Format and display configuration selection of a display device

An apparatus for providing format and display configuration selection includes a display device, a user interface device, and a computer control system communicatively coupled to the display device and the user interface device, wherein the computer control system is configured to initiate a display format selection menu in a display area of the display device, wherein the display format selection menu includes an application menu area, a display configuration area, and an application configuration preview area, select an application from the application menu area, select a display configuration from the display configuration area, generate a multi-application display preview by displaying the one or more selected applications in a configuration defined by the selected display configuration in the application preview area, and implement the previewed multi-application display in response to a signal received from the user interface device indicative of acceptance of the previewed multi-application display.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the formatting and configuration of display devices, and more particularly to a system and method for providing format and display configuration selection of display devices for avionics systems.

BACKGROUND

Current avionics graphical display systems often suffer from difficulties in format selection, which is often cumbersome and unintuitive. In addition, current practices often result in unanticipated display configurations. Unexpected display configurations often result from format limitations and format stealing logic, among other factors. The various factors combine to create a complex and difficult to implement format selection process. As such, it is desirable to provide an intuitive and simplified method for display format selection, which allows for quick and straightforward display selection and configuration.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for providing format and display configuration selection of a display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus may include, but is not limited to, a display device, wherein the display device includes at least one display area; a user interface device; and a computer control system communicatively coupled to the display device and the user interface device, wherein the computer control system is configured to: initiate a display format selection menu in the display area of the display device in response to a signal received from the user interface device indicative of a user request to initiate the display format selection menu, wherein the display format selection menu includes an application menu area, a display configuration area, and an application configuration preview area; select one or more applications from the application menu area of the display format selection menu for display in a multi-application display of the at least one display area of the display device; select a display configuration for the multi-application display from the display configuration area of the display format selection menu; generate a multi-application display preview by displaying the one or more selected applications in a configuration defined by the selected display configuration in the application preview area of the display format selection menu; implement the previewed multi-application display by displaying the one or more selected applications in the configuration defined by the selected display configuration in the at least one display area of the display device in response to a signal received from the user interface device indicative of acceptance of the previewed multi-application display.

A method for providing format and display configuration selection of a display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the method may include, but is not limited to, providing a display device, wherein the display device includes at least one display area, wherein the display device is responsive to one or more user interface devices; initiating a display format selection menu in the at least one display area of the display device, wherein the display format selection menu includes an application menu area, a display configuration area, and a configuration preview area; selecting one or more applications from the application menu area of the display format selection menu for display in a multi-application display of the at least one display area of the display device; selecting a display configuration from the display configuration area of the display format selection menu for utilization in the multi-application display; and generating a multi-application display preview by displaying the one or more selected applications in a configuration defined by the selected display configuration in the application preview area of the display format selection menu. The method further including implementing the previewed multi-application display by displaying the one or more selected applications in the configuration defined by the selected display configuration in the at least one display area of the display device in response to a signal received from the user interface device indicative of acceptance of the previewed multi-application display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally toFIG. 1A through 5, a system100for providing format and display configuration selection of a display device is described in accordance with the present disclosure. The present invention is directed toward a method and system suitable for providing an intuitive and simplified method for avionics display format selection, allowing for quick and straightforward display selection and configuration.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a block diagram view of the system100for providing format and display configuration selection of a display device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The system100may include a computer system102, a display device104communicatively coupled to the computer system102, and a user interface106(e.g., touchscreen interface107or bezel mounted interface109) communicatively coupled to the computer system102.

The display device104may include any display device known in the art. For example, the display device104may include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD). In another example, the display device104may include, but is not limited to, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based display. Those skilled in the art should recognize that a variety of display devices may be suitable for implementation in the present invention and the particular choice of display device may depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, form factor, cost, power demands, and the like. In a general sense, any display device capable of integrating a touchscreen or bezel mounted interface is suitable for implementation in the present invention.

The user interface106may include any user interface known in the art. In one embodiment, the user interface may include, but is not limited to, a touchscreen interface107. Those skilled in the art should recognize that a large number of touchscreen interface devices may be suitable for implementation in the present invention. For instance, the display device104may be equipped with a touchscreen interface107, such as, but not limited to, a capacitive touchscreen, a resistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic based touchscreen, an infrared based touchscreen, or the like. In a general sense, any touchscreen interface capable of integration with the display portion of the display device104is suitable for implementation in the present invention. In another embodiment, the user interface may include, but is not limited to, a bezel mounted interface109. For example, the display device104may include a bezel equipped with one or more bezel mounted interfaces109. For instance, the bezel mounted interface109may include, but is not limited to, a hard key114(or hard “button”) disposed on the bezel117of the display device104. In a general sense, any bezel mounted interface capable of integration with the display device104is suitable for implementation in the present invention. Further, it should be recognized that a wide variety of user interface devices may be suitable for implementation in the present invention. For example, in addition to a touchscreen interface107or a bezel interface109, the user interface106may include, but is not limited to, a lever, a knob, a scroll wheel, a track ball, a switch, a dial, a sliding bar, a scroll bar, a slide, a handle, a touch pad, a paddle, a steering wheel, a keyboard, a keypad, a joystick, or the like.

In one aspect, the system100may be configured to initiate or “launch” a display format selection menu200in a display area of the display device104. In one embodiment, the computer system102of the system100may be configured to launch the display format selection menu200within a display area of the display device104in response to a signal received from the user interface106. For example, a user108may input information into the computer system102via the user interface106, such as, but not limited to, a touchscreen107or bezel mounted input109. Then, the user interface106may transmit a signal to the computer system102indicative of a user inputted request to launch the display format selection menu200.

FIG. 1Billustrates a multi-application display118of a display device104, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In one aspect, the multi-application display118is configured to display multiple applications running simultaneously on a single display area of the display device104. For example, as shown inFIG. 1B, the multi-application display118simultaneously displays a first application APP1, a second application APP2, a third application APP3, and a fourth application APP4. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above configuration and number of applications running on the multi-application display118is not a limitation, but should merely be interpreted as an illustration. In a general sense, any number of applications may run on the multi-application display118in any number of geometrical arrangements.

In one embodiment, the multi-application display118of the display device104may include a soft key114configured to receive a user input and subsequently provide a menu launch request signal to the computer system102. For example, the user108may press or tap the soft key114in order to initiate (or launch) the display format selection menu200. After receiving this request, the computer system102may launch the display format selection menu200in a display area of the display device104. Those skilled in the art should recognize that user feedback may be inputted using the soft key114in a variety of ways. For example, the computer system102may be configured to launch the menu200in response to a single tap. Additional feedback mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, a double tap, a press and hold for a selected amount of time, or a slide motion. In another embodiment, the multi-application display118of the display device104may include a hard key116mounted on the bezel117of the display device104configured to receive user input and further configured to subsequently provide a menu launch request signal to the computer system102. For example, the user108may press or tap the hard key116in order to initiate the display format selection menu200. After receiving this request, the computer system102may launch the display format selection menu200in a display area of the display device104. Those skilled in the art should recognize that user feedback may be inputted using the hard key116in a variety of ways. For example, the computer system102may be configured to launch the menu200in response to a single press of the hard key116. Additional feedback mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, a multiple hard key press, a press and hold for a selected amount of time of the hard key. Further, the hardware based user interface may include a slidable input device, which is configured to launch the menu200in response to a user sliding a slidable switch to a chosen location.

FIG. 2illustrates a schematic view of the display format selection menu200, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The display format selection menu200may include an application configuration preview area202, an application menu area206, a display configuration area209, and an auxiliary menu area212.

In another aspect of the present invention, the application menu area206may include one or more available applications suitable for use in the multi-application display118of the display device104. For example, the application menu area206may display APP1, APP2, APP3, APP4, APP5, APP6, APP7, and up to and including an Nth application, APP N, labeled as208athrough208hrespectively. In one embodiment, the system100may be configured to select one or more applications from the application menu area206of the display format selection menu200. For example, in response to a signal from a user interface106, the computer system102may select one or more applications from the application menu area206for display in the application configuration preview area202. For example, the user may select APP1, APP2, APP3, and APPN via a user interface106, such as a touchscreen107or bezel mounted interface109. Applicant notes, however, that the selected applications from the application area206do not automatically appear in the multi-application display118. The present invention is directed to a menu200including an application preview area202, discussed in greater detail further herein, which allows a user to preview the selected applications and the configuration of the applications prior to implementation in the full multi-application display118.

Those skilled in the art should recognize that the applications APP1. . . APPN of the application menu area206may be selected in any manner known in the art. In one embodiment, the applications APP1. . . APPN of the application menu area206may be selected utilizing a drag and drop function. In this regard, an application (e.g., APP1. . . APPN) may be selected by dragging the application to the application configuration preview menu202and dropping the application on the application configuration preview area202utilizing a touchscreen interface107of the display device104. This process can be repeated until all of the desired applications are selected for preview in the application configuration preview menu202. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the process of dragging and dropping the graphical representation of a particular application from the application menu206to the application configuration area202signals the computer102to select the particular application for graphical display in the application configuration preview area202.

In another embodiment, the applications APP1. . . APPN of the application menu area206may be selected utilizing a tap or press function. In this regard, an application (e.g., APP1. . . APPN) may be selected by a user108by tapping (or “pressing”) the graphical representation of the application in the application menu area206. For example, utilizing a touchscreen interface107of the display device104a user may “tap” or “press” a particular application (e.g., APP1. . . APPN) for display in the application configuration preview area202. In a further embodiment, the selection of a particular application may be triggered by a single tap or a double tap. By way of another example, utilizing a bezel mounted interface109(e.g., bezel mounted hardware key) of the display device104a user may “tap” or “press” a hardware key in order to select a particular application (e.g., APP1. . . APPN) for display in the application configuration preview area202.

In another embodiment, the selection of a particular application may be triggered by pressing and holding the particular application for a selected amount of time (e.g., 2 seconds). This process can be repeated until all of the desired applications are selected for preview in the application configuration preview menu202. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the process of tapping or pressing the graphical representation of a particular application found in the application menu206signals the computer102to select the particular application for graphical display in the application configuration preview area202. It should further be recognized that the pressing and holding function may be implemented utilizing a touchscreen interface equipped with soft keys or a bezel mounted interface equipped with hardware keys.

In a general sense, the computer system102may be configured to select one or more applications from the application menu area206for display in the application configuration area202of the display format selection menu200in response to a signal from a user interface (e.g., touchscreen or bezel mounted interface) indicative of user selection (e.g., drag and drop motion, tap motion, press motion, press and hold motion, or the like) of the one or more applications.

In another aspect of the present invention, the display configuration area209may include one or more available display configurations suitable for use in the multi-application display118of the display device104. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the display configuration area209may include display configurations210a,210b,210c, or210d. For instance, display configuration210aincludes a full screen display configuration suitable for displaying a single application in the multi-application display118of display device104. Display configuration210bincludes a two-way screen display configuration suitable for displaying two applications in the multi-application display118of display device104. Display configuration210cincludes a three-way screen display configuration suitable for displaying three applications in the multi-application display118of display device104. It is noted that configuration210cis suitable for displaying a half screen on the left side of the multi-application display118and two quarter screen on the right side of the multi-application display118. Display configuration210dincludes an alternate three-way screen display configuration suitable for displaying three applications in the multi-application display118of display device104. It is noted that configuration210dis suitable for displaying a half screen on the right side of the multi-application display118and two quarter screens on the left side of the multi-application display118. It is further noted that that display configuration area209may include a four-way display configuration (not shown in display configuration area209) suitable for simultaneously displaying four applications in the multi-application display118of the display device104. An example of a four-way display configuration is illustrated in the application configuration preview area202ofFIG. 2. It is noted that the four-way configuration of the preview area202is suitable for displaying four quarter screens on the multi-application display118, with each of the four applications designated for one of the four areas of the quartered multi-application display118of the display device104.

In one embodiment, the system100may be configured to select a display configuration for the multi-application display118from the display configuration area209of the display format selection menu200. For example, in response to a signal from a user interface106, the computer system102may select a display configuration (e.g.,210a. . .210d) from the display configuration area209, wherein the selected display configuration is utilized by the system100to configure the geometrical arrangement of the multiple applications running in the multi-application display118of the display device104. For instance, the user may select one of the configurations210a,210b,210c,210d, or like configurations via a user interface106, such as a touchscreen107or bezel mounted interface109. Applicant again notes, however, that the selected display configuration is not automatically applied to the multi-application display118. The present invention is directed to a menu200including an application preview area202, discussed in greater detail further herein, which allows a user to preview the selected applications arranged in the selected configuration from display area209prior to implementation in the full sized multi-application display118.

Those skilled in the art should recognize that one or more of the configurations of the display configuration area209may be selected in any manner known in the art. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the methods for selection (e.g., tap function or drag and drop function) using a touchscreen107or bezel mounted interface109described above with respect to selection of applications from the application menu206should be interpreted to extend to the selection of a particular display configuration (e.g.,210. . .210d) of the display configuration area209.

In another aspect of the present invention, the application configuration preview area202may include a preview of a multi-application display118. In this regard, a preview of the selected applications arranged according to the selected display configuration may be generated by the computer system102of the system100and displayed on the display device104prior to implementation. This function allows for the generation of an accurate preview of the multi-application display118prior to changing a current configuration of the multi-application display118. In one embodiment, the application configuration preview area202may display a four screen configuration including APP1204a, APP2204b, APP3, and up to and including APPN204d, as shown inFIG. 2. It should be recognized that the applications and four screen configuration depicted in the application configuration preview area202ofFIG. 2should not be interpreted as limiting but rather merely as illustrative.

In another aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary menu area212of the display format selection menu200may include one or more soft keys suitable for providing one or more signal to the computer system102for carrying out various functions of the system100. In one embodiment, the auxiliary menu area212of the display format selection menu200may include the soft keys KEY1214a, KEY2214b, and up to and including KEY N214c. It should be recognized that the soft keys of the auxiliary menu area212may be devoted to a variety of functions, such as, but not limited to, acceptance/implementation of a previewed application configuration, rejection of a previewed application configuration, or termination of the display format selection menu200.

In another aspect of the present invention, the system100may be configured to implement the previewed configuration depicted in the application configuration preview area202in response to a signal indicative of user acceptance of the previewed application configuration transmitted from the user interface106. For example, a soft key (e.g., KEY1or KEY N) of the auxiliary menu area212of the display format selection menu200may be devoted to accepting the previewed configuration displayed in application configuration area202. By way of another example, a hard key mounted on the bezel of the display device104may be devoted to accepting the previewed configuration displayed in application configuration area202. Upon acceptance of a previewed configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area202, via a soft key of auxiliary menu212or a hard key mounted on bezel, a user108may initiate implementation of the previewed application configuration. In this sense, the user interface106may transmit a signal indicative of user acceptance of the previewed application configuration displayed in application configuration area202to the computer system102. The computer system102may then implement the previewed application configuration of area202as the full sized multi-application display118.

Similarly, the user interface106may transmit a signal indicative of user rejection of the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration area202to the computer system102. The computer system102may then cancel or reject the previewed application configuration of area202as the full sized multi-application display.

FIG. 3illustrates a display format selection menu300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The application menu306of the display format selection menu300may include the following applications: MAP308a, Checklist308b, Flight Test308c, Video308d, Synoptic308e, Data Link308f, and GWX308f. The display configuration area309may include a single panel configuration310a, a two panel configuration310b, a first three panel configuration310c, a second three panel configuration310d, and a four panel configuration (not shown). As described previously herein, the applications of the application menu306may be selected via a user interface and displayed in an application configuration preview area302in a manner consistent with a selected configuration from the display configuration area309. As depicted inFIG. 3, the application configuration preview area302of the display format selection menu300includes the applications MAP304a, GWX304b, Check List304c, and Synoptic304darranged in a four panel application configuration. Moreover, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area302may be implemented via user input through the “Done” soft keys of the auxiliary menu312, as discussed in greater detail previously herein. Further, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area302may be canceled or rejected via user input through the “Cancel” soft key of the auxiliary menu312, as discussed in greater detail previously herein. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the set of applications and the arrangement described above should not be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4illustrates a simplified display format selection menu400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The application menu406of the simplified display format selection menu400may include the applications APP1408a, APP2408B, and up to and including APPN408c. The display configuration area409may include a single panel configuration410aand a two panel configuration410b. As described previously herein, the applications of the application menu406may be selected via a user interface and displayed in an application configuration preview area402in a manner consistent with the selected configuration from the display configuration area409. As depicted inFIG. 4, the application configuration preview area402of the display format selection menu400includes a single application APP N404. Moreover, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area402may be implemented via user input via one or more of soft keys (e.g., KEY1414aor KEY2414b) of the auxiliary menu412, in a manner similar to that described with respect to menu200. Further, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area402may be canceled or rejected via user input through one or more of the soft keys of the auxiliary menu412. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the set of applications and the arrangement described above should not be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely represents one embodiment of the present invention.

It is contemplated herein that the simplified display format selection menu400ofFIG. 4may be particularly advantageous in settings where only a portion of the display device104is available for utilization by the multi-application display118. In these settings, the simplified display format selection menu400may be implemented such that only a portion of the display device is used by the simplified display format selection menu400.

FIG. 4illustrates a simplified display format selection menu400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The application menu406of the simplified display format selection menu400may include the applications APP1408a, APP2408B, and up to and including APPN408c. The display configuration area409may include a single panel configuration410aand a two panel configuration410b. As described previously herein, the applications of the application menu406may be selected via a user interface and displayed in an application configuration preview area402in a manner consistent with the selected configuration from the display configuration area409. As depicted inFIG. 4, the application configuration preview area402of the display format selection menu400includes a single application APP N404. Moreover, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area402may be implemented via user input via one or more of soft keys (e.g., KEY1414aor KEY2414b) of the auxiliary menu412, in a manner similar to that described with respect to menu200. Further, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area402may be canceled or rejected via user input through one or more of the soft keys of the auxiliary menu412. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the set of applications and the arrangement described above should not be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely represents one embodiment of the present invention.

It is contemplated herein that the simplified display format selection menu400ofFIG. 4may be particularly advantageous in settings where only a portion of the display device104is available for utilization by the multi-application display118. In these settings, the simplified display format selection menu400may be implemented such that only a portion of the display device is used by the simplified display format selection menu400.

FIG. 4illustrates a simplified display format selection menu400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The application menu406of the simplified display format selection menu400may include the applications APP1408a, APP2408B, and up to and including APPN408c. The display configuration area409may include a single panel configuration410aand a two panel configuration410b. As described previously herein, the applications of the application menu406may be selected via a user interface and displayed in an application configuration preview area402in a manner consistent with the selected configuration from the display configuration area409. As depicted inFIG. 4, the application configuration preview area402of the display format selection menu400includes a single application APP N404. Moreover, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area402may be implemented via user input via one or more of soft keys (e.g., KEY1414aor KEY2414b) of the auxiliary menu412, in a manner similar to that described with respect to menu200. Further, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area402may be canceled or rejected via user input through one or more of the soft keys of the auxiliary menu412. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the set of applications and the arrangement described above should not be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely represents one embodiment of the present invention.

It is contemplated herein that the simplified display format selection menu400ofFIG. 4may be particularly advantageous in settings where only a portion of the display device104is available for utilization by the multi-application display118. In these settings, the simplified display format selection menu400may be implemented such that only a portion of the display device is used by the simplified display format selection menu400.

FIG. 5illustrates a simplified display format selection menu500, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The application menu506of the simplified display format selection menu500may include the applications MAP508a, FMS508b, and Chart508c. The display configuration area509may include a single panel configuration510aand a two panel configuration510b. As described previously herein, the applications of the application menu506may be selected via a user interface and displayed in an application configuration preview area502in a manner consistent with the selected configuration from the display configuration area509. As depicted inFIG. 5, the application configuration preview area502of the display format selection menu500includes a single application MAP504. Further, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area502may be implemented (as full scale multi-application window) through user input via one or more soft “Done” keys514bof the auxiliary menu512, in a manner similar to that described with respect toFIGS. 200 and 300. Further, the previewed application configuration displayed in the application configuration preview area502may be canceled or rejected via user input through one or more of the “Cancel” soft keys of the auxiliary menu512. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the set of applications and the arrangement described above should not be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6illustrates a method600for providing format and display configuration selection of a display device is described in accordance with the present disclosure. In step602, a display device responsive to one or more user interface devices is provided. The display device may include any suitable display device known in the art, such as, but not limited to, a LCD or an OLED display. In step604, a display format selection menu may be initiated or “launched” in a display area of a display device. In one aspect, the display formation selection menu may include an application menu area, a display configuration area, an application configuration area, and an auxiliary menu. In another aspect, the display format selection menu may be initiated or launched in response to a signal received from a user interface device, such as a touchscreen device107or a bezel mounted input device109. In step606, one or more applications from the application menu area of the display format selection menu may be selected for display in a multi-application display of the display area of the display device. In step608, a display configuration from the display configuration area of the display format selection menu may be selected for utilization in the multi-application display. In step610, a multi-application display preview may be generating by displaying the selected applications in a configuration defined by the selected display configuration in the application preview area of the display formation selection menu. In a further step612, the previewed multi-application display may be implemented by displaying the one or more selected applications in the configuration defined by the selected display configuration in the at least one display area of the display device in response to a signal received from the user interface device indicative of acceptance of the previewed multi-application display.

It should be recognized that the steps described throughout the present disclosure may be carried out by a single computer system or, alternatively, a multiple computer systems. Moreover, different subsystems of the system100, such as the display device104or the user interface device106, may include a computer system or logic elements suitable for carrying out at least a portion of the steps described throughout the present disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the present invention but merely an illustration.

The computer system102may include, but is not limited to, a personal computer system, mainframe computer system, workstation, image computer, parallel processor, or any other device known in the art. In general, the term “computer system” may be broadly defined to encompass any device having one or more processors, which execute instructions from a memory medium.

Program instructions112implementing methods such as those described herein may be transmitted over or stored on carrier medium110. The carrier medium may be a transmission medium such as a wire, cable, or wireless transmission link. The carrier medium may also include a storage medium such as a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic or optical disk, or a magnetic tape.

Although particular embodiments of this invention have been illustrated, it is apparent that various modifications and embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the claims appended hereto.