Computer-based training system using digitally compressed and streamed multimedia presentations

Abstract

The present invention provides a system by which customized quality computer-based training (“CBT”) can be presented over a global network such as the Internet with low development costs, low hosting costs, inexpensive class production, and high-quality audio-visual content. A student, having an active connection to the server from a remote client, enters the CBT website and registers as a new student by providing necessary pertinent information to the server host. Upon completion of the registration process, the student begins his or her interaction with the online computer-based training plan. The online plan includes digital images and digital audio that is compressed and transmitted from a host server to the student's computer via the Internet. Better compression provides for a more fluid viewing of the plan without sacrificing image or audio quality.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A computer-based training system for use with a global communications network, comprising: 
 (a) a host server with a database of student names;    (b) a remote client computer with active connection to the server via a network for use by a student user; and    (c) a memory coupled to the server, the memory containing stored program instructions executable by the server, comprising: 
 (i) registering a remotely subscribing student user;  
 (ii) authenticating a remotely subscribing student;  
 (iii) displaying digitally compressed streaming multimedia presentations;  
 (iv) providing interactive examinations;  
 (v) scoring the interactive examinations;  
 (vi) displaying a certificate of successful completion; and  
 (vii) printing the certificate from the remote client.  
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote client is an electronic device capable of connecting to the server through the network.  
     
     
         3 . A method for displaying compressed streaming multimedia presentations for use in a computer-based training system including a server and a remote client coupled to a printer and connected to a server over a network and operated by a student user, comprising: 
 (a) authenticating the remote client using a logon and a password unique to the student user;    (b) obtaining from the remote client a request for a multimedia presentation;    (c) streaming the requested multimedia presentation over the network from the server to the remote client;    (d) providing the student user at the remote client with an interactive examination;    (e) scoring the interactive examination at the server;    (f) displaying on the remote client a certificate of completion of a successful examination; and    (g) printing the certificate of completion on the remote client printer.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein authenticating the remote client using a logon and password unique to the student user comprises: 
 (a) determining whether the remote client has provided a valid logon and password;    (b) if the remote client has not provided a valid logon and password, authorizing a logon and password unique to the student user; and    (c) registering the logon and password unique to the student user with the server.    
     
     
         5 . A method for creating streaming computer-based training presentation using digitally compressed multimedia presentations for use in a computer-based training system, comprising: 
 (a) converting an analog source having audio and video components to a digital format;    (b) selecting audio segments and images from the digital audio and video components for use in the streaming computer-based training system;    (c) compressing the audio segments and images into variable digital audio and image formats;    (d) testing the quality of the digitally compressed audio segments and images; and    (e) assembling the tested compressed digital audio segments and images in the streaming computer-based training system by integrating the audio segments and the images.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein converting analog audio and video to a digital format comprises removing analog audio and video components from the source.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein selecting audio segments and associated images for use in the streaming computer-based training system comprises: 
 (a) evaluating the video component to determine a digital image desired for the computer-based training system;    (b) extracting the digital image from the video component;    (c) noting the audio segment corresponding to the selected digital image; and    (d) saving the digital image in a lossless format where every bit in the extracted digital image is the same as in the original digital image.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein compressing analog audio into variable digital audio format comprises: 
 (a) determining audio quality desired for the computer-based training system;    (b) saving the analog audio in an uncompressed digital format; and    (c) compressing the uncompressed digital format of the analog audio using a compression format based on the desired resultant sound quality and the proprietary nature of the training system.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein compressing images into variable digital image format comprises: 
 (a) evaluating type and quality of the digital format desired for the computer-based training system;    (b) if a digital image with 256 colors or less is acceptable, compressing the digital image to a Graphics Interchange Format; and    (c) if a digital image with a broader range of colors than 256 colors is required, compressing the digital image to a Joint Photographic Experts Group format.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein testing the quality of the digitally compressed audio segments comprises: 
 (a) evaluating the compressed audio segments for download rate and sound quality;    (b) if the download rate is unacceptable, altering the degree of compression of the audio segment; and    (c) if the audio quality is unacceptable with the compression format, modifying the compression format.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein testing the quality of the digitally compressed images comprises: 
 (a) evaluating the digitally compressed image for download rate and image quality;    (b) if the download rate of the digital image is unacceptable, altering the degree of compression of the digital image; and    (c) if the digital quality is unacceptable with the compression format, modifying the compression format.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein modifying the compression format comprises recompressing the digital image into an alternate digital format.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein modifying the compression format comprises altering color depth of the digital image.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the computer-based training system includes a server and the method for creating computer-based training presentation using digitally compressed audio and images further comprises storing assembled streaming computer-based training plans on the server.  
     
     
         15 . A method for monitoring playback of compressed streaming audio and images in a computer-based training system including a server and a remote client using a streaming audio player and connected to the server over a network, comprising: 
 (a) streaming audio from the server to the remote client streaming audio player over a network;    (b) monitoring the remote client streaming audio player for a cue-point to determine a playback position of the streaming computer-based training audio;    (c) evaluating whether the cue-point has been passed in synchronization with the slide presentation; and    (d) if the remote client streaming audio player has passed the cue-point, executing a trigger event.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein executing a trigger event comprises 
 (a) evaluating the trigger event associated with the cue-point; and    (b) executing a predetermined action based on the trigger event associated with the cue-point.