Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This paper describes a study on the impact of sensor noise magnitude on the emergent features of an Ecological Interface Design (EID) interface using a representative thermal-hydraulic process simulation. Previous studies conducted by St-Cyr and Vicente (2004, 2005) showed no difference between EID and Single-Sensor Single-Indicator (SSSI) interfaces when the magnitude of sensor noise was globally increased to all sensors. However, to date, no study investigated the impact of gradually increasing sensor noise magnitude to selected sensors that are used to derive emergent features portrayed on EID interfaces. The current study filled part of this gap by locally increasing the magnitude of sensor noise. Results show that performance of EID group decreased, while performance of the SSSI group did not. However, the performance of EID participants was not inferior to that of SSSI participants. This is explained by the fact that participants in the EID condition had to deal with distorted emergent features.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bennett

K. B.

Flach

J. M.

(1992). Graphical Displays: Implications for divided attention, focused attention, and problem solving. Human Factors, 34, 513–533.

Pawlak

Vicente

K. J.

(1996). Inducing effective operator control through ecological interface design. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 44, 653–688.

Reising

D. V. C.

(1999). The impact of instrumentation location and reliability on the performance of operators using an ecological interface for process control. Unpublished PhD Thesis. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

Reising

D. V. C.

Sanderson

P. M.

(2002a). Work domain analysis and sensors I: Principles and simple example. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 56, 569–596.

Reising

D. V. C.

Sanderson

P. M.

(2002b). Work domain analysis and sensors II: Pasteurizer II case study. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 56, 597–637.

Reising

D. V. C.

Sanderson

P. M.

(2004). Minimal instrumentation may compromise failure diagnosis with an ecological interface. Human Factors, 46, 316–333.

St-Cyr

Vicente

K. J.

(2004). Sensor Noise and Ecological Interface Design: Effects on operators' control performance. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48^th Annual Meeting, pp. 538–542.

St-Cyr

Vicente

K. J.

(2005). Sensor Noise and Ecological Interface Design: Effects of increasing noise magnitude on operators' performance. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 49^th Annual Meeting, pp. 417–421.

Torenvliet

G. L.

Jamieson

G. A.

Vicente

K. J.

(2000). Making the most of ecological interface design: The role of individual differences. Applied Ergonomics, 31, 395–408.

10.

Vicente

K. J.

(1999). Cognitive Work Analysis: Towards Safe, Productive, and Healthy Computer-based Work. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, NJ: Mahwah.

11.

Vicente

K. J.

(2002). Ecological interface design: Progress and challenges. Human Factors, 44, 62–78.

12.

Vicente

K. J.

Rasmussen

(1990). The ecology of human-machine systems II: Mediating “direct perception” in complex work domains. Ecological Psychology, 2, 207–250.

13.

Vicente

K. J.

Rasmussen

(1992). Ecological interface design: Theoretical foundations. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, SMC-22, 589–606.

14.

Vicente

K. J.

Moray

Lee

J. D.

Rasmussen

Jones

B. G.

Brock

Djemil

(1996). Evaluation of a Rankine Cycle Display for Nuclear Power Plant Monitoring and Diagnosis. Human Factors, 38, 506–521.

15.

Watanabe

(2001). Issues toward practical application of ecological interface to real world. Paper presented at the International Workshop on Ecological Approach to Human Work Interface, Tokai, Japan.

16.

Wickens

C. D.

Lee

Liu

Y. D.

Gordon-Becker

(2004). An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering, Second Edition. Prentice Hall, NJ: Upper Saddle.

Impact of Sensor Noise Magnitude on Emergent Features of Ecological Interface Design

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References