A high-level computing algorithm for diverging and converging branch nonserial dynamic programming systems

AbstractWe present high-level computing algorithms for efficiently processing the diverging and converging branch systems in nonserial dynamic programming. A special technique in devised for processing the network functions such that the minimum amount of storage is employed. It is shown that if k is the discretization level of the state and decision variables then the space complexities are O(k) and O(k2) for the diverging and converging branch systems, respectively. The resultant time complexities are also developed. These savings in computational complexities enhance the attractiveness of dynamic programming as a tool for processing more complex nonserial systems

Visual Navigation of Complex Information Spaces

The authors lay the foundation for the introduction of visual navigation aid to assist computer users in direct manipulation of the complex information spaces. By exploring present research on scientific data visualisation and creating a case for improved information visualisation tools, they introduce the design of an improved information visualisation interface utilizing dynamic slider, called Visual-X, incorporating icons with bindable attributes (glyphs). Exploring the improvement that these data visualisations, make to a computing environment, the authors conduct an experiment to compare the performance of subjects who use traditional interfaces and Visual-X. Methodology is presented and conclusions reveal that the use of Visual-X appears to be a promising approach in providing users with a navigation tool that does not overload their cognitive processes

Cooperative Assistance for Remote Robot Supervision

This paper describes current work on the design of a computer system which provides cooperative assistance for the supervision of remote semi-autonomous robots. It consists of a blackboard-based framework which allows communication between the remote robot, the local human supervisor, and an intelligent mediating system, which aids interactive exception handling when the remote robot requires the assistance of the local operator

Knowledge-Based Image Enhancement for Cooperative Tele-Assistance

There is an increasing need in complex environments for computerized assistance, both for the effective filtering and display of pertinent information or data, and also for the decision-making task itself. The combination of artificial intelligence techniques with image processing and graphics capabilities provides the foundation for building intelligent systems which act as mediaries between the human and the task domain. In the field of tele-assistance, this type of system enables cooperative problem-solving between a remote semi-autonomous robot and a local human supervisor. This paper describes current work on such a system, with an emphasis on the development of knowledge-based image enhancement capabilities. These allow the intelligent assistant to request particular images related to a failure state, and to automatically enhance those images in such a manner that the local supervisor may quickly and effectively make a decision

A Novel Interface for Information Exploration and Visualisation

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the design, implementation, and evaluation of a graphical user interface prototype, called InfoVis, for direct manipulation of databases. This prototype information exploration and visualization interface allows users to explore a database with graphical widgets such as a novel dynamic slider. Specifically, the InfoVis interface enables the user to search a database without the need to create or formulate complex syntactical query statements. The dynamic slider and other widgets are utilized to assist users in mental visualization and representation of objects and actions. A pilot empirical study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the InfoVis interface prototype. The primary results suggest that subjects who used the InfoVis interface performed at a higher level than their counterparts who did not use InfoVis interface

Multiple-View User Modeling in Software Reuse

Structural view To understand a software component with this view, the user model need represent user's knowledge of the computer language's syntax. Typically, the component is expressed as an abstract syntax tree. The vocabularies used in this view are based on syntactic grammar (data structure etc.) For example, the structural description for the software component stack will be either a linked list or an array. The retrieval mechanism is strongly related to the syntactic pattern recognition (Gonzalez & Thomason 1978). Structural decomposition is typically using parser to make a transition from source code to basic structural representation blocks (statements, procedures etc.) We propose a multiple-view user modeling to provide a basis for enabling the user to choose the most appropriate user model to be used in a specific software reuse process. The possibility of integrating with several different user view models can further increase user conceptualization capabilities. This appr..

A Novel Interface for Information Exploration and Visualisation

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the design, implementation, and evaluation of a graphical user interface prototype, called InfoVis, for direct manipulation of databases. This prototype information exploration and visualization interface allows users to explore a database with graphical widgets such as a novel dynamic slider. Specifically, the InfoVis interface enables the user to search a database without the need to create or formulate complex syntactical query statements. The dynamic slider and other widgets are utilized to assist users in mental visualization and representation of objects and actions. A pilot empirical study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the InfoVis interface prototype. The primary results suggest that subjects who used the InfoVis interface performed at a higher level than their counterparts who did not use InfoVis interface