Automated system and method for dynamically generating customized typeset question-based documents

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a system and method for dynamically generating customized, typeset publication quality question-based documents, such as examinations, answers and/or worked out solutions in a portable document format. More particularly, the system and method of the present invention enable users to select questions from a catalog of questions previously encrypted, loaded, and stored on a server. Additionally, the user is able to specify the sequence of the selected questions and insert heading and preamble information. Software components process this information to generate an examination document in a typeset portable document format, wherein the examination document includes the selected questions in the specified sequenced and heading and preamble information. The software concomitantly generates answer and worked-out solutions documents corresponding to the questions in the examination document. All generated documents are encrypted and stored on the system and are available for downloading.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A system for dynamically generating customized professional quality typeset question-based documents in a portable document format comprising:
 an exams page for creating a Previously Presented exam;   a questions page for enabling a user to review, select and sequence questions for an exam;   a headings page for entering page headings for a selected question-based document;   a preamble page for entering a preamble for a selected question-based document; and   a typesetting page for initiating instructions for typesetting question-based documents in a professional quality.   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a subjects page for displaying a list of subjects which a user is licensed to use. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said list of subjects is generated by SQL statements. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said exam page provides a user with a list of already existing exams; and buttons for enabling the user to revise, download or delete an already existing exam. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said exams page further comprises descriptive information relating to each exam. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein said descriptive information includes each exam's title, date of generation and indicates whether the exam has been typeset. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said exams page further comprises: a data entry field for entering a Previously Presented exam title. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said questions page further comprises a table of contents for a selected subject. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein said table of contents comprises links to sections of questions grouped by topic. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein questions in said sections of questions are listed by an identification number. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein said questions further include a check box for selecting a specific question from said list. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said questions page further comprises a frame for listing selected questions. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein said frame includes a text field and check box corresponding to each question listed in said frame, wherein the user may enter question sequencing information in said text field and deselect a listed question by removing a check mark from the check box. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said questions page comprises a table of contents link, headings link, preamble link, view draft link, typeset link and copy from prior exams link. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a registration page for the entry of a user's personal information and for obtaining a license to use a professional quality typeset catalog of questions stored on the system. 
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising advertisement pages for displaying general information relating to the system. 
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a login page allowing a registered user to access the system. 
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a copy exam page for enabling users to copy data from previously stored exams into a current exam. 
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein said data is selected from the group consisting of headings, preambles, questions, or entire exams. 
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said confirm typesetting page further initiates instructions for placing the question-based document in a portable document format. 
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein said confirm typesetting page further initiates instructions for encrypting the question-based documents. 
   
   
       42 . A method for dynamically generating customized professional quality typeset question-based documents in a portable document format comprising the steps of:
 selecting a question subject stored on a server;   displaying a questions page for viewing questions stored on the system and for entering user specifications for said question-based document exam;   selecting questions to be included in the question-based document from said questions page;   entering user specifications comprising question sequencing into said questions page; and   typesetting said question-based documents in a professional quality based on said entered user specifications.   
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of entering a name of a question-based document. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said step of selecting questions further comprises the step of selecting a group of questions listed in a table of contents. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said step of selecting questions further comprises the step of selecting specific questions from said group of listed questions. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said step of entering user specifications further comprises the steps of:
 entering page heading information into at least one text field; and   entering preamble information into at least one text area field.   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said step of typesetting further comprises the step of generating a typeset exam in draft format. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said step of typesetting further comprises the step of generating a typeset exam in final format. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of logging onto said system. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of downloading the exam, answers and/or worked out solutions. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of copying information from a previously saved exam. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said step of typesetting further comprises the step of placing the exam in a portable document format. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said questions page comprises a table of contents link, headings link, preamble link, view draft link, typeset link and copy from prior exams link. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of communicating errors to an administrator of the system. 
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of correcting said error. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of encrypting said questions stored on the system.