DISPLAY DEVICE, DISPLAY SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE, RELATED DISPLAY METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

The invention relates to an electronic device for displaying data on a display screen. The display device is able to be connected to a first interaction member, configured to select a first setpoint of a parameter from a first set of possible values, a second interaction member configured to select a second setpoint of said parameter from a second set of possible values, and the display screen. The display device comprises an obtaining module configured to obtain a value of a setpoint among the first setpoint and the second setpoint and a generating module configured to generate display data as a function of a resultant setpoint value. The display device comprises a determining module configured, after obtaining at least one value of the second setpoint, to determine a recalibrated resultant setpoint value as a function of a value of the first set.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. non-provisional application claiming the benefit of French Application No. 19 03990, filed on Apr. 15, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for displaying data on a display screen, the display device being able to be linked to a first interaction member, a second interaction member and a display screen.

The invention also relates to a data display system, in particular configured to be embedded on an aircraft, comprising a display screen, a first interaction member, a second interaction member and such a display device linked to the first interaction member, the second interaction member and the display screen.

The invention also relates to a method for displaying data on a display screen, the method being implemented by an electronic display device able to be linked to a first interaction member, a second interaction member and a display screen.

The invention also relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium including a computer program including software instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement such a display method.

The invention relates to the field of data display systems, preferably suitable for being embedded in an aircraft, in particular in an aircraft cockpit.

The invention in particular relates to the field of display devices included in these data display systems, in particular screens associated with various interaction members.

BACKGROUND

A display device of the aforementioned type is then known, including an obtainment module configured to obtain a value of the setpoint among a first setpoint by a first interaction member and a second setpoint by a second interaction member, and to generate display data as a function of a resultant setpoint value, the resultant setpoint value being the sum of an initial setpoint value and the obtained setpoint value.

However, such a device is not fully satisfactory.

SUMMARY

The aim of the invention is then to propose a display device making it possible, in the case where a first interaction member is configured to define a value of a setpoint of a parameter among a first set of possible values, and a second interaction member is configured to define a value of a setpoint of the same parameter among a second set of possible values, the second set of values including the first set of values, to offer better coherence between the setpoint values obtained by these two interaction members.

To that end, the invention relates to a device for displaying data on a display screen, the display device being able to be linked to a first interaction member, a second interaction member and the display screen, the display device comprising:

an obtaining module configured to obtain a value of a setpoint among the first setpoint from the first interaction member and the second setpoint from the second interaction member, and

a generating module configured to generate display data as a function of a resultant setpoint value, the resultant setpoint value being the sum of an initial setpoint value and the obtained setpoint value;

the display device further comprises a determining module configured, after obtaining at least one value of the second setpoint, to determine a resultant setpoint value recalibrated from the last resultant setpoint value used, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value being a function of a value of the first set, the initial setpoint value used during the next display data generation being the recalibrated resultant setpoint value, the display parameter of the data being a zoom or a resolution with which the data can be displayed on the display screen.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the display device comprises one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to all technically possible combinations:

the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial setpoint value and the last value of the first set corresponding to a value of the second setpoint;

the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial setpoint value and a first setpoint value that is closest to the last used value of the resultant setpoint value;

the determining module is configured in order, after obtaining only first setpoint value(s), to determine the sum of the last used first setpoint value and the initial setpoint value as initial setpoint value during the next display data generation;

the device further comprises a display module configured to display, on the display screen, the generated display data.

The invention also relates to a data display system, in particular configured to be embedded on an aircraft, comprising a display screen, a first interaction member, a second interaction member and a display device, the display device being linked to the first interaction member, the second interaction member and the display screen, the display device being a device as defined above.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the display system comprises one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to all technically possible combinations:

the first interaction member includes a potentiometer comprising a finite number of possible positions.

the second interaction member includes a touch-sensitive surface.

The invention also relates to a method for displaying data on a display screen, the display method being implemented by a data display device able to be linked to a display screen, a first interaction member and a second interaction member, comprising the first steps:

obtaining a value of a setpoint among a first setpoint from the first interaction member and a second setpoint from the second interaction member, the value of the first setpoint being chosen from a first set of possible values and the value of the second setpoint being chosen from a second set of possible values, the second set of values including the first set of values;

generating display data as a function of a resultant setpoint value, the resultant setpoint value being the sum of an initial setpoint value and the obtained setpoint value;

the method further comprises a step for determining, after obtaining at least one value of the second setpoint, a recalibrated resultant setpoint value from the last used value of the resultant setpoint value, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value being a function of a value of the first set, the initial setpoint value used during the next display data generation being the recalibrated resultant setpoint value, the display parameter of the data being a zoom or a resolution with which the data can be displayed on the display screen.

The invention also relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium including a computer program including software instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement a method as defined above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the rest of the description, the expression “substantially equal to” defines a relationship of equality to within plus or minus 10%, preferably to within plus or minus 5%.

InFIG. 1, an aircraft2comprises an electronic data display system4, including a display screen6, a first interaction member8, a second interaction member10and a device12for displaying data on the display screen6.

The aircraft2is preferably an airplane. Alternatively, the aircraft2is a helicopter or a drone.

The display screen6is for example touch-sensitive. In a variant, the display screen6is not touch-sensitive, and the display system4then preferably further comprises a trackpad, not shown.

The first interaction member8is configured to select a first setpoint of a display parameter of the data, a value of said first setpoint being chosen from a first setAof possible values.

The display parameter of the data is for example the zoom with which the data are displayed on the display screen6. In a variant, the display parameter of the data is the resolution of said data.

The first interaction member8is a man-machine interaction device used in an aircraft cockpit2. The first interaction member8allows the designation by a user of a value among a given set of values. The designated value is the first data display parameter setpoint. The first interaction member8allows the designation of a value among the first set of valuesA.

The first interaction member8is for example a button including a finite number of possible positions. In particular, the first interaction member8is a potentiometer comprising a finite number of possible positions.

One skilled in the art will understand here that the finite number of possible positions of the first interaction member8corresponds to a discrete set of possible positions.

In particular, one skilled in the art will understand that the first setAis a discrete set, or a finite set, of possible values.

The second interaction member10is configured to select a second setpoint of the display parameter of the data, a value of said second setpoint being chosen from a second setBof possible values, the second setBof values including the first setAof values.

The second interaction member10is a man-machine interaction device used in an aircraft cockpit2. The second interaction member10allows the designation of a value among a given set of values. The designated value is the second data display parameter setpoint. The second interaction member10allows the designation of a value among the second setBof values.

The second interaction member10is for example a touch-sensitive surface, in particular a capacitive touch-sensitive surface. The designated value for example corresponds to a value resulting from a tactile interaction. The designated value for example corresponds to the gap between the fingers of a user. As an example, the designated value is the difference in gap between the fingers of the user between the beginning of a tactile interaction, that is to say, when the user begins to touch the second interaction member10, and the end of a tactile interaction, that is to say, when the user separates his fingers from the second interaction member10.

The second interaction member10then has a set of positions tending toward infinity, the number of possible positions being limited by the resolution of the touch-sensitive surface. One skilled in the art will understand here that the number of possible positions of the second interaction member10is then comparable to a continuous set of possible positions. In particular, one skilled in the art will understand that the second set of valuesBis comparable to a continuous set of possible values.

In the example ofFIG. 2, the second interaction member10is a touch-sensitive surface placed on the display screen6. The display screen6combined with the second interaction member10then forms a touch-sensitive screen. In a variant, the second interaction member10is a touch-sensitive surface separated from the display screen6. Such a touch-sensitive surface is for example that of the trackpad.

The data display device12is linked to the display screen6, the first interaction member8and the second interaction member10.

In the example ofFIG. 1, the display device12is embedded in the aircraft2.

The data display device12comprises a module14for obtaining a value of a setpoint among the first setpoint from the first interaction member8and the second setpoint from the second interaction member10; a module16for generating display data as a function of a resultant setpoint value; and a module18for determining a recalibrated resultant setpoint value after obtaining at least one value of the second setpoint.

The display device10comprises a module20for displaying, on the display screen6, display data generated by the generating module16.

In the example ofFIG. 1, the display device10comprises an information processing unit30, for example made up of a memory32associated with a processor34.

In the example ofFIG. 1, the obtaining module14, the generating module16, the determining module18and the display module20are each made in the form of software executable by the processor34. The memory32is then able to store software for obtaining a value of a setpoint, software for determining a resultant setpoint value, software for generating display data, and software for displaying generated data. The processor34of the information processing unit30is then able to execute the obtaining software, the determining software, the generating software and the display software.

In a variant that is not shown, the obtaining module14, the generating module16, the determining module18and the display module20are each made in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or in the form of a dedicated integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Applications Specific Integrated Circuit).

When the electronic display device12is made in the form of one or several software programs, i.e., in the form of a computer program, it is further able to be stored on a medium, not shown, readable by computer. The computer-readable medium is for example a medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and able to be linked with a bus of a computer system. As an example, the readable medium is an optical disc, a magnetic-optical disc, a ROM memory, a RAM memory, any type of non-volatile memory (for example, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, NVRAM), a magnetic card or an optical card. A computer program including software instructions is then stored on the readable medium.

The obtaining module14is configured to obtain a value of a setpoint among the first setpoint from the first interaction member8and the second setpoint from the second interaction member10.

In the example previously disclosed where the first interaction member8is a potentiometer and the second interaction member10is a touch-sensitive surface, the obtaining module14is configured to obtain a setpoint value among a first position value of the potentiometer, and among a tactile interaction value, for example a finger separation value. The obtained value is for example positive in the case of a separation of the fingers on the tactile surface and negative in the case of a pinching, in other words, a bringing together, of the fingers on the tactile surface.

The generating module16is configured to generate display data as a function of the resultant setpoint value. The resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial setpoint value and the obtained setpoint value.

The initial setpoint value is for example a value recorded in the memory32of the display device when no interaction member has been used. The initial value then corresponds to a default value of the display parameter. The initial setpoint value is then updated following each generation of display data. The generation of display data follows the obtainment of a setpoint value, and the determination of a resultant setpoint value, recalibrated in the case of the obtainment of a second setpoint value. The first update of the initial value therefore takes place following a touch-sensitive interaction with the first interaction member or with the second interaction member.

The display data generated by the generating module16are for example the data of an aeronautical map40. The resultant setpoint value then for example corresponds to a zoom value, in other words, a value of display dimensions of the map40on the screen6. The display data generated by the generating module16then depend on the zoom value. One skilled in the art will understand here that the map40generated by the generating module will have a size depending on the zoom setpoint value. Thus, a low resultant setpoint value for example corresponds to a low zoom value and the map40will be displayed with a low magnification. Similarly, a high resultant setpoint value for example corresponds to a high zoom value and the map will be displayed with a high magnification.

The determining module18is configured in order, after obtaining at least one respective value of the second setpoint, to determine a recalibrated resultant setpoint value, from the last resultant setpoint value used. The recalibrated resultant setpoint value is also called repositioned resultant setpoint value, since it corresponds to a repositioning of the resultant setpoint value at a value able to be obtained via the first member8.

The recalibrated resultant setpoint value is a function of a value of the first assembly. The recalibrated setpoint value is in particular used as initial setpoint value during the next generation of display data.

According to a first variant, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial setpoint value and the last value of the first setAcorresponding to a value of the second setpoint. In other words, according to this first variant, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial value and the last value designated by the second interaction member10being able to be designated by the first interaction member8.

According to the first variant and in the example where the display parameter is the data zoom displayed on the display screen6, the zoom determined by the determining module18following the obtainment of at least one second setpoint value, that is to say, for example following a touch-sensitive interaction, corresponds to the last zoom done on the screen6, which can be displayed via an interaction with the first interaction member8.

According to a second variant, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial setpoint value and a first setpoint value that is closest to the last value designated by the second member10. In other words, according to this second variant, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial value and the setpoint value able to be designated by the first interaction member8being the closest to the last value designated by the second interaction member10.

According to the second variant and in the example where the parameter is the data zoom displayed on the display screen6, the zoom determined by the determining module18following the obtainment of at least one second setpoint value, that is to say, for example following a touch-sensitive interaction, corresponds to the zoom able to be displayed on the screen6via an interaction with the first interaction member8, which is the closest to the zoom designated by the second interaction member10.

According to a third embodiment variant, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial setpoint value and the last first setpoint value. In other words, according to this third variant, the recalibrated resultant setpoint value is the sum of the initial value and the value designated by the first interaction member8, irrespective of the second setpoint value designated via the second interaction member10.

According to this third variant and in the example where the display parameter is the data zoom displayed on the display screen6, the zoom determined by the determining module18following the obtainment of at least one second setpoint value, that is to say, for example following a touch-sensitive interaction, corresponds to the zoom designated via the first interaction member8.

The determining module18is further configured in order, after obtaining only first setpoint value(s), to determine the sum of the last used first setpoint value and the initial setpoint value as initial setpoint value during the next display data generation. In other words, following the interaction with the first interaction member8only, the initial value used during the next data generation is determined as the sum of the current initial value and the value designated by the first interaction member8.

In the example where the display parameter is the data zoom displayed on the display screen6, the zoom determined by the determining module corresponds to the zoom designated by the first interaction member.

Following the determination by the determining module18of the resultant setpoint value, and if applicable, recalibrated resultant setpoint value, the initial setpoint value is updated, and display data are generated by the generating module16.

The generation of display data by the generating module16is preceded by obtaining a respective setpoint value by the obtaining module14, and determining a resultant setpoint value and if applicable the recalibrated resultant setpoint value. Thus, in the case where the second interaction member10is a touch-sensitive surface, the generation of display data takes place at the end of the touch-sensitive interaction, in particular at the end of a sliding movement, such as the separation or pinching of fingers. All throughout the tactile interaction, the data displayed on the screen6are for example able to be modified without the generating module16generating display data. In particular, the display data displayed on the screen6are able to be interpolated so as to simulate a modification of the display parameter on the screen6during the interaction. At the end of the interaction, the generating module16then generates new display data and defines the value of the display parameter.

In the case where the display parameter is the zoom, this then leads to a so-called elastic zoom effect. During a respective interaction with the second interaction member10, the user will be able to modify the zoom level displayed on the screen6without the generating module16generating display data. Upon the release of the second interaction member10, the generating module16generates new display data and the zoom is updated. The zoom then corresponds to a zoom able to be designated by the first interaction member8.

InFIG. 3, the display method100begins with an initialization step110during which an initial value is assigned to the data display parameter. The assigned initial value is for example a default value stored in the memory32.

After the initialization step110, the obtaining module14obtains, during an obtaining step120, a value of a setpoint among a first setpoint from the first interaction member8and a second setpoint from the second interaction member10, the value of the first setpoint being chosen from the first setAof possible values and the value of the second setpoint being chosen from the second setB. This step is for example carried out when the user interacts with the first interaction member8or the second interaction member10.

Following the obtaining step120, the determining module18determines, during a determining step130, a resultant value or a recalibrated resultant value. The determining step130is different if the obtained setpoint value is a first setpoint value or a second setpoint value.

The determining step130includes a first setpoint test sub-step132, during which the determining module18determines whether the obtained setpoint is a first setpoint value.

If the test performed during the sub-step132is positive, that is to say, if the obtained setpoint value is a first setpoint value, then the determining module18calculates a resultant value for the first setpoint during a sub-step134for calculating a resultant value for the first setpoint.

During the sub-step134for calculating a resultant value for the first setpoint, the determining module18calculates the resultant value as the sum of the preceding initial value and the obtained first setpoint value. The determining module18next associates the resultant value with the initial value during a setpoint value update sub-step136.

If the test performed during the sub-step132is negative, that is to say, if the obtained setpoint value is a second setpoint value, then the determining module18calculates a resultant value for the second setpoint during a sub-step138for calculating a resultant value for the second setpoint.

During the sub-step138for calculating a resultant value for the second setpoint, the determining module18calculates the resultant value as the sum of the preceding initial value and the obtained second setpoint value.

After the sub-step138for calculating a resultant value for the second setpoint, the determining module18calculates the recalibrated resultant value during a sub-step139for calculating the recalibrated resultant setpoint value. The determining module18calculates the recalibrated resultant setpoint value from the resultant value and as a function of the first setA. The recalibrated resultant setpoint value is for example calculated as the sum of the initial setpoint value and the last value of the first set corresponding to a value of the second setpoint.

The recalibrated resultant setpoint value is, according to a first variant, the sum of the initial setpoint value and a first setpoint value that is closest to the last used value of the resultant setpoint value.

The recalibrated resultant setpoint value is, according to a second variant, the sum of the initial setpoint value and the last first setpoint value.

Following the sub-step139, the determining module18associates the recalibrated resultant value with the initial value during the setpoint value update sub-step136.

During the sub-step136for updating the setpoint value, the determining module18replaces the initial setpoint value with the resultant value obtained after obtaining a first setpoint value and with the resultant value recalibrated after obtaining a second setpoint value.

The determining step130then includes the sub-steps132to139previously disclosed.

Following the determining step130, the generating module16generates display data during a generating step140.

During the generating step140, display data are generated as a function of the resultant setpoint value, said resultant setpoint value having been recalibrated in the case of the obtainment of a second setpoint.

One can thus see that the data display device12and the display method100according to the invention make it possible to improve the interaction with the user during the display of the data.

The data display device12and the display system4according to the invention in particular make it possible to ensure the coherence of the signals coming from a first interaction member8and a second interaction member10. Indeed, following one or several interactions with the first8and/or second10interaction member, and when said interactions are complete, the generating module16generates new display data as a function of a setpoint value shared by the first 8 and second 10 interaction members.