Abstract:
A touch screen bezel design that is optimized for use by a pilot during in-flight operations, which include vibrations, turbulence, and other factors affecting direct interaction with a touch screen. The bezel is further designed to include bezel indices which support touch interaction by a finger when a pilot&#39;s arm is near full extension as well as in other suboptimal postures. The bezel is also designed to elicit understanding that the screen it surrounds is touch-enabled, providing a common interface look and feel for all touch-enabled screens on the flight deck.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates in general to aircraft and in particular to systems and methods for controlling information displayed on the flight deck of an aircraft. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling various displays on the flight deck of an aircraft via operator interactions with touch screens. 
         [0002]    A pilot or other operator of an aircraft may use various displays on the flight deck of the aircraft to monitor and control the operation of various aircraft systems. Traditionally, numerous analog devices, such as mechanical gauges and dials, were used to display information on the flight deck of an aircraft. In more modern aircraft, information is provided to the pilot or other operator of the aircraft via digital electronic instrument displays. For example, information for various aircraft systems may be displayed on liquid crystal display devices, cathode ray tube display devices, or other similar display devices on the flight deck of an aircraft. For example, without limitation, such displays may include navigation displays, system displays, communication displays, information displays, flight management displays, checklist displays, other appropriate displays, or various combinations of displays. 
         [0003]    Several display formats may be displayed on a multi-function display on the flight deck of an aircraft. A multi-function display may be used to display information to the operator of an aircraft in numerous configurable ways. For example, without limitation, a multi-function display may be configured to display a navigation route, moving map, weather information, airport information, other information, or various combinations of information all on the same display screen. 
         [0004]    The content of the information displayed on the flight deck of an aircraft may be driven by a flight management system, other systems, or various combinations of systems on the aircraft. A flight management system is a specialized computer system that automates a wide variety of in-flight tasks, thereby reducing the workload of the aircraft flight crew. 
         [0005]    The information displayed on the flight deck of an aircraft may be controlled to display flight information as needed. The ability to control the information displayed on the flight deck of an aircraft may simplify aircraft operation and navigation and may allow the aircraft operator to focus on the most pertinent information. 
         [0006]    Flight decks will soon be outfitted with touch-enabled screens (hereinafter “touch screens”) for the pilots to interact directly with the information displays, compared to the use of an intermediary control device (e.g., a touchpad or dial). Because of the unique environment of flight, pilots contend with vibrations and turbulence, which affect their ability to smoothly, easily, and accurately interact with touch screens. Given the design constraints of displays and hardware on the flight deck, the touch screens are typically at arm length from the pilots, requiring them to nearly or fully extend their arms to reach the portion of the touch screen they wish to interact with. Since aircraft displays are typically anchored to the flight deck, vibration and turbulence can be transmitted directly to the display without any damping, making it difficult for the pilot to move his hand or fingers rapidly and precisely during flight. 
         [0007]    Current bezel designs are not optimized for this type of operation or to overcome the foregoing limitations. Current bezels are typically flat and smooth (as in the edges of a typical computer monitor) and do not enable effective bracing for a hand to interact with a display where both are being shaken by turbulence or vibrations. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The subject matter disclosed in detail below is directed to a touch screen bezel design that is optimized for use by a pilot during in-flight operations. which include vibrations, turbulence, and other factors affecting direct interaction with a touch screen. The bezel is further designed to include bezel indices which support touch interaction by a finger when a pilot&#39;s arm is near full extension as well as in other suboptimal postures. The bezel is also designed to elicit understanding that The screen it surrounds is touch-enabled, providing a common interface look and feel for all touch-enabled screens on the flight deck. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the bezel is designed to have bezel indices in the form of protruding segments or projections having angled ridged surfaces which enhance finger gripping during pilot interaction with a touch screen. As used herein, the term touch screen means a display which contains any type or combination of user input sensor(s) integrated into a display assembly, which can detect, track and output the coordinates of finger or stylus position on or near the display surface. As used herein, the term “finger” should be construed to include any one of the following: a thumb, an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger. As used hereinafter, the term “length”, when used to describe a bracing index, is measured in a horizontal direction in a plane parallel to a plane of the touch screen. 
         [0010]    In accordance with various embodiments, the bezel design may include one or more of the following features: (a) the vertical sides have slightly rounded profiles and are studded with raised dots to support finger gripping and prevent vertical sliding; (b) the vertical sides have one or more bracing indices that can be used to anchor or rest a finger to prevent vertical sliding and to provide better support for fine-motor movements; (c) the horizontal sides are angled such that the lower edge extends out further than the upper edge, providing a ledge to brace one or more fingers when accessing upper and lower portions of the screen; and (d) the horizontal sides have several ridges running horizontally along length of the ledges to further support bracing and prevent vertical slide-off of the fingers. In addition to supporting bracing during in-flight operation, the foregoing features improve bracing for pre- and post-flight operation (when the plane is still). Further, these features provide an overall distinctive characteristic look and feel that can be used to visually signal that a display screen is touch-enabled (by contrast, non-touch-enabled screens would retain the flat, smooth bezels, visually identifying them as non-touch-enabled). 
         [0011]    One aspect of the subject matter disclosed in detail below is an apparatus comprising a touch screen and a bezel that is attached to or integrally formed with an outer periphery of the touch screen to form a boundary of a touch screen area, wherein: the bezel comprises first and second sides that intersect at a first corner, and third and fourth sides that intersect at a second corner, the second and third sides intersecting at a third corner, and the first and fourth sides intersecting at a fourth corner; one of the first through fourth sides comprises a bracing index; and the bracing index comprises a body having a ridged surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen, the ridged surface comprising a multiplicity of ridges disposed at different distances from a back surface of the at least one of the first through fourth sides. The body of the bracing index has a shape which approximates a truncated wedge having a pair of trapezoidal side faces, and the multiplicity of ridges are disposed on a face that connects the trapezoidal side faces. 
         [0012]    In accordance with some embodiments, one bracing index of the type described in the preceding paragraph may be formed on each of the second and fourth sides, extending along the length of (i.e., parallel to) the second and fourth sides, and one or more bracing indices of the type described in the preceding paragraph may be formed on each of the first and third sides, extending across the width of (i.e., perpendicular to) the first and third sides. In addition, the first and third sides may be provided with respective multiplicities of raised dots projecting from rounded front surface areas not occupied by bracing indices. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the subject matter disclosed in detail below is an apparatus comprising a touch screen and a bezel that is attached to or integrally formed with an outer periphery of the touch screen to form a boundary of a touch screen area, wherein: the bezel comprises first and second sides that intersect at a first corner, and third and fourth sides that intersect at a second corner, the second and third sides intersecting at a third corner, and the first and fourth sides intersecting at a fourth corner; and the first side comprises a first elongated body having a front surface with a rounded profile and a first bracing index protruding from the front surface of the first elongated body, wherein the first bracing index comprises a first body attached to or integrally formed with the first elongated body, the first body having a first uneven surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen and configured to exert pressure unevenly when pressed by a finger. The first side may further comprise respective multiplicities of raised dots arranged in respective patterns and projecting from the first elongated member in respective raised dot surface area on opposite sides of the first bracing index. 
         [0014]    In accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein, the uneven surface of the first body comprises a first array of bar-shaped projections separated by respective spaces and extending in a direction which is perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the first elongated member of the first side. The bar-shaped projections of the first array of bar-shaped projections are disposed at different distances from a back surface of the first side. 
         [0015]    In accordance with sonic embodiments, the first side further comprises a second bracing index protruding from the front surface of the first elongated body, wherein the second bracing index comprises a second body attached to or integrally formed with the first elongated body, the second body having a second uneven surface disposed at the acute angle relative to the touch screen and configured to exert pressure unevenly when pressed by a finger. In one implementation, the first and second bracing indices have a length not greater than a width of the first side. 
         [0016]    In accordance with some embodiments, the second side comprises a second elongated body and a second bracing index protruding from the second elongated body, wherein the second bracing index comprises a second body attached to or integrally formed with the second elongated body, the second body having an uneven surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen and configured to exert pressure unevenly when pressed by a finger. 
         [0017]    In the embodiments briefly described in the preceding paragraph, the uneven surface of the first body comprises a first array of mutually parallel bar-shaped projections that extend in a direction which is perpendicular to the first side, and the uneven surface of the second body comprises a second array of mutually parallel bar-shaped projections that extend in a direction which is parallel to the second side. 
         [0018]    A further aspect of the subject matter disclosed in detail below is a bezel comprising first and second sides that intersect at a first corner, and third and fourth sides that intersect at a second corner, the second and third sides intersecting at a third corner, and the first and fourth sides intersecting at a fourth corner, wherein: the first side comprises a first bracing index and the second side comprises a second bracing index; the first bracing index comprises a first body having a first ridged surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen, the first ridged surface comprising a first multiplicity of ridges disposed at different distances from a back surface of the first side; the first body has a shape which approximates a truncated wedge having a pair of trapezoidal side faces, the first multiplicity of ridges being disposed on a first face that connects the trapezoidal side faces of the first body and extending perpendicular to the first side; the second bracing index comprises a second body having a second ridged surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen, the second ridged surface comprising a second multiplicity of ridges disposed at different distances from a back surface of the second side; and the second body has a shape which approximates a truncated wedge having a pair of trapezoidal side faces, the second multiplicity of ridges being disposed on a second face that connects the trapezoidal side faces of the second body and extending perpendicular to the second side. The first bracing index may have a length not greater than a width of the first side and the second bracing index may have a length not less than a distance between the first and third sides. 
         [0019]    In accordance with the embodiments disclosed in detail below, the third side comprises a third bracing index and the fourth side comprises a fourth bracing index; the third bracing index comprises a third body having a third ridged surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen, the third ridged surface comprising a third multiplicity of ridges disposed at different distances from a back surface of the third side; the third body has a shape which approximates a truncated wedge having a pair of trapezoidal side faces, the third multiplicity of ridges being disposed on a third face that connects the trapezoidal side faces of the third body and extending perpendicular to the third side; the fourth bracing index comprises a fourth body having a fourth ridged surface disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen, the fourth ridged surface comprising a fourth multiplicity of ridges disposed at different distances from a back surface of the fourth side; and the fourth body has a shape which approximates a truncated wedge having a pair of trapezoidal side faces, the fourth multiplicity of ridges being disposed on a fourth face that connects the trapezoidal side faces of the fourth body and extending perpendicular to the fourth side. 
         [0020]    It should be appreciated that the number of bracing indices on each of the first and third sides of the bezel may be greater than one. The number bracing indices on the first and third sides may depend on the length of the first and third sides, which in turn will depend on the height of the display unit which the bezel is attached to or integrally formed with. The first and third sides of a bezel designed for use with a large display unit may be provided with more bracing indices than are provided on the first and third sides of a bezel designed for use with a small display unit. 
         [0021]    Other aspects of bezels designed to facilitate the use of touch screens on flight decks of aircraft are disclosed below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a diagram representing an isometric view of a touch screen bezel for use in aviation operations in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 1A through 1D  are diagrams representing isometric views of respective portions of the bezel depicted in  FIG. 1 , the location of the respective portions being indicated in  FIG. 1  by ellipses respectively labeled  1 A through  1 D. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a diagram representing a front elevation view of the bezel depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram representing a sectional view of a portion of one vertical side of the bezel depicted in  FIG. 2 , the section being taken along the vertical solid line labeled “View A” in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 2B  is a diagram representing a sectional view of the other vertical side of the bezel depicted in  FIG. 2 , the section being taken along the horizontal solid line labeled “View B” in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a diagram representing an isometric view of the bezel depicted in  FIG. 1  attached to a display unit using a snap-on method of attachment. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are diagrams representing isometric views of the bezel depicted in  FIG. 1  attached to a display unit using respective alternative methods of attachment. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    Reference will hereinafter be made to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings bear the same reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Touch screen systems having bezels designed to optimize use by a pilot during in-flight operations will now be described with reference to a particular embodiment for the purpose of illustration. More specifically, the embodiment shown in the drawings shows a bezel having respective pairs of bracing indices on the left and right sides and respective bracing indices on the upper and lower sides. It should be appreciated, however, that in accordance with the concepts disclosed herein, one or more bezel indices may be provided on each side. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a diagram representing an isometric view of a touch screen bezel  10  for use in aviation operations in accordance with one embodiment. The bezel  10  comprises a left side  12 , an upper side  14 , a right side  16 , and a lower side  18  which are connected to form a generally rectangular frame surrounding a touch screen (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The left side  12  and upper side  14  intersect at a first (i.e., upper left-hand) corner; and the right side  14  and lower side  18  intersect at a second corner (i.e., lower right-hand) opposite to the first corner. In addition, the upper side  14  and right side  16  intersect at a third (i.e., upper right-hand) corner; and the left side  12  and lower side  18  intersect at a fourth (i.e., lower left-hand) corner opposite to the third corner. As seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1D , the bezel  10  further comprises upper and lower snap latch features  38  and  40  which can be snapped onto or latched to a display unit having a touch screen. This attachment method relies on the flexibility of the bezel  10 , which may be made of plastic, metal, elastomer, or other suitably flexible material. 
         [0032]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the left side  12  comprises a first left bracing index  20   a  and a second left bracing index  20   b,  which may have substantially the same geometry and a length not greater than the width of the left side  12 . The left bracing indices  20   a  and  20   b  are separated from each other and from the respective nearest corner by respective dotted regions  30 . Similarly, the right side  16  comprises a first right bracing index  22   a  and a second right bracing index  22   b,  which may have substantially the same geometry as that of left bracing indices  20   a  and  20   b,  and a length not greater than the width of the right side  16 . The right bracing indices  22   a  and  22   b  are also separated from each other and from the respective nearest corner by respective dotted regions  30 . In addition, the upper site  14  comprises an upper bracing index  24 , while the lower side  18  comprises a lower bracing index  26 . Each of the upper and lower bracing indices  24 ,  26  may have a length not less than the distance between the left and right sides  12 ,  16 . Optionally, the upper and lower bracing indices  24 ,  26  could be divided into multiple segments. The bracing indices may be integrally formed with or attached to respective elongated bodies of the four sides. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram representing an isometric view (magnified in scale) of the upper left-hand corner and an adjacent portion of the upper side  14  of the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Although  FIG. 1A  shows only a portion of the upper bracing index  24 , in the particular embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the upper bracing index  24  has a substantially constant profile along its length. However, it should be appreciated that a constant profile is not a requirement. 
         [0034]    Still referring to  FIG. 1A , the upper side  14  comprises an elongated body  28  and an upper bracing index  24  that protrudes from a front surface of the elongated body  28 . The upper bracing index  24  comprises a body having an angled ridged surface  32  disposed at an acute angle relative to the front surface of the elongated body  28 . The angled ridged surface  32  comprises a multiplicity of ridges  34  disposed at different distances from a back surface (not visible in  FIG. 1A ) of the elongated body  28  of the upper side  14 . The body of the upper bracing index  24  has a shape which approximates a truncated wedge having a pair of trapezoidal side faces  36  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 1A ). The ridges  34  are disposed on the angled ridged face  32  and extend in parallel with the upper side  14 . The angled ridged face  32  connects respective edges of the trapezoidal side faces  36 . 
         [0035]    The upper bracing index  24  is angled such that its lower edge extends out further from the front surface of the elongated body  28  than does the upper edge, providing a ledge to brace one or more fingers when accessing upper and lower portions of the touch screen (not shown in  FIG. 1A ). In addition, the ridges  34  run horizontally along the length of the ledges to further support bracing and prevent vertical slide-off of the fingers. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1B  is a diagram representing an isometric view (magnified in scale) of a portion of the uppermost dotted region  30  on the left side  12  of the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 . The left side  12  comprises an elongated body  44  having a slightly rounded front surface  56 . Each dotted region  30  comprises a multiplicity of raised dots  46  which project from the slightly rounded front surface  56 . The dotted regions are studded with raised dots  46  to support finger gripping and prevent vertical sliding. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1C  is a diagram representing an isometric view (magnified in scale) of a portion of the left side  12  of the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 , which portion has the second left bracing index  20   b  formed thereon or attached thereto. The second left bracing index  20   b  protrudes from the front surface  56  of the elongated body  44 . The second left bracing index  20   b  comprises a body having an angled ridged surface  48  disposed at an acute angle relative to the front surface  56 . The angled ridged surface  48  comprises a multiplicity of ridges  50  disposed at different distances from a back surface (not visible in  FIG. 1C ) of the elongated body  44 . The body of the second left bracing index  20   b  has a shape which approximates a truncated wedge having a pair of trapezoidal side faces  52  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 1C ). The ridges  50  are disposed on the angled ridged face  48  and extend perpendicular to the left side  12 . The angled ridged face  48  connects respective edges of the trapezoidal side faces  52 . 
         [0038]    The second left bracing index  20   b  is angled such that its lower edge extends out further from the front surface  56  of the elongated body  44  than does the upper edge, providing a protruding segment to brace one or more fingers when accessing upper and lower portions of the touch screen (not shown in  FIG. 1C ). In addition, the ridges  50  run horizontally along the length of the protruding segment to support bracing and prevent vertical slide-off of the finger. 
         [0039]    The first left bracing index  20   a  on the left side  12  and the first and second right bracing indices  22   a  and  22   b  on the right side  16  may have a geometry which is similar, if not identical to, the geometry of the second left bracing index  20   b.  These bracing indices can be used to anchor or rest a finger to prevent vertical sliding and to provide better support for fine-motor movements 
         [0040]      FIG. 1D  is a diagram representing an isometric view (magnified in scale) of the lower left-hand corner and an adjacent portion of the lower side  18  of the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Although  FIG. 1D  shows only a portion of the lower bracing index  26 , in the particular embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the lower bracing index  26  has a substantially constant profile along its length. However, as previously noted, a constant profile is not a requirement. 
         [0041]    Still referring to  FIG. 1D , the lower side  18  comprises an elongated body  42  and a lower bracing index  26  that protrudes from a front surface of the elongated body  42 . The geometry of the lower bracing index  26  may be similar, if not identical, to the geometry of the upper bracing index  24  previously described with reference to  FIG. 1A . However, the shape and dimensions of the ridges  34  and the trapezoidal side faces  36  and the angle of the angled ridged surface  32  of the lower bracing index  26  may differ from the corresponding features of the upper bracing index  24 . 
         [0042]    Although the bracing indices depicted in  FIGS. 1A, 1C and 1D  have angled surfaces with ridges, other uneven surfaces may be employed provided that they are disposed at an acute angle relative to the touch screen and configured to exert pressure unevenly when pressed by a finger, thereby generating frictional force which resists sliding of the contacting finger in a vertical direction. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is a diagram representing a front elevation view of the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 . The bezel  10  has a rectangular shape. The left side  12  and right side  1 $ have equal widths and are parallel to a vertical axis; the upper side  14  and lower side  18  are parallel to a horizontal axis. As seen in  FIG. 2 , each of the bracing indices  20   a,    20   b,    22   a  and  22   b  may have a length not greater than the width of the left and right sides  12 ,  16 , while each of the bracing indices  24  and  26  may have a length not less than a distance between the left and right sides  12 ,  16 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram representing a sectional view of a portion of the left side  12  of the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 2 , the section being taken along the vertical solid line labeled “View A” in  FIG. 2 . This view shows the generally trapezoidal profiles of the bracing indices  24  and  20   a  (if one disregards the uneven profiles of the respective angled ridged surfaces  32  and  48 ). 
         [0045]      FIG. 2B  is a diagram representing a sectional view of the right side  16  of the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 2 , the section being taken along the horizontal solid line labeled “View B” in  FIG. 2 . The profile of the right side  16  may be a mirror image of the profile of the left side  12 . More specifically, the right side  16  comprises an elongated body  54  having a slightly rounded front surface  58 . Each dotted region  30  of the right side  16  comprises a multiplicity of raised dots  46  which project from the slightly rounded front surface  58 . The dotted regions are studded with raised dots  46  to support finger gripping and prevent vertical sliding. 
         [0046]    Various methods for attaching the bezel  10  to a display unit  2  having a touch screen  4  are the  FIGS. 3-5 . For the purpose of illustration, embodiments will be depicted in which the display unit  2  is attached to a panel  6  on a flight deck. 
         [0047]    In accordance with one attachment method depicted in  FIG. 3 , the bezel  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  can be attached to a display unit  2  using the upper and lower snap latch features  38  and  40  depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1D . As seen in  FIG. 1A , the snap latch feature  38  is in the form of a flexible member  38   a  having a downward projection  38   b.  The flexible member  38   a  is designed to spring back to a neutral position in response to being bent upward. The projection  38   b  is designed to latch behind an edge formed on the touch screen casing  8 . The snap latch feature  40  may have a similar construction. There are other ways to implement a bezel with a display unit having a touch screen. For example, the bezel can be attached via clips, adhesive or fasteners. 
         [0048]    In accordance with an alternative attachment method depicted in  FIG. 4 , the bezel  10  can be attached to the panel  6  through the touch screen casing  8  by means of the same fasteners which are used to attach the display unit  2  to the panel  6 . Each corner of the bezel may be provided with an aperture  60  for receiving a respective fastener. Only one aperture  60  is shown in  FIG. 4 , along with a dashed line indicating an axis of the fastener. 
         [0049]    In accordance with a further attachment method depicted in  FIG. 5 , the bezel  10  can be fastened to the panel  6  independently by providing a bracket  62  adjacent each corner of the bezel  10 . Only one bracket  62  is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0050]    If the bezel area around the display unit is found to be too dark to locate bracing easily, transilluminated contact points can be provided on the bezel for night operations. 
         [0051]    While apparatus, devices and methods have been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the teachings herein. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt the concepts and reductions to practice disclosed herein to a particular situation. Accordingly, it is intended that the subject matter covered by the claims not be limited to the disclosed embodiments.