Aircraft Cockpit Tablet Interface With Display Overlay and Protected Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of touch tablets in aircraft cockpits is hindered by issues such as interference from magnetic fields, ergonomic discomfort, inadequate brightness and contrast, limited autonomy, and distraction from notifications, as well as the lack of a secure housing leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
An interface system that includes a display device with a dedicated support for portable computer equipment, providing power supply, bidirectional data transfer, and a communication gateway to overlay tablet data on the display, with ergonomic enhancements and protection against external factors, allowing control gestures to be translated and notifications to be managed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touch tablets are used in aircraft cockpits, then ease of operation and ergonomics are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to magnetic field interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective housing as an intermediary barrier between the touch tablet and the magnetic field sources in the cockpit environment. This housing shields the capacitive touch sensor from magnetic field interference while maintaining touch functionality, thus preserving ease of operation while improving reliability
2Ease of operation
If touch tablets are used without housing, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to potential damage and falling
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing serves as a preventive measure that cushions and protects the touch tablet from potential damage during handling, transport, and use in the cockpit. It prevents falling and impact damage before they can occur, eliminating the harmful factors while maintaining the ease of use benefits
3Duration of action of moving object
If tablet autonomy is increased, then duration of action is improved, but loss of energy worsens due to power consumption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages power consumption by enabling the touch tablet to enter low-power states when not actively being used, while maintaining connectivity to the aircraft's electrical system for supplemental power. This dynamic power management extends autonomy during flight while minimizing energy loss
4Illumination intensity
If display brightness is increased for cockpit visibility, then illumination intensity is improved, but use of energy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The display device incorporates adaptive brightness control that adjusts illumination intensity based on ambient light conditions and operational context. During daytime flights, brightness is optimized for visibility, while during nighttime operations, brightness is reduced to conserve energy, thus balancing illumination needs with power consumption
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
This aircraft interface comprises a set of at least one display device for displaying data, at least one support (L) for portable computer equipment comprising means for supplying the computer equipment, transfer means two-way data channels to the computer equipment and a communication gateway (4) between the medium and the on-board display device, comprising image data copying means for copying the image data from the computer equipment on at least part of the screen of at least one of the display devices and means for transferring data representative of a control gesture between the display device and the support.