Computer-Based Supervisory System for Managing Information Flow in C3 Systems: Automated Information Selection and Pacing

This report begins with a summary of work centered on the demonstration and implementation of a system of integrated on-line adaptive user models designed to automatically select information for multiple users in a simulated command, control, and communication C3 system. The report then provides a formal description of a portion of the system designed to automatically select and pace information messages. The algorithms which control information presentation are based on a multi-attribute decomposition of message content. The information-selection model employs adaptive training logic to prioritize available messages for an individual operator according to his observed information preferences. Experimental demonstrations of the system were conducted within the context of a politico-military simulation. The results demonstrated the systems capability to adapt to varied individualized information processing strategies, and to automate the presentation of verbal messages as appropriate to different operator styles. When information flow was automatically controlled by the computer, users were able to process information effectively. The techniques are discussed in terms of the advantages and potential of the adaptive approach toward improving information management in computer-based systems.