Systems and methods for scenario generation and monitoring
Inventors
Stacy, E. Webb • Sullivan, Kevin • Picciano, Paul • Keskin, Can
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10179287-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-15
Expiration Date
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Abstract
Processor based systems and methods of defining a scenario event comprising the steps of identifying an event having an event attribute and generalizing the event attribute to define a generalized event whereby the generalized event is the scenario event. In some embodiments, the steps further comprise identifying a first and second event, generalizing a first and second event attribute to define a first and second generalized event and connecting the first and second generalized event in a continuous envelope to create a scenario envelope. Processor based systems and methods of monitoring an activity comprising the steps of monitoring an activity having an activity attribute and comparing the activity attribute to an event envelope to determine a status of the activity relative to the event envelope.
Core Innovation
Processor based systems and methods of defining a scenario event comprising the steps of identifying an event having an event attribute and generalizing the event attribute to define a generalized event whereby the generalized event is the at least one scenario event. In some embodiments the methods further comprise identifying a first and second event, generalizing a first and second event attribute to define a first and second generalized event and connecting the first and second generalized event in a continuous envelope to create a scenario envelope. Processor based systems and methods of monitoring an activity comprising the steps of monitoring an activity having an activity attribute and comparing the activity attribute to an event envelope to determine a status of the activity relative to the event envelope.
One challenge in simulation and game-based training is to develop realistic scenarios, which is typically a long, labor intensive collaboration between software and simulation engineers and instructional professionals; as a result typical scenario authoring is labor-intensive and takes a long time and fewer scenarios are constructed than are actually needed and the scenarios do not reflect recent experience or lessons learned because of the delays. The invention described here solves those problems by basing the scenarios on a data source that describes specific events and by identifying key events and decision points, generalizing those key events and decision points, and connecting those generalizations into an envelope so trainees can actively experience the mishap while retaining freedom of movement and trainee controls have an effect.
Claims Coverage
This patent includes 5 inventive features across two independent claims directed to a processor based method for defining scenario events and a processor based system implementing that method.
Event identification from real-world historical event
Identifying at least one event from a plurality of events from a real-world historical event, the at least one event having at least one event attribute, the at least one event attribute being a non-spatiotemporal event attribute defined by a single value at an event time taken from an aircraft Flight Data Recorder.
Generalizing non-spatiotemporal event attribute as a range
Generalizing the non-spatiotemporal event attribute as a range of values of the non-spatiotemporal event attribute for the event time and defining a generalized event comprising the range of values of the non-spatiotemporal event attribute for the event time whereby the generalized event is an at least one scenario event for a simulation executed by a computer based flight simulator.
Connecting generalized events in a continuous scenario envelope
Generalizing at least one first non-spatiotemporal event attribute to define a first generalized event and generalizing at least one second non-spatiotemporal event attribute to define a second generalized event and connecting the first generalized event and the second generalized event in at least one continuous envelope to create at least one scenario envelope whereby the at least one scenario envelope defines the range of values of the non-spatiotemporal event attribute that will ensure a user of the simulation will encounter the first generalized event and the second generalized event.
Communicating envelope-consistent values to the simulation user
Communicating at least one value of the range of values of the first non-spatiotemporal event attribute of the first generalized event and communicating at least one value of the range of values of the second non-spatiotemporal event attribute of the second generalized event, both values within the at least one scenario envelope, to the user of the simulation executed by the computer based flight simulator.
Processor based system encoded with scenario generation process
A processor based system comprising a memory, a processor, a communications interface, a system bus coupling the memory, the processor and the communications interface and the memory encoded with a scenario generation process that when executed on the processor is capable of performing the method of identifying events from a real-world historical event, generalizing non-spatiotemporal event attributes from Flight Data Recorder values as ranges, defining generalized events, connecting them in a continuous scenario envelope, and communicating values within the envelope to the simulation user.
The independent claims cover a method of converting single-valued non-spatiotemporal Flight Data Recorder event attributes into generalized ranges, linking generalized events into continuous scenario envelopes that ensure encounter of key events, communicating envelope values to a simulator user, and a processor based system whose memory is encoded to perform these method steps.
Stated Advantages
It is both easier and more precise to develop scenarios with a data source as a starting place than starting from scratch.
Recreation of scenarios closely resembling actual events is fast and easy.
Tools to manage the process extend the 'reach' of instructors and allow instructors to focus on instruction rather than on scenario conditions.
When experienced instructors are scarce, the methods help less experienced instructors create meaningful training experiences.
The generalization of events leads to substantial experiential variation, giving a high 'replay value' so no two generalized flights will be exactly the same.
Participants actively participate in scenarios based on flight logs with trainee controls having an effect, ensuring trainees encounter intended decision points and situations.
It is harder for trainees to 'game the system,' and knowledge and skill transfer should be high.
Documented Applications
Pilot training and flight safety scenarios created from Flight Data Recorder logs and MFOQA data, exemplified by the CROSSTAFF embodiment.
Training for facility management using data sources that describe events.
Training for financial trading using traces of actual or simulated events.
Training for business management or any other training for processes that can simulate actual events.
Creating scenarios to train cultural skills from warfighters' memory as a data source.
Creating scenarios to train collaborative military planning from electronic traces of collaborative activities.
Creating scenarios to train game-specific skills from logs of expert game players.
Creating scenarios to train unmanned vehicle operations from electronic traces from the operator control station.
Creating scenarios to train cyber defense operators from electronic traces of specific attacks.
Creating scenarios for active after action reviews in simulators from logs of trainee behavior in the simulator.
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