MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE WITH POINTER MEANS AND AN ARMREST, AND A VEHICLE

• US 20140353438A1
• Filed: 05/21/2014
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Original Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Inventors: KERDREUX, Christelle, COLAPRISCO, Marc, BARDET, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,084,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/54 Supports for the arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/039 Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A man-machine interface (10) for a vehicle (1), the interface (10) has pointer means (40) and comprises a base and a support (20) extending in elevation from said base (15). A notch (30) is formed in a side face (22) of said support (20) in an elevation direction (Z) and is shaped to match the shape of a thumb. A top face (21) of the support includes an ergonomic armrest (35) having two raised margins (36) extending symmetrically on either side of a longitudinal axis of symmetry (AX) of the armrest (35). A front face (25) of the support extends in elevation from the base (15) from a bottom portion (25′) having the pointer means (40) arranged therein towards a top portion (25″) that is rounded to support a user'"'"'s palm.

Claims

1. A man-machine interface for a vehicle, said man-machine interface being provided with pointer means for controlling a cursor on at least one display screen and comprising:

a base provided with fastener means for fastening to a console of said vehicle; and

a support extending in elevation from said base to a top face, said support extending transversely between two side faces and longitudinally between a rear face to a front face, a notch being provided in at least one side face of said support in an elevation direction (Z) and being shaped to match the shape of a user'"'"'s thumb, said top face having an ergonomic armrest provided with two raised margins extending symmetrically on either side of a longitudinal axis of symmetry (AX) of the armrest, said two margins being arranged transversely on either side of an armrest zone extending from the rear face towards the front face, said armrest presenting a C-shaped section and being longitudinally elongate in order to match the shape of a user'"'"'s forearm, said front face extending in elevation from the base of a bottom portion having pointer means arranged thereon towards a top portion reaching the top face, the top portion being rounded to support a user'"'"'s palm.

2. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said man-machine interface includes said display screen, said display screen being placed in line with said longitudinal axis of symmetry of the armrest.

3. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said support rests on a reception face of said base, said reception face is contained in a horizontal plane (P1), and said display screen is contained in a display plane (P2) presenting an angle of inclination lying in the range 20 degrees to 40 degrees relative to the horizontal plane (P1).

4. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said support rests on a reception face of said base, said reception face is contained in a horizontal plane (P1), and said bottom portion is perpendicular to said horizontal plane (P1).

5. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said display screen is a touch screen.

6. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said pointer means comprise a touch zone.

7. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said pointer means comprise a movable ball.

8. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said pointer means comprise a wheel.

9. A man-machine interface according to claim 1, wherein said pointer means comprise selector means capable of being activated by pressure from a user'"'"'s finger.

10. A vehicle having a console, wherein said vehicle includes at least one man-machine interface according to claim 1, said base being fastened to said console.