Systems and methods to define and monitor a scenario of conditions
Inventors
Stacy, E. Webb • Colonna-Romano, John
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10891408-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-12
Expiration Date
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Abstract
Systems and methods to define a scenario of conditions comprising the steps of defining at least one condition for at least one educational objective, the at least one condition being represented by a constraint and scheduling the conditions into a scenario of conditions. In some embodiments, the scheduling is performed by analyzing the constraints using constraint programming. In some embodiments, the constraints comprise mathematical or computational constraints representing a range of variables. Also disclosed are systems and methods to monitor a scenario of conditions.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods to define a scenario of conditions comprising the steps of defining at least one condition for at least one educational objective, the at least one condition being represented by a constraint and scheduling the conditions into a scenario of conditions. In some embodiments, the scheduling is performed by analyzing the constraints using constraint programming, and the constraints comprise mathematical or computational constraints representing a range of variables. The mathematical expression can be implemented in a computer program to be executed with a processor.
The patent identifies a problem in which current scenario definition languages provide high fidelity detail but generally fail to define clearly the linkages between scenario events and training objectives. The disclosed approach views scenarios as a partially ordered collection of partially specified conditions and actions and exploits the relaxation of scenario specifics (when possible) in order to gain flexibility in sequencing, scheduling, positioning, monitoring and replaying scenario events or conditions. This relaxation permits wider latitude for accommodating unexpected events while maintaining pedagogical rigor.
Also disclosed are systems and methods to monitor a scenario of conditions by presenting a scenario to a user, monitoring execution, creating actual conditions based on execution, and communicating measures of actual conditions. In some embodiments the scenario defining and monitoring system includes a pedagogically sound scenario definition language, a scenario authoring tool, a scenario analysis tool to determine feasibility of scenarios, and a decision support tool for trainers, systems or operators to monitor performance, give condition satisfaction status and provide corrective guidance.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims include a method of defining a scenario of conditions for a computer based simulator, a method variant addressing priority-valued variables and actual performance values, and a computer based system for defining a scenario of conditions.
Assignment model and scheduling model interaction
An assignment model receives a plurality of conditions for at least one objective; at least one condition is represented by at least one constraint comprising a mathematical expression having at least one variable representing a plurality of values; the assignment model communicates at least one of the plurality of conditions to a scheduling model; the scheduling model schedules, with a processor, at least one of the plurality of conditions to define the scenario of conditions for a computer based simulation environment by satisfying the at least one objective given the at least one constraint; and the scheduling model communicates at least one of the plurality of conditions to the computer based simulation environment comprising a plurality of networked computer based simulators.
Rescheduling based on actual constraint values and priorities
The scheduling model receives an actual value of the at least one variable of the at least one constraint from one of the plurality of networked computer based simulators whereby the actual value represents an actual performance value from a user; the scheduling model reschedules at least one of the plurality of conditions to define an updated scenario of conditions by satisfying the at least one objective given the at least one constraint and the actual constraint value; and, in a variant, a value of the at least one variable is a priority.
Computer based system with assignment and scheduling models
A computer based system comprises an assignment model configured to receive a plurality of conditions for at least one objective where at least one condition is represented by a mathematical constraint; a scheduling model configured to schedule the plurality of conditions to define the scenario of conditions by satisfying at least one objective given the at least one constraint; means to communicate conditions to a computer based simulation environment of networked simulators; and means to receive an actual value of a constraint variable from the networked simulators and to reschedule conditions given the actual value.
The independent claims focus on representing conditions as mathematical constraints handled by an assignment model and a scheduling model that together schedule, communicate to a networked simulation environment, receive actual constraint values from simulators, and reschedule to define updated scenarios.
Stated Advantages
Provides a way to view scenarios as a partially ordered collection of partially specified conditions and actions, enabling pedagogically relevant scenario definition.
Gains flexibility in sequencing, scheduling, positioning, monitoring and replaying scenario events or conditions by relaxing scenario specifics when possible.
Uses mathematical or computational expressions and constraint programming to automatically define, analyze, monitor, manage and optimize scenarios and conditions.
Includes a pedagogically sound scenario definition language, a scenario authoring tool, a scenario analysis tool to determine feasibility, and a decision support tool to monitor performance and provide corrective guidance.
Increases training opportunities and allows trainers to create training objective focused scenarios more quickly and with more flexibility.
Documented Applications
Military exercises, including Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) based scenarios.
Computer-based games and monitoring scenarios for key computer game events.
Project planning or task/resource allocation.
Educational systems, including specifically programmed computer based learning systems and training scenarios.
Interactive fiction and story plot point management where authors specify conditions for key plot points.
Recreating lessons-learned scenarios.
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