Instrument skill instruction and training system
AssigneeDH Cubed, LLC
InventorsTyler Francisco Washburn, Deborah McGlynn Chiu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Technology is described for a system to provide skill training in various fields, including professional fields involving hand-held instruments. The system senses a user's manipulation of an instrument or tool using various sensors, e.g., for a dental tool, an array of pressure sensors in the tool's tip, grip sensors, and sensors to track the position and movement of the tool. The system includes lessons to train users in the proper methods to manipulate the tool and provides guidance and feedback based on the user's performance to build the user's skills, prevent injury, and document competency.
Claims21
A skill training apparatus, comprising:
- a handheld instrument—
- having a plurality of sensors, including
- at least one sensor for detecting the orientation of the instrument, and
- at least one sensor for detecting contact with the instrument, and
- for operatively coupling to a processor,
- such that the processor can receive sensor data about the detected orientation of the handheld instrument and detected contact with the handheld instrument, and
- a computer-readable storage medium including—
- a data structure containing information characterizing proper orientation of the handheld instrument and contact with the handheld instrument;
- instructions configured to cause the processor to compare sensor data about the detected orientation of the handheld instrument and detected contact with the handheld instrument to data structure information characterizing proper orientation of the instrument and contact with the handheld instrument;
- and
- instructions configured to cause the processor to provide, through an output device operatively coupled to the processor, feedback based on comparison of the sensor data to data structure information.
A system for assisting in skill training when operatively coupled to at least one processor, the system comprising:
- an implement substantially having the form of a professional tool;
- detectors configured to detect manipulation of the implement by a user;
- and
- at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions of:
- a component configured to convey to a user information describing skilled manipulation of the implement;
- a component configured to detect, via the sensing means, the user's manipulation of the implement;
- a component configured to collect information about the detected user manipulation of the implement;
- a component configured to identify, based on the collected information, improper user manipulation of the implement;
- and
- a component configured to convey to the user feedback regarding the improper user manipulation of the implement,
- such that the computer-executable instructions stored in the at least one memory are executable when operatively coupled to the at least one processor.
A computer-readable storage medium having contents configured to cause at least one computing device having a processor to perform a method for professional user skill training, the method comprising:
- receiving a lesson plan for training the user in a professional skill,
- wherein the professional skill includes handling of an instrument used in the profession;
- presenting at least a portion of the lesson plan to a user;
- prompting the user to attempt to perform at least a portion of the professional skill,
- wherein performing the at least a portion of the professional skill includes handling the instrument;
- obtaining information characterizing the user's handling of the implement in the user's attempt to perform the at least a portion of the professional skill;
- evaluating, by the processor, the information characterizing the user's handling of the implement;
- determining, based on the evaluation, whether the user's attempt to perform the at least a portion of the professional skill was successful;
- and
- if the user's attempt to perform the at least a portion of the professional skill was not successful,
- conveying, on an output device, feedback regarding the user's handling of the implement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.