Automated trainee monitoring and performance evaluation system

• US 20060073449A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRI International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SRI International, Inc.
• Inventors: Arpa, Aydin, Hanna, Keith J., Kumar, Rakesh, Paragano, Vincent, Cheng, Hui
• Granted Patent: US 7,949,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/219
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/26 Teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying shooting games A63F9/02; light- or radiation-emitting guns F41A33/02; targets therefor F41J; responders, transponders for radar, sonar, lidar G01S13/767, G01S15/74, G01S17/74
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/10 Cinematographic hit-indicating systems cinematographic targets F41J9/14
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/14 Apparatus for signalling hits or scores to the shooter, e.g. manually operated, or for communication between target and shooter; Apparatus for recording hits or scores
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

A method and system for performing automated training environment monitoring and evaluation. The training environment may include a mixed reality elements to enhance a training experience.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a training environment, comprising:

at least one first sensor for monitoring a training facility;

at least one second sensor, coupled to a trainee, for monitoring the activities of the trainee; and

a control system, coupled to the first and second sensors, for monitoring the activities of the trainee.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the control system evaluates a performance of the trainee and alters the training environment in view of the performance evaluation.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the control system further comprises:

a projection unit for forming interactive images within the training facility of training objects.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the trainee comprises at least one of an individual, an apparatus operated by the individual, a group of the individuals, or a group of the apparatuses.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the control system further comprises a means for generating scriptable synthetic objects that comprise at least one of static or animated images of targets, opponents, or obstacles corresponding to objectives of training exercises.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of at least one of a visible marker, an infrared marker, an inertial navigation sensor (INS), a video camera, a microphone, or a radio-frequency tag (RFID).

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second sensors are used to track the trainee.

8. A method of monitoring a training environment, comprising:

providing at least one first sensor for monitoring a training facility;

providing at least one second sensor, coupled to a trainee, for monitoring the activities of the trainee; and

monitoring the activities of the trainee.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising tracking the trainee using the at least one first sensor and at least one second sensor.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

evaluating the activities of the trainee.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

altering the training environment in view of the evaluation.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the monitoring step further comprises:

accessing a database of computer-generated scriptable synthetic objects and training scenarios; and

generating a synthetic object within the training facility.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the altering step further comprises:

accessing a database of computer-generated scriptable synthetic objects and training scenarios; and

generating a synthetic object within the training facility that alters the training environment.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

analyzing the activities of the trainee and comparing a performance of the trainee with a performance of an expert.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the trainee is at least one of an individual, an apparatus operated by the individual, a group of the individuals, and a group of the apparatuses.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the synthetic object is static or animated images of targets, opponents, and obstacles corresponding to objectives of training exercises.

17. The method of claim 8 wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of at least one of a visible marker, an infrared marker, an inertial navigation sensor (INS), a video camera, a microphone, or a radio-frequency tag (RFID).

18. The method of claim 8 wherein the monitoring step records at least one of actions, positions, poses or verbal communications of the trainee during the training session.

19. The method of claim 8 further comprising analyzing the activities of the trainee by evaluating performance criteria comprising at least one of a trainee'"'"'s position, positions of trainee'"'"'s body, positions of the scriptable synthetic objects, positions of objects of the training environment, commands to and verbal responses from the trainee, or acoustic environment during the training session.