IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,254,434
Granted Patent B2
US 12,254,434 · App. 17/655,966 · Granted Mar 18, 2025

Method and system for managing automated performance-based assessments using virtual reality

Inventor: Syed Munib Hadi (Dhahran, SA)
Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
G06Q10/0639G06F3/011
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,254,434
App. No.
17/655,966
Granted
Mar 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method may include determining various tasks associated with a user assessment. The method may further include generating a virtual reality (VR) space for the user assessment based on the tasks. The method may further include transmitting, during the user assessment, VR image data to a headset coupled to the user device. The VR image data may correspond to the VR space. The method may further include generating a user assessment recording in response to a user performing tasks in the VR space. The user assessment recording may be based on the VR image data and an avatar of the user based on image data from a camera device coupled to the user device. The user assessment recording may be a mixed-reality recording of the user assessment.

Claims (114)

1. A method, comprising:

determining, by a first user device, a plurality of tasks for a first user associated with a first user assessment;

generating, by the first user device, a user avatar within a virtual reality (VR) space for the first user assessment based on the plurality of tasks;

transmitting, by the first user device during the first user assessment, first VR image data to a first headset coupled to the first user device, wherein the first VR image data corresponds to the VR space;

obtaining, by the first user device and from a second user device, a request to access the VR space for a second user;

generating, in response to obtaining the request to access the VR space, an evaluator avatar in the VR space;

transmitting, by the first user device during the first user assessment, second VR image data to a second headset coupled to the second user device;

transmitting, from the second user device and to the first user device during the first user assessment, assessment feedback in real time within the VR space in response to the evaluator avatar observing the user avatar performing a first task among the plurality of tasks;

transmitting, from the second user device and to the first user device, a first command that adjusts a second task among the plurality of tasks in real time to produce an adjusted task, wherein the adjusted task comprises an additional VR component not included in the second task; and

generating, by the first user device, a user assessment recording in response to the first user performing the first task and the adjusted task in the VR space,

wherein the user assessment recording is based on the first VR image data and the second VR image data,

wherein the user assessment recording comprises the assessment feedback, a first viewpoint from the user avatar, and a second viewpoint from the evaluator avatar,

wherein the user avatar of the first user is based on image data from a camera device coupled to the first user device, and

wherein the user assessment recording is a mixed-reality recording of the first user assessment.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining, from a touch controller coupled to the first user device, one or more user inputs in response to performing one or more tasks among the plurality of tasks in the VR space; and

determining, by the first user device, whether the first user satisfied the first user assessment based on the one or more user inputs.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

transmitting, to a server, a second command that updates one or more user records in response to determining that the first user satisfied the first user assessment.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

presenting, to a display device coupled to a third user device, third VR image data,

wherein the third VR image data presents a third-person viewpoint of the user avatar and the evaluator avatar in the VR space.

5. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the first VR image data presents a first-person viewpoint of the VR space to the first user.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining, from the camera device, first image data of a second user performing a second user assessment; and

determining, by the first user device and using an artificial intelligence (AI) model, whether the second user that is performing the second user assessment is an authorized user that used a user credential to initiate a VR session for the second user assessment.

7. The method of claim 6 ,

wherein the AI model is a deep neural network comprising an input layer, a plurality of hidden layers, and an output layer,

wherein the input layer obtains as inputs an image in the user credential and second image data of the second user that is obtained by the camera device prior to initiating the VR session, and

wherein the deep neural network predicts whether the second user is the same as the authorized user at the output layer.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining biometric data from the first user;

obtaining user registration data associated with the first user assessment; and

determining whether the first user is authorized to perform the first user assessment based on the biometric data and the user registration data, and

wherein the VR space is generated in response to determining that the first user is authorized to perform the first user assessment.

9. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the VR space is a virtual reality environment corresponding to a plant facility,

wherein the VR space comprises a plurality of VR plant components that are affected by a VR environmental factor, and

wherein the plurality of VR plant components correspond to a plurality of plant devices and the VR environmental factor corresponds to a predetermined amount of wind in the VR space at a predetermined wind direction and wind speed.

10. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the first user assessment is selected from a group consisting of a plant inspector certification, a supervisor certification, an electric hazard recognition assessment, and a scaffolding certification.

11. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the first user device is a kiosk comprising a first pod and a second pod,

wherein the first user assessment is performed at the first pod simultaneously with a second user assessment that is performed at the second pod, and

wherein the first user assessment corresponds to a plant certification that is different from the second user assessment.

12. A user device, comprising:

a first touch controller;

a first headset;

a first tracking sensor;

a first display device;

a first camera device; and

a user assessment manager comprising a computer processor and memory, wherein the user assessment manager is coupled to the first touch controller, the first headset, the first tracking sensor, the first display device, and the first camera device, and wherein the user assessment manager is configured to perform a method comprising:

determining a plurality of tasks associated with a first user assessment;

generating a user avatar within a virtual reality (VR) space for the first user assessment based on the plurality of tasks;

, transmitting, to the first headset, first VR image data corresponding to the VR space;

obtaining, from a second user device, a request to access the VR space for a second user;

generating, in response to obtaining the request to access the VR space, an evaluator avatar in the VR space;

transmitting, during the first user assessment, second VR image data to a second headset coupled to the second user device;

obtaining, from the second user device during the first user assessment, assessment feedback in real time within the VR space in response to the evaluator avatar observing the user avatar performing a first task among the plurality of tasks;

obtaining, from the second user device, a command that adjusts a second task among the plurality of tasks in real time to produce an adjusted task, wherein the adjusted task comprises an additional VR component not included in the second task;

generating, in response to a first user performing the first task and the adjusted task, a user assessment recording,

wherein the user assessment recording is based on the first VR image data and the second VR image data,

wherein the user assessment recording comprises the assessment feedback, a first viewpoint from the user avatar, and a second viewpoint from the evaluator avatar,

wherein the user avatar of the first user is based on first image data from the first camera device,

wherein the user assessment recording is a mixed-reality recording of the first user assessment.

13. The user device of claim 12 , further comprising:

a plurality of pods comprising a first pod and a second pod,

wherein the first pod comprises the first touch controller, the first headset, the first tracking sensor, the first display device, and the first camera device,

wherein the second pod comprises a second touch controller, a second headset, a second tracking sensor, a second display device, and a second camera device, and

wherein the user assessment manager is configured to perform a plurality of user assessments simultaneously using the plurality of pods.

14. The user device of claim 12 , further comprising:

a printing device coupled to the user assessment manager,

wherein the printing device is configured to produce a printed hardcopy of assessment feedback based on the first user assessment.

15. The user device of claim 12 , further comprising:

a second camera device coupled to the user assessment manager,

wherein the first VR image data corresponds to a first viewpoint,

wherein the user assessment recording further comprises second VR image data for a second viewpoint that corresponds to the second camera device, and

wherein the user assessment recording is configured to switch between the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint in response to a user selection.

16. The user device of claim 12 , wherein the user assessment manager is further configured to:

obtain, from the first camera device, second image data regarding the first user;

obtain third image data regarding a user credential of the first user; and

determine, automatically based on an analysis of the second image data and the third image data, whether the first user is authorized to perform the first user assessment, and

wherein the VR space is generated in response to determining that the first user is authorized to perform the first user assessment.

17. The user device of claim 12 , wherein the user assessment manager is further configured to:

obtain, from the first camera device, second image data regarding the first user;

obtain third image data of a second user performing the first user assessment in the VR space;

determine whether the first user and the second user are the same user based on an analysis of the third image data and the second image data; and

terminate, in response to determining that the first user and the second user are different users, the VR space for the first user assessment.

18. The user device of claim 12 , further comprising:

a microphone device coupled to the user assessment manager,

wherein the user assessment manager is further configured to:

obtain, from the microphone device, sound data of the first user performing the first user assessment;

determine whether the first user is receiving assistance from an external source based on an analysis of the sound data; and

terminate, in response to determining that the first user is receiving the assistance from the external source, the VR space for the first user assessment.

19. A server, comprising:

a computer processor; and

a memory coupled to the computer processor, wherein the memory is configured to perform a method comprising:

obtaining, from a first user device, a first request to access a first VR space for a first user that is performing a user assessment;

obtaining, from a second user device, a second request to access the first VR space for a second user;

establishing, in response to obtaining the first request and the second request, a network connection between the first user device and the second user device, wherein the first user device hosts the first VR space;

determining a plurality of tasks for the first user associated with the user assessment;

transmitting, to the first user device, first VR image data comprising a user avatar and an evaluator avatar in the first VR space,

wherein the user avatar corresponds to the first user performing the user assessment, and

wherein the evaluator avatar corresponds to the second user that is an evaluator of the user assessment;

transmitting, to the second user device, second VR image data;

obtaining, from the second user device during the user assessment, assessment feedback in response to the evaluator avatar observing the user avatar performing a first task among the plurality of tasks;

transmitting, to the first user device, the assessment feedback in real time within the VR space;

obtaining, from the second user device, a command that adjusts a second task among the plurality of tasks in real time to produce an adjusted task, wherein the adjusted task comprises an additional VR component not included in the second task; and

generating a user assessment recording in response to the first user performing the first task and the adjusted task in the VR space,

wherein the user assessment recording is based on the first VR image data and the second VR image data,

wherein the user assessment recording comprises the assessment feedback, a first viewpoint from the user avatar, and a second viewpoint from the evaluator avatar,

wherein the user avatar of the first user is based on image data from a camera device coupled to the first user device, and

wherein the user assessment recording is a mixed-reality recording of the user assessment.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: HADI, SYED MUNIB
To: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 059695/0795 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230306348A1 · Sep 28, 2023
References Cited (58)
US 7207804B2 · Hersh · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 8472860B2 · Johnson et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 9384675B2 · Zboray et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9539500B2 · Leyvand et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10083619B2 · Morgan et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US D831988S · Passmore · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10388176B2 · Wallace et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10403050B1 · Beall et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10438393B2 · Grant · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10482228B2 · Welsh et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10529248B2 · Chavez et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10769571B2 · Anderson et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10839718B2 · Becker et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11042885B2 · Mercury et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20140162224A1 · Wallace et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20160035233A1 · Breed · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160210503A1 · Yin et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160275722A1 · Bretschneider · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20170018200A1 · Nemire · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20170148214A1 · Muniz-Simas et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170162072A1 · Horseman et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180357922A1 · Dutta · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20180369637A1 · Hoang et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190025906A1 · Strong et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190380792A1 · Poltaretskyi et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200211411A1 · Katz · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20200388177A1 · Recker et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210021788A1 · Mcnelley et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220187847A1 · Cella et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220207830A1 · Allen et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220262504A1 · Bratty et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20230063505A1 · Chastain et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
CA 2942852A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CA 3059234A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 106471557B · 2017 [cited by applicant]
GB 2596733A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO 2010020867A3 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013032955A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2016179652A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
WO 2018140415A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO 2018175551A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
U. K. Mothukuri, S. Jain and V. Muralidharan, “Invigilated online assessment: Various ways to minimize unauthorized help,” 2012 IEEE Symposium on E-Learning, E-Management and E-Services, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2012, pp… [cited by examiner]
Mathuraki (Year: 2012). [cited by examiner]
Pateidilis, Reasons to use virtual reality in education and training courses and a model to determine when to use virtual realty, Themes in Science and Technology Education, 2009 (Year: 2009). [cited by examiner]
Office Action Issued in Related U.S. Appl. No. 17/655,971, Mailed Dec. 15, 2023, 36 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action Issued in Related U.S. Appl. No. 17/655,971, Mailed Apr. 9, 2024, 38 pages. [cited by applicant]
“The Growing Impact of Virtual Reality Training;” Jul. 15, 2021; pp. 1-5; Retrieved from the Internet: URL: https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/spring2021/pages/virtual-reality-training-spreads-its-wings.aspx… [cited by applicant]
Nakka, V. and Kabirdas, A; “Design and Realization of Augmented Reality Based Navigation Assistance System”, International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies; vol. 2; No. 6; 2011; pp. 2842-2846 (5 … [cited by applicant]
Imran et al.; “Significance of Haptic and Virtual Reality Simulation (VRS) in the Dental Education: A Review of Literature”, Applied Sciences; vol. 11; No. 21; Oct. 30, 2021; pp. 1-19 (19 pages). [cited by applicant]
Franz et al.; “Electromagnetic Tracking in Medicine—a Review of Technology, Validation and Applications”, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging; vol. 33; No. 8; 2014; pp. 1-25 (25 pages). [cited by applicant]
Björn Blissing; “Tracking techniques for automotive virtual reality”, VTI notat 25a-2016; 2016; pp. 1-32 (32 pages). [cited by applicant]
Silva et al.; “Introduction to Augmented Reality”, National Laboratory for Scientific Computation; Jan. 2003; pp. 1-11 (11 pages). [cited by applicant]
Veronica S. Pantelidis; “Reasons to Use Virtual Reality in Education and Training Courses and a Model to Determine When to Use Virtual Reality”; Themes In Science And Technology Education; 2009; pp. 59-70 (12 pages). [cited by applicant]
Angelo M. Sabatini; “Estimating Three-Dimensional Orientation of Human Body Parts by Inertial/Magnetic Sensing”, Sensors; vol. 11; Jan. 26, 2011; pp. 1489-1525 (37 pages). [cited by applicant]
Mothukuri, U. K. et al, “Invigilated online assessment: Various ways to minimize unauthorized help,” 2012 IEEE Symposium on E-Learning, E-Management and E-Services, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2012, pp. 1-4, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action Issued in Related U.S. Appl. No. 17/655,966, Mailed Jun. 2, 2024, 38 pages. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action issued by U.S. Patent Office for corresponding U.S. Appl. No. 17/655,973, mailed Jul. 29, 2024 (21 pages). [cited by applicant]
Jerome, J. et al, “Augmented Reality + Virtual Reality: Privacy & Autonomy Considerations in Emerging Immersive Digital Worlds,” Future of Privacy Forum, 2021 (40 pages). [cited by applicant]