Discrete event modeling of heterogeneous human operator team in classification task

This paper presents a Discrete Event System (DES) model of human operators in a classification task. Two classes of operators, novices and experts, are defined based on the operators´ levels of expertise in classification. The operator´s behavior is characterized by a task model, which describes how a task is serviced, and a mental model, which predicts the operator´s mental arousal (a function of the operator´s workload). A supervisory controller ensures that the operator´s mental arousal be in a “good” state. An experiment to validate the task model is discussed and a preliminary interface for model validation and analysis is presented.