Aircraft Touchscreen Control Device with Dynamic State Validation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch screen control devices in aircraft environments often lead to unintentional interactions due to crew movements, increasing pilot workload and error risk, as existing solutions require frequent unlocking or individual command unlocking.

Innovation Solution

A touch screen control device that remains permanently unlocked, with a passive state display mode changing to an active state upon touch, allowing validation of commands through a centralized means, reducing accidental activations and enhancing pilot workflow by allowing continuous use while ensuring voluntary command generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the touch screen is locked to prevent unintentional interaction, then the reliability of command execution is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the pilot must manually unlock before each interaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand execution reliabilityVSAvoidtouch screen operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch screen dynamically changes its state between locked and unlocked based on the operational context. The system automatically unlocks the touch screen when a crew member approaches the control device, allowing interaction without manual unlocking while maintaining protection against unintentional commands during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by automatically detecting when a crew member approaches and unlocking the touch screen without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors proximity and autonomously transitions between locked and unlocked states, reducing the pilot's workload while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the touch screen remains permanently unlocked for continuous use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of unintentional interactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch screen operation easeVSAvoidcommand execution reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The touch screen dynamically adjusts its accessibility state based on the crew member's proximity. When approached, the system automatically unlocks for easy interaction. When not approached, it remains locked to prevent unintentional commands, thus adapting the balance between ease of operation and reliability in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the accessibility parameter of the touch screen dynamically. The locked/unlocked state is not fixed but varies based on detection parameters such as proximity to the control device, allowing the system to optimize both reliability and ease of operation according to contextual conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If individual commands require separate unlocking, then the reliability of each command is improved, but the device complexity and operational time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand validation reliabilityVSAvoidunlocking procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the unlocking function into a single automated action that occurs once when a crew member approaches, rather than requiring separate unlocking for each command. This consolidated approach maintains command validation reliability while significantly reducing procedural complexity and operational time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary unlocking automatically when detection indicates a crew member is approaching, before any command interaction occurs. This advance action eliminates the need for repeated manual unlocking procedures while ensuring commands are only executed when intended, maintaining reliability without increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2960773B1A method and a device for controlling at least one piece of equipment
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 EUROCOPTER FRANCE SA
  • EP2960773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2960773B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2960773B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a control device (10) comprising a touchscreen (15), said touchscreen (15) displaying at least one touch control area (20) for transmitting a command to a piece of equipment (7). The touchscreen (15) is permanently unlocked. The touchscreen (15) is in a passive state (25), displaying a first mode when no control area (20) has been touched by a user. Conversely, the touchscreen (15) is placed in an active state, displaying a second mode distinct from said first mode. Each required command is validated following the transition of the touchscreen from the passive state (25) to the active state when a validation means (30) is operated, said control device (10) transmitting at least one signal to at least one piece of equipment (6) to transcribe each command, and the touchscreen (15) being placed in said passive state (25).