An Ontology-Based Architecture for Adaptive Work-Centered User Interface Technology (08-Mar-2006)

An Ontology-Based Architecture for Adaptive Work-Centered User Interface Technology^†

Amy Aragones Jeanette Bruno

Andrew Crapo Marc Garbiras

General Electric Global Research 1 Research Circle Niskayuna, NY 12309

January, 2006

Abstract

Adaptive Work-Centered User Interface Technology (ACUITy) is an ontology-based approach to modeling and implementing intelligent user interfaces. ACUITy embodies two novel concepts. The first concept is the use of ontological modeling to characterize a work domain in terms of "work-centered" activities as well as the interface and interactions between the decision support system and the user. The second and equally important concept is the use of these semantic models of the human-machine interface to provide adaptive interaction, both user directed and automated, in the work-centered characterization and presentation mechanisms of the application user interface. In this report we describe our use of semantic models to implement work-centered support.

Keywords:

Work-Centered Support System, Intelligent User Interface, Adaptive User Interface, Web Portal, Semantic Technology, Semantic Web.

† This work was partially funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Airforce Base, under contract F33615-03-2-6300.

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 5

1.1 The Rationale for Adaptive Work-Centered Support Systems in Autonomic Logistics .......................................................................................................................... 6

1.2 Adaptive Work-Centered Support ....................................................................... 7

2 Overview of the ACUITy Architecture................................................................... 9

2.1 Ontology as a Model Framework ....................................................................... 9

2.2 Web Ontology Language (OWL) Concepts....................................................... 13

2.3 The ACUITy Controller .................................................................................... 14

2.4 User Interface Engine....................................................................................... 16

2.5 An Introduction to the APVF Ontology ............................................................ 18

2.6 Adaptation in the ACUITy Architecture ........................................................... 21

2.7 Putting the general concepts together .............................................................. 22

3 The ACUITy PVF Ontology Components............................................................ 23

3.1 AcuityController ............................................................................................... 23

3.2 PresentationObject .......