KR20060118528A - System and method for planning and tracking certification - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for planning and tracking certification comprises generating one or more certification goals by a planner (204) based on a user profile and an authority profile associated with a certification authority. The planner (204) is responsive to user (216) selection of one or more of the generated certification goals for creating a certification plan (210). A tracker (206) that updates the certification plan (210) in response to input regarding achievement of the one or more selected certification goals.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POLICY AND TRACKING OF CERTIFICATION {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLANNING AND TRACKING CERTIFICATION}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to user authentication, and in particular to meeting the requirements for such authentication using a network of interconnected computers.

Many professional occupations have associated certification requirements. Such eligibility requirements are usually specified by various professional associations (e.g., medical, legal, or accounting) on the private side and by public or private bodies such as the state or local administrative bodies of the state on the public side. For example, the state publishes licensing requirements for teachers, nurses, technicians, and psychotherapists. These occupations must meet the initial set of qualifications to be certified or licensed to be implemented in their state, and often to meet continuing educational requirements, such as additional courses of work, to ensure that the license is maintained.

If a job, such as a teacher, must meet a set of license qualifications in the state, the decision of what qualifications must be met, which qualifications need to be met, and how to fulfill those qualifications depends on the job. Depends For example, if an additional course of work is required, the teacher needs to be aware of which course is offered by which organization and must watch for himself when the course is completed.

Sylvain Learning Systems, Inc., the assignee of the present invention, provides a website, Professional Teacher.com, that integrates difficult-to-find information on learning certification and re-certification requirements for all 50 states. . The website provides information about licensing in each state and provides contact information for each state's department of education, recommended reading and course work, and required formats. Again, the site provides licensed teachers who move from one state to another about information on license eligibility in that state.

There have been several attempts to educate and recognize qualifications about students and careers. For example, US Pat. No. 5,590,057 (Fletcher et al.) Describes a system and method for training individuals in a particular task and demonstrating how the individual handles the task. One of the disadvantages of the described system is that if an individual must be qualified for one or more tasks, the system does not leave a record of the various qualification requirements that need to be completed by the individual.

US 5,788,504 (Rice et al.) Describes a computerized training management system that allows administrators to develop training data databases, reference manuals. US Pat. No. 6,157,808 (Hollingsworth) describes a computerized employee qualification and training system and method for employees requiring government qualifications or licenses. The training system cooperates with employee qualifications, job descriptions and training materials to determine if an employee is eligible for a job. However, the systems of the '504 and' 808 patents do not track user certification requirements that individual work is required, for example, where training is not involved, such as background checks or forms. The system does not track training that takes place outside the employee's company.

US Patent No. 6,561,812 (Burmester et al.) Describes a system and method for coordinating educational requirements with learning activities in schools, allowing teachers to create learning policies that meet educational requirements. However, in such a system, the system does not record qualification requirements for student completion.

Therefore, there is a need for automated systems and methods that will permit certification policies and tracking processes for certification purposes.

Briefly, in accordance with a feature of the present invention, a system and method for authentication policy and tracking may be directed to the creation of one or more authentication objectives by a planner based on a user profile and authority profile associated with a certification authority. Include. The planner generates an authentication plan in response to one or more generated authentication goals selected by the user. In response to input for obtaining one or more selected authentication goals, the tracker updates the authentication policy. According to a more detailed feature of the invention, the tracker sends the rest of the email to the user as the target deadline approaches.

The features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a web based system embodying various aspects of the user authentication process of the present invention.

2 is a representative diagram illustrating a user interface with the system of FIG. 1 for policy and tracking of user authentication in accordance with the present invention.

3 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for accessing and using a user authentication system of the present invention.

4 is a representative system access page.

5 is a model of a representative user home page.

6 is a representative user registration page.

7 is a representative new user page.

8 is an exemplary flowchart for creating a user authentication policy.

9 is a representative user information entry page.

10 is another exemplary user information entry page.

11 is a representative authentication qualification summary page.

12 is a representative authentication credit entry page.

13 is a representative authentication planner page.

14 is a representative authentication tracker page.

15 is a representative authentication resource registration page.

16 is a representative user home page.

17 is a representative Grant search page.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While certain specific embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other components and structures can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention is directed to computer-based online systems. User-seeking authentication can access data and services through a computer that can connect to the network for policy and tracking of authentication credentials. In one representative embodiment, data and services are provided by one or more servers (or central stations) that also access one or more databases that are also connected to the network, and that employ a standard web browser application such as Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Can be accessed. The invention may also be implemented using an intranet system for user authentication in public or private organizations as well as government or non-government agencies.

Representative network

Referring to FIG. 1, a representative embodiment of a system that suitably implements various features of the present invention is shown. An exemplary system is implemented on a communication network that provides a wired or wireless link to a user device (client device) 12. Client device 12 may be any computing device, such as a personal computer. The present invention may use standard Internet protocols for various devices 12 that connect one or more servers 10 to various types of databases 24. The Internet 16 forms a global, distributed network as a collection of interconnected (public and / or private) networks connected together by a set of standard protocols. While the exemplary embodiment described herein uses a client-server computing model, it should be understood that the present invention may also be implemented using any other suitable computing model, such as a computer mainframe or a central station connected to various types of terminals.

Under the present invention, client device 12 may be any device used by a person, including a teacher, nurse, technician, psychotherapist, etc., seeking user authentication information and goal tracking. Examples of wired devices include personal computers, mobile computers, notebooks, workstations, and the like, which operate under certain workstation driven systems, such as Windows or Mac OS driven systems. Examples of wireless devices include Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) that operate under properly configured driving systems such as Palm OS or Windows CE. Device 12 includes a visual display that provides a visual interface to a user. However, device 12 may also send and receive information in some form, including audio and video forms, or in other forms that may be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The server 10 communicates with the device 12 via the Internet 16 and the network layer interface 19. It will be appreciated that the networks used in connection with the present invention may use one of open- or dedicated-network standards such as the TCP / IP protocol. Suitable types of wired or wireless adapters may be used to connect the computer network to the user device 12. Examples of such adapters include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system of the present invention includes one or more databases 24 that can be managed centrally or in a distributed manner. The database accessible by the server 10 stores a variety of information related to user authentication and / or licensing requirements and individual target data for each user in accordance with the present invention. The database 24 includes the license qualification of the job for each state and / or the user certification requirement for each state, depending on the type of qualification of the job to be monitored. For example, database 24 includes qualification requirement data for obtaining at least one of teaching certification / re-certification, nursing qualification, certification / license for a technician, psychotherapist, accountant or other occupational group. User eligibility requirements data may include at least one of: certification requirements, recertification requirements, requirements for moving qualifications from one state (local or other government entity) to another state, certification format, and contact information for government entity certification departments. Include. As shown above, user device 12 includes a personal computer, a handheld communication device, or another device capable of communicating with a database via a network.

As is known, the Internet 16 is a distributed network that supports the World Wide Web ("Web"). In general, the web uses (i) a distributed collection of interconnected, user-viewable hypertext documents (commonly called web documents or web pages) accessible through the Internet, and (ii) standard Internet protocols. It is called user and server software elements that provide such documentation for user access. Currently, the first standard protocol for allowing an application to obtain a web document is HTTP, and the web page is encoded using HTML. WML is a markup language used in wireless application protocols as specified by WAP. WAP is an XML-defined markup language similar to the HTML standard used on the Internet today. Again, the WAP standard includes a scripting language similar to JavaScript, but is appropriate for WAP clients.

The terms "web" and "world wide web" include future markup languages and transport protocols used in place of (or in addition to) HTML, WML, XML, WAP, and HTTP. The invention may also operate on networks using internal networks (intranets) and other communication protocols. Intranet models are typically used internally by companies that allow access to company information.

A web site is a computer system that serves information content on a network using standard protocols of the world wide web. Typically, web sites contain content that corresponds to a particular internet domain name and is associated with a particular organization. As used herein, the term generally includes (i) a hardware / software server element that serves information content on a network, and (ii) a "back end" hardware / software element that includes any non-standard or specific element. It interacts with the server element to run services for Web site users.

The present invention supports interactive web sites. The site provides user authentication requirements for each site. It is via an interactive website that the present invention can be implemented to provide appropriate teacher / user authentication for any governmental or non-government agency or public or private organization. When the expert user logs in to the site, he / she can create an authentication target policy based on the information provided by the interactive web site according to the present invention. The goal plan is related to the authentication requirements for a particular state. The expert user can then track the completion of the authentication requirement using the interactive software according to the present invention. The site also offers online courses and distance learning classes to meet course work requirements for certification. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is implemented on a web-based structure, it will be appreciated that the present invention may also be implemented under a structure that does not require access to a web site. Rather, the interaction between the computer network and the certification that the professional seeks is through any suitable non-web based interface.

Overview of certification policy system

2 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of a representative embodiment of the present invention. The authentication target policy system 202 may be implemented on one or more servers 10 or a central station. The system 202 has a policy module 204 and a tracking module 206. Data for user authentication requirements may be stored in one or more databases 208. In addition, for each registered user, the system 202 creates and stores a personal user authentication policy 210. System 202 has an interface 21 to a network 214 such as, for example, the Internet or any other suitable network. User 216 can access system 202 via computer 12 and has network 214 and its own interface 218. In an exemplary embodiment, user 216 interacts with system 202 using a browser application on computer 12. User authentication as defined here means certification or certification by a certification body where a person meets government standards or requirements in the user's field. Examples of user authentication include, but are not limited to, authentication, re-certification, licensing, re-license in such fields of attempts such as education, medical, engineering, legal, accounting, sports. Examples of certification bodies include national or non-government agencies or agencies, as well as defense, state, local, city council, public or private offices.

Access to Certificate Policy System

3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment for access using the system of the present invention. When a user, such as a professional occupation (eg, teacher, nurse, engineer, accountant, etc.) accesses the system of the present invention at step 302, a system access page such as that shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The system access page allows the user to access the system of the present invention through a web site provided by a server configured to manage the authentication policy. However, it should be appreciated that access to the system of the present invention may also be made through suitable non-web based system access resources.

Again, the user can access the system directly or through another web site as described above. For example, links to educational certifications can be set up at various affiliated institutions, such as the National Educational Association, so teachers can access their websites and create certification policies.

The system access page includes a log-in section where registered users log in. Again the system access page allows unregistered users to create user accounts, which they access by logging in to the system. Using this page, registered users can enter their login-in information such as usernames and passwords, for example, to access their accounts. Once the user information is entered, it is determined whether or not the user is to be registered as shown in step 304 of FIG. When the registered user logs in, the system displays the user's home page as shown in step 308. 5 shows a model for a representative user home page, which provides various links for managing user authentication in accordance with the present invention. The user home page is configured to display a suitable ordered message based on the retrieved user profile information and the certification authority profile information. For example, if the user wants to maintain or authenticate the state's certification, the displayed message is based on the state's certification requirements and related information desired from the user. Again, information of interest to the user or a message regarding future authentication deadlines is displayed.

If not, the user quickly registers to create an account. The user may create a unique username and password during the registration process, as shown in step 306 of FIG. 6 shows a representative user registration page. The registration process requires at least the user to enter his / her username and password. After registration, the system creates a user account so that the user can access and use his or her personal home page. Using the created account, the user can create, direct and track the course towards the authentication goal according to the present invention. Information related to all users is properly stored in a record corresponding to a database storing user profile information.

The newly registered user creates a personalized user authentication policy using the system of the present invention, as shown in step 310 of FIG. The process sends the user to a new user page, allowing the user to create his / her personal authentication policy. 7 shows a representative new user page, which is the initial home page for a user without an authentication policy. This page describes the steps necessary for policy and tracking of the certification goal, including creating a user certification policy, reviewing the qualifications of the certification, and selecting certification goals, for example courses and grades. Implement the policy. The "Go Create My Plan" link above the new user page allows the user to create an authentication policy.

Once the policy is created, the user can access the policy from the user's home page. Using the merchant's home page, authentication can be tracked, changed, and updated as shown in step 312. As described later, the home page also allows registration for authentication resources on-line.

Create User Authentication Policy

8 shows an exemplary flowchart for creating an authentication policy for a certification authority. In step 802, the system logs in for system access. In step 804, the system seeks a set of related user information for creating an authentication policy. Exemplary sought user information includes, but is not limited to, the required certification authority, years of experience in the field, such as academic information, grades acquired, specialty and other details. For the policy of teacher certification in the state, for example, the system obtains years of information as a teacher, the type of teacher certification, and the status of the certification of interest.

Based on the user information or profile, the system retrieves the information contained in the corresponding certification authority profile to determine the certification requirements of the authority for authentication as shown in steps 806 and 808. Based on the certification requirements of the certification authority, the system of the present invention creates an authentication target.

The authentication goal includes one or more actions or event executions that measure skills in the field. For example, a simple certification goal would require completion of three hours of training. Again, the system associates the authentication goal with the authentication resources needed to achieve the goal. For example, a three-hour proof of education corresponds to a specific course of study, reading, watching a video, or listening to an audio program. The authentication resource then appears to users who receive, order, or register for the authentication resource online.

If necessary, certification requirements are either refined or otherwise customized on the basis of other variables, such as certification or certification information. The rating information relates to the strength, disadvantages or choice of the user. In general, such information may be obtained subjectively or objectively, for example by testing, examination, observation, or evaluation. Based on the evaluation information, the certification requirements, if necessary by the certification body, are adjusted in determining the certification objectives. For example, if the rating information indicates a disadvantage in the field, the user is required to meet a certain goal. Similarly, authentication requirements are adjusted according to the strength or selection of the field.

If accepted by a certification authority, certification training attestation information relates to the user's ongoing or ongoing activities to purify the certification requirements. For example, the authentication goal is reduced because the user is qualified to complete the field process or program. As such, the system of the present invention refines the certification requirements based on the required assessment and / or certification training information to determine the goals of the certification policy, as shown at 810. The system of the present invention may also prioritize authentication targets according to defined priority variables, as further shown later in step 812.

Once the authentication goal is determined, the user appears in the policy table for the user to select an authentication goal that constitutes the user's authentication policy, step 814. The policy table may also indicate the authentication resource associated with the authentication target for selection. The selection is made from a list of certification resources such as classes, courses, books, and exam certification resources that implement certification objectives. Again, certification objectives require filling in forms, reading, taking lectures (video, audio, live, etc.), other media, or additional course work to be completed. In one exemplary embodiment, a user may include an authentication goal, for example, a class, a course, a lecture, a seminar, or a format, to be included in an authentication policy by checking a corresponding item in a list of authentication resources to be presented to the user. The system receives the selection and creates a personalized user authentication policy. As such, the authentication policy may include authentication targets and / or authentication resources.

Certificate Authority Profile

The system of the present invention stores the authentication requirements for each certification authority in a suitable database. Such authentication requirements are stored in many ways, for example, as records having fields that store information relating to the authentication requirements of the corresponding certification authority. As such, the system of the present invention specifies each certification authority in accordance with its specific certification requirements.

User Information Profile

9 shows an initial page presented to a user to create a typical teacher authentication policy in a state in the United States. However, the screen can create other types of user authentication policies. Essentially, the initial screen obtains relevant user information and creates a user authentication policy. Information extraction and entry of user information can be implemented in a number of ways. For example, suitable interfaces such as graphics, text, audio, and the like may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the desired information is a question on the text presented on the page, and the user enters a response to the information obtained in the defined field. As shown in Fig. 9, the input to the field is free form, i.e. contains a user response entry, or a predetermined response indicated by a dropdown field, or one or more binary entries e.g. yes / no or multiple selection. The entry allows the user to select the appropriate entry. In order to generate a representative teacher certification, the information fields obtained include "training as a teacher" "state you teach" "your highest grade" and the like.

However, there is a need for additional user information that can be obtained according to previously entered user information. For example, user information entered in the "State you taught" field is needed to obtain information about the type of state license for which the authentication policy is created. Under such circumstances, the subsequent "Create Policy" page may appear to the user with an input field that appears according to the user previously obtained above the previous page. Such a subsequent page is shown in FIG. 10, and a pulldown field for "Type of License" appears based on user information entered in "Notes You Teach" entered on the previous page shown in FIG. Additional pages may appear to the user that continues until all the user information needed to create the authentication policy is gathered. The collected user information is stored in the database along with other user information in a record containing the user profile.

Create authentication goal

The planner according to the present invention uses the user and certification authority profile information to determine the authentication requirements for the field. In accordance with such requirements, the planner creates authentication goals that a user must obtain to be authenticated. For example, teacher certification requirements for a selected state may be profiled by years of experience, grade, or some other appropriate information. Based on the user information entered, the planner presents certification requirements based on the goals that the user must fulfill to become a qualified teacher in the selected state. Certification objectives correspond to a number of measurable activities, including formalization, reading, completing one or more courses, completing a grade program, or meeting other defined criteria. In one embodiment, the attainment of certification goals may be measured by time, units or courses of proof of education, lessons, seminars, sessions, or the like. In another embodiment, a goal is obtained by implementing the requirements of a rating program or by performing the necessary tests. Again, the goal requires the user to meet the goal completion deadline.

11 shows the authentication requirement summary page. The certification requirements shown on this page are generated according to the information in use and the certification authority profile. This page allows the user to review the authentication requirements. The "Requirements Summary" section shows the specified dates of recertification, as well as the certified week, the type of certification, the year the user was last authenticated, and the number of units required for re-certification. While the certification goal measure is by "unit", other goal measures, such as time or proof of training completions, track the certification goal.

As seen above, a feature of the present invention is that the planner allows the authentication policy to be refined according to the user's needs and choices. If necessary, the Authentication Requirements Summary page provides a link that allows the system of the present invention to allow other sites to evaluate the user's needs and choices. Such expert evaluation information can aim at the shortcomings, strength or interest of the user domain. Based on such evaluation information, the planner creates a goal for user authentication on demand. As such, by taking a test designed to assess such needs, the user uses a "evaluate" link that allows him to access his needs in the field.

Another feature of the present invention is that it allows the planner to consider proof of certification training for, for example, a process previously taken. 12 is a "Certification Training Completion" link that allows the system to consider all such user activity. The page asks for user information about completed, ongoing, and in-progress activities and their types (e.g., graduation, workshops, discussions, etc.) that are eligible for certification training certification. Again, the planner may require the user to enter measurements for such activities, such as the number of hours, units, or educational credentials obtained for the professional activity. Since a program is measured in different "units," the page request information on the job credits includes a conversion table that allows the user to convert one set of measurements to another. If a professional activity has not yet been taken, the user may indicate that the activity is in progress or in policy.

In another embodiment, the system allows a user to move authentication credits from one certification authority to another. For example, under this arrangement, a teacher can move credits from one state to another.

When the planner receives the user's needs assessment, authentication credit and / or credit movement information, it creates an authentication goal to adjust the authentication requirements and execute the authentication requirements accordingly.

The planner may create an authentication goal according to the defined priority variable. For example, the certification requirements of an institution precede the required assessment and / or certification credits when creating certification objectives. Alternatively, the certification authority's temporary or special certification initiative is permanent and has a lower priority than the standard certification requirement but a higher priority than the required assessment and / or certification credit. Under this embodiment of the invention, the planner creates an authentication goal according to a limited priority variable.

Certification policy

Policymaking involves the selection of certification goals. 13 shows a representative authentication planner page that allows a user to select a goal for creating an authentication policy. Again, the planner associates the certification objectives with the corresponding certification resources that help achieve the objectives.

In the exemplary authentication planner page shown in FIG. 13, the user can select the necessary process associated with the authentication goal generated in accordance with the organization's authentication request. The user can choose to display the required process in a square. As you can see, the Certification Planner page displays links and other information associated with each course on the list, including the course name, the organization that does the course, the course format (eg, online, video or other), the course description / summary, and so on. Note that assumption completion is an example authentication goal presented to the user on the authentication planner page. As mentioned previously, the need for users to test, complete a rating, and fill a form is not limited to other examples.

The authentication planner page allows the user to create an authentication policy by selecting one or more authentication goals to be included in the authentication policy. As shown, the "in policy" box is associated with each described process to indicate in the box that allows the user to include one or more selected processes in the authentication policy. The user should know that they do not purchase or in turn purchase courses for inclusion in the authentication policy.

As described above, the authentication target list is generated according to the priority filter. In the certification planner page shown in FIG. 13, for example, the processes are listed according to state requirements, state initiatives and evaluation information, wherein the state requirements have the highest priority and the evaluation information is Has the lowest priority.

FIG. 14 illustrates a typical authentication tracker page indicating a selected authentication goal, included in the user's personal authentication goal policy by the process that needs to be authenticated. The page includes a "policy details" portion that describes the policy process described in connection with FIG. 13 and the process selected during the certification goal selection. The other part of the certification policy page indicates how many units are needed, and the date and number of units of certification designation in the policy are in progress and completed. In this way, the page provides tracking information about the completed process and shows how many units are needed to get certified.

Thus, the system of the present invention includes a tracker responsive to input relating to the completion of one or more selectable authentication goals to update the user authentication policy. The tracker can change the status to update the policy as the user progresses. As shown in FIG. 14, some of the selected processes are initially marked as “in policy”. As the user proceeds to the authentication policy, the tracker can update the status by changing the status to "in progress" or "complete".

The tracker can update the authentication policy based on user input or non-user input. Thus, in updating the status of the authentication policy, the user is under control or not. For example, if control is given to the user to update the authentication policy, he or she may check the "Complete" box after obtaining the authentication goal. Thus, in one embodiment, the tracker updates the authentication policy in accordance with user input. In another embodiment, the tracker may automatically update the authentication policy in accordance with status information received from the non-user. For example, educational institutions can provide status information that they are confident that they have completed the process required to achieve their certification goals. Alternatively, the process of completing the authentication goal may be tracked in accordance with input related to completion, otherwise acquisition of one or more authentication goals updates the user authentication policy.

In another embodiment, the tracker delivers an email to the user in association with an authentication policy or for one or more authentication goals. The e-mail may be an information e-mail, remaining e-mail, or warning e-mail automatically generated by the tracker according to the user information profile, which includes information about the user's authentication policy.

Certification Policy Changes and Renewals

Using the authentication tracker page, the user can review, update or change the authentication policy, for example by adding and deleting authentication goals. The renewal process can be configured using the "Renew Policy" link to facilitate renewing the overall certification policy versus updating the work that has been done so far. The "treat rating" link allows the user to take an evaluation step in the field. The "Add Authentication Credit" link allows the user to enter an authentication credit. The "Certification Approval" link allows the user to create a created authentication policy to the Certification Body for approval. If approved, the system stores the approval information in the user's profile.

Authentication resources

Authentication resources are associated with authentication goals. Although not required, one or more authentication resources are associated with one or more authentication goals. For example, certification objectives requiring a 15-hour proof of education are associated with five 3-credit courses taken at the same or different educational institutions. Alternatively, such requirements are fulfilled by a combination of courses, reading media, seminars, and the like. The system of the present invention includes an authentication resource generator in accordance with an authentication goal input that provides an associated authentication resource.

Certification resources include courses, programs, sessions, seminars, audio or video lectures, books, exams, formats, and more. The course includes one or more lectures related to the subject of the field. A program is a series of courses that make up a curriculum. The program may or may not be graded. The process or program is a live or self-face taken on-line or off-line. As such, several formats may be used in conjunction with authentication resources including video, audio, live, online, offline, self paced, and the like.

The system of the present invention also includes an online module that allows a user to order, receive or register for an authentication resource associated with an authentication goal. The "Register a course" link can register a user for a selected course, seminar, session, or rating program online. Once the registered process or program has been completed, the user can use the tracker to update the authentication policy. FIG. 15 shows a typical authentication resource registration page that a user can use to receive or register with one of the authentication resources required to achieve an authentication goal. As another example, the certification goal may be met by several distance-learning systems, video course programs, computer-based learning programs, or other media formats, all of which may be ordered online using the present invention. 16 shows a representative user home page. This page provides users with multiple links to access different authentication resources. The page includes a "policy progression" indicating a progress summary of a user's authentication goal. "My policy" allows the user to access the authentication planner page described in connection with FIG. Again, the user home page includes an alert section that provides an authentication alert to the user.

Another feature of the present invention includes an online authorization module that allows a user to track and apply authorization from his or her user. The "Authorization Tracking Link" allows the user to access the typical approval tracking page shown in FIG. As you can see, this page allows the user to track the approval. The tracking results presented to the user allow him or her to obtain information about the requirements of the approvals found, as well as the description of the approval. The corresponding "apply" link allows the user to apply the necessary approvals online.

The user home page shown in FIG. 16 also provides links to news and events directed towards authentication requirements. The news is, for example, news about the certification of the state in the professional occupation field. This page, which can be personalized, gives you user information about your job and certification requirements. In addition, the user can obtain a grade program medium associated with the certification process so as to fulfill the requirements required for the personalized certification policy. In addition, supplemental suggestions for reading media are provided on this page.

Again, this page provides an agency that tracks certification requirements and links to discussion forums with representatives of any private or public organization or certification body. This page also provides links to the appropriate certification body departments or committees to obtain certification forms and contact information.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above exemplary embodiments, but instead should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (18)

A planner for generating one or more authentication targets in accordance with a user profile and an authority profile associated with the certification authority; The planner generates an authentication policy in response to user selection of one or more generated authentication targets; And a tracker that updates the authentication policy in response to inputs for obtaining one or more selected authentication goals. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication policy relates to at least one of authentication, re-certification, license, re-license in the indicated field. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the indicated fields include fields associated with at least one of education, learning, medical, technology, legal, accounting, or sports. The certification body of claim 1, wherein the certification body comprises at least one of a federal government, a state government, a military government, a local government, a local government, an official, a government agency, a non-government agency, a public agency, and a private agency. System accessible by the user for policy and tracking. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the planner generates a certificate in response to at least one of the required assessment and the certificate credit information. The system of claim 1, wherein the planner generates an authentication goal in response to an authentication credit passed from another certification authority. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracker updates the authentication policy according to at least one of user input and non-user input. The system of claim 1, wherein the planner prioritizes authentication objectives generated according to one or more certification requirements of a certification authority. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an authentication resource generator that associates at least one authentication goal with at least one authentication resource. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication resource includes at least one of course, program, session, audio lecture, video lecture, book, exam, and format. The system of claim 1, having a format comprising at least one of course, rating program, session, audio, video, book, test, and format. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the process comprises at least one of a running process and a self-progression process. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an on-line system accessible by a user making at least one receipt, order, and registration for an authentication resource. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the planner communicates an authentication policy to a certification authority for approval. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracker delivers an email to a user associated with an authentication goal. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracker alerts the user about the authentication deadline and is accessible by the user for policy and tracking of authentication. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an on-line yardage module accessible by a user for tracking authorization. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the on-line authorization module allows the user to apply for the selected authorization.

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