Satoru Inoue

Effects of chloride introduction on the optical properties and the upconversion emission with 980-nm excitation of Er3+ in ZBLAN fluoride glasses

Abstract Er-doped ZBLAN fluoride glasses and those containing chloride were prepared. The parameters of optical transitions were determined experimentally. By the introduction of chlorine as replacing NaF with NaCl up to 20 mol% NaCl, the Judd-Ofelt parameters, Ω 2 and Ω 4 , were increased and the multiphonon-relaxation rate decreased. With these parameters inserted into the rate equations, they were numerically solved. The upconversion mechanisms of Er3+ with 980-nm excitation and the effects of chlorine in the samples on the upconversion processes were observed. The upconversion processes for both 550-nm and 660-nm emissions were found to be dominated by the resonant and the phonon-assisted energy transfers. The intensity ratio of the 660-nm emission to the 550-nm emission decreased with increasing NaCl content. This change of intensity ratio was due to the suppression of the phonon-assisted energy transfer by chlorine.

Cognitive model of team cooperation in en-route air traffic control

Since controller teams are in charge of en-route air traffic control, team cooperation is a key issue for good control performance. We conducted ethnographic field observation at the Tokyo Area Control Center and then analyzed the obtained data to develop a cognitive model of team cooperation in en-route air traffic control. We segmented conversational records, behavioral records, and so on by control unit, and then clarified relations between the segments and identified expert knowledge and judgment behind them. Cognitive processes of controller teams were reconstructed based on a concept of distributed cognition. The analysis revealed that the mutual belief model is applicable to team cooperation processes, the role assignment of tasks within a controller team is implicit and that control plans are implemented smoothly once team situation awareness has been established. A cognitive model of controllers’ team cooperation has been constructed based on these findings.

Applying Human Centered Design Process for Designing Air Traffic Control Interfaces

In this research, we focused on task analysis of air traffic controllers in actual en-route Air Traffic Control ATC in an experimental activity based on a Human-Centered Design HCD approach. We discuss the method of design to develop a system of human consciousness, and created prototype design along with HCD process. In this paper, firstly, we propose an observation survey technique that can obtain survey results of high effectiveness, with a process of HCD that can be executed simply compared with current available techniques. In this analysis, we conducted a simulation at one of the air traffic sectors of the Tokyo Area Control Center. After analyzing the current ATC work, we developed a prototype design of the future ATC interface for Air Traffic Controllers based on our findings.

Bridging the analytical gap between distributed cognition and actor network theory using a tool for information trajectory analysis

Motivation -- Distributed Cognition (DCog) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT) are two related perspectives which can be adopted when studying the relationship between humans and artefacts in collaborative environments. Although these perspectives share similar principles, how these analyses complement each other is not well explored. This paper investigates how TITAN, an information trajectory analysis tool, can be used to gain new insights by bridging the analytical gap between them. Research approach -- This bridging can be achieved through the shared principles of generalised symmetry, information trajectories, actant associations and the ANT concept of punctualisation. Findings/Design -- We observed that while conceptual differences remain, a DCog analysis can provide a basis for a further ANT analysis when supported by TITAN. Originality/value -- While some research has discussed the similarities and differences between DCog and ANT, to the best of our knowledge, none has explored how to support the use of them together in practice. TITAN provides a new analytical perspective, which may benefit researchers who adopt DCog, ANT and other similar approaches. Take away message -- TITAN can provide a means to support a DCog analysis leading into an ANT analysis.

Modeling Framework of Team Contexts for the Design of Laboratory Experiments and Team Training

This paper presents a modeling framework of team structure that describes major elements of team settings and conditions and the relationships between them. These are the elements of human, task, resource, expertise, authority, tools and devices, and place. The relationships between these elements can capture and summarize important aspects of team structure such as the distribution and sharing of objects and functions to each team member and the physical environment. This paper provides details of the proposed modeling framework and discusses how to assess and quantify the similarity between a naturalistic team setting and a simulated or game-like setting.

Cognitive Process Modelling of Team Cooperative Work in En route Air Traffic Control

Abstract The tasks involved in air traffic control (ATC) make heavy demands on the information processing capacities of air traffic controllers. In particular, human factor problems that lead to both major and minor incidents are considered to be a serious problem for ATC in air traffic safety. Since ATC is usually undertaken by a team of controllers, team collaboration is a key issue for keeping good condition in ATC. However, this aspect has not been well studied compared with individual cognitive process. In this research, we examined the functional problems in an ATC system from the human factors aspects, and concluded that a systematic method and models are needed to analyze this problem. Thus, we consider that an effective way to understand user requirements is to analyze user tasks based on actual field data. The aim of this research is to analyze team cognitive processes and team situation awareness in normal (i.e., not accidental) situations for a team of en route air traffic controllers based on the distributed cognition approach so as to better understand current ATC systems. The analysis revealed that the mutual belief model is applicable to team cooperation processes, the role assignment of tasks within a controller team is implicit, and that control plans are implemented smoothly once team situation awareness has been established. A cognitive model of controllers’ team cooperation has been constructed based on these findings.

Formalization and Quantification of Team Contexts for Meso-cognitive Studies

This paper extends our previous model to present a theoretical framework that formalizes team contexts. This model describes major elements of team settings and the conditions and relationships between them. This paper provides details of the proposed model with an example of the formalization of team contexts and discusses how to design virtual experiment settings similar to naturalistic contexts.

User Interface Design in Remote Aerodrome Flight Information Service

Recently, air traffic volume is increasing more and more due to strong air travel demands. Airport control operation needs to keep safe and smooth traffic condition. On the other hand, air navigation service provider (ANSP) faced up to provide mode large traffic capacity and make higher efficiency. Therefore, ANSP attempt to exploit not only large-scale airports but also small class airports. Remote Air Flight Information Service will be provided to under the middle size airports. User interface design is also an important factor to improve remote AFIS operation performance. In this research, we propose an idea of interface for remote AFIS which is designed as an easy-to-use interface concept for AFIS operators’ work. We also discuss the design process and technique based on User Experience (UX) approach. At last, we show our prototype concept design based on analysis.

Analyzing Positive and Negative Effects of Salience in Air Traffic Control Tasks

We focus on visual attention as a high-impact perception in the accurate and efficient ATC tasks, which demand high cognitive workloads. Our goal is to develop a screen design policy considering salience of information. Salience is one of the user interface elements causing users’ visual attention. We carried out an experiment to clarify relationships between the degree of salience gaps and the performance of ATC tasks and we will develop a screen design policy based on the relationships. As a result, the lager the salience gaps between important and unimportant airplanes were, the shorter the reaction time for replying situation awareness queries became. The larger the salience gaps among airplanes were, the better instruction timing was obtained. On the other hand, on the screen design with a large salience gap, the performance of sub task for the airplanes displayed with a low salience delayed than that without salience gaps. From these results, we conclude that our hypotheses were supported.

Designing the Remote Aerodrome Flight Information Service Systems Interface Base on Human Centred Design Approach

Air Flight Information Service (AFIS) is providing essential information such as weather information, departure clearance, approach clearance, and so on. During a remote AFIS operation, an operator provides flight information to the pilot from the Flight Service Centre (FSC) remotely. Air traffic is expected to increase in the future. Therefore, Remote AFIS system also needs to improve and extend the handling capacity of air traffic. Within this context, User interface design is an important factor to improve remote AFIS operation performance. In this research, we propose an interface for remote AFIS which is designed as an easy-to-use concept for AFIS operators’ work. We discuss the design process and technique based on User Centered approach. Finally, we show our prototype concept design based on our analysis.