Engineering topics

Cody, William J.

Publications and source records attributed to Cody, William J..

4 records

NASA NTRS1992

Computer aided systems human engineering: A hypermedia tool

The Computer Aided Systems Human Engineering (CASHE) system, Version 1.0, is a multimedia ergonomics database on CD-ROM for the Apple Macintosh II computer, being developed for use by human system designers, educators, and researchers. It will initially be available on CD-ROM and will allow users to access ergonomics data and models stored electronically as text, graphics, and audio. The CASHE CD-ROM, Version 1.0 will contain the Boff and Lincoln (1988) Engineering Data Compendium, MIL-STD-1472D and a unique, interactive simulation capability, the Perception and Performance Prototyper. Its features also include a specialized data retrieval, scaling, and analysis capability and the state of the art in information retrieval, browsing, and navigation.

Boff, Kenneth R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

An exploration of function analysis and function allocation in the commercial flight domain

The applicability is explored of functional analysis methods to support cockpit design. Specifically, alternative techniques are studied for ensuring an effective division of responsibility between the flight crew and automation. A functional decomposition is performed of the commercial flight domain to provide the information necessary to support allocation decisions and demonstrate methodology for allocating functions to flight crew or to automation. The function analysis employed 'bottom up' and 'top down' analyses and demonstrated the comparability of identified functions, using the 'lift off' segment of the 'take off' phase as a test case. The normal flight mission and selected contingencies were addressed. Two alternative methods for using the functional description in the allocation of functions between man and machine were investigated. The two methods were compared in order to ascertain their relative strengths and weaknesses. Finally, conclusions were drawn regarding the practical utility of function analysis methods.

Mcguire, James C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Designers as users - Design supports based on crew system design practices

The behavioral processes in aviation crew system design are theoretically discussed. Interviews with designers concerning actual design experiences were conducted in a structured manner, focusing on the nature of the design problem, the designers's tasks, how decisions governing the human operator's role are made, and how this decision making can be supported. Two taxonomies emerge, one of which summarizes the nature of the design problem and the second of which summarizes the tasks that designers perform toward solving the problem. Combining the taxonomies yields a design problem space that is used to classify existing forms of support. The results of this classification and the implications for needed supports are discussed.

Cody, William J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

On the design of man-machine systems - Principles, practices and prospects

A large proportion of the problems associated with complex systems have been attributed, at least in part, to the human operators, maintenance personnel, or managers who work within these systems. It appears, therefore, that improving man-machine system design may contribute to decreasing substantially the frequency of problems in complex systems. In this paper, alternative views of how the design of man-machine systems might be improved are described and contrasted. A two-part approach for achieving the desired improvements is proposed.

Rouse, William B.↗