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Murphy, Elizabeth D.

Publications and source records attributed to Murphy, Elizabeth D..

Knowledge-based critiquing of graphical user interfaces with CHIMES

CHIMES is a critiquing tool that automates the process of checking graphical user interface (GUI) designs for compliance with human factors design guidelines and toolkit style guides. The current prototype identifies instances of non-compliance and presents problem statements, advice, and tips to the GUI designer. Changes requested by the designer are made automatically, and the revised GUI is re-evaluated. A case study conducted at NASA-Goddard showed that CHIMES has the potential for dramatically reducing the time formerly spent in hands-on consistency checking. Capabilities recently added to CHIMES include exception handling and rule building. CHIMES is intended for use prior to usability testing as a means, for example, of catching and correcting syntactic inconsistencies in a larger user interface.

Jiang, Jianping↗

Automating a human factors evaluation of graphical user interfaces for NASA applications: An update on CHIMES

Capturing human factors knowledge about the design of graphical user interfaces (GUI's) and applying this knowledge on-line are the primary objectives of the Computer-Human Interaction Models (CHIMES) project. The current CHIMES prototype is designed to check a GUI's compliance with industry-standard guidelines, general human factors guidelines, and human factors recommendations on color usage. Following the evaluation, CHIMES presents human factors feedback and advice to the GUI designer. The paper describes the approach to modeling human factors guidelines, the system architecture, a new method developed to convert quantitative RGB primaries into qualitative color representations, and the potential for integrating CHIMES with user interface management systems (UIMS). Both the conceptual approach and its implementation are discussed. This paper updates the presentation on CHIMES at the first International Symposium on Ground Data Systems for Spacecraft Control.

Jiang, Jian-Ping↗

Human factors issues in the design of user interfaces for planning and scheduling

The purpose is to provide and overview of human factors issues that impact the effectiveness of user interfaces to automated scheduling tools. The following methods are employed: (1) a survey of planning and scheduling tools; (2) the identification and analysis of human factors issues; (3) the development of design guidelines based on human factors literature; and (4) the generation of display concepts to illustrate guidelines.

Murphy, Elizabeth D.↗

A logical model of cooperating rule-based systems in space mission ground support facilities

This paper describes an abstract reference model of cooperating rule-based systems (CRBSs). The model is intended to assist in the planning, specification, development, and verification of space information systems involving multiple, distributed, communicating rule-based systems. The functions performed in ground control systems are described, and five types of rule-based systems that could be used in such centers are identified. The interactions between rule-based systems are examined, and the unique requirements of such systems are addressed. A four-layer logical model is discussed which provides a framework for discussing solutions to unique CRBS requirements. The elements and operations at each layer are described.

Bailin, Sidney C.↗

A logical model of cooperating rule-based systems

A model is developed to assist in the planning, specification, development, and verification of space information systems involving distributed rule-based systems. The model is based on an analysis of possible uses of rule-based systems in control centers. This analysis is summarized as a data-flow model for a hypothetical intelligent control center. From this data-flow model, the logical model of cooperating rule-based systems is extracted. This model consists of four layers of increasing capability: (1) communicating agents, (2) belief-sharing knowledge sources, (3) goal-sharing interest areas, and (4) task-sharing job roles.

Bailin, Sidney C.↗