Body motion training and qualification system and method

Abstract

The system allows training and qualification of a user performing a skill-related training exercise involving body motion in a workspace. A training environment is selected through a computer apparatus, and variables, parameters and controls of the training environment and the training exercise are adjusted. Use of an input device by the user is monitored. The 3D angles and spatial coordinates of reference points related to the input device are monitored through a detection device. A simulated 3D dynamic environment reflecting effects caused by actions performed by the user on objects is computed in real time as a function of the training environment selected. Images of the simulated 3D dynamic environment in real time are generated on a display device viewable by the user as a function of a computed organ of vision-object relation. Data indicative of the actions performed by the user and the effects of the actions are recorded and user qualification is set as a function of the recorded data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for training of a user performing a skill-related training exercise involving body motion in a workspace, comprising:
 an input device operable by the user in the workspace when performing the training exercise, the input device configured to provide the user with a physical feeling of an object normally used to perform the training exercise on a real or virtual assembly; and   a computer apparatus connectable with the input device, the computer apparatus having a non-transitory computer readable medium with computer readable code embodied therein, for execution by the computer apparatus for:
 monitoring use of the input device by the user; 
 monitoring angles and spatial coordinates of the input device relative to a work piece and/or an organ of vision with a detection device and computing an organ of vision-object relation as a function of the angles and spatial coordinates; 
 computing a simulated dynamic environment in real time as a function of a training environment, the simulated dynamic environment reflecting effects caused by actions performed by the user on objects in the simulated dynamic environment as monitored from the input device and the detection device; 
 generating images of the simulated dynamic environment in real time on a display device as a function of the organ of vision-object relation, wherein the system has sufficient precision to allow certification of the user under a standard or code. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises computer readable code for:
 selecting a training environment related to the training exercise to be performed from a training database;   adjusting variables, parameters and controls of the training environment and training exercise; and   recording data indicative of the actions performed by the user and the effects of the actions.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection device positioned non-invasively with respect to the workspace, for measuring angles and spatial coordinates of reference points relative to the input device and/or an organ of vision of the user during performance of the training exercise, wherein the detection device comprises at least one emitter having a working envelop to the location of the organ of vision of the user and the input device and at least one receiving sensor configured to receive the angles and spatial coordinates of reference points relative to an eye location and the input device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a display device viewable by the user during performance of the training exercise. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises computer readable code embodied therein for setting user certification as a function of the recorded data, wherein setting user certification comprises comparing the recorded data to a standard or code and granting certification if the recorded data meets or exceeds the acceptance criteria of the standard or code. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises computer readable code embodied therein for receiving a user certification as a function of the recorded data, wherein receiving a user certification is set by comparing the recorded data to a welding standard or code and granting certification if the recorded data meets or exceeds the acceptance criteria of the welding standard or code. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the simulated dynamic environment comprises a 3D environment. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to monitor the angles and spatial coordinates of the input device relative to a work piece and the organ of vision. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method for training of a user performing a skill-related training exercise involving body motion in a workspace, comprising performing with a computer:
 monitoring with the computer use of an input device providing the user with a physical feeling of an object normally used to perform the training exercise on a real or virtual assembly;   non-invasively measuring angles and spatial coordinates of reference points relative to the input device and/or an organ of vision of the user during performance of the training exercise, wherein measuring is performed with a detection device that comprises at least one emitter having a working envelop to track the location of the organ of vision of the user and the input device and at least one receiving sensor configured to receive the angles and spatial coordinates of reference points relative to an eye location and the input device;   computing with the computer an organ of vision-object relation as a function of the angles and spatial coordinates;   computing with the computer a simulated dynamic environment in real time as a function of the training environment selected, the simulated dynamic environment reflecting effects caused by actions performed by the user on objects in the simulated dynamic environment as tracked from the input device and the angles and spatial coordinates; and   generating with the computer images of the simulated dynamic environment in real time on a display device viewable by the user of the training exercise as a function of the organ of vision-object relation, wherein the system has sufficient precision to allow certification of the user under a standard or code.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 selecting with the computer a training environment related to the training exercise to be performed from a training database;   adjusting with the computer variables, parameters and controls of the training environment and training exercise; and   recording with the computer data indicative of the actions performed by the user and the effects of the actions.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising setting with the computer user certification as a function of the recorded data, wherein setting user certification comprises comparing the recorded data to a welding standard or code and granting certification if the recorded data meets or exceeds the acceptance criteria of the welding standard or code. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving a user certification as a function of the recorded data, wherein receiving a user certification is set by comparing the recorded data to a welding standard or code and granting certification if the recorded data meets or exceeds the acceptance criteria of the welding standard or code. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the skill-related training exercise comprises welding or surgery. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising non-invasively measuring angles and spatial coordinates of reference points relative to the input device and the organ of vision of the user during performance of the training exercise.