DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING A STIMULI-SENSITIVE MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY WITH CONSOLIDATED CONTROL FUNCTIONS

• US 20110006983A1
• Filed: 09/20/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Grothe, Steven P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,681,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

According to an example embodiment, display system includes a first display device and a multi-function display (MFD). The first display device is configured to selectively render a first cursor thereon. The MFD is separate from, and is in operable communication with, the first display device. The MFD includes a stimuli-sensitive display screen. A first CCD is at least selectively within a first area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, and is configured to generate a first signal, in response to a first input that is sensed in the first area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, for controlling the first cursor on the first display device. An avionics display is at least selectively rendered within in a first sub-area of a second area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

Claims

1. A display system, comprising:

a first display device configured to selectively render a first cursor thereon; and

a multi-function display (MFD) separate from, and in operable communication with, the first display device, the MFD comprising;

a stimuli-sensitive display screen;

a first Cursor Control Device (CCD) at least selectively within a first area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, the first CCD configured to generate a first signal, in response to a first input that is sensed in the first area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, for controlling the first cursor on the first display device; and

an avionics display at least selectively rendered within in a first sub-area of a second area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the stimuli-sensitive display screen is further configured to selectively display the first cursor in the second area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

3. The display system of claim 2, wherein:

the first display device is further configured to selectively render a second cursor thereon; and

the apparatus further comprises a second CCD within a third area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, the second CCD configured to generate a second signal, in response to a second input that is sensed in the third area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, for controlling the second cursor on the first display device.

4. The display system of claim 3, wherein the stimuli-sensitive display screen is further configured to selectively display the second cursor in a fourth area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

5. The display system of claim 4, wherein the first and the second area occupy a first half of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, and wherein the third and the fourth area occupy a second half of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

6. The display system of claim 3, further comprising:

a first hand rest disposed adjacent to the first area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen; and

a second hand rest disposed adjacent to the third area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

7. The display system of claim 1, wherein the MFD further comprises a touchkey display in a second sub-area of the second area of the stimuli-sensitive display.

8. The display system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second display device configured to selectively render a second cursor thereon, the second display device separate from the first display device and from the stimuli-sensitive display, and in operable communication with the stimuli-sensitive display;

a second CCD within a third area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, the second CCD configured to generate a second signal, in response to a second input that is sensed in the third area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen, for controlling the second cursor on the second avionics display; and

a second avionics display in a first sub-area of a fourth area of the stimuli-sensitive display.

9. The display system of claim 8, wherein the stimuli-sensitive display screen is further configured to selectively display the second cursor in a second area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

10. The display system of claim 8, further comprising:

a first hand rest disposed adjacent to the first area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen; and

a second hand rest disposed adjacent to the third area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

11. The display system of claim 10, wherein the first and second hand rests each comprise one or more buttons to select or deselect areas on the stimuli-sensitive display screen.

12. The display system of claim 7, wherein the MFD further comprises a touchkey display in a second sub-area of the fourth area of the stimuli-sensitive display.

13. A method of operating a display system having a stimuli-sensitive display screen that is separate from, and in operable communication with, a first avionics display, the method comprising the steps of:

rendering a first cursor on the first avionics display;

receiving a first input that is sensed within a first area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen;

rendering an avionics display within in a first sub-area of a second area of the stimuli-sensitive display screen;

generating a first signal for controlling the first cursor based at least in part upon the first input; and

adjusting a position of the first cursor on the first avionics display in response to the first signal.