Rapid scenario generation using natural language understanding

• US 8,930,180 B1
• Filed: 08/15/2012
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Murray, William R, Dargue, Brandt, Sanders, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PULLIAS, JESSE SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US13/586,756
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 704/9, 703 6- 8, 703 13- 22, 434 11- 71
• US Class Current: 704/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/10 Text processing natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30; processing or translation of natural language G06F40/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/20 Natural language analysis semantic analysis of natural language G06F40/30

Abstract

A generator for providing highly interactive, immersive training and mission rehearsal scenarios for war fighters and leaders on the job is provided. Through natural language understanding, the automation of such scenarios may be enabled and quickly created to ensure effectiveness, consistency, completeness and relevance. New tactical simulations may be added to the system by writing software adapters to down-translate from an abstract scenario model to the specific tactical simulation and its delivery platform. Finally, this same approach of interpreting written problem or task specifications may be extended to instruction in non-military domains that also leverage system or device simulations.

Claims

1. A rapid scenario generator comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

receive an intent within an operation order in a controlled natural language;

enter a graphical model of the intent and the operation order;

resolve discrepancies between the intent, operation order and graphical model;

translate the intent into logic;

generate a model generic across simulations based on the logic and at least one of at least one plan template or an automated planning system; and

generate at least one executable simulation scenario for a target simulation from the model based on simulation specific adapters.

2. The rapid scenario generator of claim 1, wherein the at least one plan template comprises a user generated template.

3. The rapid scenario generator of claim 1, wherein receiving the intent within the operation order comprises acquiring at least one of a file having the operation order, a transmission having the operation order, or accepting manual input of the operation order.

4. The rapid scenario generator of claim 1, wherein translating the intent into the logic comprises applying a lexicon and parser to the controlled natural language of the intent through an interpreter.

5. The rapid scenario generator of claim 1, wherein generating the model comprises examining Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops available, Time and Civilian Considerations.

6. The rapid scenario generator of claim 1, wherein generating the at least one simulation comprises creating one of a mission scenario file, or providing instructions in real time, for the at least one simulation.

7. The rapid scenario generator of claim 1, comprising generating simulation interpretable instructions for the at least one simulation based on the simulation specific adapters.

8. The rapid scenario generator or claim 7, wherein generating the simulation interpretable instructions comprises creating scripts, initial conditions and authored initial situations.

9. The rapid scenario generator of claim 7, comprising providing the simulation interpretable instructions to one of the at least one simulation, or to a standards-based language that can specify a simulation scenario.

10. The rapid scenario generator of claim 9, wherein providing the simulation interpretable instructions to the at least one simulation comprises supplying the simulation interpretable instructions to at least one of a training scenario, a mission rehearsal scenario, or a scenario intended to assess learner performance, understanding, or capability.

11. The rapid scenario generator of claim 1, wherein generating the at least one executable simulation scenario for a target simulation from the model based on the simulation specific adapters comprises applying at least one of tactical, system and device software adapters specific to at least one simulation.

12. A rapid scenario generator comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

receive an intent within an operational order provided in a controlled natural language;

enter at least one sketch of a graphical representation of the intent and the operation order, the at least one sketch representing a terrain of operation and resources involved;

resolve discrepancies between the intent, operation order and sketch;

interpret the intent provided in the controlled natural language into logic to generate a model of intent;

generate a scenario model generic across simulations and platforms based on the logic and the at least one sketch; and

generate at least one executable scenario from the formal scenario model based on simulation specific adapters.

13. The rapid scenario generator of claim 12, wherein generating the at least one executable scenario comprises determining at least one of vehicle placements, formation selections, fire missions, path routings, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and course of actions consistent with the intent.

14. The rapid scenario generator of claim 12, wherein the controlled natural language comprises one of a restricted vocabulary, restricted syntax, restricted word meanings, or combination thereof.

15. The rapid scenario generator of claim 14, wherein the restricted vocabulary comprises a military lexicon and a subset of concepts that capture the commander'"'"'s intent.