Flight Deck Touch-Sensitive Hardware Controls
First Claim
1. An interface system for enabling a user to control a mode of a flight vehicle, comprising:
- a control panel comprising first and second settable control devices configured to output first and second flight parameter setting signals representing respective current settings of first and second flight parameters of the first and second settable control devices;
a first sensor configured to output a first user proximity signal while the first settable control device is being touched by a user;
a second sensor configured to output a second user proximity signal while the second settable control device is being touched by a user;
a display system comprising a display screen that is not part of or collocated with said control panel; and
a computer system coupled to receive said first and second setting signals from said first and second settable control devices and receive said first or second user proximity signal output by said first or second sensor, and further coupled to send display control signals to said display system, said computer system being programmed to output display control signals that control said display system to display an image comprising an indication of said current setting of said first flight parameter within a first area of said display screen and an indication of said current setting of said second flight parameter within a second area of said display screen which does not overlap said first area, and said computer system being further programmed to cause a visible change within said first area in response to receipt of said first user proximity signal and to cause a visible change within said second area in response to receipt of said second user proximity signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Touch or proximity sensors are integrated into control devices such as knobs, dials or wheels incorporated in a user control panel. A control output processor detects whether any of the sensors are outputting signals indicating that a control device is being touched (or nearly touched) by a user. The control output processor causes an associated display area to be highlighted or otherwise modified on a display screen to indicate to the user which control device is being touched. This feature allows for “no-look” interaction with control panels, and keeps the user'"'"'s eyes focused on the relevant displays where the control devices produce effects. This allows users to preview and verify that the correct control device is being manipulated prior to taking any (potentially erroneous) control actions.
28 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An interface system for enabling a user to control a mode of a flight vehicle, comprising:
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a control panel comprising first and second settable control devices configured to output first and second flight parameter setting signals representing respective current settings of first and second flight parameters of the first and second settable control devices; a first sensor configured to output a first user proximity signal while the first settable control device is being touched by a user; a second sensor configured to output a second user proximity signal while the second settable control device is being touched by a user; a display system comprising a display screen that is not part of or collocated with said control panel; and a computer system coupled to receive said first and second setting signals from said first and second settable control devices and receive said first or second user proximity signal output by said first or second sensor, and further coupled to send display control signals to said display system, said computer system being programmed to output display control signals that control said display system to display an image comprising an indication of said current setting of said first flight parameter within a first area of said display screen and an indication of said current setting of said second flight parameter within a second area of said display screen which does not overlap said first area, and said computer system being further programmed to cause a visible change within said first area in response to receipt of said first user proximity signal and to cause a visible change within said second area in response to receipt of said second user proximity signal. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23)
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2. (canceled)
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7. An interface system for enabling a user to control a mode of a flight vehicle, comprising:
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a control panel comprising first and second settable control devices configured to output first and second flight parameter setting signals representing respective current settings of first and second flight parameters of the first and second settable control devices; a first sensor configured to output a first user proximity signal while the first settable control device is being touched by a user; a second sensor configured to output a second user proximity signal while the second settable control device is being touched by a user; a display system comprising a display screen that is not part of or collocated with said control panel, a first area of said display screen displaying a first scale and a first pointer for indicating a current measured value of said first flight parameter and a first setting indicator for indicating a current setting of said first flight parameter, and a second area of said display screen displaying a second scale and a second pointer for indicating a current measured value of said second flight parameter and a second setting indicator for indicating a current setting of said second flight parameter; and a computer system coupled to receive said first and second setting signals from said first and second settable control devices and receive said first or second user proximity signal output by said first or second sensor and further coupled to send display control signals to said display system, said computer system being programmed to cause a visible change within said first area of said display screen in response to receipt of said first user proximity signal and to cause a visible change within said second area of said display screen in response to receipt of said second user proximity signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 13, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26)
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8-9. -9. (canceled)
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11-12. -12. (canceled)
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16-20. -20. (canceled)
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27. An interface system for enabling a user to control a mode of a flight vehicle, comprising:
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a control panel comprising first and second settable control devices configured to output first and second flight parameter setting signals representing respective current settings of first and second flight parameters of the first and second settable control devices; a first sensor configured to output a first user proximity signal while the first settable control device is being touched by a user; a second sensor configured to output a second user proximity signal while the second settable control device is being touched by a user; a display system comprising a display screen that is not part of or collocated with said control panel, a first area of said display screen displaying a current measured value of said first flight parameter and a current setting of said first flight parameter in a first area, and a second area of said display screen displaying a current measured value of said second flight parameter and a current setting of said second flight parameter; and a computer system coupled to receive said first and second setting signals from said first and second settable control devices and receive said first or second user proximity signal output by said first or second sensor and further coupled to send display control signals to said display system, said computer system being programmed to cause a visible change within said first area of said display screen in response to receipt of said first user proximity signal and to cause a visible change within said second area of said display screen in response to receipt of said second user proximity signal.
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Specification