Aircraft Cursor Control via Dynamic Grid and Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling a cursor on aircraft display devices require significant pilot workload due to the need for precise and sustained attention, especially during turbulence, as they often involve numerous key actuations or prolonged slewing to position the cursor accurately.
Innovation Solution
A system using a digital representation of a grid overlaying the display area, allowing the cursor to move to a next position based on user input, with conditions such as moving towards a destination point within a cell, adjusting for active or inactive focus, and preventing obstruction, dynamically adjusting the grid for widgets like lists, and switching between grid-based and conventional control methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed distance cursor stepping is used, then cursor positioning precision is improved, but the number of key actuations required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cursor movement distance based on the distance to the target. When the cursor is far from the target, it moves by a larger distance (slewing mode). When the cursor is close to the target, it moves by a smaller distance (stepping mode). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing both positioning precision and time efficiency for different scenarios.
2Loss of time
If large fixed distance cursor stepping is used, then the number of key actuations is reduced, but the risk of jumping over the target position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically switches between slewing mode (large steps) and stepping mode (small steps) based on the cursor's proximity to the target. This dynamic mode switching ensures that the cursor can cover large distances quickly while still achieving precise positioning near the target, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
3Speed
If constant speed slewing is used, then cursor movement speed is maintained, but the time required to reach distant targets increases and sustained pilot attention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic mode switching between slewing and stepping actions. Instead of maintaining constant speed slewing throughout, the system periodically evaluates the cursor's proximity to the target and switches modes accordingly. This periodic action reduces the time required for positioning and eliminates the need for sustained pilot attention.
4Reliability
If multiple cursor control devices are provided for redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the directional movement keys multi-functional by enabling them to perform both traditional stepping operations and the enhanced slewing operations described in this patent. This universality maintains reliability through redundancy while avoiding the complexity of adding separate control devices, as the existing keys adapt to provide multiple control modes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer program products for controlling the movement of a cursor on a display device in an aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary method disclosed comprises the use of a digital representation of a grid defining a plurality of cells overlaying at least a portion of a display area of the display device to control the movement of the cursor over the display area. The grid may be invisible to the user during operation.