 306. The image transmission unit 32 may transmit an image captured by either the in-camera or the out-camera. However, it is preferable that the image transmission unit 32 transmits an image captured by the in-camera. This makes it easier for the examinee to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30.

The acquisition unit 14 of the server 10 acquires the second image from the auxiliary terminal 30. The determination unit 15 determines whether or not the field of view of the camera 306 of the auxiliary terminal 30 needs to be adjusted based on the acquired second image (step S16).

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the second image captured by the camera 306 of the auxiliary terminal 30. For example, the determination unit 15 uses a known object recognition technique to determine whether a display and a human hand are captured in the second image. In this specification, "hand" refers to the body part from the wrist to the fingertips. Alternatively, the determination unit 15 may determine whether an input device (e.g., a keyboard) is captured in front of the display, or whether the rear of the display is captured. Furthermore, the determination unit 15 may determine whether a two-dimensional code indicated in the second authentication data corresponding to the auxiliary terminal 30 is captured in the area recognized as the display.

The determination unit 15 determines that adjustment of the field of view of the camera 306 is not necessary, for example, based on the fact that a display, a human hand, and a two-dimensional code are captured in the second image.

Alternatively, the judgment unit 15 may judge that adjustment of the field of view of the camera 306 is not necessary if a two-dimensional code is captured in the second image and the position and size of the two-dimensional code in the second image satisfy a predetermined criterion. The criterion is determined in advance according to the possible range of the position and size of the two-dimensional code in the image when the display 207 of the test terminal 20, the examinee's hand operating the test terminal 20, and the periphery of the display 207 are included in the image.

If the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted (YES in step S16), the process returns to step S16. If the result is YES in step S16, the judgment unit 15 may send a notification to the auxiliary terminal 30 according to the judgment result. For example, if a person's hand is not captured in the second image, the judgment unit 15 sends a notification instructing the auxiliary terminal 30 to adjust the position so that the examinee's hand is captured. Alternatively, if a display is not captured in the second image, the judgment unit 15 sends a notification instructing the auxiliary terminal 30 to adjust the position so that the screen of the display 207 of the test terminal 20 is captured.

If the field of view of the camera 306 does not need to be adjusted ( NO in step S16), the determination unit 15 notifies the auxiliary terminal 30 that the initial settings are complete (step S17). In step S17, the provision unit 11 updates the web page 50 (see FIG. 8) so that an operation on the button 53 can be accepted.

When the initial setting unit 31 of the auxiliary terminal 30 receives the notification that the initial setting is complete, it displays on the display 307 a message prompting the examinee to operate the button 53 on the web page 50 (see FIG. 8) displayed on the examination terminal 20 (step S18). After confirming the message, the examinee clicks the button 53.

In response to the operation of button 53, the request unit 21 of the test terminal 20 requests the next web page from the server 10 (step S19). In response to the request, the provision unit 11 of the server 10 provides the test terminal 20 with a web page including a button (image transmission permission button) that allows image transmission (step S20). In response to the operation of the image transmission permission button, the image transmission unit 23 of the test terminal 20 starts capturing images with the camera 206 and transmitting the resulting video image (first image) to the server 10 (step S21).

Figure 11 shows an example of a first image captured by the camera 206 of the test terminal 20. As shown in Figure 11, the first image shows the examinee's face.

In step S22, the acquisition unit 13 of the server 10 starts saving image data 164 indicating the first image acquired from the test terminal 20 in the memory unit 16. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 14 starts saving image data 165 indicating the second image acquired from the auxiliary terminal 30 in the memory unit 16. The acquisition units 13 and 14 set destination folders and file names for the image data 164 and 165, respectively, according to the association information 163.

The server 10 acquires the first image and the second image from the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, respectively. Therefore, even if communication with one of the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 is interrupted, the image from the other terminal is saved. For example, if a communication failure occurs in the WiFi (registered trademark) itself while the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 are communicating with the server 10 using WiFi (registered trademark), the communication module 304 of the auxiliary terminal 30 switches to 4G/LTE to continue communication with the server 10. Therefore, the server 10 cannot acquire the first image from the test terminal 20, but can continue to save the second image from the auxiliary terminal 30. Alternatively, even if a communication failure occurs between the test terminal 20 and WiFi (registered trademark) or between the auxiliary terminal 30 and WiFi (registered trademark), at least one of the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 can continue communication with the server 10 and acquire the state of the examinee during the test.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, steps S23 to S26 and steps S27 to S29 are performed in parallel.

As described above, the server 10 receives the first authentication signal from the test terminal 20 and the second authentication signal from the auxiliary terminal 30, and determines that communication with the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 has been established. In step S23, the providing unit 11 of the server 10 confirms that communication with the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 has been established, and then provides a web page including test questions to the test terminal 20 based on the question information 161 stored in the memory unit 16. Note that the provision of the web page including the test questions in step S22 is performed in response to pressing the image transmission permission button on the web page provided in step S20.

The display processing unit 22 of the examination terminal 20 displays a web page including the examination questions on the display 207 (step S24). Next, the request unit 21 transmits the answers to the server 10 in response to the examinee's input (step S25). The providing unit 11 of the server 10 stores the answer information indicating the received answers in the storage unit 16 (step S26).

In step S27, the determination unit 15 of the server 10 determines whether or not the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted. The method of determination in step S27 will be described later.

If the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted (YES in step S27), the providing unit 11 updates the web page to include a notification prompting the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 (step S28). As described above, the requesting unit 21 of the examination terminal 20 periodically reloads the web page. Therefore, when the web page is reloaded, the display processing unit 22 of the examination terminal 20 displays a notification prompting the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 on the display 207 (step S29). This allows the examinee to recognize that the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 needs to be adjusted, and adjusts the position of the auxiliary terminal 30. If the field of view of the camera 306 does not need to be adjusted (NO in step S27), steps S28 and S29 are omitted.

Next, the providing unit 11 of the server 10 judges whether the test has ended (step S30). For example, the providing unit 11 judges that the test has ended when a specified time has elapsed since the start of provision of the web page containing the test questions. Alternatively, the providing unit 11 may judge that the test has ended when the answers to all the test questions have been saved. Alternatively, the providing unit 11 may judge that the test has ended when the examinee transmits his/her intention to end the test to the server 10 by using an end test button displayed on the web page.

If the test is not completed (No in step S30), steps S23 to S26 and steps S27 to S29 are performed again in parallel.

When the test is completed (Yes in step S30), the acquisition units 13 and 14 of the test terminal end the storage of the image data 164 and 165, respectively (step S31). After that, the image transmission unit 23 of the test terminal 20 ends the image capture by the camera 206 (step S32). Furthermore, the image transmission unit 32 of the auxiliary terminal 30 ends the image capture by the camera 306 (step S33). Note that step S32 is performed in response to receiving a screen indicating the end of the test from the server 10 and pressing a button included on the screen to end image transmission. Step S33 is performed in response to an end instruction from the server 10. In this manner, the processing of the test method ends.

(Monitoring fraudulent activities)
The image data 164, 165 stored in the memory unit 16 are used to monitor examinees for fraudulent behavior. As shown in Fig. 11, the first image represented by the image data 164 shows the examinee's face. As shown in Fig. 10, the second image represented by the image data 165 shows the screen of the display 207 of the test terminal 20, the surroundings of the display 207, the examinee's hands, etc.

For example, the monitor identifies, for each examinee, image data 164, 165 acquired from the test terminal 20 and auxiliary terminal 30, respectively, corresponding to the examinee's examinee ID, based on the association information 163. The monitor can monitor examinees for misconduct by checking the identified image data 164, 165.

When there are a large number of examinees or when the test takes a long time, visually checking the image data 164, 165 is time-consuming. Therefore, the image data 164, 165 may be subjected to image processing to calculate an evaluation value for cheating.

For example, the gaze direction of the examinee may be detected based on image data 164. A known method such as that disclosed in JP 2020-126573 A may be adopted as a method for detecting the gaze direction from a face image. That is, processor 101 detects multiple feature points representing the position of the eyes from the entire image of each frame represented by image data 164. Processor 101 detects the gaze direction of the eyes in the image using information on the eye surrounding area that is set to include the positions of the detected multiple feature points.

An examinee usually looks at the display 207 of the examination terminal 20 or at the paper he or she has prepared to answer the examination questions. The paper is usually placed in front of the examination terminal 20. Therefore, the examinee's gaze is usually directed downward between the display 207 of the examination terminal 20 and the examination terminal 20 and the torso. On the other hand, an examinee who is cheating will look at, for example, an electronic dictionary placed next to the examination terminal 20.

Therefore, for example, an evaluation value proportional to the time that the gaze is directed horizontally at the test terminal 20 may be calculated. Specifically, the processor 101 calculates an evaluation value proportional to the number of frames in which the gaze is directed horizontally at the test terminal 20, among the multiple frames constituting the moving image shown by the image data 164. The monitor may determine that there is a high possibility that cheating has occurred for examinees with high evaluation values. Alternatively, the monitor may check the image data 164, 165 for examinees with high evaluation values.

(Method of determination in step S27)
Next, a specific example of the determination method in step S27 will be described.

(Specific Example 1)
During the test, for some reason, the position or posture of the auxiliary terminal 30 may change. For example, the examinee's hand or arm may come into contact with the auxiliary terminal 30, causing the auxiliary terminal 30 to fall over and change its posture.

When the position or attitude of the auxiliary terminal 30 changes, there is a possibility that the screen of the display 207 of the test terminal 20 and the examinee's hand will no longer appear in the second image. Therefore, the judgment unit 15 constantly or periodically checks the second image acquired by the acquisition unit 14, and uses a publicly known object recognition technology to judge whether the display and the examinee's hand are included in the second image.

For example, if the display is not visible in the second image, the determination unit 15 determines that the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted, and generates a notification prompting the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30.

The examinee's hands may not always appear in the second image. For example, if the examinee's arms are folded, the examinee's hands may not appear in the second image. Therefore, the judgment unit 15 may determine that the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted when a period in which no human hands are visible in the second image continues for a specified time, i.e., when a period in which position adjustment is required continues for a specified time, and generate a notification to prompt the examinee to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30.

Alternatively, all of the web pages provided to the examinee from the server 10 may contain the two-dimensional code indicated by the second authentication data corresponding to the examinee. In this case, the judgment unit 15 may use a known image recognition technique to judge whether or not the two-dimensional code is shown in the second image, and may determine that the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted if the two-dimensional code is not shown.

(Specific Example 2)
As described above, the gaze of an examinee who commits fraudulent acts is directed, for example, at an electronic dictionary placed next to the examination terminal 20. Therefore, the determination unit 15 may detect the gaze direction of the examinee from the first image acquired from the examination terminal 20 using a known method such as that disclosed in JP 2020-126573 A.

The judgment unit 15 calculates the first time during which the examinee's gaze is directed to the right side of the examination terminal 20. For example, the judgment unit 15 calculates the first time as the product of the number of frames in which the examinee's gaze is directed to the right side of the examination terminal 20, among the multiple frames constituting the moving image shown by the image data 164, and the time between frames. In the same manner, the judgment unit 15 calculates the second time during which the examinee's gaze is directed to the left side of the display 207 of the examination terminal 20. The judgment unit 15 compares each of the first time and the second time with a predetermined threshold value.

The determination unit 15 may determine that the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted in response to the first time exceeding the threshold, and generate a notification that prompts the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 to shift the field of view of the camera 306 to the right of the display 207. The determination unit 15 may determine that the field of view of the camera 306 needs to be adjusted in response to the second time exceeding the threshold, and generate a notification that prompts the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 to shift the field of view of the camera 306 to the left of the display 207.

(Variation 1)
In the above description, the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 is adjusted so that the examinee's hands, the screen of the display 207 of the examination terminal 20, and the surroundings of the display 207 are captured in the second image. However, the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 may also be adjusted so that the examinee's hands are captured in the second image. By checking the state of the examinee's hands, cheating can be monitored.

Alternatively, the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 may be adjusted so that the right or left side of the examinee's upper body is captured in the second image. By checking the movement of the upper body, it is possible to determine whether the examinee is behaving suspiciously. As a result, cheating can be monitored.

Alternatively, the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 may be adjusted so that the second image shows the back of the examinee's upper body, i.e., the back of the examinee's head and back and their surroundings. By checking head movements, it is possible to determine whether the examinee is behaving suspiciously. As a result, cheating can be monitored.

(Variation 2)
In the above description, the second authentication data indicates a two-dimensional code. However, the second authentication data is not limited to this. For example, the second authentication data may be a character string. In this case, the examinee only needs to input the character string displayed on the examination terminal 20 into the auxiliary terminal 30 in response to the display in step S9.

Alternatively, the second authentication data may represent voice. In this case, in step S7, the processor 201 of the test terminal 20 outputs the voice represented by the second authentication data from the speaker 209. In step S10, the initial setting unit 31 generates a second authentication signal representing the voice input to the microphone 310.

(Variation 3)
If the sleep function is enabled in the auxiliary terminal 30, the auxiliary terminal 30 may transition to a sleep state during the test, and image capture by the camera 306 may automatically be stopped. Therefore, the determination unit 15 may generate a notification to restore the auxiliary terminal 30 from the sleep state in response to interruption of acquisition of the second image from the auxiliary terminal 30. When a web page including the notification is displayed on the examination terminal 20, the examinee can notice that the auxiliary terminal 30 has transitioned to the sleep state and can restore the auxiliary terminal 30 from the sleep state.

Furthermore, if the battery of the auxiliary terminal 30 runs out during the test, communication between the auxiliary terminal 30 and the server 10 may be interrupted. Therefore, the judgment unit 15 may generate a notification to check the charge capacity of the auxiliary terminal 30 in response to the interruption of communication with the auxiliary terminal 30. By displaying a web page including the notification on the test terminal 20, the examinee can realize that the battery of the auxiliary terminal 30 has run out, charge the battery of the auxiliary terminal 30, and restore communication between the auxiliary terminal 30 and the server 10.

(Variation 4)
The flow of the test method of the test system 1 is not limited to the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 to 6. For example, the process of starting the test assistant application 305 in step S8 may be performed at any timing before step S7. Furthermore, the process of generating the association information 163 in step S12 may be performed after it is determined in step S16 that adjustment of the field of view of the camera 306 is not necessary. Furthermore, the process of starting saving the image in step S22 may be performed after the start of provision of the first test question.

(Variation 5)
The display processing unit 22 of the test terminal 20 may display the web page on the display 207 and may also play back the voice embedded in the web page from the speaker 209. This allows a hearing test to be conducted. Furthermore, the test terminal 20 may acquire the voice input to the microphone 210 as an answer.

(Variation 6)
The server 10 may register in advance the examination terminal 20 and auxiliary terminal 30 used by each examinee. In this case, the server 10 may determine that communication with the examination terminal 20 and auxiliary terminal 30 has been established upon receiving a first signal and a second signal from the examination terminal 20 and auxiliary terminal 30 registered in advance, respectively. The types of the first and second signals are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, signals requesting a communication connection. Then, the server 10 may start providing examination questions to the examination terminal 20 after receiving the first signal and the second signal from the examination terminal 20 and auxiliary terminal 30, respectively.

(Action and Effects)
As described above, the test system 1 of the present disclosure includes the test terminal 20, the auxiliary terminal 30, and the server 10 capable of communicating with the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30. The test terminal 20 includes a display 207 that displays test questions received from the server 10, a camera 206 that takes pictures of the test, and a communication module 204 that transmits a first image taken by the camera 206 to the server 10. The auxiliary terminal 30 includes a camera 306 that takes pictures of the test, and a communication module 304 that transmits a second image taken by the camera 306 to the server 10.

The server 10, which can communicate with the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, provides the test terminal 20 with test questions to be displayed on the display 207. The server 10 acquires a first image captured by the camera 206 showing the state of the test, and acquires a second image captured by the camera 306 showing the state of the test.

According to the above configuration, the first image and the second image are acquired from the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, respectively. Since the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 are each capable of communicating with the server 10, the possibility that communication between the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 and the server 10 will be interrupted at the same time is low, and cheating during the examination can be effectively monitored. In this way, it is possible to provide an examination system 1, server 10, and examination method that make it easy to monitor cheating by examinees.

Furthermore, in the test system disclosed in JP 2001-290412 A, the test terminal and the surveillance camera had to be connected via wiring, which was time-consuming. However, with the above configuration, there is no need to connect the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, so the wiring work can be omitted.

Furthermore, in the test system disclosed in JP 2001-290412 A, the test terminal transmits images from the portrait camera to the management terminal along with images from the surveillance camera. In other words, the test terminal performs processing to transmit two images. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare a high-performance terminal with a fast processing speed as the test terminal. In addition, the amount of communication between the test terminal and the management terminal becomes large, making communication failures likely to occur. However, with the above configuration, the first image and the second image are acquired from the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, respectively, so there is no need to prepare a high-performance terminal as the test terminal 20, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of communication failures between the test terminal 20 and the server 10.

It is preferable that the server 10 provides the test questions to the test terminal 20 after receiving a first signal (e.g., a first authentication signal) from the test terminal 20 and a second signal (e.g., a second authentication signal) from the auxiliary terminal 30.

With the above configuration, test questions can be provided only to examinees who are ready to acquire the first and second images from the cameras 206 and 306, i.e., examinees who have established communication between the server 10 and the test terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30. This allows all examinees to be monitored for cheating, ensuring fairness.

It is preferable that the server 10 associates the examinee with the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30 in response to the first authentication signal and the second authentication signal received from the examination terminal 20 and the auxiliary terminal 30, respectively, matching the first authentication data and the second authentication data corresponding to the examinee, respectively.

According to the above configuration, even if multiple examinees access the server 10 at the same time, it is possible to associate the examination terminal 20 and auxiliary terminal 30 used by each examinee. This allows a monitor to monitor the examinee's misconduct by checking the first image acquired from the examination terminal 20 corresponding to the examinee and the second image acquired from the auxiliary terminal 30 corresponding to the examinee.

If it is necessary to adjust the field of view of the camera 306, it is preferable for the server 10 to notify the display 207 to prompt the user to adjust the position of the auxiliary terminal 30.

According to the above configuration, even if the position and attitude of the auxiliary terminal 30 changes for some reason, the examinee can recognize that the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 needs to be adjusted by checking the display 207 of the examination terminal 20. The examinee is watching the examination questions displayed on the display 207 of the examination terminal 20. Therefore, even if the auxiliary terminal 30 is notified that the position needs to be adjusted, the examinee may not notice. However, by notifying the display 207 of the examination terminal 20 on which the examination questions are displayed, the examinee can recognize that the position of the auxiliary terminal 30 needs to be adjusted.

It is preferable that the second image also shows the screen of the display 207. If only a part of the examinee (e.g., a hand) is shown in the second image, a possible cheating act would be to set up the auxiliary terminal 30 so as to capture a dummy person different from the examinee and a dummy terminal different from the test terminal 20. However, with the above configuration, the second image will show the test questions provided by the server 10. Therefore, the above-mentioned cheating acts can be prevented.

It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Test system, 10 Server, 11 Providing unit, 12 Generating unit, 13, 14 Acquiring unit, 15 Judgment unit, 16 Memory unit, 20 Test terminal, 21 Request unit, 22 Display processing unit, 23, 32 Image transmitting unit, 30 Auxiliary terminal, 31 Initial setting unit, 40 Stand, 50 Web page, 51 Message, 52 Two-dimensional code, 53 Button, 101, 201, 301 Processor, 102, 202, 302 Memory, 103, 203, 303 Storage, 104, 204, 304 Communication module, 105 Management program, 111, 211, 311 Internal bus, 161 Problem information, 162 Authentication information, 163 Association information, 164, 165 Image data, 205 Browser, 206, 306 Camera, 207, 307 Display, 208, 308 Input device, 209, 309 Speaker, 210, 310 Microphone, 305 Test support application.

Claims (6)

A first terminal;
A second terminal; and
A test system comprising: a server capable of communicating with the first terminal and the second terminal,
The first terminal comprises:
a display that displays a screen for testing an examinee received from the server;
A first camera for capturing images of the test being performed;
a first communication module that transmits a first image captured by the first camera to the server;
The second terminal comprises:
A second camera for capturing images of the test; and
a second communication module that transmits a second image captured by the second camera to the server ;
The test system, wherein the server provides the screen to the first terminal after receiving a first authentication signal from the first terminal and a second authentication signal from the second terminal . A server capable of communicating with a first terminal and a second terminal,
the first terminal includes a display and a first camera;
the second terminal includes a second camera;
The server,
providing the first terminal with a screen for testing an examinee, the screen being displayed on the display after receiving a first authentication signal from the first terminal and a second authentication signal from the second terminal;
Acquire a first image captured by the first camera showing the state of the test;
A server acquires a second image captured by the second camera showing the situation during the test. A server capable of communicating with a first terminal and a second terminal,
the first terminal includes a display and a first camera;
the second terminal includes a second camera;
The server,
providing the first terminal with a screen for testing an examinee, the screen being displayed on the display;
Acquire a first image captured by the first camera showing the state of the test;
acquiring a second image captured by the second camera showing the state during the test;
A server that associates the test taker with the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the first signal and the second signal received from the first terminal and the second terminal, respectively, matching the first authentication data and the second authentication data corresponding to the test taker , respectively. 4. The server according to claim 2, further comprising: a notification on said display prompting said user to adjust the position of said second terminal when the field of view of said second camera needs to be adjusted. A test method using a server, a first terminal, and a second terminal , comprising:
the first terminal includes a display and a first camera;
the second terminal includes a second camera;
providing, to the first terminal , a screen for testing an examinee, which is displayed on the display after the server receives a first authentication signal from the first terminal and a second authentication signal from the second terminal;
The server communicates with the first terminal to acquire a first image captured by the first camera, the first image showing a state during a test;
and a step of the server acquiring a second image showing the state of the test taken by the second camera by communicating with the second terminal. A test method using a server, a first terminal, and a second terminal, comprising:
the first terminal includes a display and a first camera;
the second terminal includes a second camera;
The server provides the first terminal with a screen for testing an examinee, the screen being displayed on the display;
The server communicates with the first terminal to acquire a first image captured by the first camera, the first image showing a state during a test;
The server communicates with the second terminal to acquire a second image captured by the second camera, the second image showing the state of the test;
a step of the server associating the test taker with the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the first signal and the second signal received from the first terminal and the second terminal, respectively, matching the first authentication data and the second authentication data corresponding to the test taker, respectively.

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