Wearable Device for Hands-Free Aircraft System Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable devices for interacting with aircraft systems are cumbersome, requiring both hands for operation and additional storage or attachment, limiting convenience in communicating with onboard and offboard systems.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a user interface and control unit that allows bi-directional communication with aircraft systems via wireless interfaces, enabling hands-free operation and attachment to the user's body, using interfaces like touch-sensitive displays, speech input/output, and gesture recognition to control and receive information from various aircraft systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If COTS mobile devices such as notebooks, tablets or smartphones are used to operate aircraft systems, then communication with aircraft systems is enabled, but both hands of the user are occupied and additional storage or attachment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device integrates all necessary components (processor, memory, communication interfaces, user interface) into a single unit that can be worn on the body, eliminating the need for separate storage devices or attachment mechanisms. The device serves itself by combining computation, communication, and interaction capabilities in one wearable package.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed devices on board such as Flight Attendant Panels are used, then information retrieval and input is enabled, but user mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can communicate with various aircraft systems (cabin management, entertainment, lighting), provide user interfaces for different operations, and maintain connectivity across different locations within the aircraft. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple fixed devices while maintaining full system access.
3Ease of operation
If conventional mobile devices are used, then communication with aircraft systems is possible, but the devices are cumbersome and require carrying bags or hooks
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from three-dimensional carrying (bags, hooks, straps) to two-dimensional body integration (wearing on wrist, arm, or body). By utilizing the body surface as the carrying dimension, the device eliminates the need for additional external carrying equipment while maintaining secure attachment and easy accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device for operating one or more aircraft related systems, a device system comprising a plurality of such wearable devices, a system comprising such a wearable device and one or more aircraft related systems, and an aircraft comprising such a device system. The wearable device comprises: a user interface configured to receive a user input and to output information corresponding to the received user input; a system interface to connect the wearable device to the aircraft related systems; and a control unit configured to communicate with the aircraft related systems via the system interface to operate at least one of the aircraft related systems and to receive information from at least one of the aircraft related systems. The user interface is further configured to output the information received from the at least one of the aircraft related systems.