System method and article of manufacture for creating chat rooms with multiple roles for multiple participants

• US 20020119434A1
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Beams, Brian R., Harris, Scott B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,152,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/322
• 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 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a training opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized audio, video, graphics and animation used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple “correct” answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner. Multiple users or students can utilize the simulated environment simultaneously and interactively from multiple viewpoints. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. A dynamic feedback system is utilized that narrowly tailors feedback and focuses it based on the performance and characteristics of the student to assist the student in reaching a predefined goal.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a collaborative training session for a plurality of users, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving information indicative of a goal;

(b) prompting the users to enter a response congruent with the goal;

(c) receiving the response to the goal;

(d) providing at least one user with feedback from at least one other user, wherein the feedback is designed to assist the at least one user to achieve the goal;

(e) invoking a chat room to assist the users in achieving the goal.

2. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating a level of congruency between the response and a target response designed to achieve the goal.

3. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 2, wherein the level of congruency is calculated by a virtual director engine.

4. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 3, wherein the virtual director engine is resident on a plurality of servers which are coupled to a computer network.

5. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 4, wherein the computer network supports Internet Protocol (IP).

6. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 4, wherein the computer network includes a Local Area Network (LAN).

7. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 4, wherein the computer network includes a Wide Area Network (WAN).

8. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 3, wherein the virtual director engine calculates the level of congruency using a previous response of one of the users.

9. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 3, wherein the virtual director engine calculates the level of congruency with a success in a previous response of one of the users.

10. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 1, wherein the help engine includes a notification of the virtual director engine.

11. A method for establishing a collaborative training session as recited in claim 10, wherein the virtual director engine includes a domain expert engine.

14. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 13, further comprising a code segment which calculates a level of congruency between the response and a target response designed to achieve the goal.

15. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 14, wherein the level of congruency is calculated by a virtual director engine.

16. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 15, wherein the virtual director engine is resident on a plurality of servers which are coupled to a computer network.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 16, wherein the computer network supports Internet Protocol (IP).

18. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 16, wherein the computer network includes a Local Area Network (LAN).

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 16, wherein the computer network includes a Wide Area Network (WAN).

20. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 15, wherein the virtual director engine calculates the level of congruency with a success in a previous response of one of the users.

21. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 15, wherein the help engine includes a notification of the virtual director engine.

22. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session as recited in claim 21, wherein the virtual director engine includes a domain expert engine.

12. An apparatus for establishing a collaborative training session for a plurality of users comprising:

(a) logic that receives information indicative of a goal;

(b) logic that prompts the users to enter a response congruent with the goal;

(c) logic that receives the response to the goal;

(d) logic that provides feedback to at least one user from at least one other user, wherein the feedback is designed to assist the at least one user to achieve the goal;

(e) logic that invokes a chat room to assist the users in achieving the goal.

13. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that establishes a collaborative training session for a plurality of users, comprising:

(a) a code segment that receives information indicative of a goal;

(b) a code segment that prompts the users to enter a response congruent with the goal;

(c) a code segment that receives the response to the goal;

(d) a code segment that provides feedback to at least one user from at least one other user,

wherein the feedback is designed to assist the at least one user to achieve the goal;

(e) a code segment that invokes a chat room to assist the users in achieving the goal.