Split Keyboard for Flight Deck Touch Screen Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots on aircraft flight decks face difficulties in accurately and smoothly interacting with touch screens due to vibrations and turbulence, which affect their ability to input information efficiently into flight control systems.
Innovation Solution
A split keyboard system is implemented, where one keypad is mounted on each side of a shelf with a movable middle portion, allowing for wrist rest and personal device placement, enhancing comfort and interactivity by providing a stable input method alongside a touch screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a touch screen is used for inputting flight information, then the number of inputs required is reduced, but the accuracy and smoothness of interaction deteriorates due to vibrations and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The input system is segmented into two distinct components: a touch screen for efficient information display and selection, and a split keyboard for accurate data entry. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function while mitigating the weaknesses of the other in the vibrating flight deck environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The split keyboard acts as an intermediary device between the pilot and the flight control system, providing a stable mechanical input method that is less susceptible to vibration effects compared to direct touch screen interaction, thereby improving input accuracy during flight operations.
2Area of stationary object
If a conventional single keyboard is used, then space utilization is efficient, but pilot comfort and support deteriorates during long duration operations
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into two separate keypads positioned on either side of the shelf, creating a split configuration that opens up the central area. This segmentation provides sufficient space for wrist rest and personal device placement, enhancing pilot comfort during extended operations while maintaining efficient space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The split keyboard configuration utilizes the horizontal dimension of the shelf by positioning keypads at opposite ends, thereby creating vertical and central space that can be used for wrist support and device placement, adding functional dimensions to the input station layout.
3Speed
If the keyboard is positioned close to the display for easy access, then the interaction speed is improved, but the available space for wrist rest and support deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the keyboard into two keypads positioned at the ends of the shelf, the design maintains close proximity to the display for quick access while simultaneously creating adequate central space for wrist rest and support, resolving the spatial conflict between interaction speed and comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for enabling a user (e.g., a pilot) to input information to a computer at a flight deck display station using both a split keyboard and a touch screen. The split keyboard provides space in front of the touch-screen display device, which space is available for a pilot to use as an arm or wrist rest while manually interacting with the touch screen. For example, the split keyboard may be mounted to a shelf having an empty central or middle portion in front of the touch-screen display device. The split keyboard concept entails placing one keypad on one side and another keypad on the other side of the empty middle shelf portion, both keypads being communicatively to the keyboard controller of the computer that controls the display device. The open space between the keypads may also be used for meal trays or tablet computers.