Computer Aided Layout of Procedure Information for Training and Job Aiding.
Abstract
Operation and maintenance tasks for modern military systems often include long and complex procedures. These procedures must be learned and then performed from memory with the help of simple checklists or comprehensive job performance aids. Text-graphic pages have proven to be effective in supporting a technician in learning procedures and also as aids in performing procedures. This report describes an effort to reduce the cost of producing text-graphic papers through the use of computer routines. The main concern is automating the layout process. A model was developed to optimally decompose a procedure into elements, to logically divide the elements into sets that can be displayed on individual pages, and to automatically format the rectangular objects into pages. A heuristic was developed to handle dividing the procedure into pages and the page formatting process. The arrangement and layout problem of a single page is formulated mathematically, and a heuristic procedure based on a pairwise exchange method was developed and used to solve this problem. The overall solution integrates these heuristics so as to mimic an intelligent human designer for the splitting of complex procedures into page sized segments and the formatting of these pages.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA139347
Entities
People
- A. J. G. Babu
- C. Sylla
Organizations
- University at Buffalo