State transition system and method in interactive computer-based training

• US 6,766,311 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WorldCom, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Doggett, Patrick J., Closson, Jackie R., Warner, Donald R., Wall, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Starks, Jr., Wilbert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, THAI Q
• Application Number:
  US09/436,553
• Time in Patent Office: 1,715 Days
• Field of Search: 703/15, 703/20, 703/28, 703/17, 434/224, 434/350, 434/236, 434/365, 434/219, 434/226, 706/46, 706/927, 706/12, 706/50, 706/61
• US Class Current: 706/46
• 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

An interactive computer-based training (ICBT) system operable over a computer network for training users. The ICBT system is provided with inter-dependent, state-machine-based hardware and software simulators for emulating hardware and software functionality associated with a piece of equipment on which the users are to receive interactive training. The state transition method effectuated in a computer-readable memory system includes the steps of: identifying a current state of the state machine wherein a transition is to be effectuated; determining if there is a state immediately prior to the current state, and if so, determining whether there is a dependency of the current state on the immediately prior state, the dependency being characterized as a first order dependency; inferring a reference value associated with the current state based on the first order dependency; and determining a future state of the state machine based on the inferred reference value.

Claims

1. A method for providing interactive training based on a state machine effectuated in a computer-readable memory system, comprising the steps of:

associating a plurality of states of said state machine with a respective plurality of lesson plans for said interactive training;

identifying a current state of said state machine associated with a current lesson plan;

determining if there is a state prior to said current state, said state being a first order state, and if so, determining whether there is a dependency of said current state on said prior state, said dependency being a first order dependency;

inferring a reference value associated with said current state based on said first order dependency; and

determining a next state based on said reference value, said next state being associated with a next lesson plan.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining if said first order dependency is a direct dependency indicating that said reference value is determined based on a reference value of said first order state.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining if said first order dependency is an indirect dependency indicating that said reference value is not determined based on a reference value of said first order state.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining if said prior state has a dependency on a state prior thereto, said state being a second order state and said dependency on said second order state being a second order dependency; and

inferring said reference value associated with said current state based on said first order dependency and said second order dependency.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said second order dependency comprises a direct dependency indicating that a reference value of said first order state is determined based on a reference value of said second order state.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said second order dependency comprises an indirect dependency indicating that a reference value of said first order state is not determined based on a reference value of said second order state.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said reference value associated with said current state comprises a NULL value.

8. The method of in claim 1, wherein said reference value associated with said current state comprises a zero.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said reference value associated with said current state comprises a specific value.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining if said current state has multiple orders of dependencies on a plurality of previous states; and

inferring said reference value associated with said current state based on said multiple orders of dependencies.

11. An inference engine for providing interactive training based on a state machine effectuated in a computer-readable memory system, comprising:

means for associating a plurality of states of said state machine with a respective plurality of lesson plans for said interactive training;

means for identifying a current state of said state machine associated with a current lesson plan;

means for determining whether there is a dependency of said current state on a state prior to said current state, said dependency being a first order dependency;

means for inferring a reference value associated with said current state based on said first order dependency; and

means for determining a next state based on said reference value said next state being associated with a next lesson plan.

12. The inference engine of claim 11, further comprising means for determining if said first order dependency is a direct dependency indicating that said reference value is determined based on a reference value of said first order state.

13. The inference engine of claim 11, further comprising means for detemlining if said first order dependency is an indirect dependency indicating that said reference value is not determined based on a reference value of said first order state.