Direct manipulation to facilitate supervisory control and intent inferencing in complex dynamic systems

A methodology is described for designing direct manipulation interfaces for operators performing supervisory control functions in complex dynamic systems with the aid of a computer-based operator´s associate. The interface provides the operator´s associate with the necessary information to infer the operator´s intensions without degrading the overall system performance. The methodology employs design principles that support effective supervisory control and facilitate intent inferencing by a computer-based operator´s associate. Using this methodology, a direct manipulation interface was developed for a simulated NASA satellite ground control system