Intelligent systems for operator support

Human-computer interaction (HCI) is an areas of investigation concerning the understanding and use of computers by various types of user. The interface between the user and the computer can be a limiting factor in the performance of a system. Investigations in HCI range from the use of pure software products such as word processing systems, to the control of complex systems via computers in situations such as the generation of power. It is important to provide an operator-computer interface which presents the operator with an accurate representation of the process to retain correspondence with the operator´s training and mental model of the process. In control situations the computer performs two main functions to support the operator; the acquisition and display of data, and the implementation of control (either from the operator or automatically). The achievement of successful interfaces is discussed