Modeling of Cooperative Human-Machine-Human Systems based on Game Theory

Abstract

Abstract—Computer supported cooperative work requires a detailed understanding of the underlying working tasks and their internal relations. A specific kind of this work related knowledge can be used supporting the interactions between the interacting partners, like human operators. In addition to the working tasks, the ’knowledge behind and the rules of interaction’ between the cooperating units has to be formalized to be used for support. This contribution describes a new game-theoretical approach used for modeling the goal-oriented interaction and cooperation of human operators. The introduced approach is based on a suitable formalization using Situation-Operator-Modeling (SOM) as a modeling technique formalizing the interaction of systems.

The approach is illustrated with examples detailing different aspects: i) semi-automated molding processes (guided human machine-interaction), ii) air traffic management (multi-human machine-interaction), iii) as illustrative conceptional example cooperative realization of documents (multi-human-machine-interaction). As a result it can be stated that the game-theoretic approach allows a new and specific view for the modeling of the interactions between the cooperating units. The game-theoretical view to the SOM-based structured interaction gives a suitable perspective to the strategies of possibly processible action spaces. Therefore technical understanding of human intentions and also realization of goal-oriented computer supported assistance functions can be achieved.