Removable Cabin Interface Panels for Flight Crew Feedback Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft cabin systems lack sufficient haptic, visual, and auditive feedback, leading to user aversion and inadequate utilization of advanced electronic systems, necessitating improved interaction tools for flight crew members.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising removable, mobile interfacing devices with wireless communication modules, visual, haptic, and auditive output systems, and authentication modules, allowing interaction with electronic cabin systems via dedicated interfacing locations on aircraft walls, forming a decentralized network for secure and flexible access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multi-functional interaction systems become more abstract, then device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but haptic, visual, and auditive feedback is lacking leading to user aversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable interfacing device as an intermediary between the flight crew and the abstract electronic cabin systems. This device includes physical buttons, switches, and sliders that provide tangible interaction points, bridging the gap between abstract digital systems and human users who need physical feedback for effective operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the interaction system into two segments: the abstract electronic cabin systems remaining in the aircraft and portable interfacing devices that can be moved between different locations. This segmentation allows the abstract systems to remain simple while providing physical interaction points through the portable devices when needed.
2Device complexity
If access points to digital user interfaces are reduced, then device complexity decreases, but user contact with physical elements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The portable interfacing device serves as a mediator that brings physical interaction elements to users. When flight crew members need to interact with electronic cabin systems, they use the portable device with its physical buttons and switches, maintaining contact with tangible elements while the underlying systems remain abstract and simplified.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a portable dimension to the interaction system. Instead of having physical interfaces fixed at multiple locations in the aircraft, the physical interface elements are concentrated in a portable device that can be moved to different locations, reducing the number of fixed access points while maintaining physical interaction capability.
3Ease of operation
If haptic feedback is added to abstract systems, then user engagement improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback functions into the portable interfacing device rather than adding complexity to the central electronic cabin systems. The haptic feedback mechanisms (vibrations, resistance) are incorporated into the portable device's physical controls, allowing user engagement improvement without complicating the main systems.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
A communication system on board of an aircraft comprises a plurality of mobile interfacing devices, each comprising a processor, a wireless communication module coupled to the processor and a visual, haptic and/or auditive output system coupled to the processor. The communication system further comprises a plurality of communication interfaces, each installed at the backside of one of a number of dedicated interfacing locations of a housing wall inside the cabin of the aircraft, and a plurality of electronic cabin systems installed in the aircraft, each of the plurality of electronic cabin systems connected to one of the plurality of communication interfaces. The mobile interfacing devices are configured to be attached to one of the number of dedicated interfacing locations, to establish a wireless communication link with the communication interface installed at the backside of the interfacing location, and to establish a wireless input/output connection link with the electronic cabin system via the communication interface.