Touch Screen Sector Adjustment for Environment Scanning Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environment scanning device systems in mission systems, such as those on aircraft, require numerous interactions and sustained attention for adjusting parameters like orientation and aperture, which is cumbersome and hindered by external constraints like vibrations and noise, and the separation of information and adjustment means complicates operator perception.
Innovation Solution
The method involves displaying the angular sector of vision/masking superimposed on a tactical situation, using a touch screen for interaction, with distinct tactile zones for orientation and aperture adjustments, allowing for intuitive angular displacement to define sector parameters, and utilizing different scales or colors for highlighting to facilitate adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control panels with separate buttons and zones are used for adjusting orientation and aperture parameters, then parameter adjustment capability is provided, but the number of interactions required increases and operator attention is sustained, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (orientation adjustment, aperture adjustment, validation) into a single graphical representation of the sector on the display screen. The sector itself becomes the control interface, allowing operators to manipulate both orientation and aperture parameters through direct manipulation of visual elements rather than navigating separate control panels and buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical sector display acts as an intermediary between the operator and the underlying parameter adjustment mechanisms. By interacting with visual elements like the sector boundaries and center line on the screen, operators indirectly control the radar parameters without dealing with complex separate control systems, reducing cognitive load and interaction steps.
2Ease of operation
If information display means and adjustment means are separated, then functional organization is achieved, but operator perception of adjustments is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information display function and the control function into a single integrated interface. The same display screen that shows tactical information and sector parameters also serves as the control mechanism, with the sector graphic itself being manipulable. This eliminates the need for separate control panels and provides immediate visual feedback on adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the display have different functions: the sector graphic elements (boundaries, center line) serve as interactive control zones, while other parts display tactical information. This local differentiation allows the interface to provide both information display and control functions within a unified screen real estate.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed control options are provided for sector adjustment, then parameter precision is improved, but the number of interactions and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional numeric input controls to two-dimensional graphical manipulation. Operators can adjust sector parameters by moving graphical elements around the sector representation on the screen, providing precise control through spatial positioning rather than numeric entry. This adds a dimensional aspect to control that intuitively maps to the spatial nature of sector parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
This method of adjusting the parameters at least regarding the orientation and aperture of an angular viewing/masking sector (14) of an environment scanning device, and geocentred around a carrier (13) of this device, comprising an operator terminal (21) further comprising information display means (12) and means of adjustment of these parameters by this operator, is characterized in that it comprises a phase of operator adjustment of parameters, displaying, on the information display means (12), first, the current angular viewing/masking sector (14) of the scanning device with its radii (15, 16, 17) indicating the central axis of orientation and the lateral edges of the sector and, secondly, touch-sensitive interactive zones (18, 19, 20) whereby the operator can angularly move these radii in order to set the corresponding parameters of the scanning device.