^IETM IETMs : An Interoperability Problem

^{<- MID ->} MID : An Implemented Solution

^{Michael Anderson} M. Michael Anderson

Antech Systems Inc.

IETMs : What makes Them Unique ?

• Descriptive Content
• Procedural Content and Structure
• Embedded document behavior driven by user interaction
• Pre-conditions and post-conditions for each frame of information
• Multiple document views: Navigation and display driven by user environment, e.g. which aircraft, what model/serial number, etc.
• Consistent, Reliable Information Presentation

Today's Situation

• Variety of COTS products used for delivery of IETMs
• Delivery formats are not interoperable between viewers
• Delivery formats and viewers tightly linked
• Documents are authored/created for a specific platform and application

How Did We Get Here?

• ^{<- Data -> MIL-PRF-87269} MIL-PRF-87269 - IETM Standard Data Structure
• Content, Structure, and Behavior
• No presentation semantics
• ^{MIL-PRF-87268} MIL-PRF-87268 - Standard for Presentation
• Standardized user interaction
• Layout, style
• Standards - But no success

Not Just Another Standard

^MID MID History

• ^{<- U.S. Navy ->} U.S. Navy sponsored research project
• Sponsored by Naval Air Warfare Center, St. Inigoes, MD
• Begun 1994
• First Results Published in 1995
• Test Implementation Results Published in 1996

^{<- Object ->} MID Research Project Objectives

• Scripting language to handle the logic in IETMs (behavior)
• Provide compatibility with current standards and specs without modification
• Provide consistency across dissimilar authoring and presentation systems
• Can be implemented by existing IETM programs with minimum impact

MID Technical Overview

• Defines standard set of "renderable" object types, combined with an internal scripting language that controls interaction
• Does not require duplication of IETM DB content
  • ^{<- HyTime ->} HyTime (ISO 10744) application
  • Specifically adapted to handle hypermedia (linked) information
• "Standard" promoted by common API or interface

HyMID Browser Design

Current Status

• ^{<- Document Type Definition ->} Document Type Definition
• 32-bit Windows Reader/Browser Implementation
• Conceptual design for a automated data authoring
• Test IETM Implementation and Test Suite
• Published API interface
• Test Implementation software is free

MID Research Product Availability

• MID Application Guide
• HyMID software including sample IETM implementations
• Test Handbook and MID test instances
• Available at:
• http://navycals.dt.navy.mil/mid/mid.html
  • updated 8/10/96
• http://www.nawcsti.navy.mil (future)

Additional Information

POC : Darlene Janiszewski

Address:
Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division
Information Technology Division, Code 4.5.8.6 - Bldg 222
Villa Road
St. Inigoes, MD 20684-0010, USA

email: djaniszews@ietm.nawcsti.navy.mil

Phone: +011 301 862-8429

FAX: +011 301 862-8488