Automatic configuration method for control keys and a control device for display means, in particular for an aircraft

• US 8,564,536 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2009
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Detouillon, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Van
• Application Number:
  US12/547,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20100295777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

A control device is provided for display means including several screens adapted for displaying several formats. The control device includes several command keys and means for automatic configuration of a command function for display of a format and visualization means associated with the command keys, adapted for respectively assigning to the command keys formats that can be displayed on a screen. The control device is usable in a cockpit of an aircraft.

Claims

1. A method for automatic configuration of command keys of a device for control of an avionics display including a plurality of screens, each screen being configured to display one or more formats, the method comprising:

selecting a screen from among the screens of the avionics display responsive to movement of a cursor to a desired screen;

responsive to said selecting the screen based on the movement of the cursor to the desired screen;

determining a set of formats that can be displayed on the selected screen, a current display format of the selected screen, and a display format of the command keys,

assigning to the command keys functions that command the avionics display respectively regarding formats that are displayable on the selected screen, and

displaying the command keys in the determined display format;

updating one or more visualization aids associated respectively with the command keys to differentiate the command keys in terms of a current display format of the selected screen; and

updating the visualization aids to visually identify the formats assigned respectively to the command keys.

2. The method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, wherein said selecting the screen is implemented based on a position of the cursor associated with the avionics display.

3. The method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the current display format on the selected screen; and

switching display from the current display format on the selected screen to a different display format responsive to selection of a corresponding one of the command keys.

4. The method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, wherein said selecting the screen includes movement of the cursor from a currently selected screen to a screen other than the currently selected screen.

5. The method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, wherein each said screen is configured to display a plurality of formats.

6. The method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the command keys is reserved for a single format, the single format having a highest priority so as to remain permanently accessible to a pilot.

7. The method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, further comprising assigning each said screen to a corresponding one of the command keys such that the command keys are in correspondence with a geographic arrangement of the screens in a cockpit of an aircraft.

8. A device for control of an avionics display including a plurality of screens configured to display a plurality of formats, the control device comprising:

a plurality of command keys; and

control circuitry configured to

select a screen from among the screens of the avionics display responsive to movement of a cursor to a desired screen,

determine a display format of the command keys responsive to selection of the desired screen, the display format of the command keys being based on a set of formats displayable on the desired screen,

assign to the command keys functions that command the avionics display respectively regarding formats that are displayable on the selected screen, and

displaying the command keys in the determined display format,

wherein the plurality of command keys include one or more visualization aids associated respectively with the command keys configured to differentiate the command keys in terms of a current display format of a selected screen, and configured to be updated to visually identify the formats assigned respectively to the command keys.

9. The control device in accordance with claim 8, wherein a total number of the command keys is at least equal to a total number of formats that can be displayed on the selected screen of the avionics display.

10. The control device in accordance with claim 8, wherein a total number of command keys is less than a total number of formats that can be displayed on the selected screen of the avionics display, the control device being configured to assign to a group of the command keys at least two formats that can be displayed on the selected screen according to alternate configurations, one of the command keys being configured to alternate the configuration of the group of command keys, and a total number of formats assigned to each of the command keys in the group of command keys being at least equal to the total number of formats that can be displayed on the selected screen of the avionics display.

11. The control device in accordance with one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the command keys are virtual keys of a touch-sensitive screen.

12. A cockpit of an aircraft, comprising:

the avionics display in accordance with claim 8.

13. An aircraft comprising the cockpit in accordance with claim 12.

14. The control device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control circuitry is configured to

display the current display format on one of the screens when said one screen is selected;

and

switch display from the current display format on said one selected screen to a different display format responsive to selection of a corresponding one of the command keys.

15. The control device in accordance with claim 8, wherein at least one of the command keys is reserved for a single format, the single format having a highest priority so as to remain permanently accessible to a pilot.

16. The control device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the control circuitry is configured to assign each said screen to a corresponding one of the command keys such that the command keys are in correspondence with a geographic arrangement of the screens in a cockpit of an aircraft.

17. A method for automatic configuration of command keys of a device for control of an avionics display including a plurality of screens, each screen being configured to display one or more formats, the method comprising:

selecting a screen from among the screens of the avionics display responsive to movement of a cursor to a desired screen;

responsive to said selecting the screen based on the movement of the cursor to the desired screen;

determining a set of formats that can be displayed on the selected screen, a current display format of the selected screen, and a display format of the command keys,

assigning to the command keys functions that command the avionics display respectively regarding formats that are displayable on the selected screen, and

displaying the command keys in the determined display format;

updating one or more visualization aids associated respectively with the command keys to differentiate the command keys in terms of a current display format of the selected screen;

updating the visualization aids to visually identify the formats assigned respectively to the command keys;

selecting one of the displayed command keys;

displaying a display format as the current display format on the selected screen responsive to said selecting one of the displayed command keys; and

updating one or more of the visual aids of the command keys to visually differentiate one command key to which a displayed current format is assigned.

18. A device for control of an avionics display including a plurality of screens, each screen being configured to display one or more formats, the device comprising:

a plurality of command keys;

selection circuitry configured to select a screen from among the screens of the avionics display responsive to movement of a cursor to a desired location;

determination circuitry configured to determine a set of formats that can be displayed, a current display format on the selected screen, and a format of the command keys;

assigning circuitry configured to assign to the command keys functions that command the avionics display respectively regarding formats that are displayable on the selected screen; and

command key display circuitry configured to display the command keys in the determined display format;

updating circuitry configured to update one or more visualization aids associated respectively with the command keys to differentiate the command keys in terms of a current display format, and to update the visualization aids to visually identify the formats assigned respectively to the command keys; and

display circuitry configured to display the current format on the selected screen.