General purpose architecture for intelligent computer-aided training

Claim 1

A computerized intelligent training system adaptable for use in the training of a trainee having a current skill level in the performance of at least one of a plurality of training tasks within a specific task environment, where the performance of each task comprises performance of certain procedural steps called actions such that each task has at least one desired action called a correct action and training is accomplished using the system by having the trainee perform simulated task by performing simulated actions on a computer, the computer system comprising: (a) user interface means for simulating the task environment for which the trainee is being trained and for enabling interaction between the trainee and the system; (b) domain expert means for performing a simulated task and achieving the correct actions for the task; (c) training session manager means comprising, (1) error detection means for error detection, an error being a failure of match between an action taken by a trainee, called a trainee action, with a correct action, whereby error detection is made in a hierarchical manner with relatively higher level errors, including a highest level error, distinguished from relatively lower level errors, and p2 (2) error handling means for providing information concerning actions and errors, said information concerning errors being based on the highest level error detected; (d) training scenario generator means for designing increasingly complex training tasks based on the current skill level of the trainee and on any weaknesses or deficiencies that the trainee has exhibited in previous trainee actions, where such weaknesses or deficiencies are based on comparing the trainee actions with the correct actions from said domain expert; (e) trainee model means for accepting from said training session manager information concerning correct actions and errors made as a result of trainee actions and compiling a complete record of the correct actions taken and errors by the trainee and, at the conclusion of each training session, creating a training summary of such correct actions and errors as well as the time taken to complete the session and the type of assistance provided by the system to the trainee; and (f) blackboard means providing an intermodule interface for communicating between said user interface means, said domain expert means, said training session manager means, said training scenario generator means, and said trainee model means; said blackboard means also providing an intermodule interface for transferring control of the training system from one to another of said domain expert means, said training scenario generator means, said error detection means and said error handling means by use of rules contained within each of said domain expert means, said training scenario generator means, said error detection means and said error handling means.