WO2003005328A1

WO2003005328A1 - Network training system

Info

Publication number: WO2003005328A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2002/000119
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darren Cottingham; Russel Steven Walder
Original assignee: Oas Limited
Priority date: 2001-07-04
Filing date: 2002-07-04
Publication date: 2003-01-16

Abstract

The invention provides a network training system comprising one or more user devices, each associated with the user, each user device having a display device and a user input device. The system also includes one or more content provider devices on which is stored one or more multi-media presentations representing training data, a user authentication component enabling a user to initiate a user session, and a network or combination of networks configured to transmit during a user session, at the request of a user, a multi-media presentation from a content provider to a user device for displaying on the display device. The system includes a user database in which is stored a series of user data sets, each user data set comprising a user identifier and a user account. A user reward component is configured to test for satisfaction of one or more conditions by the user during a user session and to increment the user account on satisfaction of the condition(s).

Description

NETWORK TRAINING SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an Internet, Intranet or Wide Area Network training method and a method of rewarding users of the training system and in particular, but not exclusively to a system and method of training including displaying audio, video or animation clips on a computer network and providing a reward scheme for correct identification of information within the audio, video or animation, or correct responses to a series of questions posed by the system by a user. The users may be clients, staff or members of the general public, as specified by the client. The system may also contain a method of users being able to make and respond to suggestions, the results of which are stored in a database.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

For a company, training its employees increases motivation and effectiveness. Traditional training methods have focussed on videos, conferences and short courses. Employees generally have to remain self-motivated to complete training, or be encouraged by management.

For a company, the cost of informing its clients about its operational procedures, product information and product training has typically meant resources need to be allocated to customer support and training. These costs drive up the price of goods and services, and create inefficiencies in a company's operation.

The increased use of the Internet, company Intranets and Wide Area Networks has created an opportunity for interactive training with precise and immediate measurement of its effects and usage to cover customers, general users, and very importantly, staff.

Various elements of training have been explored over the Internet and Intranets already, yet the motivational aspect has always been missing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form the invention comprises a network training system comprising one or more user devices, each associated with a user, each user device having a display device and a user input device; one or more content provider devices on which is stored one or more multi-media presentations representing training data; a user authentication component enabling a user to initiate a user session; a network or combination of networks configured to transmit during a user session, at the request of a user, a multi-media presentation from a content provider to a user device for display on the display device; a user database in which is stored a series of user data sets, each user data set comprising a user identifier and a user account; and a user reward component configured to test for satisfaction of one or more conditions by the user during a user session and to increment the user account on satisfaction of the condition(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred forms of the network training system will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of one system in which a preferred form of the invention could be implemented;

Figure 2 demonstrates the overall functionality of the system 2 from Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates a preferred form login procedure;

Figure 4 illustrates the bridge control page;

Figure 5 shows a preferred form user interface;

Figure 6-1 and 6-2 show an example of a simple search results page; Figure 7 illustrates the share: menu option;

Figure 8 illustrates a user interface used in association with the share: menu option of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a typical user form for use in connection with the share: menu option of Figure 7;

Figure 10 illustrates the search: menu option;

Figure 11 illustrates a user interface for use in association with the share: menu option of Figure 10;

Figure 12 illustrates one preferred form of presenting choices to a user in association with Figure 10;

Figure 13 illustrates a typical search results page presented to a user with the search: menu option of Figure 10;

Figure 14 illustrates the suggestions manager operation;

Figure 15 illustrates an example of the bridge control admin page;

Figure 16 shows a preferred form user interface for the bridge control page of Figure 15;

Figure 17 shows the suggestions manager topic and replies;

Figure 18 shows a typical user interface for the suggestions manager topics and replies;

Figure 19 shows a typical user interface for a topic or reply data entry form; Figure 20 illustrates a master administration page;

Figure 21 shows a supplementary page presented to a master administrator to that of Figure 20; and

Figure 22 illustrates a typical screen presented to a further administrator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of one system in which a preferred form of the invention could be implemented. The system 2 includes one or more user devices 4, for example 4A, 4B and 4C. Each user device is preferably associated with a user and is provided with at least a display device and a user input device, as will be described below. A user device 4 could include a desktop computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), WAP-enabled portable telephone, a network-enabled gaming console, or any other suitable device. Each device could include a display device in the form of an LCD (liquid crystal display) or computer screen. A user input device could include a keyboard, joystick, mouse, touch sensitive screen, interactive voice recognition hardware and software and any other suitable user input device.

The system 2 further includes one or more content-provider devices 6. A content- provider device 6 could include a workstation configured to function as a hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) network server and/or a streaming media server. The user device in the form of the HTTP server could include a static user interface which could be viewed on a user device 4 to provide an introductory screen to the content available from the content provider 6. Each content provider 6 preferably has stored on it one or more multimedia presentations representing training data or other information as will be described below. Such multimedia presentations could include a video, animation, audio presentation, or any combination of the foregoing. The multimedia presentations could be configured to be displayed using suitable software such as Macromedia Flash, Shockwave, or any suitable streaming media software which could be installed and operating on the content 6 and/or the user device 4. The system 2 includes network 8 which could include a wired, wireless or Internet network or any combination of the foregoing. The network(s) 8 is configured to transmit a multimedia presentation representing training data from a content provider 6 to a user device 4 for display on the display device of the user device 4.

The system 2 also includes a user authentication component 10. The user authentication component could include a software programme installed on a user device 4 and/or content provider device 6 to enable a user on a user device 4 to initiate a user session with a content provider. The software programme could include a log-in script in which a user supplies a user name and identifying password. Alternatively, the user authentication component could include an electronic signature identifying a user device. This electronic signature could be in the form of a cookie or other electronic identifier which is stored on a user device 4. The system 2 identifies a user from the user device operated by the user when initiating a user session.

Once a user initiates a user session from a user device 4, the user is able to request transmission of a multimedia presentation from a content provider 6 for display on a display device of user device 4, as will be described below.

The system 2 also includes a user database 12 in which is stored a series of user data sets. It is envisaged that the user database could be implemented as a relational database, object-orientated database or any other suitable database structure. Each user dataset includes at least a user identifier uniquely identifying each user from each other user and also includes a user account. Each dataset is used to store accumulated reward points, company shares or stocks or other items of value in the user account, as will be described below.

The system 2 also includes a user reward component 14. This user reward component 14 in one form could comprise a software program installed on user device 4, content provider 6 and/or a further computing device. The user reward component 14 is configured to test for satisfaction of one or more conditions by the user during a user session and to increment the user account in the user database 12 on satisfaction of the condition or conditions.

In one form, the user reward component 14 could increment a user account with reward points whenever a user initiates a user session from the user device 4. The user reward component 14 monitors user activity. In some cases, a user will be asked to supply an answer to a question or perform a task. Where a user supplies the correct answer or answers, or where the user completes a task or tasks set by the system 2, the account of the user in the user database 12 is credited with further reward points.

Once the user has accumulated a quantity of reward points, it is envisaged that the user trades these points for goods and/or services using the system 2. A reward redemption component 16 could include a software program enabling a user to view the accumulated points in a user account and to select one or more goods or services from a list provided to the user by the reward redemption component 16. The user selects goods/services 18 from the list and the reward redemption component 16 debits the user account in the user database by an appropriate value.

It is also envisaged that the reward redemption component 16 enables a user to exchange points in a user account for company shares or stocks 20. In this way, the user could be encouraged to invest in a particular company with the result that the user will be enticed to purchase goods or services from that company where there is a choice available. Such a purchase will assist the company to increase the value of shares or stocks and of dividend payouts, thereby providing a benefit to the user.

In a further embodiment, the user datasets could include a user account in which company shares or stocks are stored in the user account as an alternative to or in addition to reward points. The user reward component 14 could be configured to issue company shares or stocks to a user and to store these shares or stocks in the user account as an alternative to or in addition to reward pomts. The system 2 may also include a user tracking component 22 which in one form could comprise a software program which is configured to track the activity of a user during a user session. For example, a user could accumulate reward points in return for satisfaction of one or more conditions. The user could then view a linked multimedia presentation and continue to accumulate reward points in relation to the first multimedia presentation.

The user tracking component 22 could optionally be configured to track activity within a multimedia presentation in the form of a Macromedia Flash movie. Such a movie comprises a file which in turn can comprise a plurality of pages, sounds, video and animation. Conventional tracking techniques have counted a single Flash file as one hit, despite the number of pages and other components within a Flash movie to which the user is exposed. A purely HTML navigation technique would record two hits for two pages visited, three hits for three pages visited, and so on, and the user tracking component above-mentioned fulfils the same functionality for Flash movies. The user tracking component 22 could be configured to ignore certain activities, while collecting data on other activities. The user tracking component 22 could offer a plurality of statistical analysis and options for display of the data collected, as will be described below.

It is envisaged that user authentication component 10, the user database 12, user reward component 14, reward redemption component 16, and user tracking component 22 be implemented on either a user device 4, a content provider device 6, and/or a workstation 24 or multiple workstations, or any combination of the foregoing.

Figure 2 demonstrates the overall functionality of the system 2.

A session manager includes a login page 110, a create new user component 120, an incorrect login procedures component 130, a session expired component 770 and a time out component 775. Following user login, the bridge control component 200 displays as default. A navigation structure allows access to knowledge manager 210, a suggestions manager 220, a learning component 230, a rewards component 240, a user profile 250, a help component 700 and a logout component 750.

Following administrator login, the suggestions manager component 420 controls access to a knowledge manager 410, bridge control 400, a learning component 430, a rewards component 440, a user profile 450, a help component 700, a data component 460, a logout component 750 and user admin 470, dependent on the preferences set within the administrator's profile. An administrator may choose to have any of the aforementioned pages as the default page after log in.

A master admin login provides access to master admin parameters 300 and 310.

A further administrator login could provide access to admin installation parameters 500.

The above components are further described below.

Figure 3 illustrates a preferred form login procedure. From the login page 110, a user enters a user name and password. On incorrect login, a user has six opportunities to enter correct details 130. On login failure, the account is frozen and the user is notified 140.

If the user forgets a password, the user may select a password hint page 150 in which the user may choose the relevant hint question and enter the correct answer. From here, the user could either cancel from the hint page and go back to login 130, or could submit an answer. If the correct answer is selected, the user is handed to a user profile page 250. If the answer is incorrect, the user receives an incorrect answer notification and the account administrator is advised of this event. If a question is not selected, a select question pop-up notification 160 is provided to the user after which the window is closed and the user remains at password hint page 150. If the user has changed user name, a user name change pop-up notification 170 is provided and the window is closed.

Once the user has supplied a correct login, the user is either passed to Bridge Control 200 if the user is a standard user, or passed to the master administration page 300 if the user is a master administrator, or the suggestions manager 420 for general admin login, or further administrator login 500.

It is envisaged that the system 2 includes a general purpose facility for creating new users 120.

The invention provides novel ways of segmenting knowledge contributed by a user, and to facilitate the tracking and implementation of user ideas. A standard user is passed to the bridge control page 200 shown in Figure 4. From the bridge control page, it is envisaged that the user be able to access a simple search: text entry box, a survey, latest topic additions to the suggestions manager, information deemed timely by administrators such as company news, and profiled users. A preferred form user interface for demonstrating these components is shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 4, a user selects a simple search, the user enters the search term and clicks submit. The query is passed to a query database and a results page 216 presented to a user.

Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2 show an example of a simple search results page.

As shown in Figure 4, the user may select a survey in which case survey questions are retrieved from a database. The user could click on an answer or could select the first answer. Suitable procedures are provided for obtaining answers from a staff survey, for example procedures for notifying a user that they have already answered a question, and to flag the account of a user as having answered a particular survey. The system may present a user-definable number of topic titles comprising the latest user submissions to the suggestions manager. When the user clicks on a topic, the user request is passed to a query database and the suggestions manager displays the topic page 225.

The control page could also present to a user profiled users. For example, selected users could be retrieved from the database based on those users fulfilling a set of parameters determined by the system and or the administrators.

It is envisaged that the knowledge manager 210 provide access to a user to a search: menu option and a share: menu option. The share: menu option is described with reference to Figures 7 to 9 and the search: menu option is described with reference to Figures 10 to 13.

Referring to Figure 7, the knowledge manager share: menu option 211 enables a user to choose the type of knowledge 212 and then display the correct form in which the user enters relevant details 213. The user submits the form which is written to a database temporary file. Additional files are uploaded 214 and the user clicks a cancel button or a browse button. If the user clicks the browse button, a file selector component 219 enables the user to select a file to upload and click enter. The user can select up to 10 additional files. The user then selects a browse button to confirm submission 218 and submit in which the submission is written to the database. Reward points, for example WatchPoints, are incremented if applicable using the user reward component 14 from Figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a typical user interface to enable a user to select the type of knowledge 212 in order for the system to build an appropriate form.

Figure 9 illustrates a typical form in which the user may enter relevant details 213.

Referring to Figure 10, the knowledge manager search: menu option 215 enables a user to conduct a simple keyword search, an advanced search, a list search or a favourites search. Records of knowledge are retrieved from a database and a results page 216 is displayed. An ROK record is then displayed 217 at the request of a user. The ROK or record of knowledge is a preferred method in which knowledge is stored within the database.

Figure 11 illustrates a preferred form user interface for presenting to a user the choices of a simple search, advanced search, list search or favourites search.

Figure 12 illustrates one preferred form of presenting these choices to a user.

Figure 13 illustrates a typical search results page presented to a user.

Administration personnel log into the administration section of the system and a default component presented to an admin member could be the suggestions manager 420 as shown in Figure 14. The suggestions manager main page 420 could list all categories available to an admin user. The user could be provided with options, for example to sort the list alphabetically or numerically and various other options.

Figure 15 illustrates an example of the bridge control admin page 400 in which an admin user provides access to text entry boxes, surveys and profiled users. Figure 16 shows a preferred form user interface presented to a user showing the bridge control admin page 400.

Referring to Figure 14, the user may click on a particular category name or other designated navigation facility in order to expand an appropriate category showing topics within that category 420A, expand appropriate topics showing replies within that topic 420B, or expand an appropriate reply showing nested replies within that reply, for example threads of the forum 420C. The system checks and displays the names of users who have contributed the topic and replies. If the user has been deleted, a display "user has been removed from the system" is displayed to the admin user. The admin user clicks on a topic which has the effect of displaying 421 the topic and replies to that topic. Replies are nested if there is more than one level 420. The admin user may then click on a reply, having the effect of viewing a reply, in which replies are nested 421B.

Referring to Figure 17, the admin user views the suggestions manager topic and replies 421. The admin user may export as text, print, archive or delete topics and replies and may expand replies to view nested replies.

If an administrator deletes a topic or reply, the administrator determines whether nested replies (or threads) beneath are to be deleted or are to remain. The reward points or WatchPoints accounts of the user(s) who made the initial contribution/submission are debited as per value set by the administrator for the delete.

Where an admin user expands replies, the user may use arrows and +/- symbols 421 A. Replies can be sorted by just showing the replies with a specific status. The reward points for users who submit topics or replies are credited as per values set by the administrator. When an administrator changes the status of a topic or reply the relevant user's WatchPoints account is incremented or decremented as per values set by the master administrator for those statuses. For example marking a suggestion topic as having had a cost benefit analysis completed may award the user 1000 WatchPoints, whereas deleting the suggestion topic may remove 200 WatchPoints. It is envisaged that status levels can be assigned in any order.

Figure 18 illustrates a typical user interface for the suggestions manager topics and replies 421. Figure 19 illustrates a typical user interface design for an administrator to assign a topic to a user for further action.

Figure 20 illustrates a master administration page 300 presented to a master administrator and Figure 21 illustrates a supplementary page presented to a master administrator. Figure 22 illustrates a typical screen presented to a further administrator whereby the further administrator can initiate, for example, security and purchase parameters for the client.

In summary, the activity definable by a master administrator is able to result in points being awarded to the account of a user. The account of the user maintains a history of points accumulation and allows the points to be redeemed for benefits offered by the company, or other goods and services, or shares in the company. The administration section described above focuses on the return on investment of knowledge accumulated and shared. The user tracking component which, in one form, is the administration component, tracks and reports on user activity, generating real time graphs and tables based on specific actions and results.

The invention provides a system in which users are rewarded for utilising knowledge in ways which benefit their employer, (usually a company or similar organisation), a supplier (in the case that the user is a client), or a client (in the case that the user is a supplier). Users can share, create and learn information and that information is managed by opportunity managers and administrators.

Certain definable activities by a user can result in points being awarded to that user's account, for example by submitting a suggestion, adding useful knowledge, and completing online training modules. A user submitting a suggestion to the company has the opportunity to collaborate on other suggestions that other users have made. An opportunity manager assigns the suggestion to a user to implement, and updates the status of the suggestion based on its progress towards implementation. The user can track the status of suggestions they have made and collaborated on. Users are ultimately rewarded more and more by an increase in their accumulated points as the suggestion becomes implemented.

The administration section monitors region-based implementation of knowledge and suggestions, calculating the return on investment and notifying regions in which the implementation has not been carried out that an opportunity has been missed. When additional regions implement knowledge, the invention updates the total return on investment based on the estimated return on investment per region.

Users completing training modules are rewarded points. These accumulated points can be redeemed for benefits. The term training modules is taken to mean all learning- based material including advertising information, product demonstrations, etc. The points are intricately tied to how the user performs in the training modules, and formulae can be established for the rewarding of less points for not completing the whole module. The formulae can also be made to be punitive for answering questions incorrectly.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof, as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A network training system comprising: one or more user devices, each associated with a user, each user device having a display device and a user input device; one or more content provider devices on which is stored one or more multimedia presentations representing training data; a user authentication component enabling a user to initiate a user session; a network or combination of networks configured to transmit during a user session, at the request of a user, a multi-media presentation from a content provider to a user device for display on the display device; a user database in which is stored a series of user data sets, each user data set comprising a user identifier and a user account; and a user reward component configured to test for satisfaction of one or more conditions by the user during a user session and to increment the user account on satisfaction of the condition(s).

2. A network training system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the user reward component is configured to display on the display device of a user device one or more tasks relating to the content of the multi-media presentation and to check for completion of the tasks by the user through operation of the user input device of the user device.

3. A network training system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the conditions comprises the user contributing a suggestion.

4. A network training system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one of the conditions comprises the user completing training modules.

5. A network training system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a knowledge manager configured to facilitate the collation and distribution of knowledge.