Apparatus for controlling a cursor of a graphical user interface of a flying unit

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling a cursor of a graphical user interface of a flying unit, comprising a base structure; a graspable body shaped so as to be graspable by a hand of an operator and movable relative to the base structure by manual force provided by the operator through his / her hand; a force sensor connected to the graspable body and designed to sense movements of the graspable body relative to the base structure along at least a first axis and a second axis; an interface circuit for converting signals provided by the force sensor into control signals for the graphical user interface of the flying unit to move the cursor along the first axis and the second axis of the graphical user interface based on the force provided by the operator to the graspable body.

Description

[0001] Cross-references in related fields

[0002] This patent application claims priority to European patent application No. 21425022.7 filed on May 10, 2021 and Italian patent application No. 102022000006404 filed on March 31, 2022. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for a cursor in a graphical user interface (GUI) for controlling a flight unit. Background Technology

[0004] This invention relates to a device for a cursor in a graphical user interface for controlling a flight unit.

[0005] The flight unit offers a number of graphical user interfaces that are controlled by moving a cursor on the unit screen, which is implemented using techniques well-known in computer science.

[0006] Normally, the cursor is moved by operating a trackball, which is operated by the index or middle finger of the operator (such as a pilot or navigator).

[0007] Other solutions offer directional transducers that can be moved by the thumb.

[0008] The flight unit operates in a harsh environment where vibration is severely affected; vibration is particularly relevant in helicopters and can affect trackball control because the vibration is transmitted to the operator and his / her hands may tremble.

[0009] Vibration negatively impacts the accuracy of cursor positioning. Furthermore, operators typically must use the same hand to drive other control components and control cursor movement; therefore, if some fingers are used for cursor control, the positioning solutions for other control components are limited.

[0010] The solutions in the prior art are disclosed in US2001 / 040553 A1, US 5,432,530 A, US 10,591,948B1 and US2017 / 031382 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The scope of the present invention is to provide a cursor control device for a graphical user interface for a flight unit, which is less affected by vibration and allows for precise cursor control as well as simultaneous control of control components. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a device for a cursor in a graphical user interface for controlling a flight unit according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view of the device shown;

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Front view of the device shown;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 First side view of the device shown;

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Second side view of the device shown;

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown; and

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of the cross-section. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but should be given the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein and the principles and features defined in the appended claims.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed embodiments pertain. In the event of conflict, this specification, including the definitions, shall serve as the controlling factor. Furthermore, these examples are illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0021] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, reference will be made to certain embodiments, and specific language will be used to describe these embodiments. The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0022] In the attached diagram (for special reference) Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), reference numeral 1 in the attached figure indicates the control unit 3 ( Figure 1 The device for the cursor of the graphical user interface 2 (partially and schematically shown) is preferably installed in the cabin of a helicopter (not shown).

[0023] The cursor control device 1 includes:

[0024] -Base structure 5;

[0025] - A gripper 6, which is shaped to be gripped by an operator's hand (not shown) and can be moved relative to the base structure 5 by hand force provided by the operator through his / her hand;

[0026] -Force sensor 7 (see Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is connected to the gripper 6 and is designed to sense the movement of the gripper 6 relative to the base structure 5 along at least a first axis X and a second axis Y (see reference). Figure 1 (The axis is shown in the diagram);

[0027] - Interface circuit 8 ( Figure 6 ), used to convert the signal provided by the force sensor 7 into a control signal CNTR for the graphical user interface 2 of the flight unit 3, so as to move the cursor C along the first axis and the second axis of the graphical user interface 2 based on the force provided by the operator to the gripper 6.

[0028] Preferably, the force sensor 7 is configured to convert the applied force into a corresponding voltage. For example, the force sensor 7 is a piezoelectric sensor.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the gripper 6 has an approximately truncated cone shape and extends along an axis 10. The gripper 6 is constrained by an outer surface 12, which has a plurality of protrusions, ridges, or bumps 13 (see...). Figure 1 , 2 (and 3), these protrusions, bumps or ridges are designed to improve the gripping performance of the gripper 6.

[0030] The gripper body 6 is equipped with multiple control components 15 (buttons, joysticks, knobs, etc., see...) Figure 1 and Figure 3 These control components 15 are disposed on the outer surface 12 of the gripper 6 and are designed to be finger-driven to provide control over the flight unit 3 or other units mounted on the helicopter.

[0031] The gripper 6 is provided with a confirmation component 17 in the form of a button, which is placed on the front surface of the gripper 6 and is designed to be manually driven so that the control signal CNTR can be sent to the graphical user interface 2 of the flight unit 3 to control the cursor. Once the confirmation component 17 is manually driven (pressed in this example), the control of the cursor becomes possible, thereby avoiding unwanted manual driving of the gripper 6 due to shocks or vibrations applied to the operator.

[0032] More specifically, button 17 is cup-shaped and is positioned on the front of the gripper 6 so that it can be driven by the operator's index finger.

[0033] As an alternative, the confirmation component 17 can be placed on the side for thumb-driven operation.

[0034] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The cursor control device 1 includes a first mounting plate 20, which stably supports the cylindrical protective body 21 of the force sensor 7 (see...). Figure 7 The transducer interface arm 23 has a base 23b connected to (the connection is schematically shown by arrows) the movable part 24 of the force sensor 7; the gripper 6 is carried by the interface arm 23.

[0035] Mounting plate 20 has a circular hole 20-a, into which mounting plate 20 is inserted and stably connected to protective body 21. Movable portion 24 protrudes in the direction of interface arm 23.

[0036] Protective shield 26 with a parallelepiped shape (we refer to) Figure 1 , 3 (4 and 5) extend from the outer edge of the rectangular plate 20. Cover 26 covers and protects the interface circuit 8 and the sensor 7.

[0037] Angle position adjustment device 30 is located between interface arm 23 and gripper 6; angle position adjustment device 30 is designed to allow gripper 6 to move relative to interface arm 23 around a first adjustment axis A (corresponding to axis 10) and a second adjustment axis B perpendicular to the first adjustment axis (see...). Figure 3 Positioning is optimized to improve the operator's hand positioning on the gripper 6 during use.

[0038] More specifically, the angular position adjustment device 30 is designed to allow angular movement in steps around the respective first and second adjustment axes A, B, for example, in steps of 10° or 20°.

[0039] More specifically, to avoid unwanted and unnecessary movement of the gripper body around the first axis A and the second axis B, first and second enable / disable components 32 and 33 (in the form of knobs) are provided on the gripper body 6; the first enable knob 32 has a disc shape and four axial protrusions that are perpendicular to each other and can be angularly moved between a closed position and an enabled position, wherein the closed position is used to disable the angular movement of the gripper body 6 about the first axis A, and the enabled position is used to allow the gripper body to rotate about the first axis A.

[0040] The second activation knob 33 also has a disc shape and four axial protrusions, and is capable of angular movement between a closed position and an activated position. The closed position is used to prevent the angular movement of the gripper 6 about the second axis, and the activated position is used to allow the gripper to rotate about the second axis B.

[0041] As described above, the force sensor 7 is integrated into the mounting plate 20, and force is applied to the gripper 6. In this way, instead of using a thumb-actuated pointer, motion information of the cursor acting on the gripper 6 can be provided. This action of the gripper 6 through arm movement enables more stable and accurate control of the cursor (especially in high-vibration environments, such as in a helicopter cockpit).

[0042] The gripper 6 also forms an element in which the pilot's hand can be kept in a resting position in a high-vibration environment, which helps the precise movement of the hand and arm and reflects this precision in the accuracy of the cursor movement.

[0043] By managing the cursor through hand movement, all fingers can freely operate other control components while the cursor is moving; this helps to achieve a better ergonomic distribution of all the necessary control components on the grip.

[0044] To reiterate, in order to avoid unwanted drive due to impact or vibration, the central transducer can only be activated by pressing the confirmation button 15 simultaneously.

[0045] The shapes and numbers of additional functions integrated into the gripper are not limited to those described. Therefore, the main advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0046] a. Precise cursor control can be achieved even in the presence of strong vibrations;

[0047] c. More than one component is integrated into the gripper body 6;

[0048] b. The control components are more ergonomically positioned;

[0049] c. It is easier for the operator to drive the control components;

[0050] d. It can control more functions at the same time.

Claims

1. A device (1) for controlling a cursor (C) of a graphical user interface (2) of a flight unit (3) installed in the cabin of a helicopter, the device (1) comprising: -Base structure (5); - Grip body (6), said grip body (6) is shaped to be gripped by an operator’s hand and to be movable relative to said base structure (5) by hand power provided by said operator’s hand; - Force sensor (7), the force sensor (7) is connected to the gripper (6) and is designed to sense the movement of the gripper (6) relative to the base structure (5) along at least a first axis and a second axis; and - Interface circuit (8), which is designed to convert the signal provided by the force sensor (7) into control signals for the graphical user interface (2) of the flight unit (3) to move the cursor (C) along the first and second axes of the graphical user interface (2) based on the force provided by the operator to the gripper (6). The gripper (6) is provided with a plurality of control components (15), which are disposed on the outer surface (12) of the gripper (6) and are designed to be driven by fingers to provide control over the flight unit (3) or other units. The gripper (6) has a truncated cone shape and extends along an axis (10). The gripper (6) is constrained by the outer surface (12), which is provided with a plurality of protrusions, bumps or ridges (13) designed to improve the gripping performance of the gripper (6). The gripper (6) also constitutes an element that allows the pilot's hand to remain in a resting position in a high-vibration environment, thereby allowing accurate movement of the hand and arm and reflecting this accuracy in the accuracy of cursor movement. The gripper (6) is provided with at least one confirmation component (17) which is placed on the outer surface (12) of the gripper (6) having a frustoconical shape and is designed to be manually driven so that the control signal can be sent to the graphical user interface (2) of the flight unit (3) to control the cursor (C) so that control of the cursor is possible once the confirmation component (17) is manually driven, thereby avoiding unwanted manual driving of the gripper (6) due to impact or vibration applied to the operator.

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The confirmation component (17) is placed on the front side of the gripper (6) so that it can be driven by the operator's index finger.

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The confirmation component (17) is placed on the side for actuation by the thumb.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1 further includes a first mounting plate (20) that stably supports the force sensor (7) and a transducer interface arm (23) connected to a movable portion (24) of the force sensor (7); the gripper (6) is supported by the interface arm (23).

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein, An angular position adjustment device (30) is located between the interface arm (23) and the gripper (6); the angular position adjustment device (30) is designed to allow the gripper (6) to be positioned relative to the interface arm (23) about a first adjustment axis (A) and about a second adjustment axis (B) perpendicular to the first adjustment axis (A) in order to optimize the positioning of the operator's hand on the gripper (6) in use.

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The angular position adjustment device (30) is designed to allow angular movement in a stepwise manner around the corresponding first adjustment axis (A) and second adjustment axis (B).

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein, A first enable-disable component (32) and a second enable-disable component (33) are disposed on the gripper (6); the first enable-disable component (32) is movable between a closed position and an enabled position, the closed position being used to prevent angular movement of the gripper (6) about the first axis, and the enabled position being used to allow rotation of the gripper (6) about the first axis; the second enable-disable component (33) is movable between a closed position and an enabled position, the closed position being used to prevent angular movement of the gripper (6) about the second axis, and the enabled position being used to allow rotation of the gripper (6) about the second axis.

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

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

10. A flight unit (3) of a helicopter having a device (1) for controlling a cursor (C) of a graphical user interface (2) according to claim 1, the cursor (C) being movable along a first axis and a second axis to select the function of the graphical user interface (2) under the manual control of the device (1).

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