IP Library Granted Patent US 7,051,010
Granted Patent B1
US 7,051,010 · App. 09/668,056 · Granted May 23, 2006

Event based system for use within the creation and implementation of educational simulations

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,051,010
App. No.
09/668,056
Granted
May 23, 2006
Kind
B1
Abstract

The present invention provides a method of creating a conversation in an educational simulation for a learner comprising the steps of providing simulation software code, providing a dynamic data model comprising tasks and statements, receiving a statement made by the learner, and generating a list of possible statements for the learner to make from the statements within the dynamic data model. Also provided is a system for performing the method.

Claims (59)

1. A computer implemented method of providing a conversation in an educational simulation for a learner comprising the steps of:

providing simulation software code;

providing a dynamic data model comprising tasks and statements;

receiving a statement made by the learner; and

generating a list of possible statements in response to the received statement for the learner to make from the statements contained within the dynamic data model based on at least one of:

a. whether the current conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks,

b. whether the current task allows the learner to move to a sibling task,

c. whether the current conversation requires completion;

d. whether the current task is a leaf task,

e. whether the current task is a required task, or

f. whether the task is complete.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the dynamic data model is independent from the simulation software code.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task and invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a required leaf task.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a non-required, leaf task.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task and invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a complete, non-leaf task.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task and invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a required, incomplete, non-leaf task.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises transition and candidate statements of the nearest required ancestor task of the current task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task does not allow the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a leaf task.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the nearest required ancestor task of the current task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task does not allow the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a non-leaf task.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate and transition statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task and invoking statements of the sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a required leaf task.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate and transition statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a non-required, leaf task.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of a nearest incomplete ancestor task, invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task, and transition statements of active sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a complete, non-leaf task.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task, invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the current task, and transition statements of active sibling tasks of the current task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is an incomplete, non-leaf task.

14. A computer implemented method of providing a conversation in an educational simulation for a learner comprising the steps of:

providing simulation software code;

providing a dynamic data model comprising tasks and statements;

receiving a statement made by the learner; and

generating a list of possible statements for the learner to make from the statements within the dynamic data model.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of determining whether the received statement completes a current task.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of generating a list of possible statements for the learner to make from the statements of the dynamic data model further comprises the steps of:

determining whether a current conversation is has an enforced sequence of tasks;

determining whether the current conversation is the conversation requires completion or the conversation does not require completion;

determining whether the current task is a leaf task or a non-leaf task;

determining whether current task is a required task,

generating the list of possible statements based on at least one of the previously determined factors of:

a. whether the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks,

b. whether the current conversation is the conversation does not require completion or the conversation requires completion,

c. whether the current conversation requires completion;

d. whether the current task is a leaf or non-leaf task,

e. whether the current task is a required task, and

f. whether the task is complete.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the dynamic data model is independent from the simulation software code.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task and invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a required leaf task.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a non-required, leaf task.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task and invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a complete, non-leaf task.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task and invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task of the current task when the conversation has an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a required, incomplete, non-leaf task.

23. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises transition and candidate statements of the nearest required ancestor task of the current task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task does not allow the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a leaf task.

24. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the nearest required ancestor task of the current task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task does not allow the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a non-leaf task.

25. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate and transition statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task and invoking statements of the sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a required leaf task.

26. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate and transition statements of the nearest incomplete ancestor task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a non-required, leaf task.

27. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of a nearest incomplete ancestor task, invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor task, and transition statements of active sibling tasks of the nearest incomplete ancestor when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is a complete, non-leaf task.

28. The method of claim 16 wherein the list of possible statements comprises candidate statements of the current task, invoking statements of uninvoked sibling tasks of the current task, and transition statements of active sibling tasks of the current task when the conversation does not have an enforced sequence of tasks and the task allows the learner to move to a sibling task and the task is an incomplete, non-leaf task.

29. A computer implemented system for creating a conversation in an educational simulation for a learner comprising:

means for providing simulation software code;

means for providing a dynamic data model comprising tasks and statements;

means for receiving a statement made by the learner; and

means for generating a list of possible statements for the learner to make from the statements within the dynamic data model.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising means for determining whether the received statement completes a current task.

Assignments (17)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2021
From: SKILLSOFT LIMITED; SKILLSOFT IRELAND LIMITED
To: CITIBANK, N.A. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056903/0191 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL 052972/FRAME 0133 Recorded Sep 9, 2020
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: SKILLSOFT IRELAND LIMITED; SKILLSOFT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053743/0423 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2020
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: SUMTOTAL SYSTEMS LLC; CYBERSHIFT HOLDINGS, INC.; SKILLSOFT IRELAND LIMITED; SKILLSOFT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053743/0249 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2020
From: WILMINGTON BANK SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SUMTOTAL SYSTEMS LLC; CYBERSHIFT HOLDINGS, INC.; SKILLSOFT IRELAND LTD.; SKILLSOFT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053638/0600 →
NOTICE OF AGENCY RESIGNATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 17, 2020
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS RESIGNING COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053236/0554 →
NOTICE OF AGENCY RESIGNATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 17, 2020
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS RESIGNING COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 053236/0505 →
DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jun 17, 2020
From: SKILLSOFT IRELAND LIMITED; SKILLSOFT LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 052972/0133 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 17, 2015
From: SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
To: SKILLSOFT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 035455/0532 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 1, 2014
From: SKILLSOFT IRELAND LTD; SKILLSOFT LIMITED
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032800/0213 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 30, 2014
From: SKILLSOFT IRELAND LTD; SKILLSOFT LIMITED
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032792/0820 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2014
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SKILLSOFT IRELAND LIMITED; CBT (TECHNOLOGY) LIMITED; SKILLSOFT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 032775/0093 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 15, 2010
From: SKILLSOFT LIMITED, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SKILLSOFT PLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 025137/0928 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2010
From: CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
Reel/Frame 024424/0752 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECTION FOR THE CHANGE OF NAME FROM SMARTFORCE PLC TO SKILLSOFT PLC PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 019407 FRAME 0133. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SMARTFORCE PLC TO SKILLSOFT. Recorded Feb 16, 2009
From: SMARTFORCE PLC
To: SKILLSOFT PLC
Reel/Frame 022266/0199 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 11, 2007
From: SMARTFORCE PLC
To: SKILLSOFT
Reel/Frame 019407/0133 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 22, 2007
From: SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
To: CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 019323/0809 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2002
From: ADAMS, DAVID L.; MITCHELL, SCOTT L.; NAVABI, DARIUSH; O'BRIEN, JEAN-PAUL; YOUNGREN, MALCOLM P.; ZMRHAL, TEDDY D.; SFERLAZZA, SALVATORE R.
To: SMARTFORCE PLC
Reel/Frame 012903/0585 →