Automatic User Interface Configuration Management Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Topic No.: N091-061 Topic Title: Automatic User Interface Configuration Management Proposal No.: N091-061-0679 Firm: Anacapa Sciences, Inc. 301 East Carrillo Street 2FL P. O. Box 519 Santa Barbara, California 93102-0519 Contact: V. Spiker Phone: (805) 966-6157 Web Site: anacapasciences.com Abstract: The need for a rational strategy to manage the evolution of user interfaces (UI) during block upgrades in complex tactical weapon systems has been a daunting, and costly, challenge for all services, especially the Navy. The emergence of open and Service-Oriented Architectures has exacerbated this problem. Vendors of these systems and the government agree that design tools are needed which provide UI designers with an environment that semi- or automatically manages these changes. Working with our Phase III transition partner, Raytheon IDS, we plan to design, development, implement, and test TRUIDTM, Toolset for Rational User Interface Design. Developed as a Java plug-in, TRUID consists of a query-based design pattern recognizer, a system analyzer for parsing the UI into chunks, a task decomposer that breaks down system tasks hierarchically, an IF-THEN UI design rule engine that optimizes widget/controller configuration given task and mission context, a document compiler that automatically reconfigures as design changes are made, and a scenario-based training aid for system and UI designers. TRUID will be prototyped in Phase II and field tested in the context of a Navy weapon system of interest, such as the CCS MK2 Weapons Control System or the AN/BYG-1 Advanced Submarine Combat System. Benefits: Life cycle cost estimates are a primary driver in all weapon system decisions, as unexpected cost increases are viewed with skepticism and alarm in the Program Office. Uncontrolled or unmanaged expansion of the UI configuration can be a primary contributor to this problem. Implementation of TRUID and its associated configuration management is expected to significantly lower the costs associated with changes to the UI over the life of a system. It should also improve mission performance as the UI is the sensory, cognitive, and psychomotor link to the system's software and hardware internals. A more well-managed, better-designed UI will not only reduce operator workload, and hence individual performance, but will also facilitate information sharing and situation awareness across an entire watchstanding team, thus enhancing system effectiveness. The reduced costs and increased effectiveness of UI design resulting from TRUID application will be a powerful stimulant for market and commercial applications. Working with our Raytheon and Solipsys industry partners, we will leverage TRUID's initial success in the submarine combat weapon system arena to related, DOD applications where we have had prior success with other products. These will include Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW), Navy and Air Force aviation (e.g., AWACS), and command and control systems. As a platform-independent Java plug-in, TRUID will be readily modified for marketing in the commercial sector, as unmanaged changes to the user interface are a problem with many commercial applications as well. Return