SYNCHRONOUS MULTI-MEDIA RECORDING AND PLAYBACK WITH END USER CONTROL OF TIME, DATA, AND EVENT VISUALIZATION FOR PLAYBACK CONTROL OVER A NETWORK
A system and system are provided for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback. Aspects the exemplary embodiment include in response to a training session is being conducted, synchronously recording in real-time simulator data from a simulator captured by a simulator capture tool, and video of the training session captured by a plurality of A/V sources; encoding each of the videos captured by the plurality of A/V sources as respective digital media files formatted as streaming media; and transmitting both the simulator data and the video media files from a server to a client over a network, such that when the client receives the simulator data and the stream, the respective videos are synchronously played back with the simulator data on the client
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This application is a continuation of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 11/611,792, filed Dec. 15, 2006, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe use of simulation training is growing rapidly. A simulation training session is one in which training of personnel is performed through the use of a simulator device that outputs real-time data in response to interactions of the trainees. In the medical industry, for example, medical training centers conduct simulation training that generally involve students performing simulated medical procedures and/or examinations on a mannequin simulator, which exhibits symptoms of various ailments of a patient during simulated examination sessions. Other types of medical simulators include EKG machines, blood pressure monitors, and virtual reality endoscopic, laparoscopic, and endovascular simulators. During each simulated examination session, which usually takes place in an assigned examination room, the student interacts with the patient during an appointed time period to make a diagnosis of the patient's ailment and to prescribe a proposed treatment plan or perform a procedure. Each examination room is equipped with monitoring equipment, including audio, visual and time recoding devices, so that the student's simulated encounter with the patient can be monitored in real time by an evaluator, such as a faculty member or upper class person. Typically, simulation training sessions are also recorded on video for subsequent analysis and teaching purposes. A similar configuration is used in other industries for other types of training sessions.
The monitoring equipment in the examination rooms may include multiple audio/video (A/V) sources, e.g. video cameras, to provide various camera angles of the training session. A typical recording training session may have three video feeds, for instance, taken from different camera angles, and one of the video feeds might show a machine that displays data from a simulator, such as EKG, heart rate, or blood pressure data. The data from each of the A/V sources is sent to a respective recording/playback device, e.g., a digital video (DV) recorder, for recording onto some type of hard recording medium, such as DVDs or DV tapes. This results in the output of each of the video cameras, for example, to be stored on separate medium during the training session. Optionally, the system may have the recording/playback devices synced together by a time sync generator. Each of the recording mediums produced by the multiple recording/playback devices, whether DVDs or DV tapes, are typically stored as a tape archive in a multimedia library.
In addition, the video recorded by each of the A/V sources may also be input to a video/audio mixer or processor of some type. Typically, the mixer merges the video feeds from the A/V sources and the output is recorded onto a recording medium as a merged video with multiple windows, one for each video feed. Another method is to overlay the simulator data as a composite image with the video feeds, like a picture-in-picture. One problem with this method, however, is that typically the overlay picture obscures part of the underlying image. The recording media, e.g., DVD or DV tape, may then also be archived in the multimedia library. After all the video is stored and edited, each of the videos needs to be manually associated with each of the trainees for later retrieval.
While viewing the training session during the recording, a trainer manually identifies performance events/issues, and manually notes the time during the video in which the event occurred. Once the simulation exercise is completed, the recording is stopped. Thereafter, the trainer conducts a debriefing session with the trainee(s) to evaluate the trainee's performance. Debriefing sessions can be performed right after the training session using the unmixed recordings, during which, the trainer plays back portions of recordings and analyzes the performance of the trainee using their notes as a guide. Since unmixed recordings are used, this process often involves lots of rewinding and fast-forwarding to get to points of interest.
Sometimes the trainer may desire to perform what is known as a highlighted debriefing session. In a highlighted debriefing session, the trainer plays back just a portion of the training session(s) for a detailed analysis with the trainee. To enable the highlighted debrief session, a post-video editing process is required to extract clips of specific examples from the various media stored in the multimedia library. For example, assume that a trainer wants to make a video of where trainee makes the most mistakes. This would require the finding and retrieving of the videos that contain the key clips from the multimedia library. During the video editing process, the clips are extracted from the video, and then either merged to create a video overlay, or the clips are mixed and alternated. After the video editing process is completed, the modified video is stored in the multimedia library, and then retrieved by the trainer in order to conduct the highlighted debrief session.
Although recording simulation training sessions has definite advantages in terms of being a useful teaching tool, the conventional system described above has several problems. One problem is that the system does not allow quantifiable individual feedback. Instead, the training session is often subjectively evaluated or graded based on what the trainer or reviewer thought they saw or didn't see during recorded exercise. A related problem is that to comment on a specific event that occurred during the training session, the trainer or reviewer must either remember where in the recorded event occurred, or note a time index in their notes. In addition, if the trainer wants to highlight a specific area of interest in the recording, the trainer may have to have the recording played and the segment of interest recorded separately during the editing process. For training centers that have a large number of training sessions and a large number of recordings per training session, such constant editing can be a significant burden in terms of manpower and cost.
Another problem is that the training sessions are stored on media such as DVD or DV tape that must be manually indexed and stored for archival. Since this is a manual process, problems may arise when attempting to find a particular recording for a particular training session or trainee. In addition, the recordings archived in the multimedia library may not be readily accessible to reviewers, particularly if the reviewers are not in the same location as the multimedia library. For these reasons, access to the recordings may not be possible or highly cumbersome as a number of training sessions recorded increases, which in turn, may limit the number of users who can view the recordings for evaluation or grading.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved method and system for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback, particularly in the area of simulation training as one example.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA method and system is provided for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback. Aspects the exemplary embodiment include in response to a training session is being conducted, synchronously recording in real-time simulator data from a simulator captured by a simulator capture tool, and video of the training session captured by a plurality of A/V sources; encoding each of the videos captured by the plurality of A/V sources as respective digital media files formatted as streaming media; and transmitting both the simulator data and the video media files from a server to a client over a network, such that when the client receives the simulator data and the stream, the respective videos are synchronously played back with the simulator data on the client.
According to the method and system disclosed herein, all available training session video and simulator sources may be encoded into a streamable format as independent video files and streamed onto the network. This facilitates remote viewing of activity and real-time performance assessments of the training session. The assessment information is instantly tabulated and available to help drive a more objective feedback/debrief session using actual simulation trend data and multiple assessments, all synchronously tied to multiple video feeds.
The present invention relates to synchronous multimedia recording and playback. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The end-user is also allowed to select what simulator variables are displayed. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
The embodiments disclosed herein are mainly described in terms of particular device and system provided in particular implementations. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that this method and system will operate effectively in other implementations. For example, the devices usable with the present invention can take a number of different forms. The present invention will also be described in the context of particular methods having certain steps. However, the method and system operate effectively for other methods having different and/or additional steps not inconsistent with the present invention.
The exemplary embodiment provides a web-based simulation training system for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback of recorded training sessions. Training sessions are recorded, and the recordings include not only synchronized video from multiple cameras, but also simulation data recorded from a simulator. Streaming technology is then utilized to allow end-users to access the recordings over the Internet via a browser and view and configure the recorded training sessions in real-time. The end-user is allowed to select which video streams are played back and to jump to any point along the recording time line, at which point all the videos and simulation data automatically play back at that point in time. Thus, the system provides synchronous multimedia recording and playback with user playback control of time, data, and event visualization over a network.
The training sessions are recorded using the A/V sources 18 and the data is sent to respective encoders/recorders 20. The A/V sources 18 in an exemplary environment will be described as video cameras, but A/V sources 18 include any type of capture device, such as an auxiliary microphone or a still camera, and the like. The training sessions involve one or more trainees (not shown) who perform simulated procedures, or otherwise interact with, at least one simulator data source 24 that outputs real-time data in response. The type of training conducted by the training center 12 will be described in terms of medical training that would be suitable for doctors, nurses, and emergency response personnel, but the exemplary embodiments are applicable any type of training that involves the use of a any type of simulator. Example types of simulator data sources 24 in the medical industry, for instance, include full-body mannequin simulators, virtual reality simulators, EKG machines, and blood pressure monitors.
The online simulation training website 14 includes a software suite referred to as a skills assessment tool 26, a web server 28a and a video-on-demand server 28b (collectively referred to as server 28), a session data archive 30, a simulation data archive 32, and a multimedia archive 34. The skills assessment tool 26 hosted on the simulation training website 14 includes a debrief tool 38 and annotation and assessment tool 40. The server 28 hosting the simulation training website 14 may be implemented as one server or any number of servers.
In another embodiment, the encoders/recorders 20 and the simulation capture tool 36 may be located remote from the training center, e.g., at the physical location of the simulation training website 14. In another embodiment, all the components shown in the simulation training website 14, including the encoders/recorders 20 and the simulation capture tool 36 may be implemented as a single physical device. Further, the simulation training website 14 may be implemented as a custom application that is installed at the training center 12, and accessed directly by clients 42 over a network.
According to the exemplary embodiment, the simulator data is captured by simulation capture tool 36. The time sync generator 22 is coupled to the encoders/recorders 20 and to the simulation capture tool 36 to control the synchronization of the recordings. In one embodiment, the simulation capture tool 36 is provided by the simulation training website 14, but is installed and executed on a computer (not shown) at the training center 12 that communicates with the simulator data source 24. In another embodiment, the simulation capture tool 36 may be located remote from the simulator data source 24, such as at the simulation training website 14.
During the recording, the each of the videos captured by A/V sources 18 are encoded as respective digital media files in streaming media format (block 202). As used herein, streaming media is media that is consumed (heard and/or viewed) while the media is being delivered. The videos captured by the A/V sources 18 may be encoded by the encoders/decoders 20. In one embodiment, the digital media files are encoded as MPEG-4 files, but other formats may also be used.
In the exemplary embodiment, the simulator data may be captured 36 as telemetry values captured in its raw and/or compressed format. The telemetry values can then be visualized using a thin client, such as Flash Player™, as a function of time. In another embodiment, the simulator data can be captured using one of the A/V sources 18 by recording a video of the output of the simulator itself, e.g., by capturing a video of an EKG display. The simulation data may be encoded by the simulation capture tool 36.
During recording of the training session, the simulation data and the digital media files of the video feeds are transmitted to the simulation training website 14. The simulation data is sent to the simulation training website 14 by simulation capture tool 36, where it stored in the simulation data archive 32 and indexed by an ID of the training session. The video media files are sent to the simulation training website 14 by the encoders/decoders and are stored in the multimedia archive 34.
After all the captured data is transmitted to the simulation training website 14 and stored, the server 28 transmits both the simulator data and a stream of the digital media files to the client 42 over the network 16, such that when the client 42 receives the simulator data and the stream, the respective videos are synchronously played back with the simulator data on the client 42 (block 204).
In one embodiment, the skills assessment tool 26 causes the server 28 to transmit the simulator data and the stream of the video media files in response to receiving a request to view a recorded training session. Referring to
Referring again to
The skills assessment tool 26 has a user interface that is displayed in the browser 44 of the client 42. To fulfill the end-user's request to view the training session, the skills assessment tool 26 sends the composite media file 320 to the video-on-demand server 28b. The video-on-demand server 28b streams the composite media file 320 to browser of the designated client 42 by using the links to pull the source media files 322 and 324 from the archives 32 and 34 and sending them through the stream (block 306). Thus, since the media files are added to the composite media file 322 prior to playback and viewing, the exemplary embodiment provides a system for premixing the video, rather than a mixing of the video during playback. At the same time the skills assessment tool 26 retrieves the related simulation data from the simulation data archive 32 and sends the simulation data to the browser 44 (308), in one embodiment, via the web server 28a.
When the simulation data and the streamed composite media file 322 is received on the client 42, a media player 46 compatible with the format of the stream is automatically invoked. Example types of media players 46 for playing streaming media include Apple QuickTime™ and Flash Player™, for instance. The media player 46 then visualizes the simulation data and plays it in synchronization with the videos based on the time of the recordings. In one embodiment, the media player 46 opens within the browser 44. In another embodiment, the media player 46 opens outside the browser 44. In another embodiment, the videos may be streamed individually from the server 28b, and then synchronized on the client 42 by the media play 46.
Because the media player 46 receives a single streamed media file referencing each of the videos, the simulator data and each of the videos (with audio) can be synchronously played in the single interface of the assessment tool 40 as displayed by the media player 46. More specifically, the display screen of the assessment tool 40 is divided into separate windows corresponding to each of the source files included in the composite media file 300 and the simulation data.
In this particular example, the simulator data shows physiological data may have been captured by a video screen capture, or by a visualization created from raw data captured from the simulator data source 24. The videos in each of the four windows 402 and 404, and the timeline 406 are played back synchronously, but each video is an independent and fully editable video file. By interacting with the timeline 406, the end-user is allowed to advance or return to any point in time in the synchronous playback of the videos.
The above examples show that the exemplary embodiments enable synchronous multimedia recording and playback, where with viewer is provided with remote playback control of the recording over a network of time, data, and event visualization.
As stated above, an end-user can access the skills assessment tool 26 and submit a request to view the training session live, and in response, the recorded training session is streamed to the client with the simulation data. According to a further aspect of the exemplary embodiment, the annotation and assessment tool 40 also enables the end-user to enter annotation and assessment data of the trainee's performance while the videos and simulation data are synchronously played back (block 506). This process is referred to as an annotation session.
In operation, once the end-user logs in to the web server 28a from a browser 44 and accesses the assessment tool 40 (
In response to the user selecting a recorded training session, an assessment screen is displayed for displaying the training session. In the case of a live training session, the training session is played once the training session begins. In the case of a pre-recorded training session, the pre-recorded trade session is played automatically. Based on the session ID of the selected session, the session data from the session data archive 30 and the simulation data from the simulation data archive is retrieved and transmitted over the network by the servers 28a and 28b, as described above.
Assessment sessions may be performed both in real time and subsequent to the training session. Because the recorded training session is provided over the Internet, annotation sessions may be performed by multiple reviewers at the same or different times. In addition, assessments can easily be done remotely. The annotation and assessment tool 40 stores the annotation and assessment data entered by the reviewers in the session data archive 30 in association with the training session and by the trainee(s). The annotation and assessment tool 40 may also automatically tally the annotations and assessments entered by the reviewers to create a composite assessment/score.
In one embodiment, trainees participating in a training session and the checklist of tasks to be completed during the training session are established prior to the training session. For example, prior to the training session, the trainer or the trainee can log into the assessment tool 40 to perform a pre-assessment in which the trainee enters information identifying the subject matter and participants of training session (integrated trainee identification). In addition, the trainer can login to the system and create a checklist of tasks to be completed by the trainees during the training session. The checklists can establish the order which the tasks must be performed as well as established when during the training session the tasks must be performed. Data defining the training session (e.g., date/time, case number, room number, and so on), checklist data, trainee data, and assessment data are all stored in the session data archive. Data in the session data archive 30 is preferably indexed by the training session, but can also be indexed by a group of trainees or by individual trainees. Because the recorded training session is stored in association with the group of trainees and the individual trainees in the session data archive 30, the assessment data can be segmented out by individual trainees and viewed to see that trainees performance. This allows all training sessions and assessment entered for particular trainee, i.e., the trainee's entire training portfolio, to be easily retrieved and viewed with few mouse clicks.
Referring again to
As described above, training centers 12 typically hold debriefing sessions where the recorded training session is reviewed by one of more evaluators with the trainees as a group or individually. According to a further aspect of the exemplary embodiment, the skills assessment tool 26 further includes a debrief tool 38 for enabling automated debrief sessions.
The debrief tool 38 is invoked in response to the end-user, typically the trainer/evaluator, choosing to start a debrief session from the browser 44 (block 512). The debrief tool 38 allows the end-user to select which recorded training session to view, and which videos in the training session to view, and the selected videos are synchronously played back, as described above and as shown in
The combination of the annotation and assessment tool 40 and debrief tool 38 enables a discussion and review of a trainee's performance to be based on absolute and comparative metrics in combination with multiple evaluator assessments, all linked to video, thereby providing more objective feedback to the trainee and an overall improved training process.
A method and system for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback has been disclosed. The present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, and one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and any variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the embodiments can be implemented using hardware, software, a computer readable medium containing program instructions, or a combination thereof. In addition, although the debrief tool 38, and annotation and assessment tool 40 are shown as separate components, the functionality of each may be combined into a lesser or greater number of components.
Software written according to the present invention is to be either stored in some form of computer-readable medium such as memory or CD-ROM, or is to be transmitted over a network, and is to be executed by a processor. Consequently, a computer-readable medium is intended to include a computer readable signal, which may be, for example, transmitted over a network. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback, comprising:
- in response to a training session is being conducted, synchronously recording in real-time simulator data from a simulator captured by a simulator capture tool, and video of the training session captured by a plurality of A/V sources;
- encoding each of the videos captured by the plurality of A/V sources as respective digital media files formatted as streaming media; and
- transmitting both the simulator data and the video media files from a server to a client over a network, such that when the client receives the simulator data and the stream, the respective videos are synchronously played back with the simulator data on the client.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the streaming further comprises dynamically generating a single media file that references as sources the respective streaming media files, and streaming the single media file.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising playing back the simulator data as a trend of the telemetry values along a timeline.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising identifying transition points of the telemetry values during playback.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising playing back the videos on the client in a streaming media player, and playing back the simulator data in a flash player.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing an end-user of the client to advance or return to any point in time in the synchronous play back of the videos.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising streaming the synchronous playback in real-time during the training session.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling an end-user to enter annotation and assessment data while the videos and simulation data are synchronously played back.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising during the synchronous playback, displaying a checklist of training tasks to be completed by a trainee during the trading session, and allowing an end-user to indicate through the interface which tasks were completed during the synchronous playback for real-time annotation and assessment of the trainee.
10. A system for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback, comprising:
- a plurality of A/V sources for capturing video of a training session, the training session including a use of a simulator;
- a simulation capture tool for capturing real-time simulator data from the simulator, wherein the simulator data and the video of the training session are recorded synchronously;
- one or more encoders for encoding each of the videos captured by the plurality of A/V sources as respective digital media files formatted as streaming media; and
- means for transmitting both the simulator data and the video media files from a server to a client over a network, such that when the client receives the simulator data and the stream, the respective videos are synchronously played back with the simulator data on the client.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the means for transmitting include a skills assessment tool and a video on demand server.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the means skills assessment tool includes:
- an annotation and assessment tool for enabling an end-user to enter annotation and assessment data of a trainee's performance while the videos and simulation data are synchronously played back; and
- a debrief tool for allowing the end-user to select which recorded training session to view for enabling automated debrief sessions.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein a single media file is dynamically generated that references as sources the respective streaming media files, and streaming the single media file.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the simulator data is played back as a trend of the telemetry values along a timeline.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein transition points of the telemetry values are identified during playback.
16. The system of claim 10 wherein the videos are played back on the client in a streaming media player, and playing back the simulator data in a flash player.
17. The system of claim 10 wherein an end-user of the client is allowed to advance or return to any point in time in the synchronous play back of the videos.
18. The system of claim 10 wherein the synchronous playback is streamed in real-time during the training session.
19. The system of claim 10 wherein during the synchronous playback, a checklist of training tasks to be completed is displayed by a trainee during the trading session, and an end-user is allowed to indicate through the interface which tasks were completed during the synchronous playback for real-time annotation and assessment of the trainee.
20. An executable software product stored on a computer-readable medium containing program instructions for providing synchronous multimedia recording and playback, wherein in response to a training session is being conducted, video of the training session is captured by a plurality of A/V sources, the program instructions for:
- synchronously recording with the video, real-time simulator data from a simulator captured by a simulator capture tool;
- encoding each of the videos captured by the plurality of A/V sources as respective digital media files formatted as streaming media; and
- transmitting both the simulator data and the video media files from a server to a client over a network, such that when the client receives the simulator data and the stream, the respective videos are synchronously played back with the simulator data on the client.
Type: Application
Filed: May 7, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 23, 2008
Applicant: ATELLIS, INC. (Silver Spring, MD)
Inventors: Lucas K. Huang (Columbia, MD), Chafic A. Kazoun (Chevy Chase, MD)
Application Number: 12/116,472
International Classification: G09B 9/00 (20060101);