Systems and methods providing enhanced education and training in a virtual reality environment

1. A virtual reality welding system, comprising:

a programmable processor-based subsystem;

a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem;

at least one mock welding tool configured to be spatially tracked by the spatial tracker;

at least one user interface configured to allow a user to perform one or more of inputting information into the system and making selections; and

a communication component operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to access an external communication infrastructure,

wherein the programmable processor-based subsystem executes instructions for welding simulator software that configure the programmable processor-based subsystem to:

generate a virtual welding environment for a simulated welding procedure in which a user creates a virtual weldment;

simulate creation of a virtual weldment, in the virtual welding environment, based at least in part on a spatial position and orientation of the mock welding tool manipulated by the user while performing the simulated welding procedure;

detect a problem with the user's welding technique based on one or more characteristics of the virtual weldment simulated and the spatial position and orientation of mock welding tool maintained by the user during the simulated welding procedure; and

direct the user to one or more pre-identified web sites, in response to the problem detected with the user's welding technique during the simulated welding procedure performed using the virtual reality welding system, wherein the one or more pre-identified web sites are pre-identified as being related to welding education and theory and are accessible from the virtual reality welding system via the external communication infrastructure using the communication component.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the virtual reality welding system is further configured to direct the user to the one or more pre-identified web sites in response to a user request.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the virtual reality welding system is further configured to direct the user to the one or more pre-identified web sites in response to a request prompted by a human welding instructor.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more audio transducer devices operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to facilitate audio communication between the user and a welding instructor at a remote location via the external communication infrastructure using the communication component.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more video devices operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem and configured to facilitate visual communication between the user and a welding instructor at a remote location via the external communication infrastructure using the communication component.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the virtual reality welding system is further configured to receive commands from a remote device at a remote location via the external communication infrastructure using the communication component, wherein the commands are configured to direct troubleshooting of the virtual reality welding system.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the virtual reality welding system is further configured to receive commands from a remote device at a remote location via the external communication infrastructure using the communication component, wherein the commands are configured to direct changing settings of the virtual reality welding system.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the remote device includes a hand-held mobile device.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the remote device includes a desk top personal computer device.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the remote device includes a server computer operated by a remote user.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external communication infrastructure includes the Internet.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external communication infrastructure includes a cellular telephone network.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external communication infrastructure includes a satellite communication network.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication component is one or more of a cable modem, a wireless router, or a 3G or 4G cellular communication module.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication component further provides a web browser to aid in facilitating accessing of web sites on the Internet.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a physical representation of a welding user interface.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is an observer display device.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system displays a web page to the user on an observer display device or a face-mounted display device corresponding to a pre-identified web site.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the web sites provide written instructions, graphical instructions, or video instructions.

20. A virtual reality welding method, comprising the steps of:

providing a virtual reality welding system, comprising:

a programmable processor-based subsystem;

at least one mock welding tool;

at least one user interface configured to allow a user to perform one or more of inputting information into the system and making selections; and

a communication component operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem;

spatially tracking, by the virtual reality welding system, the mock welding tool during a simulated welding procedure;

simulating creation of a virtual weldment, in a simulated welding environment, based at least in part on a spatial position and orientation of the mock welding during manipulated by a user while performing the simulated welding procedure;

detecting a problem with the user's welding technique based on one or more characteristics of the virtual weldment simulated and the spatial position and orientation of mock welding tool maintained by the user during the simulated welding procedure; and

directing the user to one or more pre-identified web sites in response to the problem detected with the user's welding technique during the simulated welding procedure, wherein the one or more pre-identified web sites are pre-identified as being related to welding education and theory and are accessible from the virtual reality welding system via an external communication infrastructure using the communication component.