Learning management system for a real-time simulated virtual reality welding training environment

• US 10,198,962 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2016
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lincoln Global Incorporated (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Postlethwaite, Deanna, Wallace, Matthew Wayne, Zboray, David Anthony, Evans, Sarah
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Application Number:
  US15/228,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20160343268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 434234, 434219
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/205 Education administration or guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/14 with provision for individual teacher-student communication

Abstract

A learning management system (LMS) for tracking student progress as students learn how to weld in a real-time, simulated, virtual reality welding training environment. Systems and methods to help welding instructors and students manage the data associated with instruction and learning in a virtual reality welding environment are provided. Welding student training data generated by students while using virtual reality welding systems is stored in a centralized database. The centralized database is accessible by a user (e.g., a welding instructor) using a personal computer having a learning management software application (LMSA) installed thereon. The LMSA is configured to allow the user to access at least a portion of the student training data for one or more of viewing, analysis, grading, and reporting.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a virtual reality welding system comprising a mock welding tool and a welding coupon, the virtual reality welding system configured to generate student training data in response to a student performing a virtual welding process on the welding coupon using the mock welding tool;

storing the student training data on a database server system;

accessing the database server system using a personal computer having a learning management software application (LMSA) installed thereon, the LMSA comprising executable instructions configured to execute on the personal computer to perform each of;

downloading the student training data from the virtual reality welding system to the personal computer in at least one of a wired and wireless manner,

uploading the student training data from the personal computer to the database server system using an external communication infrastructure, and

downloading the student training data from the database server system to the personal computer using the external communication infrastructure;

wherein the student training data includes information related to results of virtual reality destructive testing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to select graded joint configurations from a list to create a grade book for a class.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to enter welding projects and assignments, that are not derived directly from the virtual reality welding system, for data manipulation.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to apply pricing to the student training data to determine a cost savings.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to organize training data for a plurality of students by one or more of class, period, or shift.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to measure improvement by the student between two welding exercises or points in time.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to generate pass/fail indications based on a cutoff score input by a welding instructor.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to add performance comments to a report for the student.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to generate a report card and select items to be included or excluded from the report card for the student.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to generate printable reports by one or more of a welding student, a welding class, or a time frame.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to archive final welding class results to the database server system.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the LMSA to create and track virtual certifications as acquired by the student performing to determined levels on welding exercises.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the LMSA to enter real-world welding data generated during a real-world welding process performed by the student using a real-world welding machine; and

using the LMSA to compare the real-world welding data to at least a portion of the student training data associated with the student.