Learning management system for a real-time simulated virtual reality welding training environment

Abstract

A learning management system (LMS) for tracking student progress as students learn how to weld in a real-time, simulated, virtual reality welding training environment. Systems and methods to help welding instructors and students manage the data associated with instruction and learning in a virtual reality welding environment are provided. Welding student training data generated by students while using virtual reality welding systems is stored in a centralized database. The centralized database is accessible by a user (e.g., a welding instructor) using a personal computer having a learning management software application (LMSA) installed thereon. The LMSA is configured to allow the user to access at least a portion of the student training data for one or more of viewing, analysis, grading, and reporting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a first welding simulator comprising:
 a first programmable processor-based subsystem operable to execute coded instructions for generating a first simulated welding environment that emulates welding activity on a first weld joint defined by a first welding coupon; 
 a first display device operatively connected to the first programmable processor-based subsystem for visually depicting the first simulated welding environment including the first weld joint; 
 a first mock welding tool; and 
 a first spatial tracker comprising one or more sensors adapted to track movement of the first mock welding tool in real time and communicate data about the movement of the first mock welding tool to the first programmable processor-based subsystem; 
   a second welding simulator comprising:
 a second programmable processor-based subsystem operable to execute coded instructions for generating a second simulated welding environment that emulates welding activity on a second weld joint defined by a second welding coupon; 
 a second display device operatively connected to the second programmable processor-based subsystem for visually depicting the second simulated welding environment including the second weld joint; 
 a second mock welding tool; and 
 a second spatial tracker comprising one or more sensors adapted to track movement of the second mock welding tool in real time and communicate data about the movement of the second mock welding tool to the second programmable processor-based subsystem; 
   a learning management system;   a database server system; and   an external communication infrastructure;   wherein the first programmable processor-based subsystem is configured to generate first student training data in response to a first student interacting with the first simulated welding environment to perform a first simulated welding process on the first welding coupon using the first mock welding tool;   wherein the first welding simulator is configured to store the first student training data;   wherein the second programmable processor-based subsystem is configured to generate second student training data in response to a second student interacting with the second simulated welding environment to perform a second simulated welding process on the second welding coupon using the second mock welding tool;   wherein the second welding simulator is configured to store the second student training data;   wherein the learning management system is configured to download the first student training data from the first welding simulator in at least one of a wired and wireless manner;   wherein the learning management system is configured to download the second student training data from the second welding simulator in at least one of a wired and wireless manner;   wherein the learning management system is configured to upload the first student training data to the database server system via the external communication infrastructure; and   wherein the learning management system is configured to upload the second student training data to the database server system via the external communication infrastructure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management system is operable to analyze the first student training data and the second student training data, and
 wherein the learning management system is operable to generate a report based on the analysis.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management system is operable to generate a grade for the first student based on at least a portion of the first student training data and generate a grade for the second student based on at least a portion of the second student training data. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management system is operable to identify a welding skill that the first student needs to improve by analyzing at least a portion of the first student training data, and
 wherein the learning management system is operable to identify a welding skill that the second student needs to improve by analyzing at least a portion of the second student training data.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the learning management system is operable to provide a welding lesson relating to at least one of the welding skill that the first student needs to improve and the welding skill that the second student needs to improve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the learning management system is operable to provide instructional materials relating to at least one of the welding skill that the first student needs to improve and the welding skill that the second student needs to improve. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management system is operable to compare a welding performance of the first student and a welding performance of the second student by analyzing at least a portion of the first student training data and at least a portion of the second student training data. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first student training data includes information related to welding parameters including at least one of contact tip to work distance, weld angle, travel angle, and travel speed as affected by the first student during a first simulated welding process, and
 wherein the second student training data includes information related to welding parameters including at least one of contact tip to work distance, weld angle, travel angle, and travel speed as affected by the second student during a second simulated welding process.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first simulated welding process and the second simulated welding process are different. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first student training data includes information relating to default tolerances used during the first simulated welding process, and
 wherein the second student training data includes information relating to default tolerances used during the second simulated welding process.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first student training data and the second student training data includes information relating to a technique score based on a welding procedure specification. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first student training data and the second student training data includes information relating to a weld score corresponding to a weld pass. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first student training data and the second student training data includes information relating to a score calculated by averaging a plurality of weld scores corresponding to a plurality of weld passes. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first student training data includes information relating to a configuration and a position of the first weld joint, and
 wherein the second student training data includes information relating to a configuration and a position of the second weld joint.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first student training data includes information relating to a number of welds completed by the first student for the configuration of the first weld joint, and
 wherein the second student training data includes information relating to a number of welds completed by the second student for the configuration of the second weld joint.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first student training data includes information relating to an estimated material usage during the first simulated welding process, and wherein the second student training data includes information relating to an estimated material usage during the second simulated welding process. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first student training data includes information relating to an amount of time spent by the first student on the first simulated welding process, and
 wherein the second student training data includes information relating to an amount of time spent by the second student on the second simulated welding process.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first student training data includes information relating to simulated destructive testing performed by the first student, and
 wherein the second student training data includes information relating to simulated destructive testing performed by the second student.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the learning management system is operable to associate first real-world welding data generated during a first real-world welding process performed by the first student with the first student training data, and
 wherein the learning management system is operable to associate second real-world welding data generated during a second real-world welding process performed by the second student with the second student training data.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external communication infrastructure includes at least one of the Internet, a cellular communication network, a Wi-Fi communication network, and a satellite communication network.