A device that controls the cursor in the graphical user interface of an aircraft.

Abstract

A device (1) for controlling a cursor (C) of a graphical user interface (2) of an air vehicle (3) comprises a base structure (5), a grippable body (6) configured to be held by an operator's hand and movable relative to the base structure (5) by a manual force provided by the operator's hand, a force sensor (7) coupled to the grippable body (6) and designed to sense movement of the grippable body (6) relative to the base structure (5) along at least a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y), and an interface circuit (8) for converting a signal provided by the force sensor (7) into a control signal for the graphical user interface (2) of the air vehicle (3) to move the cursor (C) along the first axis and the second axis of the graphical user interface (2) based on the force provided to the grippable body (6) by the operator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 21425022.7, filed on May 10, 2021, and Italian Patent No. 102022000006404, filed on March 31, 2022 be 。

[0002] This disclosure relates to a device for controlling a cursor of a graphical user interface (GUI) of an aircraft

Background Art

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for controlling a cursor of a graphical user interface of an aircraft

[0004] Aircraft are provided with a number of graphical user interfaces that are controlled by moving a cursor on a unit screen according to well - known techniques used in computer science

[0005] Typically, the cursor is moved by acting on a trackball that is operated by a medium or the index finger of an operator (such as a pilot or navigator)

[0006] Other solutions provide a directional transducer that is moved by the thumb

[0007] Aircraft operate in a harsh environment that is greatly affected by vibrations, which are particularly relevant to helicopters. The vibrations are transmitted to the operator, causing the operator's hand to shake, which can affect the control of the trackball

[0008] Therefore, the precise positioning of the cursor is adversely affected by vibration. Furthermore, as the cursor moves, the operator must use the same hand to operate other control components, so if the fingers are occupied controlling the cursor, the positioning of other control components is limited. Prior art documents are disclosed in Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, and 4. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001 / 040553 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 5,432,530 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Registered Patent No. 10,591,948 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 031382 [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The scope of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling the cursor of a graphical user interface of an aircraft, which is less susceptible to vibration and enables accurate cursor control and control of control components simultaneously. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a device that controls the cursor of a graphical user interface for an aircraft according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a top view of the device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view of the device. [Figure 4] This is a first side view of the device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a second side view of the device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to manufacture and use the present invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but rather given the broadest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein and defined in the appended claims.

[0013] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art in the field to which the disclosed embodiments belong. In case of any conflict, this specification, including the definitions, shall prevail. Furthermore, the examples are illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

[0014] For the purpose of facilitating understanding of the embodiments described herein, specific embodiments will be referred to and described using specific terminology. The terminology used herein is solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0015] In the attached drawings (see in particular Figures 1 and 2), reference numeral 1 specifies a device that controls the cursor of the graphical user interface 2 (partially schematic) of an aircraft 3 (Figure 1), which is preferably installed in the cabin of a helicopter (not shown).

[0016] The cursor control device 1 is - Base structure 5, - A grippable body 6 that is shaped to be grasped by the operator's hand (not shown) and is movable relative to the base structure 5 by manual force provided by the operator's hand, - A force sensor 7 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) coupled to the grippable body 6 and designed to sense movement of the grippable body 6 relative to the base structure 5 along at least a first axis X and a second axis Y (see FIG. 1 where the axes are shown), - An interface circuit 8 (FIG. 6) for converting a signal provided by the force sensor 7 into a control signal CNTR of the graphical user interface 2 of the aircraft 3 to move a cursor C along a first axis and a second axis of the graphical user interface 2 based on a force applied by an operator to the grippable body 6.

[0017] Preferably, the force sensor 7 is configured to convert the applied force into a corresponding voltage. As an example, the force sensor 7 is a piezoelectric sensor.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the grippable body 6 has a generally frustoconical shape and extends along one axis 10. The grippable body 6 is defined by an outer surface 12 having several depressions, protrusions or bumps 13 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) designed to improve the gripping characteristics of the grippable body 6.

[0019] The grippable body 6 is provided with several control components 15 (buttons, levers, knobs, etc., see FIGS. 1 and 3) provided on the outer surface 12 of the grippable body 6, designed to be operated by fingers and designed to provide control for other units installed on the aircraft 3 or helicopter.

[0020] The grippable body 6 is provided with a confirmation component 17 in the form of a push button arranged on the front surface of the grippable body 6 and designed to be manually actuated so as to be able to transmit a control signal CNTR to the graphical user interface 2 of the aircraft 3 to move the cursor. Thus, when the confirmation component 17 is manually actuated (pressed in the embodiment), control of the cursor becomes possible, thereby avoiding unnecessary manual actuation of the grippable body 6 due to impact or vibration applied to the operator.

[0021] More specifically, the push button 17 is cup-shaped and positioned on the front of the grippable body 6, so that it can be operated by the operator's index finger.

[0022] As an alternative, the confirmation part 17 can also be positioned on the side so that it can be operated with the thumb.

[0023] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the cursor control device 1 comprises a first mounting plate 20 that stably supports the cylindrical protective body 21 (see Figure 7) of the force sensor 7, and a transducer interface arm 23 having a base 23b connected to the movable part 24 of the force sensor 7 (the connection is schematically shown by arrows), and the grippable body 6 is supported by the interface arm 23.

[0024] The mounting plate 20 has a circular hole 20-a into which it is inserted and stably connected to the protective body 21. The movable part 24 protrudes in the direction of the interface arm 23.

[0025] A protective cover 26, which has a parallelepiped shape (see Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5), extends from the periphery of a rectangular plate 20. The cover 26 covers and protects the interface circuit 8 and the sensor 7.

[0026] The angular position regulating device 30 is interposed between the interface arm 23 and the grippable body 6, and is designed to allow the grippable body 6 to be positioned relative to the interface arm 23 around a first regulating axis A (corresponding to axis 10) and a second regulating axis B (see Figure 3) perpendicular to the first regulating axis, in order to optimize the positioning of the operator's hand on the grippable body 6 during use.

[0027] More specifically, the angular position regulating device 30 is designed to allow stepped angular movement of, for example, 10° or 20° around the respective first and second regulating axes A and B.

[0028] More specifically, in order to avoid unnecessary and unwanted movement of the grippable body around the first and second axes A and B, first and second enable-deactivate parts 32 and 33 (in the form of knobs) are provided on the grippable body 6. The first enable knob 32 has a disc shape and four axial projections perpendicular to the other, and is angularly movable between a closed position for disabling angular movement of the grippable body 6 around the first axis A and an enabled position for enabling rotation of the grippable body around the first axis A.

[0029] The second activation knob 33 also has a disc shape and four axial protrusions, and is angularly movable between a closed position for disabling angular movement of the grippable body 6 around the second axis and an activation position for allowing rotation of the grippable body around the second axis B.

[0030] As described above, the force transducer 7 is incorporated into the mounting plate 20, and a force is applied to the grippable body 6. In this way, instead of using a pointing device operated by the thumb, it becomes possible to provide cursor movement information to the grippable body 6. This action on the grippable body 6 by arm movement allows for more stable and accurate control of the cursor (especially in high-vibration environments such as helicopter cockpits).

[0031] The grippable body 6 further comprises elements that allow the pilot's hand to remain in a comfortable resting position even in high-vibration environments, thereby enabling hand and arm movements that convey such precision in cursor movement accuracy with great precision.

[0032] By managing cursor movement with the hand, all fingers can operate other control components simultaneously with cursor movement, enabling a more ergonomic distribution of all necessary control components on the grippable body.

[0033] Please note again that, to avoid unwanted activation due to shock or vibration, the central transducer can be activated simply by pressing confirmation button 15.

[0034] The shape and number of additional functions incorporated into the gripping body are not limited to those described.

[0035] Therefore, the main advantages of the present invention are as follows: a. Precise cursor control even in the presence of strong vibrations. c. Multiple components are integrated into the grippable body 6. b. Better ergonomic positioning of control components, c. Operation of control components by the operator becomes easier. d. More functions can be controlled simultaneously. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1 device 2. Graphical User Interface 3 flying objects 5 Base structure 6 Gripable body 7 Force Sensor 8 Interface Circuit 10 axes 12 Exterior 13. Protrusions, projections, or bumps 15 Control Components 17. Parts to check 20 Installation Plate 23 Interface Arm 24 Moving parts 30 Angular position regulating means 32, 33 Activation-Deactivation Components

Claims

1. A device (1) that controls the cursor (C) of a graphical user interface (2) of an aircraft (3) installed in the cabin of a helicopter, wherein the device is - Base structure (5), - A grippable body (6) that is shaped to be grasped by the operator's hand and is movable relative to the base structure (5) by the manual force provided by the operator's hand, - A force sensor (7) coupled to the grippable body (6) and designed to sense the movement of the grippable body (6) relative to the base structure (5) along at least a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y), - An interface circuit (8) designed to convert signals provided by the force sensor (7) into control signals for the graphical user interface (2) of the aircraft (3) in order to move the cursor (C) along the first and second axes of the graphical user interface (2) based on the manual force applied to the grippable body (6) by the operator, wherein the grippable body (6) is provided with several control components (15) located on the outer surface (12) of the grippable body (6) and designed to be operated by a finger to provide control to the aircraft (3) or other units, The grippable body (6) has a frustoconical shape and extends along one axis (10), and the grippable body (6) is limited by an outer surface (12) provided with several protrusions, projections or bumps (13) designed to improve the gripping characteristics of the grippable body (6). The grippable body (6) constitutes an element that allows the pilot's hand to remain in a comfortable rest position even in a high-vibration environment, and is therefore configured to enable hand and arm movements that convey such precision in cursor movement accuracy with great accuracy. The grippable body (6) is provided with at least one confirmation component (17) located on the outer surface (12) of the grippable body, which has a frustoconical shape, and is designed to be manually activated so as to send a control signal to the graphical user interface (2) of the flying object (3) in order to move the cursor (C), so that when the confirmation component (17) is manually activated, the cursor can be controlled, thereby avoiding unnecessary manual operation of the grippable body due to shocks or vibrations applied to the operator, in the device (1).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation component (17) is positioned on the front side of the grippable body so that it can be operated by the operator's index finger.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation component (17) is positioned laterally so as to be operated by the thumb.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1 further comprises a first mounting plate (20) for stably supporting the force sensor (7) and a converter interface arm (23) connected to a movable part (24) of the force sensor (7), wherein the grippable body (6) is supported by the converter interface arm (23).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein an angular position restricting means (30) is interposed between the converter interface arm (23) and the grippable body (6), and the angular position restricting means (30) is designed to allow the grippable body (6) to be positioned relative to the converter interface arm about a first restricting axis (A) and about a second restricting axis (B) laterally relative to the first restricting axis in order to optimize the positioning of the operator's hand on the grippable body during use.

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the angular position regulating means (30) is designed to allow angular movement in a stepped manner, such as in steps of 10° or 20°, around each of the first regulating axis (A) and the second regulating axis (B).

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the grippable body (6) is provided with a first enabling component (32) and a second enabling component (33), the first enabling component (32) being movable between a closed position for disabling angular movement of the grippable body around a first restricting axis and an enabled position for allowing rotation of the grippable body around the first restricting axis, and the second enabling component (33) being movable between a closed position for disabling angular movement of the grippable body around a second axis and an enabled position for allowing rotation of the grippable body around the second axis.

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the force sensor (7) is configured to convert an applied force into a corresponding voltage.

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the force sensor (7) is a piezoelectric sensor.

10. A helicopter aircraft (3) having a device (1) for selecting a function of the graphical user interface (2) by controlling a cursor (C) of the graphical user interface (2) which is movable along a first axis and a second axis (2) under manual control of the device (1) according to claim 1.

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