Virtual reality system for training a user to perform a procedure

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for providing virtual reality guidance to a user performing a procedure on a virtual instance of an item. The systems and methods may be used in training the user to perform the procedure on a physical instance of the item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a virtual reality display;   a user input module; and   a controller configured to (a) provide, through the virtual reality display to a user, at least a virtual instance of an item and at least one instruction for a performance of a procedure on the item by the user, and (b) receive, through the user input module from the user, user input data related to a virtual performance of the procedure on the virtual instance of the item by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an external display configured to present, to a person other than the user, at least one of the virtual instance of the item, the at least one instruction, and the virtual performance of the procedure by the user.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a feedback module configured to (a) compare the user input data with reference data related to a physical performance of the procedure on a physical instance of the item, and (b) provide, to the user, an indication, based at least in part on the comparison, of the user's competence in the virtual performance of the procedure.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the feedback module is located at a remote location from the virtual reality display, the user input module, and the controller. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an external display configured to present, to a person other than the user, at least one of the virtual instance of the item, the at least one instruction, the virtual performance of the procedure by the user, and the indication of the user's competence.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the external display is located at a remote location from the virtual reality display, the user input module, and the controller. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions comprise one or more of a text, an icon, an image, an interactive element, a visual cue, a number of instructions displayed simultaneously, an auditory cue, or a narration. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the item is employed in an extraction of petroleum from a geological feature, and the procedure is for a deployment, a maintenance, a repair, or a use of the item. 
     
     
         9 . A method, comprising:
 providing, by a controller, one or more instructions to a user for the virtual performance of a procedure on a virtual instance of an item;   presenting, by a virtual reality display, the one or more instructions to the user;   receiving, by a user input module, user input data related to the virtual performance of the procedure on the virtual instance of the item by the user.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 displaying, to a person other than the user, at least one of the virtual instance of the item, the one or more instructions, and the virtual performance of the procedure by the user.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 comparing the user input data with reference data related to a physical performance of the procedure on a physical instance of the item; and   providing, to the user, an indication, based at least in part on the comparison, of the user's competence in the virtual performance of the procedure.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the comparing is performed at a first remote location from the providing the one or more instructions, the presenting, and the receiving. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 displaying, to a person other than the user, at least one of the virtual instance of the item, the at least one instruction, the virtual performance of the procedure by the user, and the indication of the user's competence.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein displaying is performed at a second remote location from the providing the one or more instructions, the presenting, and the receiving. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more instructions comprise one or more of a text, an icon, an image, an interactive element, a visual cue, a number of instructions displayed simultaneously, an auditory cue, or a narration. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the item is employed in an extraction of petroleum from a geological feature, and the procedure is for a deployment, a maintenance, a repair, or a use of the item. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 performing physically, by the user, the procedure on a physical instance of the item, after the user has been provided an indication that the user's competence in the virtual performance of the procedure is sufficient.   
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 performing physically, by a skilled user, a procedure on a physical instance of an item;   generating, based on the physical performing, reference data;   providing, by a controller, one or more instructions to a less-skilled user for the virtual performance of the procedure on a virtual instance of the item;   presenting, by a virtual reality display, the one or more instructions to the less-skilled user;   receiving, by a user input module, user input data related to the virtual performance of the procedure on the virtual instance of the item by the less-skilled user;   comparing the user input data with the reference data; and   providing, to at least one of the less-skilled user or a trainer, an indication, based at least in part on the comparison, of the less-skilled user's competence in the virtual performance of the procedure.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more instructions comprise one or more of a text, an icon, an image, an interactive element, a visual cue, a number of instructions displayed simultaneously, an auditory cue, or a narration. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the item is employed in an extraction of petroleum from a geological feature, and the procedure is for a deployment, a maintenance, a repair, or a use of the item.