Systems and methods providing enhanced education and training in a virtual reality environment
First Claim
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1. A virtual reality welding system, comprising:
- a programmable processor-based subsystem;
a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem;
at least one mock welding tool configured to be spatially tracked by the spatial tracker;
at least one user interface configured to allow a user to perform one or more of inputting information into the system and making selections; and
a communication component operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to access an external communication infrastructure,wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem executes instructions for welding simulator software that configure the programmable processor-based subsystem to;
generate a virtual welding environment for a simulated welding procedure in which a user creates a virtual weldment;
simulate creation of a virtual weldment, in the virtual welding environment, based at least in part on a spatial position and orientation of the mock welding tool manipulated by the user while performing the simulated welding procedure;
detect a problem with the user'"'"'s welding technique based on one or more characteristics of the virtual weldment simulated and the spatial position and orientation of mock welding tool maintained by the user during the simulated welding procedure; and
direct the user to one or more pre-identified web sites, in response to the problem detected with the user'"'"'s welding technique during the simulated welding procedure performed using the virtual reality welding system, wherein the one or more pre-identified web sites are pre-identified as being related to welding education and theory and are accessible from the virtual reality welding system via the external communication infrastructure using the communication component.
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Abstract
Virtual reality arc welding systems that provide virtual reality simulations for training purposes. Virtual reality welding systems to aid in training welding students may provide a spatial tracker, at least one mock welding tool, a user interface for the input of information into the system, and intelligent connections to web sites on the internet.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A virtual reality welding system, comprising:
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a programmable processor-based subsystem; a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem; at least one mock welding tool configured to be spatially tracked by the spatial tracker; at least one user interface configured to allow a user to perform one or more of inputting information into the system and making selections; and a communication component operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to access an external communication infrastructure, wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem executes instructions for welding simulator software that configure the programmable processor-based subsystem to; generate a virtual welding environment for a simulated welding procedure in which a user creates a virtual weldment; simulate creation of a virtual weldment, in the virtual welding environment, based at least in part on a spatial position and orientation of the mock welding tool manipulated by the user while performing the simulated welding procedure; detect a problem with the user'"'"'s welding technique based on one or more characteristics of the virtual weldment simulated and the spatial position and orientation of mock welding tool maintained by the user during the simulated welding procedure; and direct the user to one or more pre-identified web sites, in response to the problem detected with the user'"'"'s welding technique during the simulated welding procedure performed using the virtual reality welding system, wherein the one or more pre-identified web sites are pre-identified as being related to welding education and theory and are accessible from the virtual reality welding system via the external communication infrastructure using the communication component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A virtual reality welding method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a virtual reality welding system, comprising; a programmable processor-based subsystem; at least one mock welding tool; at least one user interface configured to allow a user to perform one or more of inputting information into the system and making selections; and a communication component operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem; spatially tracking, by the virtual reality welding system, the mock welding tool during a simulated welding procedure; simulating creation of a virtual weldment, in a simulated welding environment, based at least in part on a spatial position and orientation of the mock welding during manipulated by a user while performing the simulated welding procedure; detecting a problem with the user'"'"'s welding technique based on one or more characteristics of the virtual weldment simulated and the spatial position and orientation of mock welding tool maintained by the user during the simulated welding procedure; and directing the user to one or more pre-identified web sites in response to the problem detected with the user'"'"'s welding technique during the simulated welding procedure, wherein the one or more pre-identified web sites are pre-identified as being related to welding education and theory and are accessible from the virtual reality welding system via an external communication infrastructure using the communication component.
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Specification