Cursor and display management system for multi-function control and display system

• US 6,784,869 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Clark, Samuel T., Braune, Rolf J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh, Duc Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/713,812
• Time in Patent Office: 1,385 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156-157, 345/160-163, 345/173, 345/841, 345/845, 345/808, 345/810, 345/813, 345/818
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

A cursor control display and management system for a flight deck of an aircraft for enabling one of a plurality of multi-function displays to be selected and used without the need to physically select controls from a separate panel. The system includes a pair of cursor control devices (CCDs) each having a cursor movement mechanism, a menu select switch, a function select switch and, depending on the specific embodiment, a group of display selector switches. The display selector switches are used to select the CCD cursor to specific displays for use from each CCD. Once a specific display has been selected, the CCD'"'"'s cursor can be placed over a function on the selected display and the function select switch pressed to select a specific function. A standard or unique pop-up menu or control panel can be displayed on the selected display by pressing the menu select switch on the CCD.

Claims

1. A cursor and display management and control system for a vehicle which is capable of being used by a pair of operators to allow each said operator to independently select desired ones of a plurality of multi-function displays, said system comprising:

a plurality of multi-function displays including at least one display to be shared by both of said operators;

at least one cursor control device (CCD) assigned for use to a first one of said operators; and

said CCD having a cursor positioning device for moving an associated cursor, a menu select switch, and an input/function select switch, a touch screen being operable to enable said first one of said operators to select a second one of said displays for use by said first one of said operators by positioning said cursor at a predetermined area of the first one of said displays, wherein said cursor automatically and freely moves to said second one of said displays and said cursor is active only on the second one of said displays.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a first pop-up menu is displayed on said first one of said displays when said cursor is positioned on an inactive area of said one of said displays and said function select switch is pressed.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a first pop-up menu is displayed on said first one of said displays when said cursor is positioned at any location on said first one of said displays and said CCD menu select switch is pressed.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein placing said cursor over an active area of said display or menu causes said active area or menu item, representing a specific function, to be visually differentiated from other active areas, and pressing said input/function select switch causes said specific function which said cursor is positioned over to be selected and visually differentiated as a selected function.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of display indicator lights for visually indicating which one of said displays is presently selected.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said cursor is automatically positioned at a predetermined position on one of said displays when selected thereto.

7. A cursor and display management system comprising:

a plurality of displays for displaying at least one of information or a plurality of functions;

at least one cursor control device (CCD) including;

a cursor positioning device for moving a cursor associated with said CCD around a display area of a selected one of said displays;

a selection switch for selecting one of a plurality of available menu options displayed on said selected display; and

wherein desired ones of said displays can be selected by an operator using said cursor positioning device by positioning said cursor of an associated CCD at a predetermined area of each of said displays, wherein said cursor of said associated CCD is caused to jump from a presently selected display to a different display such that said cursor is only active on the selected one of said displays and without subsequent manual actuation of any mechanical switch by said operator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein once said cursor is positioned on a given one of said displays, said cursor is moveable to and from only predetermined areas within the given one of said displays.