Interactive computer-based training system and method

• US 6,371,765 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI WorldCom, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Closson, Jackie R., Warner, Donald R., Wall, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOSSER, KATHLEEN MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US09/436,147
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 434/350, 434/236, 434/307.R, 434/322, 434/219, 434/224
• US Class Current: 434/224
• 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

Abstract

An interactive computer-based training (ICBT) system and method operable over a computer network for training users. The ICBT system is provided with a state-machine-based hardware simulator for emulating various hardware states associated with a piece of equipment on which the users are to receive interactive training. A software simulator provided as a command inference engine is coupled to the hardware simulator, wherein the software simulator allows the users to interactively interrogate the emulated piece of equipment for its software functionality. One or more independently selectable learning modules are provided as part of the ICBT system, wherein each learning module includes one or more lesson plans related to the hardware and software functionality of the emulated piece of equipment. Also, the learning modules are inter-dependently associated with the hardware and software simulators. A user interface is provided for selecting one or more learning modules and for providing inputs from the users to the hardware and software simulators of the emulated piece of equipment so as to modify its configuration. The users can select any lesson plan or execute a portion of an ICBT session at any point therein without having to follow any sequential procedure.

Claims

1. An interactive computer-based training (CBT) system operable over a computer network for training users, comprising:

a hardware simulator based on a state machine engine for emulating a plurality of hardware states associated with a piece of equipment on which said users receive interactive training;

a software simulator coupled to and inter-dependent on said hardware simulator, said software simulator having a command inference engine that allows said users to interactively interrogate said emulated piece of equipment by entering one or more software functionality commands;

a plurality of independently selectable learning modules, each including one or more lesson plans related to the hardware and software functionality of said emulated piece of equipment, wherein said learning modules are inter-dependently associated with said hardware and software simulators; and

a user interface for selecting one or more of said learning modules and for providing inputs from said users to said hardware and software simulators of said emulated piece of equipment.

2. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a troubleshooting module that is activatable from said user interface, said troubleshooting module including a user profile for each of said users, said user profile including a list of causes of a particular command error encountered by a user in said user'"'"'s previous training sessions on the interactive CBT system.

3. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said troubleshooting module adaptively updates said list of causes for said user with respect to said particular command error.

4. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said learning modules include one or more multimedia presentations associated with said lesson plans.

5. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said piece of equipment comprises a network element.

6. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said piece of equipment comprises testing equipment.

7. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said piece of equipment comprises a router.

8. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said piece of equipment comprises customer premises equipment.

9. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said piece of equipment comprises switching equipment.

10. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said state machine engine operates to make transitions from a current state to a future state based on tracking one or more dependencies of said current state on previous states.

11. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said dependencies of said current state on previous states include a direct dependency.

12. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said dependencies of said current state on previous states include an indirect dependency.

13. An interactive computer-based training (CBT) system for training users on a piece of equipment having hardware and software, comprising:

means for simulating the hardware functionality of said piece of equipment;

means for simulating the software functionality of said piece of equipment, wherein said means for simulating the software functionality is inter-dependent on said means for simulating the hardware functionality;

a plurality of independently selectable learning modules, each including one or more lesson plans related to the hardware and software functionality of said piece of equipment, wherein said learning modules are inter-dependently associated with said means for simulating the hardware functionality and said means for simulating the software functionality;

means for selecting one or more of said learning modules and for providing inputs from said users to effectuate different hardware and software configurations of said piece of equipment; and

a troubleshooting module wherein a user profile is maintained for each of said users, said user profile including a list of causes of a particular command error encountered by a user in said user'"'"'s previous training sessions on the interactive CBT system.

14. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said learning modules include one or more multimedia presentations associated with said lesson plans.

15. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said troubleshooting module adaptively updates said list of causes for said user with respect to said particular command error.

16. The interactive CBT system as set forth in claim 13, further including means for providing on-line help with respect to said lesson plans.

17. An interactive computer-based training (CBT) method for training users on a piece of equipment having hardware and software functionality, comprising the steps of:

simulating the hardware functionality of said piece of equipment;

simulating the software functionality of said piece of equipment, wherein said step of simulating the software functionality is inter-dependent on said step of simulating the hardware functionality;

providing a plurality of independently selectable learning modules, each including one or more lesson plans related to at least one of the hardware and software functionalities of said piece of equipment;

providing inputs from said users to effectuate different hardware and software configurations of said piece of equipment; and

selecting one or more of said learning modules based on said different hardware and software configurations of said piece of equipment.

18. The interactive CBT method as set forth in claim 17, further including the step of taking one or more tests relating to the hardware and software functionality of said piece of equipment at any point during a CBT session.

19. The interactive CBT method as set forth in claim 17, wherein said step of selecting one or more leaning modules includes launching a multimedia presentation.

20. The interactive CBT method as set forth in claim 17, wherein said step of selecting one or more leaning modules includes launching an on-line help session.