Mapping visual to textual knowledge representation

In this paper, graphical representations for knowledge structures in the design method DESIRE for component-based design of knowledge and multi-agent systems are presented, together with a graphical editor based on the Constraint Graph environment. Moreover, a translator is described which translates these graphical representations to textual representations in DESIRE. The strength of the combined environment is a powerful—yet easy-to-use—framework to support the development of knowledge-based and multi-agent systems. Finally, a mapping is presented from DESIRE to Conceptual Graphs. This provides a unifying perspective on the knowledge representation format of DESIRE and allows the use of conceptual graph tools to specify and maintain the knowledge representation part of a DESIRE specification.     

Design and development of EASEL: a portable UIMS tool

EASEL is a layout and graphical editor which allows users to describe graphically the appearance of objects which are to be manipulated at run-time by the UIMS and the application. Objects may have multiple representations and users may manipulate and change these representations using the EASEL system. Different graphical user interfaces can be easily generated and evaluated at run-time with no need for recompilation. This paper describes the design and development of the EASEL system.     

Bayesian graphical models for software testing

This paper describes a new approach to the problem of software testing. The approach is based on Bayesian graphical models and presents formal mechanisms for the logical structuring of the software testing problem, the probabilistic and statistical treatment of the uncertainties to be addressed, the test design and analysis process, and the incorporation and implication of test results. Once constructed, the models produced are dynamic representations of the software testing problem. They may be used to drive test design, answer what-if questions, and provide decision support to managers and testers. The models capture the knowledge of the software tester for further use. Experiences of the approach in case studies are briefly discussed     

GDDT—A graphical design and documentation tool for software development

This paper describes “The Graphical Design and Documentation Tool” (GDDT), a general purpose support system for design and documentation. Self documentation and ease of use are presented as important criteria for such tools. Interactive graphics is introduced as a methodology for creating and maintaining hierarchical representations. The graphical representations of various requirements specification techniques and design tools are supported by an extended network model which supports hierarchical decomposition of structures. GDDT is proposed as a general purpose design tool which supports the most common logical constructions of both requirements specification and design methodologies and yet has a high level human interface which makes it easy to learn and use.     

Displays on Display

As announced in the July 1981 issue of IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, "Display Solutions" is to be a regular feature of this department. In July we challenged readers to submit graphical representations of the raw data discussed in an article in the same issue-"The Display of Engineering and Scientific Data." Here, we present one reader's display solution.     

A Methodology And Tool Set For Supporting The Development Of Graphical User Interfaces

A methodology and tool set for building application (assumed to be inherently non-graphical) software with graphical user interface is described. Initially, pure application software is built from a set of basic building blocks; subsequently, graphical representations for application objects are defined without direct coding and then the graphical user interface is generated automatically. This paper concentrates on the graphical representation aspects of the user interface. Portability, configurability and sound software engineering principles are major considerations in the design of the overall system architecture. The prototype implementation is based on VDM (Vienna Development Method), Object-based Design, GKS (Graphical Kernel System) and the programming language ADA. An example from CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) is used to illustrate the methodology presented here.     

An integrated modelling environment for the embodiment of mechanical systems

The efficient, economical and often elegant transformation from a design schema to an embodied design solution containing real components is essential for the commercial success of a product. More often the ability of the designer to explore an optimum solution is severely frustrated by the analytically intensive and time-consuming aspects of embodying a concept. This paper presents a computer based system-modelling tool that is to be used by designers during the transformation of a concept to an embodied solution particularly to deal with standard components. This environment provides for the representation of conceptual schemas and subsequent embodiment from computer based component selection modules. These selection modules encompass the full range of electronic representations for standard mechanical components. The strategy for representing a mechanical system, its included components and their associated representations is discussed. The process of constructing a system model, specifying the desired performance characteristics and system resolution are also described.     

一个面向对象的交互式图形工具箱OOIGT

在开发交互式图形应用过程中，一个主要难题是如何表示和建立代表应用模型数据及操作的图形对象并提供直接操作的交互方式，另一个难题是如何有效地表示和管理图形对象之间的关系。ＯＯＩＧＴ是作者设计和实现的一个交互式图形建造工具箱，其目的是为解决上述个有效的解，ＯＯＩＧＴ提供了一相可扩充，用于表示应用模型并集成了事件模型的图形对象集，使应用不人需定义对象，而毋须了解如何作图，且容易处理在这些对象上的交互式直     

虚拟仪器驱动程序的功能面板文件的设计与应用

在虚拟仪器系统中,仪器驱动程序是连接仪器与用户界面的桥梁,是系统设计的一个关键,而功能面板文件作为仪器驱动程序的外部接口模型的重要部分,提供了仪器驱动程序的图形化描述。结合实例,介绍了功能面板文件的树形结构与设计方法,并讨论了在自行开发的图形化仪器系统编程平台中,利用驱动程序的功能面板文件与动态链接库文件实现动态仪器接口的方法。     

VxWorks下多页图形界面的设计

在嵌入式应用开发过程中,有时需要友好的用户界面来完成一些人机互动操作。本文介绍了在VxWorks操作系统下的多页面图形界面的设计。文章对VxWorks操作系统和其自带的多媒体库(WindML)做了简要介绍,重点讨论了图形界面开发过程中的关键问题,并提出了多页面图形界面的设计方法。本设计充分利用了VxWorks操作系统处理多任务能力强的优势,以及WindML提供的丰富API函数,在实际中有一定的应用价值和参考意义。     

The role of physical representations in solving number problems: A comparison of young children’s use of physical and virtual materials

This research aims to explore the role of physical representations in young children’s numerical learning then identify the benefits of using a graphical interface in order to understand the potential for developing interactive technologies in this domain. Three studies are reported that examined the effect of using physical representations (blocks) on children’s (aged 4–8 years) strategies in a numerical partitioning task. The first study describes the role of certain perceptual and manipulative properties of the physical materials, comparing performance with paper and no materials conditions. The study demonstrated an advantage for physical materials and identified a key property reflecting strategies: whether blocks were moved individually or as a group. This finding was investigated in the second study by comparing strategies when children were asked to constrain movements to one block at a time. Significant differences were found in strategies used although differences were reduced by children moving individual blocks quickly in succession using both hands. The final study examined the effect of constraining manipulation using a graphical user interface, where on screen squares could only be moved individually. As predicted, significant differences were found for strategies used between physical and virtual conditions. The findings suggest that differences in the manipulative properties of interfaces may affect children’s numerical strategies and are discussed with respect to the design of effective interactive technologies in this domain.     

基于嵌入式系统的Motif图形界面开发技术研究

针对应用于国防领域的国内某特种车辆对显控系统的具体功能需求,讨论了在嵌入式实时操作系统vxWorks的基础上利用Motif库作为工具开发图形用户界面的相关技术。从建立基于Tornado的嵌入式应用软件交叉开发环境入手,总结出了X Window／Motif程序接口及其代码的调试框架,研究了在嵌入式图形用户界面实际开发过程中所遇到的具体技术难题,并通过解决这些技术问题,最终实现了对VxWorks在图形用户界面开发方面的功能扩展。     

A form verification system for the conceptual design of complex mechanical systems

This paper presents a summary of research into the development and implementation of a domain-independent, computer-based model for the conceptual design of complex mechanical systems [1]. The creation of such a design model includes the integration of four major concepts: (1) the use of a graphical display for visualizing the conceptual design attributes: (2) the proper representation of the complex data and diverse knowledge reguired to design the system; (3) the integration of quality design methods into the conceptual design: (4) the modeling of the conceptual design process as a mapping between functions and forms. Using the design of an automobile as a case study, a design environment was created which consisted of a distributed problem-solving paradigm and a parametric graphical display. The requirements of the design problem with respect to data representation and design processing were evaluated and a process model was specified. The resulting vehicle design system consists of a tight integration between a blackboard system and a parametric design system. The completed system allows a designer to view graphical representations of the candidate conceptual designs that the blackhoard system generates.     

Graphical displays in information systems: some data properties influencing the effectiveness of alternative forms

. A number of indications which bear upon the utility of graphical representations of data are presented. The indications are based upon the apparent cognitive demands of particular forms of information abstraction. A study is reported where hypotheses concerning the appropriateness of alternative forms of graphical display for the presentation of particular properties of data are tested. A large number of significant differences between alternative forms of presentation in terms of effectiveness for communicating major features of data are identified and discussed.     

A Screen Space Quality Method for Data Abstraction

The rendering of large data sets can result in cluttered displays and non‐interactive update rates, leading to time consuming analyses. A straightforward solution is to reduce the number of items, thereby producing an abstraction of the data set. For the visual analysis to remain accurate, the graphical representation of the abstraction must preserve the significant features present in the original data. This paper presents a screen space quality method, based on distance transforms, that measures the visual quality of a data abstraction. This screen space measure is shown to better capture significant visual structures in data, compared with data space measures. The presented method is implemented on the GPU, allowing interactive creation of high quality graphical representations of multivariate data sets containing tens of thousands of items.     

CourseVis: A graphical student monitoring tool for supporting instructors in web-based distance courses

This paper presents CourseVis, a system that takes a novel approach of using Web log data generated by course management systems (CMSs) to help instructors become aware of what is happening in distance learning classes. Specifically, techniques from information visualization (IV) are employed to graphically render complex, multidimensional student tracking data. Several graphical representations are generated to help distance learning instructors get a better understanding of social, behavioural, and cognitive aspects related to learners. The evaluation of CourseVis shows that it can help instructors to quickly identify tendencies in their classes and discover individuals that might need special attention. This suggests that the effectiveness of CMSs can be improved by integrating IV techniques to generate appropriate graphical representations, similar to those produced in CourseVis.     

Graphical methods used in the numerical solution of Jeffery-Hamel flow at fixed flow rates

A basic problem in the area of Fluid Dynamics is the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations describing the radial flow of viscous incompressible fluid between non-parallel plane walls. Since the known solutions involve transcendental equations containing elliptic functions, there are no explicit equations or methods available for determining the shape of the velocity profile for specified boundary conditions that do not require an iterative or graphical technique. The purpose of this paper is to describe the computer generated graphical solutions which allow for an easy determination of the velocity profile for fixed flow conditions. This paper will describe the step by step process of extending the solution of the problem by working back and forth between the graphical representation of the equations and the numerical solution.     

Visualizing and representing knowledge for the end user: a review

The field of visualization and its various aspects are discussed. Visual programming and program visualization are discussed, with particular reference to visual programming languages. A collection of recent systems taken from the scientific literature are then described. The factors of particular importance to the development of such systems are briefly mentioned. The outstanding areas for research are discussed with the finding of suitable graphical representations being seen as particularly important.     

Output regulation of heterogeneous linear multi‐agent systems with differential graphical game

This paper addresses output regulation of heterogeneous linear multi‐agent systems. We first show that output regulation can be achieved through local controller design, then we formulate output regulation in the graphical game framework. To solve output regulation of heterogeneous linear multi‐agent system in the graphical game framework, one needs to derive a solution to the coupled Hamilton–Jacobi equations. Both offline and online algorithms are suggested for that solution. Using the online method, the profile policy converges to a Nash Equilibrium. Besides, it is shown that the graphical formulation is robust to the multiplicative uncertainty satisfying an upper bound and it has an infinite gain margin. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.