Interactive Systems Modeling & Simulation Laboratory
                                                                            RESEARCH THEMES
 

Current Research Themes

Current research themes being taught or pursued under Dr.Narayanan are as follows:

 
 
Interactive Simulations
Human Operator Modeling
Human Computer integrated Reasoning
Click on the research theme above to view the information associated with that theme.
                                                                       INTERACTIVE SIMULATION
 IIncreasing computing power and continuously lowering costs of computing have resulted in greater attention to the field of interactive simulations. In interactive simulations, visual interfaces display the state of the simulated system and also allow an analyst to actively change the simulated system during execution. Interactive simulations are particularly suitable for large and semi-structured problems especially in which human interaction is an important consideration. Dr. Narayanan and his students at the interactive systems modeling and simulation laboratory in the industrial and human factors engineering program at Wright State University have integrated concepts/tools including object-based programming, model-view-controller paradigm, distributed computing, and web-based systems development to design, implement, and apply interactive modeling and simulation architectures for analysis of several complex dynamic systems, including problems in airbase logistics and discrete-part manufacturing.
Projects Related to Interactive Simulation Include:
Publications Related to Interactive Simulations Include the following:

1. S.Narayanan, D.A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (In Press). Modeling a printed circuit board assembly line using objects. Simulation.

2. M.Gopalakrishnan, S. Narayanan, D.A. Bodner, K. Patchigolla, R. Prasad Kantamneni, N.R. Edala, &, H. Ruff. (In Press). A computerized system for storage location assignment in third party warehouses. International Journal of Industrial Engineering.
3. D.G. Hoagland, & S. Narayanan (2000). Human Operator models in constructive simulation: A review. Proceedings of the 2000 SCS Simulation Conference, CD-ROM publications.
4. S. Narayanan, N. R. Edala, J. Geist, P. K. Kumar, H. A. Ruff, M. Draper, & M. Haas (1999). UMAST: A web-based architecture for modeling future uninhabited aerial vehicles. Simulation. 73 (1), July, 29-39.
5. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1998). Research in object-oriented manufacturing simulations: An assessment of the state of the art. IIE Transactions, 30(9), 795-810.
6. S. Narayanan, P. Malu, A. P. B. Krishna, J. DiPasquale, & T. M. Carrico. (1998). A web-based interactive simulation architecture for airbase logistics systems analysis. International Journal of Industrial Engineering, December, 324-335.
7. S. Narayanan, N. L. Schneider, C. Patel, N. Reddy, T. M. Carrico, & J. DiPasquale. (1997). An object-based architecture for developing interactive simulations using Java. Simulation, 69(3), September, 153-171.
8. D.A. Bodner, H.A. Ruff, S. Narayanan, & M. Gopalakrishnan. (In Press). Physical-control-information approach to decompose systems for modeling: A warehouse analysis case study. International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors, edited by W. Karwowski, Taylor and Francis Limited.
9. D. Allen, N. R. Edala, K. K. Patchigolla, & S. Narayanan. (1998). Computer simulation. The Industrial and Occupational Ergonomics: Users' Encyclopedia, edited by A. Mital, M. M. Ayoub, S. Kumar, M-J. Wang, and K.
10. S. Narayanan, P. Malu, A. P. B. Krishna, V. Nagarajan, M. K. Islam, & D. L. Judson. (1998). Modeling and distributed simulation of printed circuit card assembly systems for real-time process planning. Proceedings of the International Conference on Agile, Intelligent, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing.
11. S. Narayanan, J. Cowgill, P. Malu, H. Nandha, C. Patel, N. Schneider, J. Tendulkar, T. M. Carrico, J. DiPasquale. (1997). Web-based distributed interactive simulation using Java. Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, & Cybernetics,Vol. 3, 2690-2695.
12. N. L. Schneider, C. Patel, S. Narayanan, T. M. Carrico, & J. DiPasquale. (1997). Integrating interactive optimization with genetic algorithms for airbase simulation. Proceedings of the 1997 Summer Computer Simulation Conference, 703-708.
13. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1994). Modeling control decisions in manufacturing systems simulation using objects. Proceedings of the 1994 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 1392-1397.
14. D. A. Bodner, S. Narayanan, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1994). Analysis of discrete manufacturing systems for developing object-oriented simulation models. Proceedings of the 3rd Industrial Engineering Research Conference.
15. T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, C. M. Mitchell, D. A. Bodner, S. Narayanan, & U. Sreekanth. (1994). Simulating integrated manufacturing systems using an object-oriented modeling architecture. Proceedings of the 1994 NSF Grantees Conference in Design and Manufacturing, Cambridge, MA, January. 329-330.
16. T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, C. M. Mitchell, D. A. Bodner, S. Narayanan, & U. Sreekanth. (1993). OOSIM: A tool for simulating modern manufacturing systems. Proceedings of the 1993 NSF Grantees Conference in Design and Manufacturing, Charlotte, NC, January, 1055-1062.
17. D. A. Bodner, S. J. Dilley, S. Narayanan, U. Sreekanth, L. F. McGinnis, C. M. Mitchell, & T. Govindaraj. (1993). Object-oriented modeling and simulation of automated control in manufacturing. Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Atlanta, GA, May. Vol. 3, 83-88.
18. U. Sreekanth, S. Narayanan, T. Govindaraj, C. M. Mitchell, & L. F. McGinnis. (1993). A specification environment for configuring a discrete-part manufacturing system simulation infrastructure. Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Le Touquet, France, October, Vol. 1, 349-354.
19. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1992). Object-oriented simulation to support operator decision-making in semiconductor manufacturing. Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Conference, Chicago, IL, October.
20. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, C. M. Mitchell, L. F. McGinnis, T. Govindaraj, & L. K. Platzman. (1992). Object-oriented simulation to support modeling and control of automated manufacturing systems. Proceedings of the Society for Computer Simulation's Western Multi Conference, Newport Beach, CA., January, 59-63
                                                                      HUMAN OPERATOR MODELING
As advances are made in computerization and automation, the role of humans in complex technological systems are shifting from primarily physical to cognitive problem solving and decision making tasks. This research theme is based on the premise that models and theories grounded in emerging work domains and operator activities are needed to support principled design. Using field studies, computational representations, and applications to domains such as logistics planning, manufacturing, and information search from large databases, Dr. Narayanan and his students have developed models of problem solving, decision making, troubleshooting, planning, and real-time control and applied it for design and implementation of human-centered decision support systems and user interfaces. 
Projects Related to Human Operator Modeling Include:
Publications Related to Human Operator Modeling Include the following:
1. S.Narayanan, D.A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (In Press). Modeling a printed circuit board assembly line using objects. Simulation.
2. M.D. McNeese, H.S. Bautsch, & S. Narayanan (In Press). A framework for cognitive field studies. International Journal of Cognitive Ergonomics.
3. D.G. Hoagland, & S. Narayanan (2000). Human Operator models in constructive simulation: A review. Proceedings of the 2000 SCS Simulation Conference, CD-ROM publications.
4. M.Deckard, S.Narayanan, and M.T. Cox. (2000). Natural System Metaphors for Supporting Collaboration in Air Force Applications,Proceedings of the IEA 2000/HFES 2000 Congress. 2-614 to 2-617.
5. H.A. Ruff, N. Edala, J. A. Geist, K. Patchigolla, S. Narayanan, M. Draper, & M. Haas. (1999). Human operator models. Industrial Engineering: Users' Encyclopedia, edited by A. Mital and J-G. Chen, International Journal of Industrial Engineering Press.
6. M. Garay, N. Edala, S. Narayanan, & R. Eggleston. (1999). An architecture for studying mixed-initiative planning and control in a complex, dynamic environment. Proceedings of the 1999 AAAI Workshop on Mixed-Initiative Intelligent Systems, 115-118.
7. N.R. Edala, M. Garay, S. Narayanan, & R. G. Eggleston. (1999). A distributed simulation environment for analyzing adaptive agent behavior in supervisory control systems. Proceedings of the 1999 Summer Computer Simulation Conference.
8. S. Narayanan, N. R. Edala, J. Geist, P. K. Kumar, H. A. Ruff, M. Draper, & M. Haas (1999). UMAST: A web-based architecture for modeling future uninhabited aerial vehicles. Simulation,73 (1), July, 29-39.
9. Narayanan, W. D. Bailey, J. Tendulkar, K. Wilson, R. Daley, & D. Pliske. (1999). Modeling real-world information seeking in a corporate environment. International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 9(2), 1-31.
10. W. D. Bailey, J. Tendulkar, S. Narayanan, R. Daley, K. Wilson, & D. Pliske. (1998). Modeling information seeking in a corporate environment. Proceedings of the 4th Annual Symposium on Human Interaction with Complex Systems, IEEE Press, 200-204.
11. S. Narayanan. (1998). Human interactions with heterogeneous information sources. Proceedings of the 4th Annual Symposium on Human Interaction with Complex Systems, IEEE Press, 194.
12. S. Narayanan, K. Maynard, A. P. B. Krishna, P. Malu, H. Nandha, & J. DiPasquale. (1998). Intelligent information analysis through a human-computer integrated approach.Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.
13. S. Narayanan, S. E. Walchli, N. Reddy, & R. Balachandran. (1997). Model-based design of an information retrieval system for a University library. International Journal of Cognitive Ergonomics, 1(2), 149-16.
14. H. S. Bautsch, S. Narayanan, & M. McNeese. (1997). Development and evaluation of a cognitive model of human performance in fighter aircraft. Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics. Vol. 3, 2109-2113.
15. H. S. Bautsch, M. D. McNeese, & S. Narayanan. (1997). Assessing the value of human performance modeling in exploring pilot-system dynamics. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 41st Annual Meeting, Vol. 2, 1032-1036.
16. N. Brannon & S. Narayanan. (1997). Modeling and analysis of supervisory control tasks in wastewater management. Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Vol. 3, 2217-2222.
17. S. Narayanan & J. J. Gallimore. (1996). Computer-based aiding for pruning search space in manufacturing planning. In Manufacturing Agility and Hybrid Automation-I, R. J. Koubek & W. Karwowski (Eds.), IEA Press, 632-635.
18. A. Ram, S. Narayanan, & M. T. Cox. (1995). Learning to troubleshoot: Multistrategy Learning of Diagnostic Knowledge for a Real-World Problemsolving Task. Cognitive Science, Vol. 19, No. 3, July - September, 289-340.
19. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1994). Modeling control decisions in manufacturing systems simulation using objects. Proceedings of the 1994 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 1392-1397.
20. D. A. Bodner, S. Narayanan, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1994). Analysis of discrete manufacturing systems for developing object-oriented simulation models. Proceedings of the 3rd Industrial Engineering Research Conference.
21. D. A. Bodner, S. J. Dilley, S. Narayanan, U. Sreekanth, L. F. McGinnis, C. M. Mitchell, & T. Govindaraj. (1993). Object-oriented modeling and simulation of automated control in manufacturing. Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Atlanta, GA, May. Vol. 3, 83-88.
22. S. Narayanan, C. M. Mitchell, T. Govindaraj, & L. F. McGinnis. (1993). Supporting the analysis of automation and operator problemsolving in discrete manufacturing systems. Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Vol. 3, 382-387.
23. U. Sreekanth, S. Narayanan, T. Govindaraj, C. M. Mitchell, & L. F. McGinnis. (1993). A specification environment for configuring a discrete-part manufacturing system simulation infrastructure. Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Le Touquet, France, October, Vol. 1, 349-354.
24. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1992). Object-oriented simulation to support operator decision-making in semiconductor manufacturing. Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Conference, Chicago, IL, October.
25. S. Narayanan, C. M. Mitchell, & T. Govindaraj. (1992). Operator modeling to design intelligent decision aids in fiber optics manufacturing. Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Chicago, IL, October, 1516-1519.
26. S. Narayanan & A. Ram. (1992). Learning to troubleshoot in electronics assembly manufacturing. Machine Learning-92, Workshop on Integrated Learning in Real-World Domains, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, July.
27. A. Ram, M. T. Cox, & S. Narayanan. (1992). An architecture for integrated introspective learning. Machine Learning 92, Workshop on Computer Architectures for Learning, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, July.
28. S. Narayanan, A. Ram, S. M. Cohen, C. M. Mitchell, & T. Govindaraj. (1992). Knowledge-based diagnostic problem solving and learning in the test area of electronics assembly manufacturing. Proceedings of the Tenth SPIE's Applications of AI X: Knowledge-Based Systems Conference, Orlando, Fl., April, 99-108.
29. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, C. M. Mitchell, L. F. McGinnis, T. Govindaraj, & L. K. Platzman. (1992). Object-oriented simulation to support modeling and control of automated manufacturing systems. Proceedings of the Society for Computer Simulation's Western Multi Conference, Newport Beach, CA., January, 59-63.
                                                    HUMAN COMPUTER INTEGRATED MODELING
This research theme seeks to couple human reasoning capabilities with computerized processes for complex problem solving. The overall approach is to comprehensively analyze the problem solving tasks in context and to design, implement, and evaluate human-computer integrated systems that generate effective solutions in realistic situations. This approach has been instantiated in several domains including manufacturing and airbase logistics, uninhabited aerial vehicles, as well as information seeking from heterogeneous multimedia sources.
Projects Related to Human Computer Integrated Reasoning Include:
Publications Related to Human Computer Integrated Reasoning Include the following:
1. N.L. Schneider, S. Narayanan, & C. Patel. (In Press). Integrating genetic algorithms and interactive simulations for airbase logistics planning. In Soft Computing in Industrial Applications, Suzuki, Roy, Ovaska, Furuhashi and Dote (Eds.)., Springer-Verlag London Limited.
2. M. Garay, N. Edala, S. Narayanan, & R. Eggleston. (1999). An architecture for studying mixed-initiative planning and control in a complex, dynamic environment. Proceedings of the 1999 AAAI Workshop on Mixed-Initiative Intelligent Systems, 115-118.
3. N.R. Edala, M. Garay, S. Narayanan, & R. G. Eggleston. (1999).A distributed simulation environment for analyzing adaptive agent behavior in supervisory control systems. Proceedings of the 1999 Summer Computer Simulation Conference.
4. S. Narayanan, N. R. Edala, J. Geist, P. K. Kumar, H. A. Ruff, M. Draper, & M. Haas (1999). UMAST: A web-based architecture for modeling future uninhabited aerial vehicles. Simulation, 73 (1), July, 29-39.
5. N.L. Schneider, S. Narayanan, & C. Patel. (1999). Application of genetic algorithms to airbase logistics planning. Proceedings of the 1999 IEEE Midnight-Sun Workshop on Soft Computing Methods in Industrial Applications, Kuusomo, Finland.
6. S. Narayanan, K. Maynard, A. P. B. Krishna, P. Malu, H. Nandha, & J. DiPasquale. (1998). Intelligent information analysis through a human-computer integrated approach. Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.
7. S. Narayanan, P. Malu, A. P. B. Krishna, J. DiPasquale, & T. M. Carrico. (1998). A web-based interactive simulation architecture for airbase logistics systems analysis. International Journal of Industrial Engineering, December, 324-335.
8. N. L. Schneider, C. Patel, S. Narayanan, T. M. Carrico, & J. DiPasquale. (1997). Integrating interactive optimization with genetic algorithms for airbase simulation. Proceedings of the 1997 Summer Computer Simulation Conference, 703-708.
9. S. Narayanan & J. J. Gallimore. (1996). Computer-based aiding for pruning search space in manufacturing planning. In Manufacturing Agility and Hybrid Automation-I, R. J. Koubek & W. Karwowski (Eds.), IEA Press, 632-635.
10. A. Ram, S. Narayanan, & M. T. Cox. (1995). Learning to troubleshoot: Multistrategy Learning of Diagnostic Knowledge for a Real-World Problemsolving Task. Cognitive Science, Vol. 19, No. 3, July - September, 289-340.
11. A. Ram, M. Cox, & S. Narayanan. (1995) Goal-driven learning in multistrategy reasoning and learning systems. In Goal-Driven Learning, A. Ram and D. Leake (Eds.), MIT Press/Bradford Books, Cambridge, MA, 421 - 437.
12. S. Narayanan, D. A. Bodner, U. Sreekanth, T. Govindaraj, L. F. McGinnis, & C. M. Mitchell. (1994). Modeling control decisions in manufacturing systems simulation using objects. Proceedings of the 1994 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 1392-1397.
13. S. Narayanan, C. M. Mitchell, T. Govindaraj, & L. F. McGinnis. (1993). Supporting the analysis of automation and operator problemsolving in discrete manufacturing systems. Proceedings of the 1993 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Vol. 3, 382-387.
14. S. Narayanan, C. M. Mitchell, & T. Govindaraj. (1992). Operator modeling to design intelligent decision aids in fiber optics manufacturing. Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Chicago, IL, October, 1516-1519.
15. S. Narayanan & A. Ram. (1992). Learning to troubleshoot in electronics assembly manufacturing. Machine Learning-92, Workshop on Integrated Learning in Real-World Domains, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, July.
16. A. Ram, M. T. Cox, & S. Narayanan. (1992). An architecture for integrated introspective learning. Machine Learning 92, Workshop on Computer Architectures for Learning, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, July.
17. S. Narayanan, A. Ram, S. M. Cohen, C. M. Mitchell, & T. Govindaraj. (1992). Knowledge-based diagnostic problem solving and learning in the test area of electronics assembly manufacturing. Proceedings of the Tenth SPIE's Applications of AI X: Knowledge-Based Systems Conference, Orlando, Fl., April, 99-108.