SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM INCORPORATING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE IN A BULKHEAD OF A VEHICLE CABIN

• US 20160059953A1
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bombardier Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bombardier Incorporated
• Inventors: FAGAN, Tim Michael, CONNER, Brian, BARTENBACH, Jeff, NANCARROW, Linsey, HOBBS, Tom, WALDMAN, Erick, PETRY, Sebastian
• Granted Patent: US 9,650,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2013/0655 with zone or personal climate controls

Abstract

A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface disposed in a bulkhead within a cabin of an aircraft. The method includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter may be one from a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group that includes cabin light intensity, cabin light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A system and an executable computer program product also are provided.

Claims

1. A method of operation for a system incorporating a bulkhead graphical user interface disposed in a bulkhead within a cabin of an aircraft, the bulkhead dividing the cabin lengthwise into cabin zones, wherein the system comprises a processor, a controller operatively connected to the processor, and the bulkhead graphical user interface connected to the controller, the method comprising:

displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter on the bulkhead graphical user interface;

receiving, by the controller, a selection of the controllable parameter from the bulkhead graphical user interface;

displaying at least one control for the controllable parameter on the bulkhead graphical user interface;

receiving, by the controller, a control input for the controllable parameter from the bulkhead graphical user interface; and

adjusting, by the controller, the controllable parameter consistent with the control input,

wherein the controllable parameter comprises at least one selected from a group comprising cabin light intensity, cabin light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade, and

wherein the controllable parameter is associated with one of the cabin zones that extends between two bulkheads in the cabin of the aircraft.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing the bulkhead graphical user interface into a sleep mode if selection of a controllable parameter is not received.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prioritizing, by the controller, the control input received from the bulkhead graphical user interface in relation to control inputs received from any other input device, thereby avoiding conflicts between the control inputs.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein cabin light intensity, temperature, and degree of openness of the at least one window shade is adjustable between a predetermined minimum and a predetermined maximum.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the light color is adjustable between a predetermined warm color and a predetermined cool color.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the menu for the controllable parameter includes displaying a cabin light icon, a thermostat icon, and a window shade icon.

20. The method of claim 6, wherein cabin light intensity, temperature, and degree of openness of the at least one window shade are adjustable in response to a sliding motion across a touch-sensitive surface of the bulkhead graphical user interface.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the one of the cabin zones comprises at least one of a crew seating area, a passenger seating area, a bedroom, and a conference room between the two bulkheads in the cabin of the aircraft.

2. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

9. A system incorporating a bulkhead graphical user interface disposed in a bulkhead within a cabin of an aircraft, the bulkhead dividing the cabin lengthwise into cabin zones comprising:

a processor;

a controller being operatively connected to the processor,

wherein the bulkhead graphical user interface also is connected operatively to the processor;

a first display for displaying on the bulkhead graphical user interface at least one controllable parameter;

an input on the bulkhead graphical user interface for receiving a selection of the controllable parameter; and

a second display for displaying on the bulkhead graphical user interface at least one control for the controllable parameter, wherein the input receives a control input for the selected controllable parameter;

wherein the controller adjusts the controllable parameter consistent with the control input,

wherein the controllable parameter comprises a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group comprising cabin light intensity, cabin light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade, and

wherein the controllable parameter is associated with one of the cabin zones that extends between two bulkheads in the cabin of the aircraft.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the bulkhead comprises at least one interior wall within the cabin of the aircraft.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the bulkhead graphical user interface is touch sensitive, permitting selection of the controllable parameter.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller prioritizes the control input received from the bulkhead graphical user interface in relation to control inputs received from any other input device, thereby avoiding conflicts between the control inputs.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the first display comprises a cabin light icon, a thermostat icon, and a window shade icon.

21. The system of claim 9, wherein the second display comprises a slider that responds to a sliding motion across a touch-sensitive surface of the bulkhead graphical user interface.

23. The system of claim 9, wherein the one of the cabin zones comprises at least one of a crew seating area, a passenger seating area, a bedroom, and a conference room between the two bulkheads in the cabin of the aircraft.

12. (canceled)

15. A non-transitory, executable, computer program product providing instructions for a method of operation of a system incorporating a bulkhead graphical user interface disposed in a bulkhead within a cabin of an aircraft, the bulkhead dividing the cabin lengthwise into cabin zones, wherein the system comprises a processor, a controller operatively connected to the processor, and the bulkhead graphical user interface connected to the controller, wherein the instructions comprise:

displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter on the bulkhead graphical user interface;

receiving, by the controller, a selection of the controllable parameter from the bulkhead graphical user interface;

displaying at least one control for the controllable parameter on the bulkhead graphical user interface;

receiving, by the controller, a control input for the controllable parameter from the bulkhead graphical user interface; and

adjusting, by the controller, the controllable parameter consistent with the control input,

wherein the controllable parameter comprises at least one selected from a group comprising cabin light intensity, cabin light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade, and

wherein the controllable parameter is associated with one of the cabin zones that extends between two bulkheads in the cabin of the aircraft.

16. The non-transitory, executable, computer program product of claim 15, wherein the bulkhead comprises at least one interior wall within the cabin of the aircraft.

17. The non-transitory, executable, computer program product of claim 15, wherein the instructions further comprise:

placing the bulkhead graphical user interface into a sleep mode if selection of a controllable parameter is not received.

19. The non-transitory, executable, computer program product of claim 15, wherein the instructions further comprise:

prioritizing, by the controller, the control input received from the bulkhead graphical user interface in relation to control inputs received from any other input device, thereby avoiding conflicts between the control inputs.

24. The non-transitory, executable, computer program product of claim 15, wherein the one of the cabin zones comprises at least one of a crew seating area, a passenger seating area, a bedroom, and a conference room between the two bulkheads in the cabin of the aircraft.

18. (canceled)