Modeling collaboration for large-scale software system integration by formal communication models

In the development of large software systems, several synchronization points have to be passed successfully in order to achieve high-end user acceptance of the final system. In particular, the integration of conceptual design entities has turned out to be the most crucial step in software development. At this point, an explicit representation of the organizational knowledge, namely how the integration can be performed, is required. The overall organization of the integration of design entities is a set of knowledge, action (including communication), and time. The knowledge part comprises the integration procedure itself as well as the design entities. Actions are performed by the members of the project team (project leaders, developers). Each integration step has to be performed synchronized, so that each member of the development team knows concurrently the status of the integration procedure. All other individual design activities are usually performed asynchronously. According to the need for an explicit representation of the organizational knowledge for large software system design, this paper attempts tounderstand the nature of large software system integration and formallydescribes the coordination of a dispersed set of software developers. The organizational knowledge is represented by processes that occur in an asynchronous development environment. The design knowledge is assigned to logical formulas that are processed as exchanged messages among developers. Hence, the activities for integration are based on the transmission of messages. Time-critical events, such as the integration of a particular design entity into the final conceptual design of the software system, have to become common knowledge concurrently for all developers. This organizational constraint has been formalized in the communication model. Not only can the proposed framework be adapted to organizational changes in a flexible way, it can also be applied to any specific development strategy for the integration of conceptual design entities. Thus, such kind of formal communication models may provide a sound basis for cooperative CASE (computer-aided software engineering) tools.This work has been sponsored by the Max Kade Foundation, New York.     

A comprehensive framework of information system design to provide organizational creativity support

This research is motivated by two considerations: (1) organizational creativity is a component that enhances the ability of organizations to retain their competitive advantage and (2) too little research has been conducted worldwide that focuses on the design of information systems to provide organizational creativity support. This research proposes a comprehensive and conceptual framework for the design of organizational creativity support systems. To address the objective of this study, two theories, the resource-based view and a multiagent approach, are used to build the model proposed. The customer opinions from websites concerning a consumer electronics product are used to validate such a system. The theoretical contributions, practical implications, and future directions of the study are presented and discussed.     

Function and process modeling for integrated product and manufacturing system platforms

Manufacturing companies face increasingly tougher individual customer requirements that force them to revise conceptual solutions for the redesigning of products. This situation limits the reuse of ready-made components and requires physical changes to the manufacturing system. In these settings, platforms must be prepared with greater flexibility to allow development over time. The corresponding platform models need to include conceptual considerations for products and manufacturing systems. The literature advocates functional modeling to capture these considerations but applies it separately to either the product domain or to the manufacturing domain. Further, its relationship to manufacturing processes is not expounded. Thus, functional modeling falls short of its potential to facilitate the integrated development of products and manufacturing systems.This paper puts forth an integrated platform model using functional modeling to capture the conceptual considerations for products and manufacturing systems together with the manufacturing processes. The model is tested for consistency and then illustrated by studying a real case example from the automotive industry modeled according to the approach suggested. The example shows that the model facilitates an understanding of the design of products and their manufacturing systems, including functions shared across domains and across lifecycle phases. Thus, the model is proposed for the conceptual phase of designing, aimed at reusing and redesigning components, machinery, manufacturing processes and design solutions.     

Integration of FMS performance evaluation models using patterns for an information system design

The objective of our work is to create an information system able to integrate different view points concerning the design and the control of a Flexible Manufacturing System. Numerous methods based on generic reference frameworks have been proposed for the modeling of all the aspects of production systems. These models have to be instantiated in order to be applied to specific systems. The difficulties are then to integrate pre-existing models of the studied systems with those obtained by the instantiation of the generic reference framework.

The proposed approach tackles the problem from the information system point of view. A meta-modeling bottom-up approach is presented based on the notion of patterns in order to facilitate the integration step.

An example concerned with the performance evaluation and scheduling of a production system is presented to show how the product viewpoint can be built in order to be integrated later with other viewpoints.     

Analysis of interaction dynamics in collaborative and distributed design process

This paper proposes a computational interaction analysis approach for extraction of emergent patterns and organization structures during collaborative and distributed design process based on its emergent state-problems. A better source of information on both collaborative and distributed design process as a time-based activity and the agent-agent interactions during the design process will allow design researchers to develop richer models of designing which in turn will provide the basis for a better understanding of collaborative and distributed design process and developing intelligent tools to support this process. Therefore, the proposed approach consists of discerning from the real interactions the different state-problems characterizing the mentioned process. The modelling of interactions corresponding to state-problems, permitted to observe the emergent patterns of collaborative and distributed design process: micro-groups and pivot agent. The collaborative and distributed design process is characterized by the new micro-group formation on the one hand, and by their evolution in the time on the other. Based on the properties of interaction, the approach has discerned three types of cooperation: complete, bilateral and quasi null. Results from some real collaborative and distributed design process, allow us to observe certain properties related to micro-groups, such as self-organization, dynamics and self-similarity. Self-organization results from interaction among adaptive human agents. It is an emergent structuration in response to non-linear collaborative and distributed design process. Dynamics results from the variation of micro-groups formation and the collaborative and distributed design process seems to articulate around one or several pivot agents. Self-similarity results from the similar emergent pattern in every discussion. This research served as core for developments of multi-agents system ISIAD (Intelligent System for Interactions Analysis in Design).     

产品研发过程管理信息集成建模方法研究*

为了实现制造企业产品研发过程多目标全局集成管理和综合优化,提出了基于活动及其实现过程(ProA)的信息集成建模方法。建模过程中详细讨论了产品研发ProA数学模型、ProA信息模型设计策略、ProA信息存储方案和ProA基础信息模型。基于MVC提出了ProA的信息系统设计结构,为ProA信息系统设计奠定了基础。     

Tool support for the design and management of context models

A central task in the development of context-aware applications is the modeling and management of complex context information. In this paper, we present the NexusEditor, which can ease this task by providing a graphical user interface to design schemas for spatial and technical context models, interactively create queries, send them to a server and visualize the results. One main contribution is to show how schema awareness can improve such a tool: The NexusEditor dynamically parses the underlying data model and provides additional syntactic checks, semantic checks, and short-cuts based on the schema information. Furthermore, the tool helps to design new schema definitions based on the existing ones, which is crucial for an iterative and user-centric development of context-aware applications. Finally, it provides interfaces to existing information spaces and visualization tools for spatial data like GoogleEarth.     

基于控制及信息协议的计算机监控通信软件

为使车间监控计算机通过以太网实现与PLC的可靠通信,选用以太网工业协议作为监控通信协议.分析了以太网工业协议的层次结构,指出CIP(控制及信息协议)中的显式消息传递方式适合作为监控计算机和PLC通信的协议.通信软件被设计为两层——基于以太网的CIP通信类和基于CIP通信类的监控通信类.CIP通信类提供了读写PLC各种内存变量的接口函数,采用互锁机制避免多线程操作中潜在的资源竞争冲突问题.监控通信类为应用程序提供向PLC发送命令和从PLC读取报告的接口函数和PLC状态的订阅服务.开发的通信软件已在某货物柔性处理线监控系统中应用.     

PSO-based intelligent integration of design and control for one kind of curing process

In this paper, a PSO-based intelligent integration of design and control is proposed for one kind of nonlinear curing process. This method combines the merits of both fuzzy modeling/control and PSO method, where fuzzy modeling/control is proposed to approximate/control the nonlinear process in a large operating region and the PSO-based intelligent optimization method is developed to solve non-convex and non-differential integration problem with design and control optimized simultaneously. Finally, the proposed method is compared with the traditional sequential method on controlling the temperature profile of a nonlinear curing process.     

无人机测控与信息传输信道的建模与仿真设计

分析了无人机测控与信息传输系统中传输信道的特点,针对无人机飞行中不同的状态和环境条件,建立了不同的信道模型,并在此基础上,设计了一个可用于无人机测控与信息传输系统设计的信道仿真器,该仿真器通过设置不同的参数,可对无人机飞行中所处的不同通信信道进行仿真,以全面验证无人机测控与信息传输系统中所采用的传输技术性能及接收机性能.     

Why organizations adopt information system process innovations: a longitudinal study using Diffusion of Innovation theory

Abstract.  This paper identifies factors that affected over 200 information system (IS) process innovation adoption decisions in three organizational environments over a period that spanned four decades. The analysis is based on Rogers's (1995) theory of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI). The results show that several DOI factors strongly affect IS process innovation adoption. These include user need recognition, availability of technological infrastructure, past experience, own trials, autonomous work, ease of use, learning by doing and standards. Yet, a large number of IS process innovation adoptions followed no discernible pattern.     

ESCCS柔性过程模型研究

高技术战争要求装备保障指挥控制系统具有高度的柔性。工作流过程模型是装备保障指挥控制系统的基础,模型描述能力的强弱是解决系统柔性问题的关键。通过将任务类型分为基本任务类型和扩展任务类型,提出柔性过程模型主要由基本任务要素、柔性任务要素以及这些要素间的连接方式构成。将装备保障指挥控制工作流中的任务分解为基本任务要素和柔性任务要素增强了系统的柔性。描述了扩展后的柔性过程模型及其特点。     

Data and knowledge modeling for design–process planning integration of sheet metal components

Realizing design–process planning integration is vital to the competitiveness of manufacturing organization and its ability to respond rapidly to market changes. Many attempts have been made in the past proposing the integration of the two activities based on product data models. However, both design and process planning activities are knowledge intensive. An effective integration is possible only if both data and knowledge models form a basis for integration. This paper presents key issues related to data and knowledge modeling for integration of design (CAD) and process planning (CAPP) activities for sheet metal components. Previous attempts to model data and knowledge have concentrated only on either design or process planning and not from an integration point of view. Moreover, in these attempts data and knowledge models have been proposed without attempting to relate the two. The same has been overcome in the present work. An integration framework based on data and knowledge is proposed at the end and discussed for domain of design–process planning integration of sheet metal components.     

Information needs in technical work settings and their implications for the design of computer tools

We interviewed information workers in multiple technical areas of a large, diverse company, and we describe some of the unsatisfied information needs we observed during our study. Two clusters of issues are described. The first covers how loosely coupled work groups use and share information. We show the need to structure information for multiple, partly unanticipated uses. We show how the construction of information compounds helps users accomplish some of this restructuring, and we explain how structuring flexibility is also required because of temperamental differences among users. The second cluster of issues revolves around collections of tightly coupled work groups. We show that information shared within such groups differs from information shared across group boundaries. We present the barriers to sharing which we saw operating both within groups and outside, and we explain the function of resource and contact broker which evolved in the settings we examined. For each of these issues we propose implications for information tool design.     

Development of a stakeholder identification and analysis method for human factors integration in work system design interventions – Change Agent Infrastructure

In any work system design intervention—for example, a physical workplace re-design, a work process change, or an equipment upgrade—it is often emphasized how important it is to involve stakeholders in the process of analysis and design, to gain their perspectives as input to the development, and ensure their future acceptance of the solution. While the users of an artifact or workplace are most often regarded as being the most important stakeholders in a design intervention, in a work-system context there may be additional influential stakeholders who influence and negotiate the design intervention's outcomes, resource allocation, requirements, and implementation. Literature shows that it is uncommon for empirical ergonomics and human factors (EHF) research to apply and report the use of any structured stakeholder identification method at all, leading to ad-hoc selections of whom to consider important. Conversely, other research fields offer a plethora of stakeholder identification and analysis methods, few of which seem to have been adopted in the EHF context. This article presents the development of a structured method for identification, classification, and qualitative analysis of stakeholders in EHF-related work system design intervention. It describes the method's EHF-related theoretical underpinnings, lessons learned from four use cases, and the incremental development of the method that has resulted in the current method procedure and visualization aids. The method, called Change Agent Infrastructure (abbreviated CHAI), has a mainly macroergonomic purpose, set on increasing the understanding of sociotechnical interactions that create the conditions for work system design intervention, and facilitating participative efforts.     

Work flow methodology : A proposed approach for analysis and conceptual design of large scale computer based information systems

The objective of this paper is to explain our approach called “Work Flow Methodology for Analysis and Conceptual Data Base Design of Large Scale Computer Based Information System”. The user fills in, through the different steps of the methodology and in the light of the definition of dynamic adaptive system, a number of forms which relate the topological dimension to the time dimension for each application of a given system. In addition, we obtain the “Unit Subschema” which defines the responsibilities of issuing and authorization of receiving information at the proper time. Finally, we apply our methodology to the Registration System in Kuwait University.     

Linear correlation-based learning models require a two-stage process for the development of orientation and ocular dominance

In our contribution we demonstrate, that orientation (OR) and ocular dominance (OD) cannot develop simultaneously in linear correlation-based learning (CBL) models, because OR and OD occupy separate domains in parameter space. We then analyse the conditions under which waves of spontaneous activity — as have been observed in the developing retina — may give rise at least to OR or OD. We find that in linear CBL models there must be subcortical convergence of ON/OFF as well as left eye/right eye pathways. We present a biologically plausible scenario in which the subcortical connectivity patterns resemble a competitive neural network and argue that OR and OD can robustly emerge, if a two-stage developmental process is assumed.     

Architecture and design of an embeddable system for SCAN-based compression, encryption and information hiding

The SCAN formal languages can be used for tight integration of image and video compression, encryption and data hiding. This work presents such a tightly integrated embeddable system, which can be used as a “black box” in streaming media. In our previous work we had studied and implemented separate modules for SCAN compression and SCAN encryption, using a large Virtex II FPGA for each. There were no implementation of data hiding, no integration of the three aspects of SCAN, and no complete design for decompression/decryption/unhiding. This paper presents a new architecture and a complete design for SCAN compression/encryption/hiding, as well as the corresponding decompression/decryption/data unhiding operations. A recent technology based on an embedded processor with reconfigurable fabric extensions has been used for this design, which was carried out to post place and route cycle-accurate simulations with real video sequences. The new design is of substantially lower performance versus the previous reconfigurable implementations of single modules, however, it proves that a low-cost embeddable system can be made for all three operations. This paper presents in detail the different aspects of the architecture, their integration, and their mapping to the fixed and reconfigurable resources of the Stretch S5000 reconfigurable processor. To our knowledge, this is the first tightly integrated compression/encryption/ information hiding system to be reported in the literature.

Subspace identification of continuous time models for process fault detection and isolation

This paper proposes a novel subspace approach towards identification of optimal residual models for process fault detection and isolation (PFDI) in a multivariate continuous-time system. We formulate the problem in terms of the state space model of the continuous-time system. The motivation for such a formulation is that the fault gain matrix, which links the process faults to the state variables of the system under consideration, is always available no matter how the faults vary with time. However, in the discrete-time state space model, the fault gain matrix is only available when the faults follow some known function of time within each sampling interval. To isolate faults, the fault gain matrix is essential. We develop subspace algorithms in the continuous-time domain to directly identify the residual models from sampled noisy data without separate identification of the system matrices. Furthermore, the proposed approach can also be extended towards the identification of the system matrices if they are needed. The newly proposed approach is applied to a simulated four-tank system, where a small leak from any tank is successfully detected and isolated. To make a comparison, we also apply the discrete time residual models to the tank system for detection and isolation of leaks. It is demonstrated that the continuous-time PFDI approach is practical and has better performance than the discrete-time PFDI approach.     

计算机辅助肺功能定量分析系统的开发与设计

在对胸部CT（Computed Tomography）序列图像进行慢性阻塞性等肺疾病诊断时,需要获取相关的肺功能指标来给医生提供参考依据。为此,开发了一个用于肺功能定量分析的计算机辅助系统。系统首先结合多种分割方法实现了三维肺实质的分割,然后采用体绘制技术重建出肺部组织的三维模型,最后利用分割结果实现了对肺功能指标的定量分析。此外,针对医生个性化的需求,该系统还实现了局部肺实质VOI（Volume of Interest）的肺功能定量分析和肺实质任意指定感兴趣CT值范围内的肺功能定量分析。