Development and validation of a theory of human operator behavior in a multitask environment

An intelligent operator-system interface (IOSI) is defined as an entity that not only transmits information between operator and system, but also shares the responsibilities of information processing and decision making with the human operator. A discussion is presented of a basic human-factors issue regarding IOSI design, namely how a human operator behaves in a complex system, and a composite theory is presented of human operator behavior in the control of complex systems. Functional requirements for an IOSI are outlined. Issues for future research concerning the implementation and evaluations of designs based on this theory are addressed