System and method for training with a virtual apparatus

Abstract

A method and system of training in conjunction with a computer animation executed by a computing environment is described. The method includes recognizing a task to be performed in the computer animation, recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task, and solving the problem by manipulation of a virtual apparatus having virtual components displayed in the computer animation. The virtual components are manipulated by a student or user desiring to learn. The student is taught to understand logically consistent goals by using the virtual apparatus and without language interaction. Rules and properties for a subject area are modeled to the student by the virtual apparatus without language interaction. The student is taught to operate the virtual apparatus without language interaction. The student is requested to operate the virtual apparatus to reach goals in a sequence of problems having progressive difficulty and without language interaction.

1 . A method of training in conjunction with a computer animation executed by a computing environment, the method comprising: 
 creating a logical construct including establishing a set of consistent rules;    providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained;    teaching the user to understand logically consistent goals by using the virtual apparatus and without language interaction;    modeling properties and the set of consistent rules for a subject area to the user by the virtual apparatus without language interaction; teaching the user to operate the virtual apparatus without language interaction; and    requesting the user to operate the virtual apparatus to reach goals in a sequence of problems having progressive difficulty and without language interaction.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 selecting an appropriate subject matter area; and    selecting a sequence of problems according to the selected subject matter area.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising establishing error tolerances for the problems.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising determining if the user has mastered a subject area sub-category.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , additionally comprising introducing language elements to the user in conjunction with the computer animation if the user has mastered a subject area sub-category.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the language elements comprise numerals and/or labels.  
   
   
       7 . A method of training in conjunction with a computer animation executed by a computing environment, the method comprising: 
 recognizing a task to be performed in the computer animation;    recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and    solving the problem by manipulation of a virtual apparatus executing in the computing environment.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , additionally comprising animating positive feedback to a user if the problem was solved correctly.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein animating positive feedback comprises showing the user why the problem was solved correctly.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , additionally comprising introducing language elements to the user in conjunction with the computer animation.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the language elements comprise numerals and/or labels.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the language elements are added to the display near the virtual apparatus.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the language elements are added to the display in place of portions of the virtual apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , additionally comprising solving a new problem in a language-analytic environment wherein the new problem and the solved problem are related to a concept being taught.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 7 , additionally comprising animating negative feedback to a user if the problem was not solved correctly.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein animating negative feedback comprises showing the user why the problem was not solved correctly.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method of training is self-contained.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein solving the problem utilizes spatial temporal reasoning.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 7 , additionally comprising designating a task to be performed in the computer animation.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the computer animation includes only essential images.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the positive feedback computer animation includes only essential output.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the negative feedback computer animation includes only essential output.  
   
   
       23 . A method of training in conjunction with a computer animation executed by a computing environment, the method comprising: 
 recognizing a task to be performed in the computer animation;    recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and    solving the problem using a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the method of training is without intervention and instruction by a teacher.  
   
   
       25 . A system for training, the system comprising: 
 a computing environment executing a computer animation;    a module configured to recognize a task to be performed in the computer animation;    a module configured to recognize a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and    a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation for solving the problem.    
   
   
       26 . A system for training, the system comprising: 
 a computing environment executing a computer animation;    means for recognizing a task to be performed in the computer animation;    means for recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and    a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation for solving the problem.    
   
   
       27 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of: 
 recognizing a task to be performed in a computer animation;    recognizing a problem, displayed in the computer animation, to accomplish the task; and    solving the problem using a virtual apparatus with virtual components displayed in the computer animation.    
   
   
       28 . A method of training, the method comprising: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    teaching the user to understand logically consistent goals by using the virtual apparatus and without language interaction.    
   
   
       29 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    teaching the user to understand logically consistent goals by using the virtual apparatus and without language interaction.    
   
   
       30 . A method of training, the method comprising: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    modeling rules and properties for a subject area to the user by the virtual apparatus without language interaction.    
   
   
       31 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    modeling rules and properties for a subject area to the user by the virtual apparatus without language interaction.    
   
   
       32 . A method of training, the method comprising: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    teaching the user to operate the virtual apparatus without language interaction.    
   
   
       33 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    teaching the user to operate the virtual apparatus without language interaction.    
   
   
       34 . A method of training, the method comprising: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    requesting the user to operate the virtual apparatus to reach goals in a sequence of problems having progressive difficulty and without language interaction.    
   
   
       35 . A computer readable medium containing software that, when executed, causes the computer to perform the acts of: 
 providing a virtual apparatus with virtual components that are manipulated by a user being trained; and    requesting the user to operate the virtual apparatus to reach goals in a sequence of problems having progressive difficulty and without language interaction.