Symbiotic systems for complex problems

ABSTRACT

Until computer programs can be devised which perform the functions of the human right brain, Symbiotic Systems may provide the best practical alternative for solving complex problems which can be represented visually (such as finding an effective layout for a plant or office, or developing a complex employee schedule). The human visual approach to such problems seems to be non-sequential. Computer methods which make use of traditional sequential algorithms generally do not provide an effective interface with people attempting to use a right-brain visual approach to solving the problem. Even used interactively, a sequential procedure can interfere with the human's developing thought patterns. In a symbiotic system, each component (computer or human), helps the other component to continue in its own way to provide further improvements to the current solution. In particular, the computer allows the human to continue to expand on a train of thought between interactions. This continuity can be achieved if the computer system appears to think in the same way as the human. Based on an early version which has been shown to provide excellent results on a well-known set of problems, an example of a symbiotic system for facility layout, muFLAC, is implemented on the IBM RT scientific computer. Emulating the human visual approach to designing layouts, muFLAC facilitates a symbiotic relationship between the human user and the RT computer. A second symbiotic system is described, in which the computer component emulates the human visual approach to scheduling employees in a hospital. Features which contribute to symbiosis, such as animation of a network diagram, the representation of rules as visual patterns, the provision of an environment for manipulating visual symbols, controlled display speed, and screen interactions are discussed.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.4 Knowledge Representation Formalisms and Methods
          Subjects: Representations (procedural and rule-based)

Additional Classification:
  F. Theory of Computation
  F.2 ANALYSIS OF ALGORITHMS AND PROBLEM COMPLEXITY
      F.2.2 Nonnumerical Algorithms and Problems
          Subjects: Sequencing and scheduling

  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.8 Problem Solving, Control Methods, and Search
          Subjects: Heuristic methods
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.6 Methodology and Techniques
          Subjects: Interaction techniques

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Theory