Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Protection at a particular protocol layer
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-22
2001-10-23
Follansbee, John A. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Protection at a particular protocol layer
C434S218000, C714S038110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308271
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to methods and systems of controlling usage of a simulator and recording mediums storing a program for controlling usage of a simulator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system of controlling usage of a simulator for use in learning and a recording medium storing a program for such control, used in order to discourage usage, outside the terms and conditions specified in a license agreement, of the simulator by an unspecified number of learners (hereinafter, referred to as non-licensed learners) other than a licensed user.
Generally, training which uses a simulator is in great demand because it allows a learner to have a realistic experience and commit himself or herself to the process of learning. In some cases, a simulator sold to a user is used many times so that non-licensed learners benefit from the training using the simulator, thus reducing sales of simulators or discouraging a trainer from holding training courses. As a result, there is a demand for a system built into a simulator for preventing illegal usage.
2. Description of the Related Art
A license agreement of a simulator sold in the form of a removable recording medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM usually gives a statement about illegal usage in order to prevent non-licensed learners from using the simulator.
For example, the following arrangements may be built into a program.
(1) Enable installation or execution only by a user who knows an ID.
(2) Enable a program to be started only when predetermined opportunities for learning have not been utilized (or only during a predetermined period of time).
Alternatively, a simulation condition may be randomly varied every time the program is started. Such a method is useful to prevent the process of learning from turning into a game by preventing methods and correct answers for obtaining good results from being circulated among learners under a fixed simulation condition.
Simply giving a statement about illegal use in a license agreement does not ensure that a corporate manager or the like in charge of the training will not use a simulator bought under the license agreement to exercise a training for non-licensed learners.
Accordingly, it is necessary to build a system for preventing illegal use into a simulator program. Assigning an ID is useless if a user at a training center or the like that bought the simulator discloses the ID to a learner.
Allowing the program to be started only until opportunities for learning have been utilized or only for a predetermined period of time prevents a learner from reviewing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a system and method of controlling usage of a simulator, and a recording medium storing a program for controlling usage of a simulator, in which the aforementioned problems are eliminated.
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a system and method of controlling usage of a simulator, and a recording medium storing a program for controlling usage of a simulator, in which a simulation condition is randomly varied until learning is repeated a predetermined number of times, and the simulation condition is fixed beyond the predetermined number of times, so that the use of the simulator to train non-licensed learners in a training program is discouraged.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method of controlling usage of a simulator, and a recording medium storing a program for controlling usage of a simulator, in which the frequency of usage is not updated when a learning session using the simulator is discontinued.
The aforementioned objects can be achieved by a method of controlling usage of a simulator sold to train a licensed user, for discouraging the simulator from being used by non-licensed learners beyond a predetermined number of times prescribed by a license agreement, comprising the steps of: setting a predetermined number of times that the simulator may be used; incrementing a count indicating a frequency of usage every time the simulator is used; setting a simulation condition of the simulator randomly while the count is lower than or equal to the predetermined number of times; and setting a fixed simulation condition of the simulator when the count exceeds the predetermined number of times.
The count may be prevented from being incremented when a use of the simulator is discontinued.
The aforementioned objects can also be achieved by a system of controlling usage of a simulator sold to train a licensed user, for discouraging the simulator from being used by non-licensed learners beyond a predetermined number of times prescribed by a license agreement, comprising: usage frequency incrementing means for incrementing a count indicating a frequency of usage every time the simulator is used; random condition setting means for setting a simulation condition of the simulator randomly while the count is lower than or equal to the predetermined number of times; and fixed condition setting means for setting a fixed simulation condition of the simulator when the count exceeds the predetermined number of times, wherein the system is contained in a computer-executable program.
The random condition setting means may include means for randomly generating, while the count is lower than or equal to the predetermined number of times, a reference number for referring to a table containing simulation conditions related to respective reference numbers and associated correct answers, and the fixed condition setting means may include means for setting a number for referring to the table, when the count exceeds the predetermined number of times.
The usage frequency incrementing means may include means for preventing the count from being incremented when a use of the simulator is discontinued.
The aforementioned objects can also be achieved by a recording medium containing a program for controlling usage of a simulator sold to train a licensed user by discouraging this simulator from being used by non-licensed learners beyond a predetermined number of times permitted in a license agreement, the program comprising: a usage frequency incrementing process for incrementing a count indicating a frequency of usage every time the simulator is used; a random condition setting process for setting a simulation condition of the simulator randomly while the count is lower than the predetermined number of times; and a fixed condition setting process of setting a fixed simulation condition of the simulator when the count reaches the predetermined number of times.
The random condition setting process may include a process for randomly generating, while the count is lower than or equal to the predetermined number of times, a reference number for referring to a table containing simulation conditions related to respective reference numbers and associated correct answers, and the fixed condition setting process may include a process for setting a number for referring to the table, when the count exceeds the predetermined number of times.
The usage frequency incrementing process may include a process for preventing the count from being incremented when a use of the simulator is discontinued.
According to the invention, by randomly setting the simulation condition until predetermined opportunities for learning have been utilized and setting a fixed simulation condition after the predetermined opportunities for learning have been utilized, the likelihood that the method or the correct answer is distributed among learners under the fixed simulation condition is increased, making it difficult for a trainer to execute a case-by-case simulation for non-licensed learners. With this arrangement, an illegal training whereby the simulator is used beyond a predetermined number of times prescribed in a contract proves undesirable.
By preventing the count indicating the number of the learning opportunities already utiliz
Follansbee John A.
Fujitsu Limited
Staas & Halsey , LLP
LandOfFree
Method and system of controlling usage of simulator and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and system of controlling usage of simulator and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and system of controlling usage of simulator and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613795