System and method for interactive online training

• US 20030186199A1
• Filed: 01/23/2003
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Melior Delaware, Melior-Delaware
• Original Assignee: Melior-Delaware
• Inventors: Mitchell, David W., McCool, Bryon E.
• Application Number:
  US10/350,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20030186199A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/219
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

Online method, system and software for interactively training a user to use a device. One or more computers are operably programmed and configured to display instruction for using a device, display an interactive graphical simulation of the device, receive user input configuring the device, and display a result of the user configuring the device. In another embodiment, the device automatically is synchronized to a particular segment of the instruction. Instructions for configuring or using the device in a particular manner may be provided to a user, together with an indication as to whether the resulting user configuration is correct (e.g., online exercises, quizzes, examinations, etc.) Online communication may be established between user-trainees and device manufacturers for user support, product feedback, etc. A wide variety of devices and device usages or configurations may be simulated, including but not limited to vehicle diagnostic, electrical, and medical devices and related applications.

Claims

1. A computer system for interactively training a user to operate a device, the system comprising at least one computer operably programmed and configured to:

display instruction for using a device;

display an interactive graphical simulation of the device;

receive user input configuring the interactive graphical simulation of the device; and

display a result of the user configuring the device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one computer system is additionally programmed and configured to synchronize the configuration of the device to a particular segment of the instruction.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the instruction requires a user to configure the device in a particular manner and wherein the at least one computer is additionally programmed and configured to display an indication as to whether the result of the user configuration is correct.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the device is a device for servicing vehicles.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the device is an electronic device.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the device is a medical device.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is implemented over the Internet.

8. The system of claim 1 additionally configured to establish online communication between a user of the system and a manufacturer of the device.

9. A computer system for interactively training a user to use a device, the system comprising at least one computer operably programmed and configured to:

display instruction for using a device wherein the instruction comprises multiple segments;

display an interactive graphical simulation of the device;

receive user input configuring the interactive graphical simulation of the device;

display a result of the user configuring the device; and

synchronize the configuration of the device to a particular segment of the instruction.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the device is a device for servicing vehicles.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the device is a medical device.

12. The system of claim 9 additionally configured to establish online communication between a user of the system and a manufacturer of the device.

13. Software for instructing a computer system to:

display instruction for using a device;

display an interactive graphical simulation of the device;

receive user input configuring the device; and

display a result of the user configuring the device.

14. The software of claim 13 wherein the software additionally instructs the computer system to synchronize the configuration of the device to a particular segment of the instruction.

15. The software of claim 13 wherein the software additionally instructs the computer system to:

display an instruction for configuring or using the device in a particular manner; and

display an indication as to whether the result of the user configuration is correct.

16. The software of claim 13 wherein the software is embodied in a computer-readable physical article.

17. The software of claim 13 wherein the software is embodied in an electronic file format.

18. The software of claim 13 additionally configured to establish online communication between a user of the system and a manufacturer of the device.

19. An online method for interactively training a user to use a physical device, the method comprising:

providing a user with online instruction for using a device;

providing the user with an interactive graphical simulation of the device in association with the online instruction wherein the user can interactively configure the device.

20. The method of claim 19 additionally comprising synchronizing the configuration of the device with the online instruction.

21. The method of claim 19 additionally comprising providing the user with an indication as to whether the user'"'"'s configuration is correct.

22. The method of claim 19 additionally comprising providing an online examination wherein the user is required to configure or use the simulated device in a particular manner.

23. The method of claim 19 additionally comprising establishing online communication between a user of the system and a manufacturer of the device.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the manufacturer of the device provides the user with assistance in using the device.