CA2092719A1 - Condition monitor request processing system - Google Patents
Condition monitor request processing systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2092719A1 CA2092719A1 CA002092719A CA2092719A CA2092719A1 CA 2092719 A1 CA2092719 A1 CA 2092719A1 CA 002092719 A CA002092719 A CA 002092719A CA 2092719 A CA2092719 A CA 2092719A CA 2092719 A1 CA2092719 A1 CA 2092719A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- software
- input devices
- simulation
- user
- operating environment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
- G09B9/00—Simulators for teaching or training purposes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
- G09B9/00—Simulators for teaching or training purposes
- G09B9/02—Simulators for teaching or training purposes for teaching control of vehicles or other craft
- G09B9/08—Simulators for teaching or training purposes for teaching control of vehicles or other craft for teaching control of aircraft, e.g. Link trainer
- G09B9/30—Simulation of view from aircraft
- G09B9/301—Simulation of view from aircraft by computer-processed or -generated image
- G09B9/302—Simulation of view from aircraft by computer-processed or -generated image the image being transformed by computer processing, e.g. updating the image to correspond to the changing point of view
Abstract
CONDITION MONITOR REQUEST PROCESSING SYSTEM
ABSTRACT
An interactive training system (10) for simulating an operating environment. The system (10) can operate in both freeplay and procedural modes. The system (10) includes a plurality of simulated displays (18) simulating actual displays in the operating environment.
The simulated displays (18) indicate the state of various components of the operating environment to the user. A
plurality of manipulable input devices (20) permits the user to interact with the training system (10).
Simulation software (22) responds to the input devices (20) and controls the displays in response thereto.
Procedure monitoring software (26) determines the status of the input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of the input devices. Condition monitoring software (24) monitors conditions within the procedure monitor (26) and simulation software (22). These conditions may occur directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of the input devices (18) by the user.
This system (10) simplifies the monitoring of complex user actions.
ABSTRACT
An interactive training system (10) for simulating an operating environment. The system (10) can operate in both freeplay and procedural modes. The system (10) includes a plurality of simulated displays (18) simulating actual displays in the operating environment.
The simulated displays (18) indicate the state of various components of the operating environment to the user. A
plurality of manipulable input devices (20) permits the user to interact with the training system (10).
Simulation software (22) responds to the input devices (20) and controls the displays in response thereto.
Procedure monitoring software (26) determines the status of the input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of the input devices. Condition monitoring software (24) monitors conditions within the procedure monitor (26) and simulation software (22). These conditions may occur directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of the input devices (18) by the user.
This system (10) simplifies the monitoring of complex user actions.
Description
2~9~19 CONDITION _O~I~OR ~O~E~T PROC ~8IN~ ~Y8 BACR~RO D QF T~ ~NVENT~Q~
1. Technical Field This invention relates to simulation and training systems, and more particularl~ to an interactive simulating system capable of monitoring internal conditions.
2. Discussion Simulation systems which permit a person to experience the operation of a co~plex operating environment have proven u~eful for both training and recreational applications. For example, various kinds of simulators have been developed to tram operators of ground and airhorne vehicles because of the high cost o~
:~ : using actual v~hicles during training. In pilot training, hardware ~ockup~ o~: an aircrat~cockpit, coupled with a computer generated:simula~ed view, are frequently employed to gi~e new pilots exp~rienc~with th~ myriad controls~and : situations they will~encounter when operating actual aircraft.
20 : There are-two main kinds of simulation systems, oce~ral trainers,~ and~freeplay trainers. Procedural trainers are those in;which a student is ~alked th-ou~h a fi~ se-ies of :~rc_edur21 steFs ~hat recuire hir~he_ to pu~sh~b~.tons, flip~switches, ~ets., in a p-edeter~.ined ~ 2_ . 2n.. 2-. This téaches t~.e student ~he specifi- series of : : : : : :~:: : :
. .
- - . , .
~ ' ' ~ - . ' . .
' ' ' ` '' .
2092~19 steps tha~ must be performed in a particular sit~ation.
These procedural steps can be defined and monitored in software called cours~ware.
Procedural trainers are useful because they permit the student to learn and memorize a fixed procedure that must ~e performed by rote in given situations. For example, in flight simulators, a procedural simulator may be use to teach the pilot the required st~p5 to perform when the engines of the aircraft are on ire. These steps should be implement~d by the pilot virtually auto~atically and will rarely deviate from the fixed procedure.
One disadvantage with procedural trainers is th~t while they do teach students predetermined procedures, thev do not provide a realistic experience of the 1~ operation of the simulated system. That is, they do not give the student a deep understanding of the operation of the system to permlt him to cope with situations which he hasn't been taught about previously.
Another pro~lem with procedural trainers is that the courseware ~or a procedural trainer is very time consuminq to author because of the level of detail that must be specified. In this regard, whilc mo~itoring states of various switches is relatively straightforward for the course~are in a procedural trainert when it is desired to ~onitor a combinakion of switch actions, and those switch actions the~selves are subject to cancellation and correction by the us~r, the required courseware becomes ~uch more complex and dificult to author.
For example, if it is desired to monitor th~
result of switch actions rather than the switch actions t~ mseives, monito~ing becomes very difficult. Examples o. this would include the task of monitoring a cursor p_alti^n based on s~itch actions that control the cursor, o- ,.,onitoring simulated engine RPM based on throttle pcsiticn. This is because engine RPM may var~ depending . .
'. , , .
2 0 9 ~ 1 1 9 on other factors besides throttle position and may also be subject to a time lag between movement of the t~rottle-and resulting engine RPM. As a result, in conventional simulation systems, separate software routines must be written by the simulation developer to monitor each thing that is monitored.
Freeplay trainers, on the other hand, permit a student to experiment with the simulated system to gain ~
deeper understanding of its operation. A student may first be taught a number of procedures using a procedural trainer and then it may desirable to let the student exp~riment in a freepl~y environment ~h2re he can try things out to see how the system responds. However, freeplay trainers do not direct the s~udent in the kinds lS of structured training exercises that are often necessary to insure that a student has mastered certain tasks.
Unfortunately, prior simulation systems for complex opera~ing environments, have not permitt~d both procedural and freeplay operation.
Thus, it would be desirable to have a single simulation system which permits both freeplay and procedural training modes. Further, it would be desirable to provide a simulation system which, in a procedural training mode, can monitor conditions without monitoring individual switch sta~es. Thak is, it would be desirable to have a procedural trainer which can operate by monitoring internal states of the software that impl2ment a procedure, ra~her than moni~oring an external s~a~e of a switch or other input device.
SUMM~AR~L~QE~ B INVEN I0~
?ursuant to the present invention, an interactive simulation system is provided for simulating an operating environr,ent ~:~ich can operate in both freeplay and p~ocedural m~des. ~he system includes a plurality of s_mllated displays sim 'ating ac~ual displays in the operating environDent, where the simulated displays indicate the state of various components of the operating environmen~ to the user. In addition, the system includes a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting the user to interact with the simulation system. The system also includes simulation software for responding to the input devices and ror con~rolling the displays in rosponse thereto, theso responses providing a simulation of actual response in the operating environment. Also, procedure monitoring software in the system deter~ines the status of the input devioes as ~ result of the u Qr's manipulation of tha input d~vices. Condi~ion monitoring oftware monitors conditions within the procedure monitor and simulation software, these conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of the input devices by the user. The result is a simulation system which simplifies the monitoring of complex user actions.
Various aspects o~ the invention are as follows:
An interactive simulation system ~or si~ulating an operating environment, said si~ulation system comprising:
a plurality o~ simulated displays si~ulating actual displ~y~ in said op~rating envlron~ent, ~aid simulated displays indicating the state og various components of ~aid operating environ~ent to the user:
a pluraIity of manipulable input d~ices permi~ting a user to interact with ~id simulat~on ~y~te~:
si~ulation softwar~ ~or r~ponding to ~aid input devices and for controlling said di~plays in response thereto, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operatin~ snvironment:
procedur~ monito~ing software for detenminlng the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation o~ said lnput devices; and .~ , .
.
- - : , ,, : :
.
. .
4a condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result oS the manipulation of said inpu~ devices by said user.
A training system for training a student to utilize an operating environment, said system comprising:
a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simula~d display~ indicating the state of various components of said operating enYiron~ent to the student;
a plurality of manipulabl~ input device~
permitting said ~tudent to interact with ~a~d training 5y5telll;
simulation software for responding to said input device~ and for controlling said displayA in response thereto, said respoRse~ providing a æimulation o~ actual responses in said operating environm~nt;
procedure monitoring software for determining the status of said input devices as a result o~ the student's manipulation of said input devices; and condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation so~tware, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly a~ a resul~ of the man~pulation of said inpu~ devices by --said s~udent, said conditisn monitor software including means for evaluating ac~ivitie o said student in manipulatlng :said input device~, said input de~icas de~ermining future actions by said proc~dur~ monitor so~war~ and ~aid simulation softwar~. -An int~ractive method ~or ~i~ulating an operating environment, said method co~prising the steps of: ~
providing a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in ~aid operating environment, ~aid simulated display~ indi~ating t~e ~tat~ of variou~
~.
, ~
4b components of said operat~ng environmen~ to the user;
providing a plurality of manipulable input devices permit~ing a user to interact with said simulation system;
responding to said input device~ controlling said displays in response thereto using ~i~ulation software, said responses providing a simulat~on of actual responses in said operating environment;
determining the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of said input devices using procedure monitoring software; and monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software using condition monitoring software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation o~ said input devices by said user.
BRI~F P~8CRIP~ION OY TH~ ~R~N~
T~e various advantage~ of th~ pr~ ent inv~ntion will become appaxent to one skilled in the art by reading the following speci~ication and by reference to the following drawing~ in which:
FIG. 1 is ~ diagram o~ the overall condition monitor request processing system in ~ccordanc~ with th~
pre~ent invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram o~ the c:ondition ~Donitor request softwaré transition states:
FIG. 3 is a diagram of the data flow into an~ out of the condition monitor rçquest software: and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the data flow within the conditiorl moni~or reques software.
'~.
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2~27~
DB8CRIP'rION OF ~B PRE:FE:RRE~D EMBODI~ NT8 An overall system block diagram of the ~ain components of the condition monitor request training system 10, in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The system includes a host computer 12, a terminal 14 and a simulation system 16. The simulation system 1~ includes a plur lity o display devices 18 which may include CRT's, a simulated cockpit, gages, meters, etc. as well simulated exterior views having still a~d/or moving images. The simulation system 16 also includes a plurality of input devices 20 whi~h may include switches, buttons, Xeypads, levers, etc., which are actustable by the user.
The simulation system 16 is controlled by a simulation software program 22 which may be located in the host computer 12. Also, condition monitor request software 24 and procedure monitor software 26 are contained in the host computer. The terminal 14 can be used to enter and edit each of the programs 22, 24 and 26 in the host c~mputer. It will be appreciated that many variations on the configuration shown in FIG. l are possible within the scope of the present invention.
Further details of the condition monitor 24, Simulation ~2, and procedure monitor software 26 are shown in FI~S.
2-4.
In general, the condition monitor request (C~R~
software 24 monitors simulation states with respect to procedural actions to detenmine when procedural events have been satisfied. The CMR software 24 will monitor states of the training system 10 relevant to procedural segments which the procedure monitor software 26 cannot ~onitor. Prc~edural seg-.ents are portions of larger training exercises called Iessons which the training system 10 i~pleMents by ~eans of its courseware.
'~ Courseware software is generally located in the host compute~ 12. Courseware is a type of ~ata~ase which 2~271~
specifies the actions and conditions that are to be achieved using the trainer.
The reason the procedure monitor software 26 cannot monitor certain states is because it is only capable of monitoring switch actions and not complex combinations of switch actions. Thus, for example, i~ it is desired to know when the student presses certain switches to select a communic~tion channel, for example, defined by the numbexs 23.000, the procedure monitor software 26 must have a procedure to determine if the number 2 is pressed, and then 3 and then .000, etc. Of course, if anytime along the way th~ studen~ presses the clear b~tton, the procedure monitor software 26 must have procedures written to go back to the beginning and wait for these numbers to be pressed again. Because this process is too difficult to handle in this manner, the CMR
software 24 is provided to monitor the complex combination of switch actions and then to simply determine when the communication channel gets to the state 23.000. ~he states monitored by the CMR 24 are typically combinations of switch states and internal simulation states.
FIG. 2 is the state transition diagram for the CMR software 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the CMR software 24 is in one of three states during operation~ It is either processing student actions, indicated by state 28, or, when errors are detected, CM~ software 24 goes into the error reco~ery state 3 0 until tha error is correGted; or, ~ the CMR software 24 is in the ave~restore skat~ 32, which : it enters upon the receipt of a save/restore request~
Save an~ restore requests are used to save the current state of the CMR software and then restore the saved state a~ a ~ut~~e poin~ n time.
As shown in FIG. 3, a save/restor master 34 softwa_2 first p-oduces a get ready ~c sa~e request 36 for the C.:R. The C~:R then sends an I'm ready response 38 to the save/restore ;r.aster 34. The save/restore master 34 , , . . :
.
~27:~
then coordinates the rest of the save/restore process and then sends either a save message 40 or a restore message 42 to the CMR. Also shown in FIG. 3 are four tables; the device ID table 44; the MDU action table 46; the DEP
action table 48; and the CMR definition table S0.
In more detail, the MDU action table 46 refers to a type of numerical control display called a multipurpose display unit (MDU) which consists of a monitor having a number of bezel keys around it. The MDU action table 46 is a data base of software de~cribing all the states of each o~ the ~DU keys. For example, the MDU may comprise one of the displays 18 and one set of switches 20 shown in FIG. 1. It will be apprec:Lated that the M~U may ha~ many different pages that may appear on the screen, each having text describing the function of the buttons on each page.
The ~DU action table 46 will then describe what the buttons do for each page of display.
Similarly, the DEP action table 48 describes the function of various buttons on another numerical control device called a Data Entry Panel, (DEP).
Similarly, the device I~ table 44, contains a description of the identification and function of each device in the simulator. The term device refers to knobs, switche~, and other ~anipulable controls. The CMR
definition table 50 contains a d~finition of each type o~
condition monitor request tha~ the CMR software 24 may receive. For example, some condition moni~or requests : r~quire the C~R software 24 to determine whether or notcertain ~eys which are pressed by the:student are allowed or not. At other times, the task of the CMR 24 is simply to look for a particular state, and thP switches that are pressed to reach that s~ate are ignored. For example, the CMR 2~ may simply look for the engine RPM of an aircraft -eaching 80~. Thu~s, the C~ definition table 50 tells the CMR software 2~ hc~ to interpret any requests it receives from the courseware.
27~
Also, shown in FIG~ 3 are the ~lnds of interactions between PM 26 and CMR 24 and between SI~ 22 and CMR 24. Further details of these interactions will now be discussed in connection with FIG. 4, which illustrates the data flow diagram internal to the CMR
software 24. A wait for simulation (WSIM) event table 52 is an internal structure which contains all of the events which the courseware specifies should be monitored. All events that are still outstanding that is, which have not been satis~ied by the student, are kep~ in the WSIM event table 52. Once events ~ave been satisfied, a flush eYe~t table ~unction 54 removes that event from the WSI~ event table 52. It does this by receiving a ~lush units input 56 from the procedure monitor ~6 and by removing all entries in the WSIM event table 52 which have a unit number less than or equal to the unit number speciried in the flush units input. An update WSIM table function 58 will add a speciied WSIM event to the WSIM event table 52 when a WSIM request 60 i5 received ~rom the procedure monitor 26.
If the WSIM request 60 was a "ta~get de~ignate"
condition monitor request 62, the update WSIM event table function 58 will send the target designate CMR request 62 to simulation 22. The target designate condition monitor reques~ 62 is sent to the simulation so~tware 22, which then wil~ report which targets have been designated. A
target designate statu~ m~ssa~e 64 is thPn sent ~rom the simulation softwarc to this CMR 24 wh~re it is processed by the process target designate function 66. In particular, target designate refers to a target that is designated which may be, for example, a cursor moving 2~ n t~.e screen. The process target designate function 66 will process the target designate status message 64.
Tr.e targe~ designate status ,essage is used by C'~R to 3~ de~err.ne whether the target designated on is the one s~ecifled by the courseware.
.
, ' ' ', : ' :- ~ . , - :
. ~ , . . . . .
, '' . . ' , .~ ' ' ' ~:
2~27~
When the target designate status WSI~ request is encountered, CMR will first set the current state of its copy of a monitorable state ID value to a state of "in progress". The monitorable state ID values identify the current state of monitorable items, for example, communication status channel or engine RPM. In this way, CMR has a table of what is currently being looked at. ~he monitorable states are stored in a monitor~ble state3 table 68. Next, the process target designate ~unction 66 will send an environmental parameter for target designate to the PM 26 to simulation~ The environmental parameter for target designate is an identi~ier which indicates that targets which are designated should be reported to CMR.
The data for the environmental parameter will be the lS target to designate. When the monitorable state ID for the target designate status message is received by the process target designate function 66, it will send the error message to PM 26, update and erring d~vice table 70 and go to the error recovery state 30 if target designate status message indicates an error. The erring device table is used to indicate which devices have been moved out of theix required positions. If the target designate status message does not indicate an error, the process target designate 66 will send event complete message 72 to PM 26.
The update device values table 74 receives an allowed devices message 76 from the PM 26 and will upda~e a device ~alues table 78 and prompt an evaluate action function 80 to run. The allowed device message is generated by PM 26 to indicate that a device has been ; moved from one position to another. Device values table 7O is a ~able of the state of the buttons in a particula-device that CMR is interes~ed in monitoring.
Evaluate ac~ion function oO is activated ~hen it -eceives a device table index (along line ~2) cr ronitorable states table in~ex ~alons line 8~) ind catir.g , ,, ' , 2~9~719 which device or monitorable state has changed state. The evaluate action function 80 determines whether a student action is allowed, and if an action is allowed, whether or not the action starts an event or completes an event.
Evaluate function 80 also determines whether or not a monitorable state starts or completes an event. ~hen an allowed action occ~rs, the state o~ the allowed device will be passed on to simulat:Lon 22 along the allowed devices line 86.
If the action or state complet~d an event, an event complete indicator will be sent to si~ulation along line 88. If an action occurs which is not allowed, the device producing the action will not be passed onto simulation 22, but an error indication will he sent to P~
26 along line 90; the erring device t~ble will be updated;
and CMR will go into the error recovery state.
The evaluate action function 30 processes a number of types of condition ~onitor requests including:
a.) multi purpose display~nit (MDU) CMR's, which are ac~ivated actions on MDU bezel buttons or by the results of the action on other devîces which axe displayed on the MDU's. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, MDU bezel buttons are classified into three types. 1) MDU page change buttofi, 2) MDU action buttons, and not supported buttons.
b.) Data Entry Panel (DEP) CMR's which are act~vated through actions on DEP buttons. DEP CMR's ~all into the fo}lowing catego~ies: 1) DEP page change; 2) DEP toggle actions; 3); DEP rotate actions; and 4) DEP
string actions.
c.) Flight Data Control Panel (FDCP) CMR's. The FDC? is a control panel havins a numeric keypad.
d.) Simulation to Trainer Interface (STI) CMR's.
Tnese C~.~R~s are a catch all ca~egory for C~.~R's that don't involve interac~ions ~ith MD~, DEP, or FDCP's. These CMR's are satisfied ~hen a stable simulation state i5 - " ' , '. ~ ' ' ' ~ , ' .
.
.
'' '' ' . ~ ~.
. , ~ , .
.
2~2~
pr sen~ which satisfies the state that the courseware author has specified.
A set of files 106 (the MDU action table, DEP
action table, CMR Definition table, and Device table) will S be used by the evaluate action function 80 to determine if a particular student action is allowed at the particular point in the procedure.
The recover from error funckion 92 accepts allowed devices messages after an error has been detected until the erring device has been set to a position which ic not incorrect. When the device has been placed in the proper position, thi~ function will send PM 26 the error cleared indication along line llo. Recover from error function 92 will also update the device valued table 78 along line 94 whenever a new device state arrives.
The update monitorable state table 96 receives a report of a monitorable state along line 98 from simulation 22 and checks the monitorable states table 68 to determine whether the simulation state information needs to be ~'aged~ for stability or not. That is, whether the monitorable state ~u~t be stable before it is determined that the student has actually accomplished this state. For example, if the desired state is achieving an oil pressure o~ 50 pounds per cubic inch, the student may move a switch causing the oil pressure to move pas'c 50 pounds. Thus, the state hac no~ yet been reached and it is desired to wait until a stable ~tat~ is achieved. If th~ monitorable state does not need to be aged, the monitorable states table 68 will be updated with the new value of the monitorable state by the update monitorable states table function 96 and the evaluate action function ~0 will be given an indication of which monitorable state was updated. If the monitorable s~ate needs to be aged 2n iF~matur2 monitorable states table 100 will ~e updated.
3~ The age simulation data function 102 runs once every cycle whene~er there are entries in t~.e imma'ure monitorable sta~es table 100. The age s~mulation data function 102 will per~orm the following processing on every entry in the immature monitora~le states table. a) increment the age of the entry, and b) determine whether the data for the entry is mature. Data is maturs when its age has reached 200 milliseconds. If the entry is mature, the entry will be removed rro~ the immature monitorable states table and placed in the monitorable states table 68. If there wer~ any entries moved from the immature monitorable states table to the monitorable states table, the evaluate action function 80 will be given an indication on which monitorable state was updated.
The save/restore function 104 receives get ready to save message and sends the I'm ready message to the state to the save/restore master 34. Any queue messages that arrive before the save message arrives will be copied to an auxiliary queue. When the save/restore function 104 receives a get ready to save message it will save its data area into an auxiliary data area and continue normal processing. When this function receives the restore message, it will restore its data segment and copy messages from its auxiliary queue back to the primary queue.
It will be appreciated that the C~R system 10 in accordance with the present inventiom can be u~ed to implement a procedural monitor or a freeplay monitor. In particular, i~plementation o one or the other wiIl simply requixe authoring courseware which calls out procedural steps for the procedural mode, or not using courseware in the freeplay mode.
Those skilled in the art can appreciate that o.her ad~antages can be obtained from the use of this invention and ~hat modification may be made without departlng rrom the true spirit of the invention after studying the specification, drawings and following claims.
, , :
1. Technical Field This invention relates to simulation and training systems, and more particularl~ to an interactive simulating system capable of monitoring internal conditions.
2. Discussion Simulation systems which permit a person to experience the operation of a co~plex operating environment have proven u~eful for both training and recreational applications. For example, various kinds of simulators have been developed to tram operators of ground and airhorne vehicles because of the high cost o~
:~ : using actual v~hicles during training. In pilot training, hardware ~ockup~ o~: an aircrat~cockpit, coupled with a computer generated:simula~ed view, are frequently employed to gi~e new pilots exp~rienc~with th~ myriad controls~and : situations they will~encounter when operating actual aircraft.
20 : There are-two main kinds of simulation systems, oce~ral trainers,~ and~freeplay trainers. Procedural trainers are those in;which a student is ~alked th-ou~h a fi~ se-ies of :~rc_edur21 steFs ~hat recuire hir~he_ to pu~sh~b~.tons, flip~switches, ~ets., in a p-edeter~.ined ~ 2_ . 2n.. 2-. This téaches t~.e student ~he specifi- series of : : : : : :~:: : :
. .
- - . , .
~ ' ' ~ - . ' . .
' ' ' ` '' .
2092~19 steps tha~ must be performed in a particular sit~ation.
These procedural steps can be defined and monitored in software called cours~ware.
Procedural trainers are useful because they permit the student to learn and memorize a fixed procedure that must ~e performed by rote in given situations. For example, in flight simulators, a procedural simulator may be use to teach the pilot the required st~p5 to perform when the engines of the aircraft are on ire. These steps should be implement~d by the pilot virtually auto~atically and will rarely deviate from the fixed procedure.
One disadvantage with procedural trainers is th~t while they do teach students predetermined procedures, thev do not provide a realistic experience of the 1~ operation of the simulated system. That is, they do not give the student a deep understanding of the operation of the system to permlt him to cope with situations which he hasn't been taught about previously.
Another pro~lem with procedural trainers is that the courseware ~or a procedural trainer is very time consuminq to author because of the level of detail that must be specified. In this regard, whilc mo~itoring states of various switches is relatively straightforward for the course~are in a procedural trainert when it is desired to ~onitor a combinakion of switch actions, and those switch actions the~selves are subject to cancellation and correction by the us~r, the required courseware becomes ~uch more complex and dificult to author.
For example, if it is desired to monitor th~
result of switch actions rather than the switch actions t~ mseives, monito~ing becomes very difficult. Examples o. this would include the task of monitoring a cursor p_alti^n based on s~itch actions that control the cursor, o- ,.,onitoring simulated engine RPM based on throttle pcsiticn. This is because engine RPM may var~ depending . .
'. , , .
2 0 9 ~ 1 1 9 on other factors besides throttle position and may also be subject to a time lag between movement of the t~rottle-and resulting engine RPM. As a result, in conventional simulation systems, separate software routines must be written by the simulation developer to monitor each thing that is monitored.
Freeplay trainers, on the other hand, permit a student to experiment with the simulated system to gain ~
deeper understanding of its operation. A student may first be taught a number of procedures using a procedural trainer and then it may desirable to let the student exp~riment in a freepl~y environment ~h2re he can try things out to see how the system responds. However, freeplay trainers do not direct the s~udent in the kinds lS of structured training exercises that are often necessary to insure that a student has mastered certain tasks.
Unfortunately, prior simulation systems for complex opera~ing environments, have not permitt~d both procedural and freeplay operation.
Thus, it would be desirable to have a single simulation system which permits both freeplay and procedural training modes. Further, it would be desirable to provide a simulation system which, in a procedural training mode, can monitor conditions without monitoring individual switch sta~es. Thak is, it would be desirable to have a procedural trainer which can operate by monitoring internal states of the software that impl2ment a procedure, ra~her than moni~oring an external s~a~e of a switch or other input device.
SUMM~AR~L~QE~ B INVEN I0~
?ursuant to the present invention, an interactive simulation system is provided for simulating an operating environr,ent ~:~ich can operate in both freeplay and p~ocedural m~des. ~he system includes a plurality of s_mllated displays sim 'ating ac~ual displays in the operating environDent, where the simulated displays indicate the state of various components of the operating environmen~ to the user. In addition, the system includes a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting the user to interact with the simulation system. The system also includes simulation software for responding to the input devices and ror con~rolling the displays in rosponse thereto, theso responses providing a simulation of actual response in the operating environment. Also, procedure monitoring software in the system deter~ines the status of the input devioes as ~ result of the u Qr's manipulation of tha input d~vices. Condi~ion monitoring oftware monitors conditions within the procedure monitor and simulation software, these conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of the input devices by the user. The result is a simulation system which simplifies the monitoring of complex user actions.
Various aspects o~ the invention are as follows:
An interactive simulation system ~or si~ulating an operating environment, said si~ulation system comprising:
a plurality o~ simulated displays si~ulating actual displ~y~ in said op~rating envlron~ent, ~aid simulated displays indicating the state og various components of ~aid operating environ~ent to the user:
a pluraIity of manipulable input d~ices permi~ting a user to interact with ~id simulat~on ~y~te~:
si~ulation softwar~ ~or r~ponding to ~aid input devices and for controlling said di~plays in response thereto, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operatin~ snvironment:
procedur~ monito~ing software for detenminlng the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation o~ said lnput devices; and .~ , .
.
- - : , ,, : :
.
. .
4a condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result oS the manipulation of said inpu~ devices by said user.
A training system for training a student to utilize an operating environment, said system comprising:
a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simula~d display~ indicating the state of various components of said operating enYiron~ent to the student;
a plurality of manipulabl~ input device~
permitting said ~tudent to interact with ~a~d training 5y5telll;
simulation software for responding to said input device~ and for controlling said displayA in response thereto, said respoRse~ providing a æimulation o~ actual responses in said operating environm~nt;
procedure monitoring software for determining the status of said input devices as a result o~ the student's manipulation of said input devices; and condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation so~tware, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly a~ a resul~ of the man~pulation of said inpu~ devices by --said s~udent, said conditisn monitor software including means for evaluating ac~ivitie o said student in manipulatlng :said input device~, said input de~icas de~ermining future actions by said proc~dur~ monitor so~war~ and ~aid simulation softwar~. -An int~ractive method ~or ~i~ulating an operating environment, said method co~prising the steps of: ~
providing a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in ~aid operating environment, ~aid simulated display~ indi~ating t~e ~tat~ of variou~
~.
, ~
4b components of said operat~ng environmen~ to the user;
providing a plurality of manipulable input devices permit~ing a user to interact with said simulation system;
responding to said input device~ controlling said displays in response thereto using ~i~ulation software, said responses providing a simulat~on of actual responses in said operating environment;
determining the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of said input devices using procedure monitoring software; and monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software using condition monitoring software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation o~ said input devices by said user.
BRI~F P~8CRIP~ION OY TH~ ~R~N~
T~e various advantage~ of th~ pr~ ent inv~ntion will become appaxent to one skilled in the art by reading the following speci~ication and by reference to the following drawing~ in which:
FIG. 1 is ~ diagram o~ the overall condition monitor request processing system in ~ccordanc~ with th~
pre~ent invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram o~ the c:ondition ~Donitor request softwaré transition states:
FIG. 3 is a diagram of the data flow into an~ out of the condition monitor rçquest software: and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the data flow within the conditiorl moni~or reques software.
'~.
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2~27~
DB8CRIP'rION OF ~B PRE:FE:RRE~D EMBODI~ NT8 An overall system block diagram of the ~ain components of the condition monitor request training system 10, in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The system includes a host computer 12, a terminal 14 and a simulation system 16. The simulation system 1~ includes a plur lity o display devices 18 which may include CRT's, a simulated cockpit, gages, meters, etc. as well simulated exterior views having still a~d/or moving images. The simulation system 16 also includes a plurality of input devices 20 whi~h may include switches, buttons, Xeypads, levers, etc., which are actustable by the user.
The simulation system 16 is controlled by a simulation software program 22 which may be located in the host computer 12. Also, condition monitor request software 24 and procedure monitor software 26 are contained in the host computer. The terminal 14 can be used to enter and edit each of the programs 22, 24 and 26 in the host c~mputer. It will be appreciated that many variations on the configuration shown in FIG. l are possible within the scope of the present invention.
Further details of the condition monitor 24, Simulation ~2, and procedure monitor software 26 are shown in FI~S.
2-4.
In general, the condition monitor request (C~R~
software 24 monitors simulation states with respect to procedural actions to detenmine when procedural events have been satisfied. The CMR software 24 will monitor states of the training system 10 relevant to procedural segments which the procedure monitor software 26 cannot ~onitor. Prc~edural seg-.ents are portions of larger training exercises called Iessons which the training system 10 i~pleMents by ~eans of its courseware.
'~ Courseware software is generally located in the host compute~ 12. Courseware is a type of ~ata~ase which 2~271~
specifies the actions and conditions that are to be achieved using the trainer.
The reason the procedure monitor software 26 cannot monitor certain states is because it is only capable of monitoring switch actions and not complex combinations of switch actions. Thus, for example, i~ it is desired to know when the student presses certain switches to select a communic~tion channel, for example, defined by the numbexs 23.000, the procedure monitor software 26 must have a procedure to determine if the number 2 is pressed, and then 3 and then .000, etc. Of course, if anytime along the way th~ studen~ presses the clear b~tton, the procedure monitor software 26 must have procedures written to go back to the beginning and wait for these numbers to be pressed again. Because this process is too difficult to handle in this manner, the CMR
software 24 is provided to monitor the complex combination of switch actions and then to simply determine when the communication channel gets to the state 23.000. ~he states monitored by the CMR 24 are typically combinations of switch states and internal simulation states.
FIG. 2 is the state transition diagram for the CMR software 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the CMR software 24 is in one of three states during operation~ It is either processing student actions, indicated by state 28, or, when errors are detected, CM~ software 24 goes into the error reco~ery state 3 0 until tha error is correGted; or, ~ the CMR software 24 is in the ave~restore skat~ 32, which : it enters upon the receipt of a save/restore request~
Save an~ restore requests are used to save the current state of the CMR software and then restore the saved state a~ a ~ut~~e poin~ n time.
As shown in FIG. 3, a save/restor master 34 softwa_2 first p-oduces a get ready ~c sa~e request 36 for the C.:R. The C~:R then sends an I'm ready response 38 to the save/restore ;r.aster 34. The save/restore master 34 , , . . :
.
~27:~
then coordinates the rest of the save/restore process and then sends either a save message 40 or a restore message 42 to the CMR. Also shown in FIG. 3 are four tables; the device ID table 44; the MDU action table 46; the DEP
action table 48; and the CMR definition table S0.
In more detail, the MDU action table 46 refers to a type of numerical control display called a multipurpose display unit (MDU) which consists of a monitor having a number of bezel keys around it. The MDU action table 46 is a data base of software de~cribing all the states of each o~ the ~DU keys. For example, the MDU may comprise one of the displays 18 and one set of switches 20 shown in FIG. 1. It will be apprec:Lated that the M~U may ha~ many different pages that may appear on the screen, each having text describing the function of the buttons on each page.
The ~DU action table 46 will then describe what the buttons do for each page of display.
Similarly, the DEP action table 48 describes the function of various buttons on another numerical control device called a Data Entry Panel, (DEP).
Similarly, the device I~ table 44, contains a description of the identification and function of each device in the simulator. The term device refers to knobs, switche~, and other ~anipulable controls. The CMR
definition table 50 contains a d~finition of each type o~
condition monitor request tha~ the CMR software 24 may receive. For example, some condition moni~or requests : r~quire the C~R software 24 to determine whether or notcertain ~eys which are pressed by the:student are allowed or not. At other times, the task of the CMR 24 is simply to look for a particular state, and thP switches that are pressed to reach that s~ate are ignored. For example, the CMR 2~ may simply look for the engine RPM of an aircraft -eaching 80~. Thu~s, the C~ definition table 50 tells the CMR software 2~ hc~ to interpret any requests it receives from the courseware.
27~
Also, shown in FIG~ 3 are the ~lnds of interactions between PM 26 and CMR 24 and between SI~ 22 and CMR 24. Further details of these interactions will now be discussed in connection with FIG. 4, which illustrates the data flow diagram internal to the CMR
software 24. A wait for simulation (WSIM) event table 52 is an internal structure which contains all of the events which the courseware specifies should be monitored. All events that are still outstanding that is, which have not been satis~ied by the student, are kep~ in the WSIM event table 52. Once events ~ave been satisfied, a flush eYe~t table ~unction 54 removes that event from the WSI~ event table 52. It does this by receiving a ~lush units input 56 from the procedure monitor ~6 and by removing all entries in the WSIM event table 52 which have a unit number less than or equal to the unit number speciried in the flush units input. An update WSIM table function 58 will add a speciied WSIM event to the WSIM event table 52 when a WSIM request 60 i5 received ~rom the procedure monitor 26.
If the WSIM request 60 was a "ta~get de~ignate"
condition monitor request 62, the update WSIM event table function 58 will send the target designate CMR request 62 to simulation 22. The target designate condition monitor reques~ 62 is sent to the simulation so~tware 22, which then wil~ report which targets have been designated. A
target designate statu~ m~ssa~e 64 is thPn sent ~rom the simulation softwarc to this CMR 24 wh~re it is processed by the process target designate function 66. In particular, target designate refers to a target that is designated which may be, for example, a cursor moving 2~ n t~.e screen. The process target designate function 66 will process the target designate status message 64.
Tr.e targe~ designate status ,essage is used by C'~R to 3~ de~err.ne whether the target designated on is the one s~ecifled by the courseware.
.
, ' ' ', : ' :- ~ . , - :
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2~27~
When the target designate status WSI~ request is encountered, CMR will first set the current state of its copy of a monitorable state ID value to a state of "in progress". The monitorable state ID values identify the current state of monitorable items, for example, communication status channel or engine RPM. In this way, CMR has a table of what is currently being looked at. ~he monitorable states are stored in a monitor~ble state3 table 68. Next, the process target designate ~unction 66 will send an environmental parameter for target designate to the PM 26 to simulation~ The environmental parameter for target designate is an identi~ier which indicates that targets which are designated should be reported to CMR.
The data for the environmental parameter will be the lS target to designate. When the monitorable state ID for the target designate status message is received by the process target designate function 66, it will send the error message to PM 26, update and erring d~vice table 70 and go to the error recovery state 30 if target designate status message indicates an error. The erring device table is used to indicate which devices have been moved out of theix required positions. If the target designate status message does not indicate an error, the process target designate 66 will send event complete message 72 to PM 26.
The update device values table 74 receives an allowed devices message 76 from the PM 26 and will upda~e a device ~alues table 78 and prompt an evaluate action function 80 to run. The allowed device message is generated by PM 26 to indicate that a device has been ; moved from one position to another. Device values table 7O is a ~able of the state of the buttons in a particula-device that CMR is interes~ed in monitoring.
Evaluate ac~ion function oO is activated ~hen it -eceives a device table index (along line ~2) cr ronitorable states table in~ex ~alons line 8~) ind catir.g , ,, ' , 2~9~719 which device or monitorable state has changed state. The evaluate action function 80 determines whether a student action is allowed, and if an action is allowed, whether or not the action starts an event or completes an event.
Evaluate function 80 also determines whether or not a monitorable state starts or completes an event. ~hen an allowed action occ~rs, the state o~ the allowed device will be passed on to simulat:Lon 22 along the allowed devices line 86.
If the action or state complet~d an event, an event complete indicator will be sent to si~ulation along line 88. If an action occurs which is not allowed, the device producing the action will not be passed onto simulation 22, but an error indication will he sent to P~
26 along line 90; the erring device t~ble will be updated;
and CMR will go into the error recovery state.
The evaluate action function 30 processes a number of types of condition ~onitor requests including:
a.) multi purpose display~nit (MDU) CMR's, which are ac~ivated actions on MDU bezel buttons or by the results of the action on other devîces which axe displayed on the MDU's. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, MDU bezel buttons are classified into three types. 1) MDU page change buttofi, 2) MDU action buttons, and not supported buttons.
b.) Data Entry Panel (DEP) CMR's which are act~vated through actions on DEP buttons. DEP CMR's ~all into the fo}lowing catego~ies: 1) DEP page change; 2) DEP toggle actions; 3); DEP rotate actions; and 4) DEP
string actions.
c.) Flight Data Control Panel (FDCP) CMR's. The FDC? is a control panel havins a numeric keypad.
d.) Simulation to Trainer Interface (STI) CMR's.
Tnese C~.~R~s are a catch all ca~egory for C~.~R's that don't involve interac~ions ~ith MD~, DEP, or FDCP's. These CMR's are satisfied ~hen a stable simulation state i5 - " ' , '. ~ ' ' ' ~ , ' .
.
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'' '' ' . ~ ~.
. , ~ , .
.
2~2~
pr sen~ which satisfies the state that the courseware author has specified.
A set of files 106 (the MDU action table, DEP
action table, CMR Definition table, and Device table) will S be used by the evaluate action function 80 to determine if a particular student action is allowed at the particular point in the procedure.
The recover from error funckion 92 accepts allowed devices messages after an error has been detected until the erring device has been set to a position which ic not incorrect. When the device has been placed in the proper position, thi~ function will send PM 26 the error cleared indication along line llo. Recover from error function 92 will also update the device valued table 78 along line 94 whenever a new device state arrives.
The update monitorable state table 96 receives a report of a monitorable state along line 98 from simulation 22 and checks the monitorable states table 68 to determine whether the simulation state information needs to be ~'aged~ for stability or not. That is, whether the monitorable state ~u~t be stable before it is determined that the student has actually accomplished this state. For example, if the desired state is achieving an oil pressure o~ 50 pounds per cubic inch, the student may move a switch causing the oil pressure to move pas'c 50 pounds. Thus, the state hac no~ yet been reached and it is desired to wait until a stable ~tat~ is achieved. If th~ monitorable state does not need to be aged, the monitorable states table 68 will be updated with the new value of the monitorable state by the update monitorable states table function 96 and the evaluate action function ~0 will be given an indication of which monitorable state was updated. If the monitorable s~ate needs to be aged 2n iF~matur2 monitorable states table 100 will ~e updated.
3~ The age simulation data function 102 runs once every cycle whene~er there are entries in t~.e imma'ure monitorable sta~es table 100. The age s~mulation data function 102 will per~orm the following processing on every entry in the immature monitora~le states table. a) increment the age of the entry, and b) determine whether the data for the entry is mature. Data is maturs when its age has reached 200 milliseconds. If the entry is mature, the entry will be removed rro~ the immature monitorable states table and placed in the monitorable states table 68. If there wer~ any entries moved from the immature monitorable states table to the monitorable states table, the evaluate action function 80 will be given an indication on which monitorable state was updated.
The save/restore function 104 receives get ready to save message and sends the I'm ready message to the state to the save/restore master 34. Any queue messages that arrive before the save message arrives will be copied to an auxiliary queue. When the save/restore function 104 receives a get ready to save message it will save its data area into an auxiliary data area and continue normal processing. When this function receives the restore message, it will restore its data segment and copy messages from its auxiliary queue back to the primary queue.
It will be appreciated that the C~R system 10 in accordance with the present inventiom can be u~ed to implement a procedural monitor or a freeplay monitor. In particular, i~plementation o one or the other wiIl simply requixe authoring courseware which calls out procedural steps for the procedural mode, or not using courseware in the freeplay mode.
Those skilled in the art can appreciate that o.her ad~antages can be obtained from the use of this invention and ~hat modification may be made without departlng rrom the true spirit of the invention after studying the specification, drawings and following claims.
, , :
Claims (18)
1. An interactive simulation system for simulating an operating environment, said simulation system comprising:
a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simulated displays indicating the state of various components of said operating environment to the user;
a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting a user to interact with said simulation system;
simulation software for responding to said input devices and for controlling said displays in response thereto, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operating environment;
procedure monitoring software for determining the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of said input devices; and condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of said input devices by said user.
a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simulated displays indicating the state of various components of said operating environment to the user;
a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting a user to interact with said simulation system;
simulation software for responding to said input devices and for controlling said displays in response thereto, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operating environment;
procedure monitoring software for determining the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of said input devices; and condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of said input devices by said user.
2. The system of Claim 1 wherein said condition monitor software includes means for evaluating activities of said user in manipulating said input devices, said input devices determining future actions by said procedure monitor software and said simulation software.
3. The system of Claim 2 further comprising a plurality of tables stored in databases coupled to said condition monitoring software, at least one of said tables containing a description of said input devices.
4. The system of Claim 3 wherein one of said tables contains a list of events and said condition monitor software further comprises:
a means for flushing said event table; and a means for updating said event table, wherein said means for evaluating actions is coupled to said event table.
a means for flushing said event table; and a means for updating said event table, wherein said means for evaluating actions is coupled to said event table.
5. The system of Claim 3 wherein one of said tables is a device values table and said condition monitor software further comprises:
means for updating said device values, and wherein said means for evaluating action as coupled to said means for updating said device values table.
means for updating said device values, and wherein said means for evaluating action as coupled to said means for updating said device values table.
6. The system of Claim 3 wherein said condition monitoring software further comprises process target designate means for processing target designate requests.
7. The system of Claim 6 wherein said target designate means further determines if devices are activated by said user were allowed by said system and if not, send an error message to said procedure monitor software.
8. The system of Claim 3 wherein one of said tables contains a list of the monitorable states of said simulation hardware and software, and wherein said condition monitor software further comprises means for monitoring said monitorable states table, coupled to said means for evaluating actions.
9. A training system for training a student to utilize an operating environment, said system comprising:
a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simulated displays indicating the state of various components of said operating environment to the student;
a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting said student to interact with said training system;
simulation software for responding to said input devices and for controlling said displays in response thereto, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operating environment;
procedure monitoring software for determining the status of said input devices as a result of the student's manipulation of said input devices; and condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of said input devices by said student, said condition monitor software including means for evaluating activities of said student in manipulating said input devices, said input devices determining future actions by said procedure monitor software and said simulation software.
a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simulated displays indicating the state of various components of said operating environment to the student;
a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting said student to interact with said training system;
simulation software for responding to said input devices and for controlling said displays in response thereto, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operating environment;
procedure monitoring software for determining the status of said input devices as a result of the student's manipulation of said input devices; and condition monitoring software for monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of said input devices by said student, said condition monitor software including means for evaluating activities of said student in manipulating said input devices, said input devices determining future actions by said procedure monitor software and said simulation software.
10. The system of Claim 9 further comprising a plurality of tables stored in databases coupled to said condition monitoring software, at least one of said tables containing a description of said input devices.
11. The system of Claim 10 wherein one of said tables contains a list of events and said condition monitor software further comprises:
a means for flushing said event table; and a means for updating said event table, wherein said means for evaluating actions is coupled to said event table.
a means for flushing said event table; and a means for updating said event table, wherein said means for evaluating actions is coupled to said event table.
12. The system of Claim 10 wherein one of said tables is a device values table and said condition monitor software further comprises:
means for updating said device values, and wherein said means for evaluating action as coupled to said means for updating said device values table.
means for updating said device values, and wherein said means for evaluating action as coupled to said means for updating said device values table.
13. The system of Claim 10 wherein said condition monitoring software further comprises process target designate means for processing target designate requests.
14. The system of Claim 13 wherein said target designate means further determines if devices are activated by said student were allowed by said system and if not, send an error message to said procedure monitor software.
15. The system of Claim 10 wherein one of said tables contains a list of the monitorable states of said simulation hardware and software, and wherein said condition monitor software further comprises means for monitoring said monitorable states table, coupled to said means for evaluating actions.
16. An interactive method for simulating an operating environment, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simulated displays indicating the state of various components of said operating environment to the user;
providing a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting a user to interact with said simulation system;
responding to said input devices controlling said displays in response thereto using simulation software, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operating environment;
determining the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of said input devices using procedure monitoring software; and monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software using condition monitoring software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of said input devices by said user.
providing a plurality of simulated displays simulating actual displays in said operating environment, said simulated displays indicating the state of various components of said operating environment to the user;
providing a plurality of manipulable input devices permitting a user to interact with said simulation system;
responding to said input devices controlling said displays in response thereto using simulation software, said responses providing a simulation of actual responses in said operating environment;
determining the status of said input devices as a result of the user's manipulation of said input devices using procedure monitoring software; and monitoring conditions within said procedure monitor and simulation software using condition monitoring software, said conditions occurring directly or indirectly as a result of the manipulation of said input devices by said user.
17. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the step of evaluating activities of said user in manipulating said input devices, said input devices determining future actions by said procedure monitor software and said simulation software.
18. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the step of providing a plurality of tables stored in databases coupled to said condition monitoring software, at least one of said tables containing a description of said tables containing a description of said input devices.
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|---|---|---|---|
| US736,271 | 1991-07-15 | ||
| US07/736,271 US5240419A (en) | 1991-07-15 | 1991-07-15 | Condition monitor request processing system |
Publications (1)
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|---|---|
| CA2092719A1 true CA2092719A1 (en) | 1993-01-16 |
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ID=24959229
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002092719A Abandoned CA2092719A1 (en) | 1991-07-15 | 1992-06-15 | Condition monitor request processing system |
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| EP (1) | EP0548355A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2092719A1 (en) |
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| US10347145B1 (en) | 2001-10-05 | 2019-07-09 | Vision Works Ip Corporation | Method and apparatus for periodically questioning a user using a computer system or other device to facilitate memorization and learning of information |
| WO2003032274A1 (en) | 2001-10-05 | 2003-04-17 | Vision Works Llc | A method and apparatus for periodically questioning a user using a computer system or other device to facilitate memorization and learning of information |
| US20040002047A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-01 | Board Of Regents Of University Of Nebraska | System and method for developing critical thinking |
| US20050096933A1 (en) * | 2003-09-22 | 2005-05-05 | Offshore Safety Lp | Offshore environment computer-based safety training system and methods |
| US7391821B2 (en) * | 2005-03-08 | 2008-06-24 | Harris Corporation | Operational state transition and event logging system for an RF transmitter |
| US20060228690A1 (en) * | 2005-04-08 | 2006-10-12 | Microsoft Corporation | Smart buttons: training tracker and motivator |
| US7581998B2 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2009-09-01 | Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. | Method for regulating aground electrode position in spark plug |
| US10013268B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2018-07-03 | Prometric Inc. | Performance-based testing system and method employing emulation and virtualization |
| US20100009323A1 (en) * | 2008-07-08 | 2010-01-14 | Chuan-Lang Lin | Simulation Software System and Method of Implementing The Same |
| US20120082967A1 (en) * | 2010-09-30 | 2012-04-05 | Roy Lee Stone | Method and system for training a gas turbine engine test cell operator |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4637797A (en) * | 1985-01-11 | 1987-01-20 | Access Learning Technology Corporation | Software training system |
| US4701130A (en) * | 1985-01-11 | 1987-10-20 | Access Learning Technology Corporation | Software training system |
| GB2175421B (en) * | 1985-05-13 | 1989-11-29 | Singer Link Miles Ltd | Computing system |
| GB2179479B (en) * | 1985-08-01 | 1989-01-05 | Singer Link Miles Ltd | Interface system for an instrument display |
| US4750591A (en) * | 1987-07-10 | 1988-06-14 | Otis Elevator Company | Elevator car door and motion sequence monitoring apparatus and method |
| GB8808446D0 (en) * | 1988-04-11 | 1988-05-11 | Macmillan Intek Ltd | Training/servicing kit |
| US5009598A (en) * | 1988-11-23 | 1991-04-23 | Bennington Thomas E | Flight simulator apparatus using an inoperative aircraft |
| US5019961A (en) * | 1989-04-05 | 1991-05-28 | Cadware, Inc. | Computer apparatus and method for logical modelling |
| US5136528A (en) * | 1989-11-14 | 1992-08-04 | Raytheon Company | Maintenance and operational simulators |
| CA2052155C (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1997-01-28 | Victor S. De Gyarfas | Glass trainer |
-
1991
- 1991-07-15 US US07/736,271 patent/US5240419A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-06-15 CA CA002092719A patent/CA2092719A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-06-15 EP EP92916782A patent/EP0548355A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-06-15 WO PCT/US1992/005041 patent/WO1993002437A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5240419A (en) | 1993-08-31 |
| EP0548355A1 (en) | 1993-06-30 |
| WO1993002437A1 (en) | 1993-02-04 |
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