Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UPDATING A SIMULATION PLAN
Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to development of interactive
computer simulations
and, more particularly, to development of interactive maintenance simulated
systems for
training personnel on system maintenance.
Background
[0002] Interactive computer simulation systems are used to train
personnel on complex
and/or risky tasks. For instance, an interactive computer simulation may be
used to train
personnel for maintenance of complex systems (e.g., an aircraft, a ground
vehicle, a space
station, etc.) by allowing them to interact with corresponding simulated
systems. In order for
the training to be meaningful, the interactive computer simulation must,
however, be able to
train the personnel on the simulated systems in accordance with corresponding
maintenance
guides for the real systems. In that context, an interactive computer
simulation is developed
based on a given maintenance guide. A number of different computer simulation
experts,
having a wide range of expertise, work on each maintenance action from the
maintenance
guide. When an updated maintenance guide is received, because of the level of
complexity, a
new interactive computer simulation is developed, even if an interactive
computer simulation
already exists for the system. This leads to development inefficiencies and
undue delays.
[0003] The present invention at least partially addresses this shortcoming.
Summary
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in
a simplified form
that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is
not intended to
identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended to be
used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0005] In accordance with a first set of embodiments, a first aspect is
directed to a method
is provided for creating, from a maintenance manual comprising a content
describing
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maintenance actions to be performed on components of a system, a corresponding
simulation
plan required for development of an interactive computer simulation of an
interactive
simulated system for training personnel on maintenance of the system. The
method comprises
a) creating into memory the simulation plan of the interactive simulated
system preserving the
content comprising section markers from the maintenance manual and b)
identifying a section
in the simulation plan considering the section markers, the identified section
comprising a
maintenance-action content. The method also comprises c) associating, with the
identified
section, a plurality of simulated components of the interactive simulated
system corresponding
to one or more components of the system identified in the maintenance-action
content, d)
assigning a unique section descriptor to each individual component of the
plurality of
simulated components and e) assigning, to each of the unique section
descriptors, a
simulation-specification for developing an interactive simulated maintenance
procedure of the
interactive computer simulation from the maintenance-action content. The
method then
continues with 0 storing into memory the simulation plan comprising the
simulation-
specifications for the identified section. Development of the interactive
computer simulation
of the interactive system necessitates completion of every one of the
simulation-specifications.
[0006]
Optionally, the method further comprises grouping at least two of the unique
section descriptors of the individual components considering one or more of an
underlying
common behavior thereof, an underlying common transition trigger for
transition thereof and a
common sub-system filiation thereof.
[0007]
Optionally, the simulation-specification may comprise i) a simulated initial
state of
the individual simulated component before execution of the interactive
simulated maintenance
procedure corresponding to a state of a corresponding component from a
corresponding group
of components in an initial state from the maintenance-action content, ii) a
simulated
condition, associated with the individual simulated component, to be triggered
during
execution of the interactive simulated maintenance procedure, compatible with
transition-
conditions from the maintenance-action content, iii) a simulated transition of
the individual
simulated component, taking place upon trigger of the simulated condition,
compatible with a
transition of the group of components from the maintenance-action content and
iv) a simulated
final stage of the individual simulated component after execution of the
interactive simulated
maintenance procedure, compatible a final state of the group of components
from the
maintenance-action content.
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[0008] In some
embodiments, creating into memory the simulation plan may further
comprise locating the section markers in the maintenance plan by parsing one
or more of
marked-up language code, encoded document styles, detecting formatting
patterns or detecting
template markers, the simulation plan being encoded with marked-up language.
[0009] Assigning
the unique section descriptor may optionally be performed by selecting
a section template from a list of existing section templates considering an
action type of the
specific-action content. Assigning the unique section may also optionally be
performed by
creating a new section template considering an action type of the specific-
action content and
subsequently adding the new section template to a list of existing section
templates.
[0010] The method
may further comprise, in some embodiments, repeating b) to e) until
all section markers from the content are parsed.
[0011] Each of the
simulation-specifications may also optionally further comprise a
plurality of ordered simulation-work-orders and the method may then further
comprise, for
each one of the plurality of ordered simulation-work-orders: sequentially
receiving a retrieval
request therefor from a remote network node over a network interface and
subsequently
receiving, from the remote network node over the network interface, a work-
order completion
therefor. The interactive simulated maintenance procedure is developed upon
receipt of each
one of the work-order completions for each one of the plurality of ordered
simulation-work-
orders.
[0012] The
plurality of ordered simulation-work-orders may further comprise a first
system-work-order for indicating an expected behavior of the system considered
during the
specific-action content from the content of the maintenance manual, a second
simulation-
work-order for indicating an expected simulated behavior of the simulated
system during the
interactive simulated maintenance procedure and a third design-work-order for
preparing one
or more animated sequences for displaying the expected simulated behavior of
the simulated
system during the simulated maintenance procedure. Deploying the interactive
computer
simulation of the interactive system may then further be performed by linking
the developed
interactive simulated maintenance procedures in accordance with the simulation
plan.
[0013] Associating
the one or more simulated components with the unique section
descriptor may be performed, in some embodiments, by selecting at least one of
the one or
more simulated components from a list of existing unique components of the
interactive
simulated system. Associating the one or more simulated components with the
unique section
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descriptor may also optionally be performed by selecting a new component for
at least one of
the one or more simulated components and wherein the simulation-specification
comprises a
creation request for creating the new component for the interactive simulated
system and
subsequently adding the new component to a list of existing unique components
of the
interactive simulated system.
[0014] In
accordance with the first set of embodiments, a second aspect is directed to a
computer system for creating a simulation plan required for development of an
interactive
computer simulation of an interactive simulated system for training personnel
on maintenance
of a system corresponding to the interactive simulated system. The computer
system
comprises a storage unit and a processor module. The storage unit is storing a
maintenance
manual comprising a content describing maintenance actions to be performed on
components
of the system and
the simulation plan of the interactive simulated system preserving the
content comprising section markers from the maintenance manual. The processor
module a)
identifies a section in the simulation plan considering the section markers,
the identified
section comprising a maintenance-action content, b) associates, with the
identified section, a
plurality of simulated components of the interactive simulated system
corresponding to one or
more components of the system identified in the maintenance-action content, c)
assigns a
unique section descriptor to each individual component of the plurality of
simulated
components, d) assigns, to each of the unique section descriptors, a
simulation-specification
for developing an interactive simulated maintenance procedure of the
interactive computer
simulation from the maintenance-action content and e) updates, into the
storage unit, the
stored simulation plan comprising each one of the simulation-specifications
for each one of the
identified sections. Development of the interactive computer simulation of the
interactive
system necessitates completion of every one of the simulation-specifications.
[0015] The processor module may optionally urther group at least two of the
unique
section descriptors of the individual components considering one or more of an
underlying
common behavior thereof, an underlying common transition trigger for
transition thereof and a
common sub-system filiation thereof
[0016]
The simulation-specification may comprise i) a simulated initial state of the
individual simulated component before execution of the interactive simulated
maintenance
procedure corresponding to a state of a corresponding component from a
corresponding group
of components in an initial state from the maintenance-action content, ii) a
simulated
condition, associated with the individual simulated component, to be triggered
during
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execution of the interactive simulated maintenance procedure, compatible with
transition-
conditions from the maintenance-action content, iii) a simulated transition of
the individual
simulated component, taking place upon trigger of the simulated condition,
compatible with a
transition of the group of components from the maintenance-action content and
iv) a simulated
final stage of the individual simulated component after execution of the
interactive simulated
maintenance procedure, compatible a final state of the group of components
from the
maintenance-action content.
[0017] The
maintenance plan stored in the storage unit may optionally further comprise
one or more of marked-up language code, encoded document styles, formatting
patterns or
template markers and the simulation plan stored in the storage unit is encoded
with marked-up
language.
[0018] The
processor module assigns the unique section descriptor by i) selecting a
section template from a list of existing section templates considering an
action type of the
specific-action content and ii) when no section template is selected, creating
a new section
template considering an action type of the specific-action content and
subsequently adding the
new section template to a list of existing section templates.
[0019] Each of the
simulation-specifications may optionally comprise a plurality of
ordered simulation-work-orders and the processor module may further, for each
one of the
plurality of ordered simulation-work-orders sequentially receive a retrieval
request therefor
from a remote network node over a network interface and subsequently receive,
from the
remote network node over the network interface, a work-order completion
therefor. The
interactive simulated maintenance procedure may be developed upon receipt of
each one of
the work-order completions for each one of the plurality of ordered simulation-
work-orders.
[0020] The
plurality of ordered simulation-work-orders may comprise i) a first system-
work-order for indicating an expected behavior of the system considered during
the specific-
action content from the content of the maintenance manual, ii) a second
simulation-work-order
for indicating an expected simulated behavior of the simulated system during
the interactive
simulated maintenance procedure and iii) a third design-work-order for
preparing one or more
animated sequences for displaying the expected simulated behavior of the
simulated system
during the simulated maintenance procedure.
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[0021] The processor module may further deploy the interactive computer
simulation of
the interactive system by linking the developed interactive simulated
maintenance procedures
in accordance with the simulation plan.
[0022] In accordance with a second set of embodiments, a first aspect is
directed to a
method for updating an original simulation plan into an updated simulation
plan considering
an updated maintenance manual comprising an updated content describing one or
more
updated maintenance actions. The updated simulation plan is required for
subsequent
development of an updated interactive computer simulation of an interactive
simulated system
for training personnel on maintenance of the system. The method comprises a)
creating into
memory the updated simulation plan of the interactive simulated system
preserving the
updated content comprising section markers from the updated maintenance
manual, b) loading
into memory the original simulation plan comprising a plurality of original
section descriptors,
the original simulation plan being created from an original content preserved
in the original
simulation plan from an original maintenance manual for the system, c)
identifying one or
more updated section descriptors in the updated simulation plan, comprising an
updated
maintenance-action content, considering the section markers and the plurality
of original
section descriptors, the updated maintenance-action content comprising an
updated expected
behavior of the system, d) when the updated maintenance-action content
comprises a new
component of the system, associating a new simulated component with the one or
more
updated section descriptors, e) updating a simulation-specification of the one
or more updated
section descriptors for developing one or more updated interactive simulated
maintenance
procedures from the updated maintenance-action content, f) adding a simulation-
work-order to
the simulation-specification for updating a simulated behavior of the
simulated system during
the updated interactive simulated maintenance procedure, g) adding a design-
work-order for
preparing one or more animated sequences for displaying the updated expected
simulated
behavior of the simulated system during the updated interactive computer
simulation and h)
storing into memory the updated simulation plan comprising the simulation-
specification. The
development of the updated interactive computer simulation of the interactive
system
necessitates completion of the simulation-specification.
[0023] The method may optionally further comprise copying each undisturbed
section
descriptors from the original simulation plan into the updated simulation
plan. Storing into
memory the updated simulation plan may then further comprise storing the
undisturbed
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original section descriptors from the original simulation plan together with
each one of the
updated simulation-specifications for the one or more updated section
descriptors.
[0024] Creating
into memory the updated simulation plan may further comprise locating
the section markers in the updated maintenance plan by parsing one or more of
marked-up
language code, encoded document styles, detecting formatting patterns or
detecting template
markers.
[0025] Updating the
unique section descriptor may optionally be performed by selecting a
section template from a list of existing section templates considering an
action type of the
specific-action content. Updating the unique section may also optionally be
performed by
creating a new section template considering an action type of the updated
maintenance-action
content and subsequently adding the new section template to a list of existing
section
templates.
[0026] The method
may optionally further comprise, for each one of the plurality of
ordered simulation-work-orders sequentially receiving a retrieval request
therefor from a
remote network node over a network interface and subsequently receiving, from
the remote
network node over the network interface, a work-order completion therefor. The
updated
interactive simulated maintenance procedure may be developed upon receipt of
each one of
the work-order completions for each one of the plurality of ordered simulation-
work-orders.
Deploying the updated interactive computer simulation of the interactive
system may
optionally be performed by linking the developed updated interactive simulated
maintenance
procedures in accordance with the updated simulation plan.
[0027] Associating
the new simulated component with the one or more updated section
descriptors may optionally be performed by selecting the new simulated
component from a list
of existing unique components of the interactive simulated system or by
including a creation
request for creating the new simulated component for the interactive simulated
system in the
simulation-specification and subsequently adding the new simulated component
to a list of
existing unique components of the interactive simulated system.
[0028] The method
may optionally further comprise repeating c) to g) for each of a
plurality of updated sections in the updated simulation plan and for each new
section in the
updated simulation plan.
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[0029] In some
embodiments, a common aspect of multiple grouped updated section
descriptors are updated at once when one member thereof is updated.
[0030] In
accordance with a second set of embodiments, a second aspect is directed to a
computer system for updating an original simulation plan into an updated
simulation plan
required for subsequent development of an updated interactive computer
simulation of an
interactive simulated system for training personnel on maintenance of the
system, The
computer system comprises a storage unit and a processor module. The storage
unit stores an
updated maintenance manual comprising an updated content describing updated
maintenance
actions to be performed on components of the system, an original simulation
plan comprising
a plurality of original section descriptors, the original simulation plan
being created from an
original content preserved in the original simulation plan from an original
maintenance manual
for the system and the updated simulation plan of the interactive simulated
system preserving
the updated content comprising section markers from the updated maintenance
manual.
[0031] The
processor module a) identifies one or more updated section descriptors in the
updated simulation plan, comprising an updated maintenance-action content,
considering the
section markers and the plurality of original section descriptors, the updated
maintenance-
action content comprising an updated expected behavior of the system, b) when
the updated
maintenance-action content comprises a new component of the system, associates
a new
simulated component with the one or more updated section descriptors, c)
updates a
simulation-specification of the one or more updated section descriptors for
developing one or
more updated interactive simulated maintenance procedures from the updated
maintenance-
action content, d) adds a simulation-work-order to the simulation-
specification for updating a
simulated behavior of the simulated system during the updated interactive
simulated
maintenance procedure, e) adds a design-work-order for preparing one or more
animated
sequences for displaying the updated expected simulated behavior of the
simulated system
during the updated interactive computer simulation and f) stores, into the
storage unit, the
updated simulation plan comprising the simulation-specification. The
development of the
updated interactive computer simulation of the interactive system necessitates
completion of
the simulation-specification.
[0032] The processor module may further copy each undisturbed section
descriptors from
the original simulation plan into the updated simulation plan and the
processor module may
further store the updated simulation plan by storing the undisturbed original
section
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descriptors from the original simulation plan together with each one of the
updated simulation-
specifications for the one or more updated section descriptors.
[0033]
The processor module may further locate the section markers in the updated
maintenance plan by parsing one or more of marked-up language code, encoded
document
styles, detecting formatting patterns or detecting template markers.
[0034]
The processor module may further update the unique section descriptor by
selecting a section template from a list of existing section templates
considering an action type
of the specific-action content or by creating a new section template
considering an action type
of the updated maintenance-action content and subsequently adding the new
section template
to a list of existing section templates.
[0035]
The computer system may further comprise a network interface module. The
processor module may further, for each one of the plurality of ordered
simulation-work-orders,
sequentially receive a retrieval request therefor from a remote network node
over the network
interface module and subsequently receive, from the remote network node over
the network
interface module, a work-order completion therefor. The updated interactive
simulated
maintenance procedure may be developed upon receipt of each one of the work-
order
completions for each one of the plurality of ordered simulation-work-orders.
[0036]
The processor module may further deploy the updated interactive computer
simulation of the interactive system by linking the developed updated
interactive simulated
maintenance procedures in accordance with the updated simulation plan.
[0037]
The processor module may further associate the new simulated component with
the one or more updated section descriptors by selecting the new simulated
component from a
list of existing unique components of the interactive simulated system.
[0038]
The processor module may further associate the new simulated component with
the one or more updated section descriptors by including a creation request
for creating the
new simulated component for the interactive simulated system in the simulation-
specification
and subsequently add the new simulated component to a list of existing unique
components of
the interactive simulated system.
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[0039]
The processor module may further repeat a) to e) for each of a plurality of
updated
sections in the updated simulation plan and for each new section in the
updated simulation
plan.
[0040] In
an optional embodiment, a common aspect of multiple grouped updated section
descriptors may be updated at once when one member thereof is updated.
Brief description of the drawings
[0041]
Further features and exemplary advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with
the appended
drawings, in which:
[0042] Figure 1 is logical modular representation of an exemplary computer
system in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and
[0043]
Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 are flow charts of exemplary methods in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Detailed description
[0044] The present disclosure addresses issues that arise in the context of
development
and/or deployment of aircraft interactive maintenance training simulations.
Skilled people will
readily acknowledge that the challenges encountered in the aircraft
maintenance context are
likely to arise in other contexts and that, accordingly, the teachings of the
present invention are
portable to other contexts. Typically, an interactive maintenance training
simulations provides
a three-dimensional (3D) representation of procedures for a given system's
instruction manual
provided by an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) (e.g., an aircraft
maintenance
instruction manual prepared by Airbus for a specific aircraft or a family of
aircrafts).
Procedures are analyzed by several computer-simulation experts, such as
technicians, system
engineers, and 3D designers, prior to be integrated in a computer generated
environment for
the interactive maintenance training simulation. For instance, for each
maintenance action
prescribed by the instruction manual, the interactive maintenance training
simulation requires
development and deployment (or integration) of multiple specific-action
simulation
constituents such as textual description(s), simulated part(s), interactive
simulated (2D or 3D)
component(s), preset animation(s), etc.
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[0045]
Updated maintenance instruction manuals are produced by the OEM for existing
system for various reasons. For instance, the update may be triggered by
implementation of a
better procedure (e.g., from experience, feedback or regulation requirements),
by the selection
of a new or modified component (e.g., new hydraulic hoses), by the complete
replacement of a
sub-system (e.g., new landing gear from a different provider), by availability
of a new optional
system (e.g., new compatible turbo-fan), etc. The OEM therefore requests an
update of the
interactive maintenance training simulation. The new maintenance instruction
manual is
typically the only information received from the OEM concerning the required
update. In
other circumstances, a new maintenance instruction manual may be received for
a system that
shares a number of similarities with a system having its interactive
maintenance training
simulation.
[0046]
Embodiments of the present invention allow creating a simulation plan for the
interactive maintenance training simulation such that, when the updated manual
is received, it
supports reliable update of the existing interactive maintenance training
simulation rather than
development of a new simulation. By experience, updating an existing
interactive maintenance
training simulation without the features of the present invention is
cumbersome and error-
prone considering the number of users involved and the lack of links amongst
the
aforementioned constituents of each of the interactive simulation actions.
[0047] In
some embodiments described herein, an editing tool is provided on a computer
system for creating a simulation plan for an interactive computer simulation.
The editing tool
allows different constituents related to a prescribed maintenance action to be
encoded for
ordered development. For instance, the editing tool may provide a development
process, which
links the textual description of a maintenance manual to a corresponding
interactive simulation
procedure and behavior. The data is parsed from the maintenance guide provided
for the actual
system and can be analyzed in the editing tool to associate one or more
simulated components
to the prescribed maintenance action and specify what is to be performed
during the
interactive simulation. Supplemented input from different experts can be
cascaded until
completion of the development.
[0048]
Each maintenance action typically consists of an actor, conducting an action
on a
subject that begin the interaction in an initial state, will be subject to
various transitions
depending on conditions and will end the interaction in a final state. The
editing tool allows
some mapping towards the simulation plan to be automatically associated with
corresponding
data structures in the simulation plan provided, e.g., by selecting an
appropriate template. One
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after the other, each system specialist would complete the review of the
simulation procedure
in the editing tool and complete analysis of each relevant sections,
supplementing the
simulation plan with additional data on top of the previously define one. Once
completed, the
simulation plan captures the prescribed maintenance actions as per the
perspective of each
sub-system including all sub-system components, states and transitions.
[0049]
Reference is now made to the drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a logical
modular view of an exemplary computer system 1100 is depicted. The computer
system 1100
is for creating or updating a simulation plan required for development of an
interactive
computer simulation of an interactive simulated system for training personnel
on maintenance
of a system corresponding to the interactive simulated system. The computer
system
comprises a processor module 1130, a memory module 1120 and a storage unit
1500. In the
depicted embodiment of Figure 1, a networked group of computers 1000 comprises
the
computer system 1100. The networked group of computers 1000 is depicted with
additional
computer systems 1200 and 1300 that each allow one or more users to contribute
to the
development of the interactive simulated maintenance procedure of the
interactive computer
simulation from the maintenance-action content. The computer systems 1100,
1200 and 1300
may be connected via a network 1400, via direct connections or a mix of direct
and network
connections. Various network links may be implicitly or explicitly used in the
context of the
present invention. While a link may be depicted as a wireless link, it could
also be embodied
as a wired link using a coaxial cable, an optical fiber, a category 5 cable,
and the like. A wired
or wireless access point (not shown) may be present on links. Likewise, any
number of routers
and/or switches (not shown) may be present on links, which may further transit
through the
Internet.
[0050]
The processor module(s) 1130, 1230 and/or1330 may represent a single processor
with one or more processor cores or an array of processors, each comprising
one or more
processor cores. The memory module 1120 may comprise various types of memory
(different
standardized or kinds of Random Access Memory (RAM) modules, memory cards,
Read-Only
Memory (ROM) modules, programmable ROM, etc.). The network interface module
1140
represents at least one physical interface that can be used to communicate
with other network
nodes. The network interface module 1140 may be made visible to the other
modules of the
computer system 1100 through one or more logical interfaces. The actual stacks
of protocols
used by the physical network interface(s) and/or logical network interface(s)
1142, 1144,
1146, 1148 of the network interface module 1140 do not affect the teachings of
the present
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invention. The variants of processor module 1130, memory module 1120 and
network
interface module 1140 usable in the context of the present invention will be
readily apparent to
persons skilled in the art.
[0051] A bus 1170
is depicted as an example of means for exchanging data between the
different modules of the computer system 1100. The present invention is not
affected by the
way the different modules exchange information between them. For instance, the
memory
module 1120 and the processor module 1130 could be connected by a parallel
bus, but could
also be connected by a serial connection or involve an intermediate module
(not shown)
without affecting the teachings of the present invention.
[0052] Likewise,
even though explicit mentions of the memory module 1120 and/or the
processor module 1130, or explicit mentions of other modules in the computer
systems 1200
and 1300, are not made throughout the description of the various embodiments,
persons skilled
in the art will readily recognize that such modules are used in conjunction
with other modules
of the computer system 1100, 1200 and/or 1300 to perform routine as well as
innovative steps
related to the present invention. Similarly, more than three system 1100, 1200
and 1300 may
typically be involved in the development and deployment of the interactive
maintenance
computer simulation, but only three are depicted for increased clarity and
readability.
100531 Figure 1
shows examples of the storage unit as a distinct database system 1500A, a
distinct module 1500B of the computer system 1100 or a sub-module 1500C of the
memory
module 1120 of the computer system 1100. The storage unit 1500 may be
distributed over
different systems A, B and/or C or may be in a single system. The storage unit
1500 may
comprise one or more logical or physical as well as local or remote hard disk
drive (HDD) (or
an array thereof). The storage unit 1500 may further comprise a local or
remote database made
accessible to the computer system 1100 by a standardized or proprietary
interface or via the
network interface module 1140. The variants of storage unit 1500 usable in the
context of the
present invention will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art.
10054] The
deployment of an interactive computer simulation developed in accordance
with embodiments disclosed herein may be performed towards an interactive
computer
simulation system for training personnel on maintenance of the system. The
interactive
computer simulation system typically comprises one or more simulation stations
that each
allow one or more users to interact to control a simulated system in one of
the interactive
computer simulations of the interactive computer simulation system. In some
embodiments,
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the computer system 1100 may also be able to perform as a simulation station
(e.g., as a test
environment or as a deployed environment). The simulation stations may be
connected via the
network 1400 or another network dedicated to simulation, via direct
connections or a mix of
direct and network connections. One or more tangible instrument module(s)
(e.g., 1160) may
be provided in the simulation stations for controlling the simulated system.
The tangible
instrument provided by the modules are tightly related to the system being
simulated. In the
example of maintenance of an aircraft, typical instruments include Depending
on the type of
simulation (e.g., level of immersivity), the tangible instruments may be more
or less realistic
compared to an system. While the present invention is applicable to immersive
flat simulators
certified for maintenance training, skilled persons will readily recognize and
be able to apply
its teachings to other types of computer simulations. A graphical user
interface module of the
simulation station (e.g., 1150) displays a rendered view of the simulated
system and may
further render additional information from the deployed interactive computer
simulation (e.g.,
textual information or specific highlights mentioned in relevant simulated
maintenance
procedure(s) related to the rendered simulated system). While an interactive
computer
simulation of the simulated system is performed in the interactive computer
simulation system,
the storage unit (1500 or other dedicated system) may also log dynamic data in
relation
thereto. The logged information may then be used during debriefing of
personnel train during
the interactive computer simulation (e.g., individually), during planning of
the training of a
class of personnel, e.g., to identify trends or typical errors (collectively).
The logged
information may yet also provide feedback to improve or modify the OEM's
maintenance
manual, considering instinctive or initial responses from the trained
personnel, considering
typical errors and/or considering better, enhanced or simpler processes
demonstrated by the
trained personnel during the interactive computer simulation.
[0055] In a first set of embodiments, a simulation plan is created from a
maintenance
guide provided for the system.
[0056]
Reference is now concurrently made to Figures 1 as well as Figures 2 and 3,
which
show a flow chart of an exemplary method 2000 for creating a maintenance plan
in accordance
with the first set of embodiments. The maintenance plan is created from a
maintenance manual
comprising a content describing maintenance actions to be performed on
components of a
system (e.g., a real aircraft such as an airbus A380). The simulation plan is
required for
subsequent deployment of an interactive computer simulation of an interactive
simulated
system (e.g., a simulated A380) for training personnel on maintenance of the
real system. The
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method 2000 comprises creating 2010 into memory (e.g., 1500C) the simulation
plan of the
interactive simulated system preserving the content comprising section markers
from the
maintenance manual. Creating 2010 involves the processor module 1130. In some
embodiments, the simulation plan is created 2010 by parsing the section
markers in the
maintenance plan. For instance, the maintenance manual may comprise marked-up
language
code, encoded document styles, formatting patterns and/or template markers. In
some
embodiments, the simulation plan is encoded with marked-up language (e.g.,
XML).
100571
The method 2000 then follows with identifying 2020 a section in the simulation
plan considering the section markers, the identified section comprising a
maintenance-action
content (e.g., through the processor module 1130). The identified section is
then associated
2030 with a plurality of simulated components of the interactive simulated
system
corresponding to a plurality of components of the system identified in the
maintenance-action
content. The method 2000 then follows with assigning 2040 a unique section
descriptor to
each individual component of the plurality of simulated components.
Afterwards, a
simulation-specification is associated 2050 with assigning each of the unique
section
descriptors for developing an interactive simulated maintenance procedure of
the interactive
computer simulation from the maintenance-action content. The method 2000
continues with
storing 2060 into memory the simulation plan comprising the simulation-
specifications for the
identified section. Development of the interactive computer simulation of the
interactive
system necessitates completion of every one of the simulation-specifications.
The method
2000 may optionally further comprise deploying 2070 the interactive computer
simulation of
the interactive system by linking the developed interactive simulated
maintenance procedures
in accordance with the simulation plan.
100581 In
some embodiments of the first set of embodiments, the steps 2020, 2030, 204
and 2050 are repeated until all section markers from the content are parsed.
The simulation-
specification may comprise:
= a simulated initial state of the individual simulated component before
execution
of the interactive simulated maintenance procedure corresponding to a state of
a
corresponding component from a corresponding group of components in an
initial state from the maintenance-action content;
= a simulated condition, associated with the individual simulated
component, to
be triggered during execution of the interactive simulated maintenance
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procedure, compatible with transition-conditions from the maintenance-action
content;
= a simulated transition of the individual simulated component, taking
place upon
trigger of the simulated condition, compatible with a transition of the group
of
components from the maintenance-action content; and
= a simulated final stage of the individual simulated component after
execution of
the interactive simulated maintenance procedure, compatible a final state of
the
group of components from the maintenance-action content.
[0059]
For instance, maintenance-action content may indicate "remove "part A" for
inspection". A simulation-specification for a corresponding simulated
procedure may specify
to remove "Part A" by selecting it in the 3D scene in "Remove mode" and
indicate that the
"Part A" is seen being removed from the assembly and sent to a workbench for
inspection. In
this example, the initial state is "Part A" being at its original location in
the simulated system.
The simulated condition is a selection in "remove move", the transition is the
displacement
towards the workbench and the final stage is the position of the "Part A" at
the workbench.
[0060] In
selected embodiments, assigning 2050 the unique section descriptor is
performed by selecting a section template from a list of existing section
templates considering
an action type of the specific-action content (e.g., using the graphical user
interface (GUI)
module 1150). Assigning 2050 the unique section may also be performed by
creating a new
section template is using the graphical user interface (GUI) module 1150
considering an action
type of the specific-action content and subsequently adding the new section
template to a list
of existing section templates.
[0061]
Each of the simulation-specifications may also comprise a plurality of ordered
simulation-work-orders. In the context of team development, assigning 2050 the
simulation-
specification may further comprise, for each one of the plurality of ordered
simulation-work-
orders, sequentially receiving 2052 a retrieval request therefor from a remote
network node
over a network interface. With reference to the example depicted in Figure 1,
retrieval requests
may be received 2052 through the network interface module 1140 from the
computer system
1200 and/or 1300.
[0062] Subsequently, a work-order completion shall be received 2054, from
the remote
network node over the network interface for each one of the retrieval requests
(e.g., through
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the network interface module 1140 from the computer system 1200 and/or 1300).
The
interactive simulated maintenance procedure is considered fully developed upon
receipt of
each one of the work-order completions for each one of the plurality of
ordered simulation-
work-orders. The method 2000 may also further comprise deploying 2056 the
interactive
computer simulation of the interactive system by linking the developed
interactive simulated
maintenance procedures in accordance with the simulation plan.
[0063] The plurality of ordered simulation-work-orders may comprise:
= a first system-work-order for indicating an expected behavior of the
system
considered during the specific-action content from the content of the
maintenance manual;
= a second simulation-work-order for indicating an expected simulated
behavior
of the simulated system during the interactive simulated maintenance
procedure; and
= a third design-work-order for preparing one or more simulated component's
3D
visual representation and/or animated sequences for displaying the expected
simulated behavior of the simulated system during the simulated maintenance
procedure.
[0064] In
some embodiments, assigning 2040 the unique section descriptor is performed
using the graphical user interface (GUI) module 1150 that allows selection of
a section
template from a list of existing section templates considering an action type
of the specific-
action content. When necessary, the GUI module 1150 may also allow for
creation of a new
section template considering an action type of the specific-action content.
Subsequently, the
new section template may then be added to the list of existing section
templates (e.g., for other
projects or for other maintenance actions of the same project). Likewise,
associating 2030 the
simulated component with the unique section descriptor may be performed
through the GUI
module 1150 by selecting at least one of the one or more simulated components
from a list of
existing unique components of the interactive simulated system. When
appropriate, the GUI
module 1150 may also allow for selecting a new component for at least one of
the one or more
simulated components. The simulation-specification may then further comprise a
creation
request for creating the new component for the interactive simulated system.
The new
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component may then be subsequently added to the list of existing unique
components of the
interactive simulated system.
[0065] In
a second set of embodiments, an updated simulation plan is created, upon
receipt of an updated maintenance guide, from an existing interactive
simulation created from
the original maintenance guide.
[0066]
Reference is now concurrently made to Figure 1 and Figure 4, which shows a
flow
chart of an exemplary method 4000 in accordance with a second set of
embodiments. The
method 4000 allows updating an original simulation plan into an updated
simulation plan
considering an updated maintenance manual. The updated maintenance manual
comprises an
updated content describing one or more updated maintenance actions. The
updated simulation
plan is required for subsequent development of an updated interactive computer
simulation of
an interactive simulated system for training personnel on maintenance of the
system. The
method 4000 comprises creating 4010 into memory the updated simulation plan of
the
interactive simulated system preserving the updated content comprising section
markers from
the updated maintenance manual. The method 4000 also comprises loading 4015
into memory
the original simulation plan comprising a plurality of original section
descriptors. The original
simulation plan is created from an original content preserved in the original
simulation plan
from an original maintenance manual for the system. Creating 4010 the updated
simulation
plan may comprise locating the section markers in the updated maintenance plan
by parsing
one or more of marked-up language code, encoded document styles, detecting
formatting
patterns or detecting template markers. The creation 4010 and load 4015 are
performed using
the processor module 1130.
[0067]
The method 4000 also comprises identifying 4020 one or more updated section
descriptors in the updated simulation plan considering the section markers and
the plurality of
original section descriptors. The updated simulation plan comprises an updated
maintenance-
action content, which indicates an updated expected behavior of the system.
When the updated
maintenance-action content comprises a new component of the system, a new
simulated
component is then associated 4030 with the one or more updated section
descriptors.
[0068]
The method 4000 then comprises with updating 4030 a simulation-specification
of
the one or more updated section descriptors for developing one or more updated
interactive
simulated maintenance procedures from the updated maintenance-action content.
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[0069]
The method 4000 is then followed with adding 4050 a simulation-work-order to
the simulation-specification for updating a simulated behavior of the
simulated system during
the updated interactive simulated maintenance procedure and adding 4060 a
design-work-
order for preparing one or more animated sequences for displaying the updated
expected
simulated behavior of the simulated system during the updated interactive
computer
simulation. The updated simulation plan comprising the simulation-
specification is then stored
4070. Development of the updated interactive computer simulation of the
interactive system
necessitates completion of the simulation-specification. The method 4000 may
comprise
repeating steps 4020, 4030, 4040, 4050 and 4060 for each of a plurality of
updated sections in
the updated simulation plan.
[0070] In
some embodiments in accordance with the second set of embodiments, the
method 4000 may further comprise copying each undisturbed section descriptors
from the
original simulation plan into the updated simulation plan. Storing 4070 the
updated simulation
plan may then comprise storing the undisturbed original section descriptors
from the original
simulation plan together with each one of the updated simulation-
specifications for the one or
more updated section descriptors.
[0071]
Updating 4040 the unique section descriptor may be performed is performed
using
the graphical user interface (GUI) module 1150 that allows by selecting a
section template
from a list of existing section templates considering an action type of the
specific-action
content. The GUI module 1150 may also allow creation of a new section template
considering
an action type of the updated maintenance-action content and subsequently
adding the new
section template to a list of existing section templates.
100721 In
the context of team development, adding 4040 or 4050 the work-order may
comprise, sequentially receiving 4052 a retrieval request therefor from a
remote network node
over a network interface. With reference to the example depicted in Figure 1,
retrieval requests
may be received 4052 through the network interface module 1140 from the
computer system
1200 and/or 1300.
[0073]
Subsequently, a work-order completion shall be received 4054, from the remote
network node over the network interface for each one of the retrieval requests
(e.g., through
the network interface module 1140 from the computer system 1200 and/or 1300).
The
interactive simulated maintenance procedure is considered fully developed upon
receipt of
each one of the work-order completions for each one of the plurality of work-
orders. The
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method 4000 may also further comprise deploying 4056 the interactive computer
simulation of
the interactive system by linking the developed interactive simulated
maintenance procedures
in accordance with the simulation plan.
[0074]
Associating 4030 the new simulated component with the one or more updated
section descriptors may be performed using the GUI module 1150 by selecting
the new
simulated component from a list of existing unique components of the
interactive simulated
system. The GUI module 1150 may also be used for associating 4030 the new
simulated
component with the one or more updated section descriptors by including a
creation request
for creating the new simulated component for the interactive simulated system
in the
simulation-specification and subsequently adding the new simulated component
to a list of
existing unique components of the interactive simulated system. . (e.g., new
trigger, new
component to the sub-system, same modified behavior for a common simulated
component
present multiple times in the simulation, etc.)
[0075] A
method is generally conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps
leading
to a desired result. These steps require physical manipulations of physical
quantities. Usually,
though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or
magnetic/
electromagnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
compared, and
otherwise manipulated. It is convenient at times, principally for reasons of
common usage, to
refer to these signals as bits, values, parameters, items, elements, objects,
symbols, characters,
terms, numbers, or the like. It should be noted, however, that all of these
terms and similar
terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are
merely convenient
labels applied to these quantities. The description of the present invention
has been presented
for purposes of illustration but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited
to the disclosed
embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in
the art. The embodiments were chosen to explain the principles of the
invention and its
practical applications and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand the
invention in order to implement various embodiments with various modifications
as might be
suited to other contemplated uses.
