Tactile device and method for providing information to an aircraft or motor vehicle or equipment operator

• US 7,167,781 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2004
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hugh T. Lee
• Original Assignee: Hugh T. Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Hugh T.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US10/844,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20050267649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/1, 340/407.1, 340/7.6, 340/959, 434/113, 434/114, 601/78, 244/1, 244/77, 607/152
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 10/00 Flight suits helmets in general A42B3/00; breathing helmets A62B18/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A tactile device for an aircraft operator has a plurality of tactors for being passively attached to an aircraft operator, the plurality of tactors including a first tactor and a second tactor neighboring the first tactor. A control system controls actuation of the tactors as a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the aircraft, the control system actuating the first tactor when the variable reaches a first predetermined value, and actuating both the first and second tactor when the variable reaches a second predetermined value different from the first predetermined value. Other tactile devices and methods for actuating tactile devices are also provided.

Claims

1. A tactile device for an aircraft operator comprising:

a plurality of tactors for being passively attached to an aircraft operator, the plurality of tactors including a first tactor and a second tactor neighboring the first tactor; and

a control system controlling actuation of the tactors as a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the aircraft, the control system actuating the first tactor when the variable reaches a first predetermined value, and actuating both the first and second tactor when the variable reaches a second predetermined value different from the first predetermined value.

2. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of tactors further includes a third tactor, the second tactor being located between the first and third tactors, the first, second and third tactors all being actuated when the variable reaches a third predetermined value, a difference between the first predetermined value and the third predetermined value being greater than a difference between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value.

3. The tactile device as recited in claim 2 wherein the first, second and third tactors are arranged linearly.

4. The tactile device as recited in claim 2 wherein the first and second tactors and second and third tactors are spaced equidistantly.

5. The tactile device as recited in claim 4 wherein the difference between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value is the same as the difference between the second predetermined value and the third predetermined value.

6. The tactile device as recited in claim 2 wherein the first and second tactors, and second and third tactors are spaced within two centimeters of each other.

7. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 wherein the characteristic is one of altitude or airspeed.

8. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second tactors are spaced within two centimeters of each other.

9. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third tactor and a longitudinal strip of material, the first, second and third tactors being supported by the strip and being actuated in response to a variation of the variable.

10. The tactile device as recited in claim 9 further comprising a VELCRO attachment or adhesive tape to attach the longitudinal strip of material to the operator.

11. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 wherein the device attaches to a forearm.

12. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of tactors are arranged in a linearly-laterally expanding pattern.

13. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of tactors is a separate attachable strip.

14. The tactile device as recited in claim 1 further comprising lateral marker strips.

15. A tactile device for an aircraft operator comprising:

a plurality of tactors for being passively attached to an aircraft operator, the plurality of tactors including a first tactor and a second tactor neighboring the first tactor; and

a control system controlling actuation of the tactors as a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the aircraft, the control system actuating the first tactor as a marker, and actuating the first and second tactors when the variable reaches a first predetermined value.

16. A tactile device for an aircraft operator comprising:

a strip-shaped tactor for being passively attached to the aircraft operator over a longitudinal surface and infinitely variable in the longitudinal direction; and

a control system controlling actuation of the strip-shaped tactor as a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the aircraft, the control system actuating the strip-shaped tactor longitudinally as a function of the variable.

17. The tactile device as recited in claim 16 wherein the control system actuates the strip-shaped tactor longitudinally in direct relation to a value of the variable.

18. A tactile device for an aircraft operator comprising:

a tactor for being passively attached to an aircraft operator, the tactor having a characteristic infinitely variable between two points, and

a control system controlling the infinitely-variable characteristic of the tactor as a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the aircraft, the characteristic being independent of signals generated outside the aircraft.

19. The tactile device as recited in claim 18 wherein the infinitely-variable characteristic is a frequency or amplitude of vibration of the tactor.

20. The tactile device as recited in claim 18 wherein the infinitely-variable characteristic is a temperature of the tactor.

21. The tactile device as recited in claim 18 wherein the infinitely-variable characteristic is an electric voltage or current of the tactor provided to the aircraft.

22. The tactile device as recited in claim 18 wherein the infinitely-variable characteristic is a pressure provided by the tactor to the operator.

23. A method for actuating a plurality of tactors passively attached to an aircraft operator, the plurality of tactors including a first tactor and a second tactor neighboring the first tactor, the method comprising:

actuating a first tactor when a variable reaches a first predetermined value or as a marker, the variable being a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the aircraft; and

actuating the second tactor when the variable reaches a second predetermined value.

24. A method for actuating a strip-shaped tactor passively attached to an aircraft operator, the strip-shaped tactor being longitudinally actuable, the method comprising:

actuating the strip-shaped tactor to provide a signal at a first tactile location when a variable reaches a first predetermined value or as a marker, the variable being a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the aircraft; and

actuating the strip-shaped tactor to provide further signals longitudinally downstream from the first tactile location as a value of the variable changes.

25. A tactile device for a motor vehicle or equipment operator comprising:

a plurality of tactors passively attached to the motor vehicle or equipment operator, the plurality of tactors including a first tactor and a second tactor neighboring the first tactor; and

a control system controlling actuation of the tactors as a function of a variable representing a characteristic of the operation of the motor vehicle or equipment, the control system actuating the first tactor when the variable reaches a first predetermined value, and actuating both the first and second tactor when the variable reaches a second predetermined value different from the first predetermined value.

26. A tactile device comprising:

a first tactor for providing electricity to the skin of a user of the tactile device;

a second tactor for contacting the skin; and

a controller for determining an electrical conductivity of the skin between the first and second tactors.