A Time Domain based Playback User Interface for Voice Communication Systems in Mission Control Room Environments

Abstract

Voice Communication Systems for Mission Control Room environments are essential for multiple group communications in parallel. Current systems have a high demand on the user’s multitasking abilities. To support users, these systems have recording and playback capabilities but are not optimized for usability and not integrated in the user’s workflow. Playback capabilities are undervalued within current system designs. Within this paper we will focus on playback functionalities and propose a solution with a simplification of the playback workflow using a gesture controlled and time - domain based visualization for recordings. In this way users are able to replay missed or important communication parts of a specific user, for example an astronaut without the need of repetitive transmission. Combining real time functionality and providing access to past information via recordings within the same user interface may resolve conflicts between listening to live and previous communications in parallel. Interacting with recordings using a time domain based playback interface may enhance operation support, for example during debriefings, for staff training or as a source for verifying and validating unclear information. The shown solution may be used as an input for next generation system designs, which may improve capabilities and extend scenarios of playback for operation support.