Illuminated sidestick controller, such as an illuminated sidestick controller for use in aircraft
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sidestick controller for use in an aircraft, comprising:
- a control module, wherein the control module is configured to control operation of the aircraft; and
an illumination module, wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more lighted signals within response to operation of an auto-flight system of the aircraft;
wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more colors associated with the operation of the aircraft; and
the illumination module is located on the sidestick controller.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for illuminating one or more sidestick controllers within a cockpit of an aircraft is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a sidestick controller having lighting components that display lighting behaviors representing the movement and/or control of an aircraft. In some embodiments, the system illuminates various different lighting components on a sidestick controller based on information received from aircraft control systems, cockpit lighting systems, and other systems associated with an aircraft.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A sidestick controller for use in an aircraft, comprising:
-
a control module, wherein the control module is configured to control operation of the aircraft; and an illumination module, wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more lighted signals within response to operation of an auto-flight system of the aircraft; wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more colors associated with the operation of the aircraft; and
the illumination module is located on the sidestick controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A system for indicating information associated with control of an aircraft, the aircraft having a flight control system, the system comprising:
-
an information component, wherein the information component is configured to determine a state of control of the flight control system based on information received from an auto-flight system of the aircraft; and an illumination component, wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate one or more indicators located on or associated with a sidestick controller of the aircraft in response to the determined state of control of the flight control system; wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more colors associated with the operation of the aircraft; and
the illumination module is located on the sidestick controller. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for displaying lighted information via a sidestick controller of an aircraft, the method comprising:
-
identifying whether a sidestick controller is assigned priority; and when the sidestick controller is not assigned priority; receiving pitch control input information from an auto-flight system within the aircraft; illuminating pitch lights of the sidestick controller based on the received pitch control input information; receiving roll control input information from an auto-flight system within the aircraft; and illuminating roll lights of the sidestick controller based on the received roll control input information; wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more colors associated with the operation of the aircraft; and
the illumination module is located on the side stick controller. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
-
Specification