INPUT/STEERING MECHANISMS AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL SYSTEMS

• US 20100131123A1
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Blake, Suddreth, John G., Gannon, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US12/276,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20100131123A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/0423 yokes or steering wheels for primary flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0075 Adaptations for use of electronic flight bags in aircraft; Supports therefor in the cockpit
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C

Abstract

Input/steering mechanisms and aircraft control systems are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, an input/steering mechanism is provided for use with an aircraft control system. The input/steering mechanism includes a handlebar, a first panel extending from the handlebar, and a first portion of an alphanumeric keyboard disposed on the panel and adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit an output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input.

Claims

1. An input/steering mechanism for use with an aircraft control system, the input/steering mechanism comprising:

a handlebar;

a first panel extending from the handlebar; and

a first portion of an alphanumeric keyboard disposed on the first panel and adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit an output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input.

2. The input/steering mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a steering mechanism to which the handlebar is mounted, the steering mechanism capable of a rotational motion, an axial motion, and a radial motion, and adapted to produce an output signal in response to the motion and to transmit the output signal to the aircraft control system.

3. The input/steering mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a first grip surface formed along a first portion of a length of the handlebar and contoured to correspond with one or more fingers of a left hand of the user; and

a second grip surface formed along a second portion of the length of the handlebar, the second grip surface contoured to correspond with one or more fingers of a right hand of the user.

4. The input/steering mechanism of claim 3, further comprising:

a second panel extending from the handlebar away from the second grip surface,

wherein a second portion of the alphanumeric keyboard is disposed on the second panel.

5. The input/steering mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an input device disposed on the handlebar adjacent to the first portion of the alphanumeric keyboard, the input device adapted to translate a two-dimensional motion of the input device to an output signal.

6. The input/steering mechanism of claim 5, wherein the input device comprises a track button mouse.

7. The input/steering mechanism of claim 5, wherein the input device comprises a touchpad.

8. The input/steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least a first portion of the alphanumeric keyboard comprises at least a portion of a QWERTY-based keyboard.

9. The input/steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least a first portion of the alphanumeric keyboard comprises a means for displaying at least a portion of a virtual keyboard on the face of the handlebar and a means for sensing movement of one or more of the fingers across the portion of the virtual keyboard to produce the output signal.

10. The input/steering mechanism of claim 9, wherein the means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual keyboard is further adapted to project the virtual keyboard such that the virtual keyboard moves relative to a movement of the handlebar.

11. The input/steering mechanism of claim 9, wherein the means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual keyboard is further adapted to project the virtual keyboard such that the virtual keyboard does not move relative to a movement of the handlebar.

12. The input/steering mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a tactile generator adapted to provide a physical disturbance to a user, the tactile generator disposed on the handlebar.

13. An aircraft control system comprising:

an input/steering mechanism including;

a handlebar,

a first panel extending from the handlebar, and

a first portion of an alphanumeric keyboard disposed on the first panel and adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit a first output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input;

a processor in operable communication with the input/steering mechanism, the processor adapted to receive the first output signal from the input/steering mechanism and to produce a second output signal in response to the first output signal; and

a display in operable communication with the processor and adapted to display an image in response to the second output signal from the processor.

14. The aircraft control system of claim 13, further comprising:

a steering mechanism to which the handlebar is mounted, the steering mechanism capable of a rotational motion, an axial motion, and a radial motion, and adapted to produce a third output signal in response to the motion and to transmit the third output signal to the aircraft control system.

15. The aircraft control system of claim 13, wherein the input/steering mechanism further comprises:

a first grip surface formed along a first portion of a length of the handlebar and contoured to correspond with one or more fingers of the user; and

a second grip surface formed along a second portion of the length of the handlebar, the second grip surface contoured to correspond with one or more fingers of a right hand of the user.

16. The aircraft control system of claim 15, further comprising:

a second panel extending from the handlebar away from the second grip surface,

wherein a second portion of the alphanumeric keyboard is disposed on the second panel.

17. The aircraft control system of claim 13, further comprising an input device disposed on the handlebar adjacent to the first portion of the alphanumeric keyboard, the input device adapted to translate a two-dimensional motion of the input device to a fourth output signal to the processor.

18. The aircraft control system of claim 13, wherein the first portion of the alphanumeric keyboard comprises a portion of a QWERTY-based keyboard.

19. The aircraft control system of claim 13, wherein the first portion of the alphanumeric keyboard comprises a means for displaying at least a portion of a virtual keyboard on the first panel and a means for sensing movement across the portion of the virtual keyboard to produce the first output signal to the processor.

20. The aircraft control system of claim 13, further comprising a tactile generator in operable communication with the processor and adapted to provide a physical disturbance to a user, in response to the second output signal received from the processor.