AVIONIC TOUCHSCREEN CONTROL SYSTEMS AND PROGRAM PRODUCTS HAVING "NO LOOK" CONTROL SELECTION FEATURE

• US 20140300555A1
• Filed: 04/05/2013
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Rogers, William
• Application Number:
  US13/857,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20140300555A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A system and method for selecting one of a plurality of buttons on a touchscreen, each button being associated with a separate function, comprises capturing a movable mask at a predetermined position on the touchscreen by touching the mask, and navigating on the touchscreen with the mask in search of the button. Feedback is generated when the mask is positioned over the button to identify the function, after which the button may be selected to activate the function.

Claims

1. A method of selecting one of a plurality of buttons on a touchscreen, each button associated with a separate function, the method comprising:

capturing a movable mask at a position on the touchscreen by touching the mask;

navigating the touchscreen with the mask in search of the one of the plurality of buttons;

generating feedback when the mask is positioned over the one of the plurality of buttons; and

selecting the one of the plurality of buttons to activate the specific function.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of capturing comprises engaging the mask at a home position.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising indicating the location of the home position.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising returning the mask to the home position when the one of the plurality of buttons is selected.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising generating feedback when the mask is captured.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising highlighting each button as it is covered by the mask.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedback is audible.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the feedback is verbal so as to identify the button.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the feedback is haptic.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein the touchscreen is housed in a cabinet and the means for locating includes at least one marker on the frame adjacent the home position.

13. The avionic touchscreen control system of claim 1 wherein the non-visual feedback generator comprises a sound generator, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the sound generator to produce a sound if the mask is moved over the first virtual aircraft.

14. The avionic touchscreen control system of claim 13 wherein the sound comprises a voice message indicating the function of the first virtual aircraft control.

11. An avionics touchscreen control system, comprising:

a touchscreen display device;

a touch sensor coupled to the display device and configured to detect touch input thereon;

a non-visual feedback generator; and

a controller coupled to the display device, to the touch sensor, and to the non-visual feedback generator, the controller configured to

generate on the display a graphical representation of a first virtual aircraft control and a movable mask;

monitor touch-and-drag input of the mask; and

move the mask in accordance with the touch-and-drag input, the non-visual feedback generator producing a non-visual indication that the mask is positioned over the first virtual aircraft control.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the controller is further configured to activate the first virtual aircraft control if the mask is released while positioned over the first virtual aircraft control.

15. The avionic touchscreen control system of claim 11 wherein the controller is further configured to return the mask to a predetermined home position.

16. The avionic touchscreen control system of claim 15 wherein the predetermined home position corresponds to a corner region of the graphical display.

17. The avionic touchscreen control system of claim 15 wherein the predetermined home position corresponds to an outer peripheral region of the graphical display, and wherein the display device has a bezel having a tactile feature formed thereon at a location adjacent the outer peripheral region of the display corresponding to the home position.

18. A method of selecting a control button on a touchscreen display to activate a control function, the method comprising:

activating a moveable mask at a home position on the touchscreen display;

searching the touchscreen by touching and dragging the mask until it covers the control function; and

returning the mask to the home position.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising providing feedback when the mask is activated by touching, when the control button is covered by the mask, and when the control button is activated.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the mask is captured at a home location and returns to the home position when the control button is activated.