Computer based system for training workers

• US 20070238085A1
• Filed: 01/11/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silver Tree Media LLC
• Original Assignee: Silver Tree Media LLC
• Inventors: Colvin, Richard, Smith, Thomas, Smith, Nathaniel, Smith, Benjamin, Gauvin, Jennifer, Ball, William
• Granted Patent: US 9,224,303 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/365
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• 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 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

A computer based system having one or more computers is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of trainee client computers. The system can include at least one controlled digital character and a non-trainee digital entity, a plurality of models, and a rendering module for rendering the models on a display. The system is usable in training workforce teams and in a wide variety of additional applications.

Claims

1. A computer based system for training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) first and second trainee client computers each having a respective display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a first trainee model distributed into said second trainee client computer corresponding to said first trainee, a second trainee model distributed into said first trainee client computer corresponding to said second trainee, and a work subject model distributed into said first and second trainee client computers corresponding to said work subject, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, said second trainee model, and said work subject model, the first trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said first trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said first trainee model, the second trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said second trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said second trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering modules of said first and second trainee client computers render on said displays of said first and second trainee client computers at a certain time different perspective first and second first person views of a common scene, the first perspective first person view rendered on said display of said first trainee client computer including a rendering of said work subject model, the second perspective first person view rendered on said display of said second computer including a rendering of said work subject model;

(b) a central server in communication with each of said trainee client computers, the central server receiving communications from said first and second trainee client computers and sending run animation commands to said first and second trainee client computers responsively to said communications;

(c) an administrator client computer in communication with said central server, the administrator client computer also having a display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the administrator client computer having distributed therein said first trainee model, said second trainee model and said work subject model, the rendering module of said administrator client computer rendering said common scene and having a user interface, the computer based system being configured so that by initiating a communication using said user interface of said administrator client computer an administrator can cause, during a simulation run mode, one or more of the following;

(i) a certain animation routine for the work subject model to be run;

(ii) a certain texture for the work subject model to be rendered;

(iii) a change in a user interface one of said trainee client computers; and

(iv) a model change of said work subject model.

2. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said computer based system is configured so that said computer based system maintains a coordinate position and camera position of controlled digital characters at a time at which said communication by said administrator is initiated, and utilizes said coordinate position and said camera position in rendering a scene at said first and second client computers after said communication by said administrator is initiated.

3. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said rendering module of said administrator client computer is further configured so that said administrator client computer can render at said certain time a perspective third person view of said common scene different from said first and second first person perspective views and including renderings of said work subject model, and of said first and second trainee models.

4. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said administrator client computer is configured so that by using a user interface of said administrator client computer during a simulation run mode, an administrator can cause said administrator client computer to render on its respective display at said certain time said first perspective first person view.

5. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said administrator client computer is configured so that by using said user interface of said administrator client computer during a simulation run mode, an administrator can cause said administrator client computer to render on its respective display at said certain time said first perspective first person view and said second perspective first person view.

6. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said computer based system is configured record a simulation, and wherein said administrator client computer is configured so that by using said user interface of said administrator client computer during a simulation run mode, an administrator client computer can cause said computer based system to return to prior point of said simulation.

7. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said computer based system is configured record a simulation, and wherein said administrator client computer is configured so that by using said user interface of said administrator client computer during a simulation run mode, an administrator client computer can cause said computer based system to return to prior point of said simulation, wherein said computer based system is configured so that said administrator client computer is equipped with an audio input device and said client computers are equipped with audio output device, the computer based system being configured so that said administrator can input voice message into said audio input device for output at said audio output devices.

8. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said administrator client computer is configured so that by using said user interface of said administrator client computer during a simulation run mode, an administrator can cause said computer based system to enter an administrator character mode of operation, wherein during said administrator character mode of operation said rendering modules of said first and second trainee client computers render on their respective displays an administrator model corresponding to said administrator, and wherein further during said administrator character mode of operation an administrator can control animation routines of said administrator model.

9. The computer based system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured so that trainee can initiate a communication cause a movement animation to be run by actuating a hotspot displayed on a trainee client computer.

10. A computer based system for training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) first and second trainee client computers each having a respective display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a first trainee model distributed into said second trainee client computer corresponding to said first trainee, a second trainee model distributed into said first trainee client computer corresponding to said second trainee, and a work subject model distributed into said first and second trainee client computers corresponding to said work subject, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, said second trainee model, and said work subject model, the first trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said first trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said first trainee model, the second trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said second trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said second trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering modules of said first and second trainee client computers render on said displays of said first and second trainee client computers at a certain time different perspective first and second first person views of a common scene, the first perspective first person view rendered on said display of said first trainee client computer including a rendering of said work subject model, the second perspective first person view rendered on said display of said second computer including a rendering of said work subject model;

(b) a central server in communication with each of said trainee client computers, the central server receiving communications from said first and second trainee client computers and sending run animation commands to said first and second trainee client computers responsively to said communications;

(c) wherein said computer based system is configured to receive information extracted from a personnel database retaining data respecting said first trainee, the work force training computer network being configured to utilize said information extracted from said personnel database in determining at least one of (i) set of possible animation routines that can run for said first trainee model, and (ii) a characteristic of said first trainee model.

11. The computer based system of claim 10, wherein said computer based system utilizes said information extracted from said external personnel database in determining a set of possible animation routines that can be run for said first trainee mode.

12. The computer based system of claim 10, wherein said computer based system utilizes said information extracted from said external personnel database in determining a set of possible animation routines that can be run for said first trainee mode, the information being selected from the group consisting of an experience parameter, a job title parameter, a salary parameter, an educational attainment parameter, an age parameter, and a sex parameter.

13. The computer based system of claim 10, wherein said computer based system utilizes said information extracted from said external personnel database in determining a characteristic of said first trainee model.

14. The computer based system of claim 10, wherein said computer based system utilizes said information extracted from said external personnel database in determining a characteristic of said first trainee model, the information being selected from the group consisting of a job title parameter, a sex parameter, a height parameter, an age parameter, a hair color parameter, an eye color parameter, and an image file representing said first trainee.

15. The computer based system of claim 10, wherein said personnel database is a legacy database pre-existing installation of one or more of said first and second trainee client computers, and said central server.

16. The computer based system of claim 10, wherein said computer based system further comprises an administrator client computer.

17. The computer based system of claim 16, wherein said personnel database is a legacy database pre-existing installation of one or more of said first and second trainee client computers, said central server, sand said administrator client computer.

18. A method for using a personnel database including personnel information, the personnel database being in communication with an enterprise computer having client software for viewing data of said personnel database, said method including the steps of:

(a) providing a computer based system having a central server, a first trainee client computer for use by a first trainee and a second trainee client computer for use by a second trainee, the computer based system having a first trainee model corresponding to said first trainee, a second trainee model corresponding to said second trainee, and a work subject model corresponding to a work subject, the first trainee client computer having a user interface for use by said first trainee, and said second trainee client computer having a user interface for use by said second trainee, the first and second trainee client computers having respective rendering modules for concurrently rendering scenes including renderings of said work subject model in first and second perspective views;

(b) extracting information from personnel database;

(c) utilizing said information extracted from said personnel database in determining at least one of a set of possible animation routines that can be rendered by said computer based system for said first trainee model and a characteristic of said first trainee model;

(d) running a simulation with use of said computer based system;

(e) scoring a performance of said first trainee during said simulation to determine a simulation performance parameter of said first trainee; and

(f) sending said simulation performance score to said personnel information so that said simulation performance score can be viewed by a user of said enterprise computer.

19. A computer based system for training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) first and second trainee client computers each having a respective display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a first trainee model distributed into said second trainee client computer corresponding to said first trainee, a second trainee model distributed into said first trainee client computer corresponding to said second trainee, and a work subject model distributed into said first and second trainee client computers corresponding to said work subject, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, said second trainee model, and said work subject model, the first trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said first trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said first trainee model, the second trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said second trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said second trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering modules of said first and second trainee client computers render on said displays of said first and second trainee client computers at a certain time different perspective first and second first person views of a common scene, the first perspective first person view rendered on said display of said first trainee client computer including a rendering of said work subject model, the second perspective first person view rendered on said display of said second computer including a rendering of said work subject model;

(b) a central server in communication with each of said trainee client computers, the central server receiving communications from said first and second trainee client computers and sending run animation commands to said first and second trainee client computers responsively to said communications;

(c) wherein said computer based system is configured to receive information extracted from an external database retaining data respecting said work subject, the work force training computer network being configured to utilize said information extracted from said external database in determining a set of possible animation routines for said work subject mode that can be run by said computer based system.

20. A computer based system for training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) first and second trainee client computers each having a respective display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a first trainee model distributed into said second trainee client computer corresponding to said first trainee, a second trainee model distributed into said first trainee client computer corresponding to said second trainee, and a work subject model distributed into said first and second trainee client computers corresponding to said work subject, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, said second trainee model, and said work subject model, the first trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said first trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said first trainee model, the second trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said second trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said second trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering modules of said first and second trainee client computers render on said displays of said first and second trainee client computers at a certain time different perspective first and second first person views of a common scene, the first perspective first person view rendered on said display of said first trainee client computer including a rendering of said work subject model, the second perspective first person view rendered on said display of said second computer including a rendering of said work subject model;

(b) a central server in communication with each of said trainee client computers, the central server receiving communications from said first and second trainee client computers and sending run animation commands to said first and second trainee client computers responsively to said communications;

(c) an administrator client computer for use by an administrator in communication with said central server, the administrator client computer also having a display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the administrator client computer having distributed therein said first trainee model, said second trainee model and said work subject model, the rendering module of said administrator client computer rendering said common scene and having a user interface.

21. A computer based system for training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) first and second trainee client computers for use by trainees each having a respective display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a first trainee model distributed into said second trainee client computer corresponding to said first trainee, a second trainee model distributed into said first trainee client computer corresponding to said second trainee, and a work subject model distributed into said first and second trainee client computers corresponding to said work subject, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, said second trainee model, and said work subject model, the first trainee client computer having a first trainee user interface for enabling said first trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said first trainee model, the second trainee client computer having a second trainee user interface for enabling said second trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said second trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering modules of said first and second trainee client computers render on said displays of said first and second trainee client computers at a certain time different perspective first and second first person views of a common scene, the first perspective first person view rendered on said display of said first trainee client computer including a rendering of said work subject model, the second perspective first person view rendered on said display of said second computer including a rendering of said work subject model;

(b) a central server in communication with each of said trainee client computers, the central server receiving communications from said first and second trainee client computers and sending run animation commands to said first and second trainee client computers responsively to said communications;

(c) an administrator client computer for use by an administrator, the administrator client computer being in communication with said central server, the administrator client computer also having a display, an administrator user interface and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the administrator client computer having distributed therein said first trainee model, said second trainee model and said work subject model, the rendering module of said administrator client computer rendering said common scene and having a user interface;

(d) wherein said administrator user interface is configured differently from said first trainee user interface and said second trainee user interface, and wherein said computer based system is configured so that at least one communication can be initiated by an administrator utilizing said administrator user interface that is not among communications that can initiated by said first trainee utilizing said first trainee user interface or by said second trainee utilizing said second trainee user interface.

22. The computer based system of claim 21, wherein said at least one communication comprises a communication selected from the group consisting of a state change command, a scenario change command, a command to return to a previous point, a command to reverse play previous frames, a command to display a view presently rendered on said first trainee client computer, a command to simultaneously render views presently being rendered on said first and second client computers, a command to enter an administrator character mode of operation, a command to enable voice communications between said administrator client computer and each of said trainee client computers, a command to selectively enable voice communications between said administrator client computer and said first trainee client computer, and a command to run a voice animation when communicating voice messages.

23. The computer based system of claim 21, wherein said at least one communication comprises a plurality of communications including:

a state change command, a scenario change command, a command to return to a previous point, a command to reverse play previous frames, a command to display a view presently rendered on said first trainee client computer, a command to simultaneously render views presently being rendered on said first and second client computers, a command to enter an administrator character mode of operation, a command to enable voice communications between said administrator client computer and each of said trainee client computers, a command to selectively enable voice communications between said administrator client computer and said first trainee client computer, and a command to run a voice animation when communicating voice messages.

24. A computer based system for training a trainee in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) at least one trainee client computer for use by said trainee, the at least one trainee client computer having a display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a work subject model distributed into said at least one trainee client computer, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering module of said at least one trainee client computer renders a perspective view of said work subject model;

(b) an administrator client computer for use by an administrator, the administrator client computer having a display, and an administrator user interface.

25. A computer based system for training a trainee in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) at least one trainee client computer for use by said trainee, the at least one trainee client computer having a display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a work subject model distributed into said at least one trainee client computer, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for a trainee model corresponding to said trainee, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering module of said at least one trainee client computer renders a perspective view of said work subject model;

(b) an administrator client computer for use by an administrator in communication with said at least one trainee client computer, the administrator client computer having a display, and an administrator user interface;

(c) wherein said computer based system is configured so that a model rendered on said at least one trainee client computer when voice communications are sent from said administrator client computer has the appearance of talking.

26. The computer based system of claim 25, wherein said model for which voice animations are run is an administrator model.

27. The computer based system of claim 25, wherein said model for which voice animations are run is a work subject model.

28. A computer based system for training at least one trainee in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) at least one trainee client computer for use by said at least one trainee, the at least one trainee client computer having a display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a work subject model distributed into said at least one trainee client computer, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering module of said at least one trainee client computer renders a perspective view of said work subject model;

(b) a trainee model corresponding to a trainee being trained;

(c) an administrator client computer for use by an administrator, the administrator client computer having a display, and an administrator user interface;

(d) wherein said computer based system is configured to extract a first at least one parameter from a first database for use in determining at least of (i) animation routines that can be run and (ii) model and/or texture data for said work subject model; and

(e) wherein said computer based system is configured to extract a second at least one parameter from a second database for use in determining at least of (i) animation routines that can be run and (ii) model and/or texture data for said trainee model.

29. A computer based system for use in training a worker in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) a trainee client computer including a display and rendering module for rendering on said display a work subject model corresponding to said work subject, the trainee client computer further having a trainee user interface;

(b) wherein said system is in communication with a work subject database, and wherein said system is configured to determine at least one of (i) a set of animation routines that are enabled for said work subject model, (ii) a characteristic of said work subject model and (iii) a texture for said work subject model by extracting data from said work subject database.

30. The computer based system of claim 29, wherein said database is a legacy patient database.

31. The computer based system of claim 29, wherein said database is a legacy equipment article database.

32. A computer based system for use in training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) a first trainee client computer for use by said first trainee, said first trainee client computer having a user interface, a display and a rendering module for rendering a second trainee model corresponding to said second trainee on said display;

(b) a second trainee client computer for use by said second trainee, said second trainee client computer having a user interface, a display and a rendering module for rendering a first trainee model corresponding to said first trainee on said display;

(c) wherein said computer based system is in communication with a personnel database, and wherein said computer based system is configured to determine at least one of (i) a set of animation routines that are enabled for said first trainee model;

(ii) a characteristic of said first trainee model;

(iii) a texture for said first trainee model by extracting data from said personnel data in communication with said computer based system.

33. The computer based system of claim 32, further including a central server.

34. The computer based system of claim 32, wherein said personnel database is a legacy database.

35. The computer based system of claim 32, wherein said personnel database is disposed in computer external from each of said first trainee client computer and said second trainee client computer.

36. The computer based system of claim 32, wherein said personnel database is disposed in a computer remote from said first trainee client computer and said second trainee client computer.

37. A computer based system for training a trainee in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) a trainee client computer having a display and a rendering module for rendering a work subject model corresponding to said work subject on said display;

(b) an administrator client computer in communication with said trainee client computer;

(c) wherein said trainee client computer has a trainee user interface enabling a trainee to initiate a first set of communications for receipt by said system; and

(d) wherein said administrator client computer has an administrator user interface enabling an administrator to initiate a second set of communications for receipt by said system.

38. A computer based system for training a trainee in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) a trainee client computer having a display and a rendering module for rendering on said display a work subject model corresponding to said work subject;

(b) an administrator client computer in communication with said trainee client computer;

(c) wherein said trainee client computer has a trainee user interface enabling a trainee to initiate a first set of communications each of which when initiated can result in a certain animation for said work subject model being run;

(d) wherein said administrator client computer has an administrator user interface enabling an administrator to initiate a second set of communications each of which when initiated can result in a certain animation for said work subject model being run; and

(e) wherein said second set of communications includes at least on communication that is not included in said first set of communications.

39. The computer based system of claim 38, wherein said first set of communications includes and action request command and wherein said second set of communications includes an object attribute change command.

40. A computer based system comprising:

(a) a first client computer for use by a first user, the first client computer having a display and a rendering module;

(b) a second client computer for use by a second user, the second client computer having a display and a rendering module;

(c) a third client computer for use by a third user, the third client computer having a display and a rendering module;

(d) wherein said computer based system is configured so that said first, second and third client computers can contemporaneously render a common scene, wherein there is rendered at said first client computer models corresponding to said second and third users, wherein there is rendered at said second client computer models corresponding to said first and third client computers, and wherein there is rendered at said third client computer models corresponding to said first and second users;

(e) wherein said computer based system supports live voice communications between said first second and third client computers; and

(f) wherein rendering of said first second and third models is controlled to include a voice highlight indicating which of said users is presently communicating a live voice message.

41. The computer based system of claim 40, wherein said computer based system is for use in training workers.

42. The computer based system of claim 40, wherein said voice highlight includes a message indicating a name of user presently communicating a live voice message.

43. The computer based system of claim 40, wherein said voice highlight includes a graphic feature rendered in proximity with a model corresponding to a user presently communicating a live voice message.

44. The computer based system of claim 40, wherein said graphic feature is an arrow directed to a model corresponding to a user presently communicating a live voice message.

45. The computer based system of claim 40, wherein said voice highlight includes an animation and/or texture control to create the appearance that a model corresponding to a user presently communicating a live voice message is talking.

46. A computer based system for training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) a first trainee client computer having a display and a rendering module rendering on said display a work subject model corresponding to said work subject;

(b) a second trainee client computer having a display and a rendering module rendering on said display a work subject model corresponding to said work subject, the rendering module of said second client computer also rendering a model corresponding to said first trainee;

(c) an administrator client computer in communication with said trainee client computer;

(d) wherein said trainee client computer has a trainee user interface enabling a trainee to initiate action requests which can result in animation routines for said model corresponding to said first trainee being run; and

(e) wherein said administrator client computer has an administrator user interface enabling an administrator to initiate a communication for changing, without causing an animation routine for a trainee model to be run, an object attribute determining a set of enabled animation routines for said work subject model.

47. A computer based system comprising:

(a) at least one client computer having a display for rendering at least one model on said display;

(b) wherein said system is in communication with at least one data base;

(c) wherein said system is configured to extract a first set of at least one parameter from said at least one database for use in determining at least one of an animation routine for said at least one model, a characteristic of said at least one model, and a texture for said at least one model; and

(d) wherein said at least one client computer includes client software for enabling viewing of parameters of said at least one database not among said first set of at least one parameter.

48. The computer based system of claim 47, wherein said at least one client computer is an administrator client computer.

49. The computer based system of claim 47, wherein said computer based system is for use in training a worker.

50. The computer based system of claim 47, wherein said at least one client computer includes a user interface enabling a user to initiate a command to cause display of parameters of said database, while there is rendered on said display said at least one model.

51. The computer based system of claim 47, wherein said at least one database includes a personnel database.

52. The computer based system of claim 47, wherein said at least one database is a work subject database.

53. The computer based system of claim 47, wherein said at least one database includes a personnel database and a work subject database.

54. A computer based system for training first and second trainees in relation to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) first and second trainee client computers each having a respective display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the computer based system including a first trainee model distributed into said second trainee client computer corresponding to said first trainee, a second trainee model distributed into said first trainee client computer corresponding to said second trainee, and a work subject model distributed into said first and second trainee client computers corresponding to said work subject, the computer based system being configured to run a plurality of animation routines for each of said first trainee model, said second trainee model, and said work subject model, the first trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said first trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said first trainee model, the second trainee client computer having a user interface for enabling said second trainee to initiate communications controlling animation routines of said second trainee model, wherein during a simulation run mode said rendering modules of said first and second trainee client computers render on said displays of said first and second trainee client computers at a certain time different perspective first and second first person views of a common scene, the first perspective first person view rendered on said display of said first trainee client computer including a rendering of said work subject model, the second perspective first person view rendered on said display of said second computer including a rendering of said work subject model;

(b) wherein said computer based system is configured to receive information extracted from a personnel database retaining data respecting said first trainee, the computer based system being configured to utilize said information extracted from said personnel database in determining at least one of (i) set of possible animation routines that can run for said first trainee model, and (ii) a characteristic of said first trainee model;

(c) an administrator client computer in communication with said first and second trainee client computers, the administrator client computer also having a display and a rendering module for rendering three dimensional models, the administrator client computer having distributed therein said first trainee model, said second trainee model and said work subject model, the rendering module of said administrator client computer rendering said common scene and having a user interface, the computer based system being configured so that by initiating a communication using said user interface of said administrator client computer an administrator can cause, during a simulation run mode, one or more of the following;

(i) a certain animation routine for the work subject model to be run;

(ii) a certain texture for the work subject model to be rendered;

(iii) a change in a user interface one of said trainee client computers; and

(iv) a model change of said work subject model.

55. The computer based system of claim 54, further including a central server facilitating said communication between said administrator client computer and said first and second trainee client computers.

56. A computer based system comprising:

an administrator client computer having a user interface entity at least one of the following to be initiated by an administrator;

(i) a reverse communication;

(ii) a return to point communication;

(iii) view database communication;

(iv) change view communication;

(v) a state change communication;

(vi) a scenario change communication;

a trainee client computer having a user interface enabling a trainee to initiate a certain set of communications, the certain set of communications not including at least one of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi).

57. A computer based system for training workers relative to a work subject, the computer based system comprising:

(a) a first trainee client computer having a display and a 3D rendering module for rendering 3D models on said display;

(b) a second trainee client computer having a display and a 3D rendering module for rendering 3D models on said display;

(c) the first and second trainee client computers having trainee user interfaces enabling initiation of a restricted first set of commands;

(d) an administrator client computer having an administrator user interface enabling initiation of an expanded second of commands;

(e) wherein said computer based system is configured so that said first second and administrator client computers concurrently render respective first, second, and third different perspective views of a common scene, the third perspective view including a rendering of third person models corresponding to said first and second trainees, the first perspective view including a rendering of a third person model corresponding to said second trainee but not including a rendering of a third person model corresponding to said first trainee, and said second perspective view including a rendering of a third person model corresponding to said first trainee but not including a rendering of a third person model corresponding to said second trainee.

58. The computer based system of claim 57, wherein a camera position of said administrator client computer is maintained so that a field of view of said third perspective view is larger than a field of view of either of said first or second perspective view.