About Advantage The Advantage scanner is a versatile mark read scanner designed to score tests, process ballots and tabulate surveys. It can perform these functions in stand-alone mode or con- nected to a computer for advanced data collection. Advantage uses refl ective read technology for superior pencil mark recognition.
To program the scanner, simply insert the teacher key. When properly keyed, Advantage will display the number of questions keyed on the display window and you may begin inserting answers sheets for scoring. Advantage will score up to 200 questions keyed.
Key Reset Options There are two key reset options available for test scoring. When Advantage is powered on it automatically enters into the Score Mode option. Pressing the Reset Options button Continued on page 4...
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You may score up to 200 questions in this manner. As student forms are fed through Advantage, the total number of correct answers for each student appears in the window display and is also printed inside the Score box at the bottom of the form, or inside the Rescore box if the Rescore [R] bubble was marked.
If an answer sheet is rejected by the scanner, check the window display for the cause of the problem. Take corrective action and reinsert the answer sheet. If the problem persists, refer to the Troubleshooting section of the user manual. Getting a Summary of the Test Results There are several summary options available once a test has been scored.
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Scoring Tests . . . Tally of Incorrect Answers & Frequency Distribution Report After processing a batch of answer sheets use Item Analy- sis Form 23570 to get a detailed report of the test. The Item Analysis report will provide a frequency distribution of scores in 5% increments.
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window. To view the number of wrong answers for each ques- tion, press the Summary Display button twice. Follow the instructions displayed in the window for viewing the tally of wrong answers. While viewing this information you can con- tinue processing additional answer sheets at any time. Tally of all Marks Made Use Tally Report Form 23580 to get a report listing a tally of all marks entered by students.
Processing Ballots Ballot Form ABF-A102 is specifi cally designed for pro- cessing ballots with Advantage. This form tabulates the votes for up to 100 candidates. Election results can be obtained by inserting Item Analysis Form 23570 through the scanner when the batch processing is complete, or by viewing results on the display window.
Ballot Verifi cation box. For information on how to process elections with more than 100 candidates or when using a standard Advantage answer sheet for elections, refer to the section titled Data Col- lection Operation on page 12.
Processing Surveys Survey Form ABF-S40 is specifi cally designed for pro- cessing surveys with Advantage. This form can be used for surveys with up to 40 questions. It includes 5 choices for each question. Survey results can be obtained by inserting...
For information on how to process surveys with more than 40 questions or when using a standard Advantage answer sheet for surveys, refer to the section titled Data Collection Operation on page 12. Getting Survey Results To obtain the results of a survey, insert side 1 (and side 2, if necessary) of Item Analysis Form 23570 (or Tally Report Form 23580) through the scanner.
Data Collection Operation Placing Advantage in data collection mode disables stan- dard test scoring operations. This can be useful when process- ing surveys, evaluations or ballots with standard Advantage test answer sheets or customized scan forms. When in data collection mode, the scanner will create a tally of all marks made on the sheets.
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MARK THESE OPTIONS ON THE FIRST SHEET ONLY. Mark ‘R’ if you will be perform- ing data collection on both sides of the sheet. Mark ‘V’ if you want a scan verifi cation number printed in the score box of each sheet.
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Data Collection Operation . . . In the event an Tally Report Form 23580 is not available, the results can be viewed in the display window. To view the results press the Summary Display button after batch pro- cessing and follow the instructions displayed in the window for viewing the tabulated results.
Print Cartridge Operations Advantage uses two disposable Hewlett-Packard ink cartridge for print operations. Under normal operating condi- tions the cartridges should provide reliable service for up to two years. Installing a New Print Cartridge 1. Squeeze the print cartridge cover and rmly press in...
Print Cartridge Operations . . . Figure 3 Figure 4 4. Replace the printer cover by aligning the locking tabs with their corresponding holes on the scanner housing. Firmly press in the tab on the right side of the cover and press into the housing until the tabs lock into place.
Servicing a Print Cartridge 1. Remove the cartridge using the instructions listed on page’s 15 and 16. WIPE PLATE HERE 2. Gently wipe the silver nozzle plate of the cartridge with a tissue (Fig. 6). Inspect the plate to ensure all dust and lent has been removed.
DataLink™ is a PC application. Advantage transmits ASCII data in a variety of formats. If you are building a customized interface for a specifi c applica- tion, contact Apperson for documentation on communication...
Calibrating Advantage To ensure consistent and accurate pencil mark recogni- tion your Advantage scanner should be calibrated annually or after every 7,500 sheets processed, which ever comes rst. A calibration sheet has been provided with your scanner for this purpose. Please keep the calibration sheet in a convenient location for easy retrieval as needed.
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In most cases this will resolve the problem. We recommend cleaning the scanner read sensors prior to calibration (refer to page 21). To calibrate Advantage follow the instructions printed on the calibration sheet. Calibration Sheet...
Cleaning the Read Sensors and Clearing Paper Path Paper dust or erasure debris can interfere with normal operation of the read sensors. If you are experiencing incon- sistent scoring or a blocked paper path, take the following steps to correct the problem. After cleaning, always calibrate the scanner (refer to page 19).
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read sensors (Fig. 3). 3. If there is dust build up in the printer slots then remove the print cartridges and clean slots with an un- folded paperclip and tissue (Fig. 4). Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Securing the Cover Assembly 1.
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Figure 5a Figure 5b inspect to ensure the cover is secured fl ush onto the back chassis. 3. Always calibrate the scanner after cleaning (refer to page 19).
Displaying Machine Information To display information about your Advantage scanner, power on the scanner and press the Summary Display button. Successively pressing Summary Display will show additional information. The following information will be displayed: The machine serial number The Advantage version of your scanner...
Ordering Supplies You can order Advantage supplies from Apperson Print Management Services. General supplies available from Ap- person include: Standard Advantage compatible forms Customized Advantage compatible forms Print cartridges Serial computer cables ™ DataLink software Calibration sheets For a detailed description of test answer sheets, ballots, surveys and supporting forms, call your Apperson representa- tive, or visit our web site at www.appersonedu.com.
Troubleshooting Obtaining Service for Advantage If you are experiencing inconsistent operation or irregulari- ties with Advantage, try re-calibrating the scanner using the calibration sheet provided with the machine. In many cases a simple calibration will resolve the problem. Use the following guide to troubleshoot basic operational problems that you have encountered.
(refer to page 19 — Calibrating Advantage). Inconsistent Scoring Check the marks that are being scored inconsistently. Make sure the marks are dark and fi ll in the entire bubble area.
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(refer to page 19 — Calibrating Advantage). Paper Jams Check the paper path for materials that may be lodged between the plastic plates. If you see an object blocking the pathway, carefully remove it by inserting a stiff sheet of paper or an unfolded paper clip through the plates.
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Check the power supply to ensure it is rmly inserted into the scanner’s power socket and into the electrical outlet. Make sure the power supply is labeled with the Advantage logo. The power supply should be rated as 24 volts DC, 400mA.
FCC Compliance Statement FCC Compliance This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two condi- tions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Warranty Information WHAT IS THE WARRANTY FOR MY SCANNER? Your Scanner is covered by a 1 year limited warranty. You are entitled to the following services while your scanner is under warranty coverage. • Unlimited telephone support. • Free parts and labor for repair work. •...
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First Edition, September 2002; Second Edition, July 2003 Printed in USA Advantage™ is the property of Apperson Print Management Services, Inc. 577 Industry Drive Tukwila, Washington 98188-3405 800 . 827 . 9219 www.appersonprint.com...
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Maximize Advantage’s features. . . Interface Advantage with your PC with. . . Featuring: Data can be saved in ASCII format which can be imported into many popular database & spread sheet applications. DataLink includes several reporting options for detailed evaluation ™...
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