Method and apparatus for using a scratch pad in a graphical user interface for avionics equipment

• US 6,573,914 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Smith, Matthew T., Pauly, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US09/503,564
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 345/769, 345/780, 345/767, 345/770, 345/840, 345/771, 345/773, 345/835, 345/168, 345/172, 701/3, 701/14, 701/36, 707/507, 707/505, 707/530, 707/539, 715/505, 715/507, 715/530, 715/539
• US Class Current: 715/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

An apparatus and method for entering data into an avionics system which uses a large multi-functional display, with a graphical user interface, which is capable of direct data entry into pre-selected fields and further includes a scratch pad for temporarily storing data prior to entry into a later selected data field. The scratch pad is capable of receiving stacked data items as well as automatically distributing compound data items to their appropriate display fields.

Claims

1. An avionics system comprising:

a multi-functional display having thereon a graphical user interface with a plurality of data fields for displaying predetermined aviation information, said multi-functional display further having a read-write indicator/graphically generated line select key displayed thereon;

a keypad for directly entering data into a first of said plurality of data fields; and

,

a scratch pad, coupled to said key pad, for staging aviation information entered through said keypad, but not directly entered into any of said plurality of data fields.

2. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said scratch pad receives data from said keypad when said plurality of data fields are not selected for direct data entry.

3. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said keypad directly enters data fields has been selected for direct data entry.

4. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said scratch pad receives data from said first of said plurality of data fields.

5. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said scratch pad writes data to said first of said plurality of data fields.

6. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said scratch pad receives a stack of data items and distributes said stack to said plurality of data fields.

7. An avionics system of claim 6 wherein said stack of data items is distributed in accordance with a user selectable order of distribution.

8. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said scratch pad receives a compound data item having a plurality of segments therein relating to a plurality of predetermined aviation parameters, whereby said plurality of segments of said compound data item are automatically distributed to said plurality of data fields, in accordance with a predetermined syntax.

9. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said avionics display is a CDU display.

10. An avionics system of claim 9 wherein said scratch pad receives a compound data item having a plurality of segments therein relating to a plurality of predetermined aviation parameters, whereby said plurality of segments of said compound data item are automatically distributed to said plurality of data fields, in accordance with a predetermined syntax.

11. An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said display has a periphery region which has a plurality of manually manipulated line select keys disposed therein.

12. A method of entering aviation information into an avionics system, of the type having a multi-functional display comprising the steps of:

displaying a read-write indicator/graphically generated line select key on the multi-functional display;

providing a keypad to enter data;

providing a scratch pad to receive data; and

,

said key pad coupled so as to enter data into said scratch pad and alternatively enter data directly into a first of a plurality of data fields in a graphical user interface, depending upon a predetermined selection characteristic of said first of a plurality of data fields.

13. A method of claim 12 wherein said predetermined selection characteristic is representative of a positive selection of a data field to receive direct data entry.

14. A method of claim 12 wherein said predetermined selection characteristic is representative of a lack of any positive selection of any of said plurality of data fields to receive direct data entry.

15. A method of claim 12 further including the steps of:

making a selection of a selected data field to receive data directly;

entering data directly into said selected data field.

16. A method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

entering data into said scratch pad when none of said plurality of data fields is selected.

17. An avionics system comprising:

a multi-functional display with a graphical representation of a line select key;

means for entering aviation data; and

,

means for temporarily storing aviation data and then transferring said aviation data to a display field, wherein said means for temporarily storing is a scratch pad.