METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING AN AIRCRAFT

• US 20140358332A1
• Filed: 06/03/2013
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Wischmeyer, Ed, Colmenares, Simn Octavio
• Application Number:
  US13/908,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20140358332A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/0425 for actuating trailing or leading edge flaps, air brakes or spoilers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/044 operated by feet, e.g. pedals
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/26 Control or locking systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 31/04 actuated personally
• 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: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

Methods, aircraft, and instrumentation systems are provided. An aircraft instrumentation system includes a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor is configured to detect a first gesture within a first task envelope located in an aircraft. The controller is coupled with the first sensor and is configured to compare the first gesture with a plurality of stored gestures and generate an aircraft related task in response to a match between the first gesture and a stored gesture of the plurality of the stored gestures.

Claims

1. An aircraft instrumentation system comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect a first gesture within a first task envelope located in an aircraft; and

a controller communicatively coupled with the first sensor, the controller configured to;

compare the first gesture with a plurality of stored gestures; and

generate an aircraft related task in response to a match between the first gesture and a stored gesture of the plurality of the stored gestures.

2. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the first task envelope is proximate a seat in the aircraft.

3. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor configured to detect a second gesture within a second task envelope.

4. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 3, wherein the second task envelope is proximate a second seat in the aircraft.

5. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is one of an optical sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an infrared sensor, and a capacitive sensor.

6. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is configured to be mounted to an internal surface within a cockpit of the aircraft.

7. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a task that commands operation of an aircraft flight component.

8. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, further comprising a flight display configured to display an image, and wherein the controller is further configured to generate a task that manipulates the image to change at least one of an image format, an image size, an image location, and a menu presentation.

9. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, further including a flight display configured to display an image and a cursor, and wherein the controller is further configured to generate a task that moves the cursor across the image.

10. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust a size and location of the first task envelope based on a current location of a crew member of the aircraft.

11. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to filter out the stored gesture based on a set of rules.

12. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to generate tasks only when the stored gesture includes use of a control object to reduce unintended control of the displays and aircraft.

13. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to customize the plurality of gestures that are associated with tasks within the task envelope associated with particular crew member.

14. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to generate the aircraft related task based on a confirmation gesture detected after the first gesture.

15. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein a complexity of the stored gesture is based on a type of the generated aircraft related task.

16. The aircraft instrumentation system of claim 1, wherein the controller generates the aircraft related task only after gesture control is activated by at least one of an activation device and a match between the stored gesture and an activation gesture.

20. The aircraft of claim 9, further comprising a first seat, a second seat, and a second sensor configured to detect a second gesture within a second task envelope proximate the second seat, and wherein the first task envelope is proximate the first seat.

17. A method for controlling an aircraft, the method comprising:

monitoring a first sensor that is configured to detect a first gesture within a first task envelope located in the aircraft;

comparing the first gesture with a plurality of stored gestures using a controller;

generating an aircraft related task in response to a match between the first gesture and a stored gesture of the plurality of stored gestures.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising monitoring a second sensor that is configured to detect a second gesture within a second task envelope located in the aircraft.

19. An aircraft comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect a first gesture within a first task envelope located in the aircraft; and

a controller communicatively coupled with the first sensor, the controller configured to;

compare the first gesture with a plurality of stored gestures; and

generate an aircraft related task in response to a match between the gesture and a stored gesture of the plurality of stored gestures.