Patent Publication Number: US-2010131123-A1

Title: Input/steering mechanisms and aircraft control systems

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The inventive subject matter generally relates to aircraft, and more particularly relates to input and steering mechanisms and aircraft control systems for use on aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Aircraft typically include one or more cockpit displays, which visually present multiple categories of flight- and/or aircraft-related data from a flight control system. In some cases, the flight crew may be prompted by the displays to provide additional data or inputs to the flight control system. In response, the flight crew may manually input data into the system by typing the data into an input device, such as a keyboard, or by using a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) that may be communicatively coupled to the system. Typically, the input devices are located adjacent to the displays such that a pilot or co-pilot may need to remove his hand from the yoke to operate the input device. As the number of components in the aircraft cockpit and the density of information presented on the displays continues to increase, improved systems are desirable that reduce effort of the flight crew with interacting with the displays and the flight control system. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to have a simplified system for a flight crew to input data or provide inputs into a flight control system. In addition, it is desirable to for the system to be relatively inexpensive to implement into new and existing aircraft. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the inventive subject matter will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the inventive subject matter and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the inventive subject matter. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Input/steering mechanisms and aircraft control systems are provided. 
     In an embodiment, by way of example only, an input/steering mechanism is provided for use with an aircraft control system. The input/steering mechanism includes a handlebar, a first panel extending from the handlebar, and a first portion of an alphanumeric keyboard disposed on the panel and adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit an output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input. 
     In another embodiment, by way of example only, the aircraft control system includes an input/steering mechanism, a processor, and a display. The input/steering mechanism includes a handlebar, a first panel extending from the handlebar, and a first portion of an alphanumeric keyboard disposed on the panel and adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit a first output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input. The processor is operable communication with the input/steering mechanism and is adapted to receive the first output signal from the input/steering mechanism and to produce a second output signal in response to the first output signal. The display is in operable communication with the processor and is adapted to display an image in response to the second output signal from the processor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The inventive subject matter will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an aircraft control system, according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified view of a yoke that may be implemented into the system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the inventive subject matter or the application and uses of the inventive subject matter. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an aircraft control system  100 , according to an embodiment. The aircraft control system  100  includes one or more user input/steering mechanisms  102 , a control unit  104 , a flight-related database  106 , a flight actuation system  108 , and a display device  110 . The one or more user input/steering mechanisms  102  are adapted to supply a flight control surface position control signal  112  to the control unit  104  and to allow a user (e.g., a pilot  120  or a co-pilot  122 ) to provide a user input  114  to the control unit  104 . In an embodiment, the user input  114  may be a manual input to steer the aircraft in a particular direction. In such case, each user input/steering mechanism  102  may be made up of a steering mechanism  116  and a handlebar  118  coupled thereto. The steering mechanism  116  may be configured to move in various directions to allow the user to provide directional movement commands to the control unit  104 . For example, the steering mechanism  116  may be rotatably movable, axially movable, and radially movable. In other embodiments, the steering mechanism  116  may be configured to move in other directions and manners. In this regard, the steering mechanism  116  may be a steering column, flight stick, joystick, or other movable device. 
     The handlebar  118  is disposed on the steering mechanism  116  and is adapted to provide a gripping area for the user to provide a manual input to the steering mechanism  116 . As used herein, the term “disposed on” may be defined a physically included on, projected onto, or displayed on. In an embodiment, the handlebar  118  may be attached to the steering mechanism  116  such that movement of the handlebar  118  is directly translated thereto. Thus, when the user rotates or axially or radially moves the handlebar  118 , the steering mechanism  116  exhibits a corresponding movement. In another embodiment, the handlebar  118  may be rotationally coupled to the steering mechanism  116 . In such case, the user may rotate the handlebar  118  about a longitudinal axis through the steering mechanism  116  to cause the aircraft to bank left or right, or the user may pull up or push down on the handlebar  118  to cause the steering mechanism  116  to move axially or radially to impart another directional movement to the aircraft. 
     In another embodiment, the user input  114  may include a manual entry of textual and/or numerical data by the user. In this regard, the handlebar  118  also may include at least a portion of an alphanumeric keyboard  124  thereon that allows the user to input such data to the system  100 . The alphanumeric keyboard  124  is implemented as part of the handlebar  118  and is disposed such that keystrokes may be made primarily using the user&#39;s thumbs and/or fingers, in an embodiment. 
     Although the input/steering mechanism  102  used by both the pilot  120  and the co-pilot  122  are shown in  FIG. 1  as being substantially identical to each other, they may not be in other embodiments. For example, the steering mechanism  116  used by the pilot  120  may include a steering column, while the steering mechanism  116  used by the co-pilot  122  may include a flight stick. In another embodiment, more than two input/steering mechanisms  102  may alternatively be included. In other embodiments, an aircraft may include a single input/steering mechanism  102 , as the aircraft may not include an area for a co-pilot  122 . 
     In addition to receiving user inputs  114 , the control unit  104  also may be adapted to receive a plurality of signals representing real-time aircraft conditions. For example, the real-time aircraft condition signals may include airspeed indicator signals  126 , aircraft altitude indicator signals  128 , and aircraft attitude indicator signals  130 . In other embodiments, the real-time aircraft condition signals may include data related to conditions surrounding the aircraft, or “aircraft flight envelope” signals  131 . Examples of aircraft flight envelope data include, but are not limited to, temperature and aircraft autoflight/autothrottle mode. In any event, one or more of the real-time aircraft condition signals may be supplied from sensors (not shown) that may be disposed on the aircraft and are dedicated to the system  100  or shared with other systems in the aircraft, or supplied via one or more data buses within the aircraft. 
     The control unit  104  is further adapted to process one or more of the input signals  112 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131  in order to provide one or more output signals  134 ,  136 ,  138  that are communicated to the user via the display device  110  or the input/steering mechanism  102  or to the flight actuation system  108 . In this regard, the control unit  104  may include at least a processor  132  that is in operable communication with the display device  110 , the input/steering mechanism  102 , and the flight actuation system  108 . The processor  132  may be any one of numerous known general-purpose microprocessors or an application specific processor that operates in response to program instructions. In an embodiment, the processor  132  includes on-board RAM (random access memory) and on-board ROM (read only memory). The program instructions executed on the processor  132  may be stored in either or both the RAM and the ROM. For example, the operating system software may be stored in the ROM, whereas various operating mode software routines and various operational parameters may be stored in the RAM. It will be appreciated that this is merely exemplary of one scheme for storing operating system software and software routines, and that various other storage schemes may be implemented. It will also be appreciated that the processor  132  may be implemented using various circuits other than a programmable processor. For example, digital logic circuits and analog signal processing circuits could also or alternatively be used. 
     In an embodiment, the processor  132  may include program instructions to obtain data that may not be provided by the input signals  112 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131 , if such additional data is needed to determine an output signal. In one example, the processor  132  may be in operable communication with the flight-related database  106  and configured, in response to the input signals  112 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131 , to selectively retrieve data therefrom. The flight-related database  106  may include various types of data such as terrain data, including elevation data representative of the terrain over which the aircraft is flying. The flight-related database  106  also, or alternatively may include various types of navigation-related data such as various flight plan related data including, for example, waypoints, distances between waypoints, headings between waypoints, data related to different airports, navigational aids, obstructions, special use airspace data, political boundary data, communication frequencies, and aircraft approach information, among other things. Although the flight-related database  106  is shown as a single database separate from the processor  132 , in other embodiments, the flight-related database  106  may include separate databases, all or portions of the database  106  could be loaded into the on-board RAM or ROM, integrally included in the processor  132 , and/or other RAM, and/or ROM. In another embodiment, the flight-related database  106  could be included as part of a device or system that is physically remote from the aircraft control system  100 . 
     Based on the input signals  112 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131  and/or retrieved data, the processor  132  may provide an output signal  134  to the display device  110  to display various images and data, in both a graphical and a textual format and to thereby supply visual feedback to the user, in an embodiment. The display device  110  may be any one of numerous known displays suitable for rendering image and/or text data in a format viewable by the user. Suitable examples of such displays include, but are not limited to various cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, and various flat panel displays (e.g., various types of LCD (liquid crystal display) and TFT (thin film transistor) displays). The display device  110  may additionally be based on a panel mounted display, a head-up display projection, or other known display technologies. 
     In another embodiment, the processor  132  may receive an input signal  112  from the input/steering mechanism  102  to provide an output signal  136  to the flight actuation system  108 . For example, the processor  132 , and hence the control unit  104 , may be configured to supply a power output signal  136  to appropriate primary flight control surface actuators  142 ,  144 ,  146  that may make up part of the flight actuation system  108 . The actuators  142 ,  144 ,  146 , in response, may move a control surface to an appropriate position, to thereby implement a desired directional movement of the aircraft. 
     In yet another embodiment, the control unit  104  may supply an output signal, shown in  FIG. 1  as a feedback signal  138 , to the input/steering mechanism  102 . The feedback signal  138  may be used to prompt the pilot  120  or co-pilot  122  to provide a particular reaction, such as providing an additional input to the system  100 . For example, in an embodiment, the input/steering mechanism  102  (e.g., either the steering mechanism  116  or the handlebar  118 ) may include a tactile generator  148  that is in operable communication with the processor  132  and is adapted to vibrate or otherwise provide a physical disturbance to a user, in response to the feedback signal  138 . If included in the steering mechanism  116 , the tactile generator  148  may cause the steering mechanism  116  to vibrate. If included in the handlebar  118 , the tactile generator  148  may cause a portion of the handlebar  118  to vibrate, or may cause a surface of the handlebar  118  to move or change texture. Thus, when, for instance, the user&#39;s palm or thumb is in physical contact with the surface of the handlebar  118 , the user&#39;s palm or thumb may experience a tactile sensation that the user may recognize as a prompt to react. The physical disturbance may vary in magnitude, based on a position of the steering mechanism  116  or the handlebar  118  or on the aircraft conditions as represented by each of the received aircraft condition signals  112 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131 . 
     In embodiments in which the user may be prompted to supply additional information, the user may do so using the alphanumeric keyboard  124 , which as mentioned above may be positioned on the handlebar  118 . The handlebar  118  may be configured to serve as a wrist rest for the user, while keystrokes are made by the user&#39;s fingers and thumbs during input. The alphanumeric keyboard  124  may include a QWERTY-based keyboard, in an embodiment. A QWERTY-based keyboard may be a standard arrangement in which the characters of Roman script are laid out. In another embodiment, the alphanumeric keyboard  124  also may include a numerical keypad incorporated into or disposed adjacent to the QWERTY-based keyboard. 
     In yet another embodiment, the alphanumeric keyboard  124  may be a physical keyboard that is configured to extend from the handlebar  118  on a side of the handlebar  118  that is away from the user. In still another embodiment, a means for displaying at least a portion of a virtual keyboard on panels  119 ,  121  extending from the handlebar  124  and a means for sensing movement of a user&#39;s thumb or hand across the virtual keyboard to produce the input signal  112  may be included to form a virtual keyboard. In an embodiment, the means for displaying may be projected, such as via a rear projector or a front projector, onto surfaces of the panels  119 ,  121 . In another embodiment, the means for displaying may include a touchscreen, such as a liquid crystal display having a touch sensors embedded therein, that displays the virtual keyboard. In another embodiment, the means for sensing movement may include one or more optical sensors embedded in, coupled to, or disposed proximate to the handlebar  118 . In an embodiment, the optical sensors may further operate with one or more image-rendering screens or other devices for providing an image of alphanumeric keys on the handlebar panels  119 ,  121 . In such case, the means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual keyboard may be further adapted to project the virtual keyboard such that the virtual keyboard moves relative to a movement of the handlebar  118 , in an embodiment. In another embodiment, the means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual keyboard may be further adapted to project the virtual keyboard such that the virtual keyboard does not move relative to a movement of the handlebar. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the image of alphanumeric keys may be rendered on the display device  110 . In an embodiment, the optical sensors may cause the image-rendering screens or other devices for providing the alphanumeric keys on the handlebar panels  119 ,  121  or on the display device  110  to render an entire alphanumeric keyboard or a portion of the keyboard, such as particular keys over which the user&#39;s thumbs or fingers are disposed, in order to conserve display space. In some embodiments, a user may place his or her fingers over each key, and in an embodiment, each key over which a finger is placed may be displayed in a particular color, shape, or size associating a particular finger and a particular displayed key. To further conserve display space, the means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual keyboard may be toggled with a means for displaying at least a portion of an instrument panel. For example, the user may select a keyboard mode in which the means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual keyboard projects the keyboard, and an instrument mode in which the means for displaying at least a portion of an instrument panel displays the instrument panel. 
     Similar to the virtual keyboard, the instrument panel may be displayed either on the handlebar panels  119 ,  121  or on the display device  110 . In an embodiment in which the instrument panel is displayed on the handlebar panels  119 ,  121 , the means for displaying at least a portion of the instrument panel may be further adapted to project the instrument panel such that it remains in position despite rotational movement of the handlebar. In yet another embodiment, the means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual keyboard may be toggled with a means for displaying shortcut keys. As used herein, a shortcut key may be a physical or virtual button that indicates a function that may be useful to the user, such as a “Direct To”, “Show”, “Nav”, “Corn”, or other function button. When the shortcut key is selected by the user, the means for displaying at least a portion of the instrument panel may generate and display an image corresponding to the shortcut key on the handlebar panels  119 ,  121  or the display device  110 . In an example, the user may select a shortcut key mode in which the means for displaying the shortcut keys displays one or more shortcut keys on the handlebar panels  119 ,  121  or the display device  110 . In another embodiment, toggling may be achieved by providing a physical or virtual hotkey button. 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified top view of a portion of an input/steering mechanism  200  that may be implemented into the system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the input/steering mechanism  200  includes a handlebar  202  and two panels  204 ,  206 . The handlebar  202  may be made of a material suitable for maintaining structural integrity upon application of a force from the user to move or rotate the handlebar  202 . Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, metals, plastics, nylons or other natural or synthetic materials. In some embodiments, the handlebar  202  may be a relatively straight bar, or in other embodiments, the handlebar  202  may be curved. In one example, the handlebar  202  may have two sections  208 ,  210  and each section  208 ,  210  may be curved. According to an embodiment, the handlebar  202  may have a length in a range of from about 0.2 m to about 0.35 m. In other embodiments, the handlebar  202  may be longer or shorter than the aforementioned length range. In another embodiment, the handlebar  202  may have a diameter that is in a range of from about 1 to about 4 cm. In yet other embodiments, the handlebar  202  may have a larger or a smaller diameter than the aforementioned range, however the diameter may be selected to allow the user to grip the handlebar  202 . 
     According to an embodiment, the handlebar  202  may be mounted to a steering column  209 . In this way, the handlebar  202  may be used to affect movement of an aircraft via the steering column  209 . To provide ease of steering to the user, the handlebar  202  may be mounted such that each section  208 ,  210  is disposed on opposite sides of the steering column  209 . In an embodiment, lengths of each section  208 ,  210  may be substantially equal to each other. In another embodiment, a length of one section  208  may be longer than or shorter than a length of the other section  210 . 
     The handlebar  202  includes grip surfaces  212 ,  214 , in an embodiment. In accordance with an embodiment, a first grip surface  212  may be formed along a first portion of the length of the handlebar  202  and may be contoured to correspond with one or more fingers and/or a thumb of a user. In an embodiment, the first grip surface  212  may correspond with one or more fingers of a left hand of the user. A second grip surface  214  may be formed along a second portion of the length of the handlebar  202  and may be contoured to correspond with one or more fingers and/or a thumb of the user. In an embodiment, the second grip surface  214  may correspond with one or more fingers of a right hand of the user. For example, the first and second grip surfaces  212 ,  214  may be included on each section  208 ,  210 , respectively. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the grip surfaces  212 ,  214  may be formed into a material from which the handlebar  202  is made. In another embodiment, sleeves may be included over each end  216 ,  218  of the handlebar  202  and the grip surfaces  212 ,  214  may be formed on the sleeves. According to an embodiment, the sleeves may be made of a material that is relatively soft to the user&#39;s touch to provide comfort to the user, or may be made of an elastomeric material to increase an ability of the user to grip the handlebar  202 . For example, the sleeve may comprise materials such as rubber, plastic or other synthetic material. In another embodiment, the grip surfaces  212 ,  214  may be formed on extensions of the handlebar  202 , such that the grip surfaces  212 ,  214  may also act as a wrist rest. 
     The panels  204 ,  206  extend from the handlebar  202 , and in an embodiment, the panels  204 ,  206  may extend away from the grip surfaces  212 ,  214 . In an embodiment, the panels  204 ,  206  may be spaced apart from the handlebar  202  and may be attached thereto via spaced apart mount flanges  224 ,  228 ,  230 ,  232  (shown in phantom). In such case, a gap  234 ,  236  (shown in phantom) may be present between the panels  204 ,  206  and the handlebar  202 . Thus, when the user grips the grip surfaces  212 ,  214 , the user&#39;s fingers may wrap around the handlebar  202  by being inserted into the gaps  234 ,  236 . In another embodiment, the panels  204 ,  206  are separated from each other by a distance. In an embodiment, the distance may be in a range of from about 0.0 cm to about 0.3 cm. In other embodiments, the distance may be greater or less than the aforementioned range. In accordance with an embodiment, the panels  204 ,  206  may be integrally formed as part of the handlebar  202 . In another embodiment, the panels  204 ,  206  may be separate components that are mounted to the handlebar  202 . 
     According to an embodiment, the panels  204 ,  206  may be employed to include portions of an alphanumeric keyboard. In particular, the alphanumeric keyboard may be split and placed on each panel  204 ,  206 . In an embodiment, a first and a second portion  220 ,  222  of the alphanumeric keyboard may be adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit an output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input. In an embodiment, each portion  220 ,  222  of the alphanumeric keyboard may include approximately one half of a keyboard. Additionally, each portion  220 ,  222  may include a space bar of the keyboard and/or may include duplicate “CTRL”, “FN” or ALT” keys, in an embodiment. In another embodiment, each portion  220 ,  222  of the alphanumeric keyboard may include fewer than half of the keys of the keyboard. 
     Each portion  220 ,  222  may include a portion of a physical keyboard, in an embodiment. Alternatively, the first portion  220  of the alphanumeric keyboard may comprise a means for displaying a first portion of a virtual keyboard on the first panel  204  and a means for sensing movement of the thumb and fingers of the left hand across the first portion  220  of the virtual keyboard to produce a left hand output signal. The second portion  222  of the alphanumeric keyboard comprises a means for displaying a second portion of a virtual keyboard on the second panel  206  and a means for sensing movement of the thumb and fingers of the right hand across the second portion of the virtual keyboard to produce a right hand output signal, in an embodiment. The means for displaying the first and second portions of the virtual keyboard may include rear projectors that project images of the first and second portions  220 ,  222  of the virtual keyboard onto surfaces of the first and second panels  204 ,  206 , in an embodiment. In another embodiment, the means for displaying may include front projectors that project images of the first and second portions  220 ,  222  of the virtual keyboard onto surfaces of the first and second panels  204 ,  206 . According to another embodiment, the means for displaying may include touchscreens, which may include a liquid crystal display and touch sensors embedded in the liquid crystal display. In another embodiment, the processor  132  ( FIG. 1 ) may be further adapted to receive the left hand output signal from the means for displaying the first portion of the virtual keyboard and to produce a third output signal in response thereto and to receive the right hand output signal from the means for displaying the second portion of the virtual keyboard and to produce a fourth output signal in response thereto, in an embodiment. The third and fourth output signals may be used to display the virtual keyboard portions either on the first and second panels  204 ,  206 , according to an embodiment. In another embodiment, the display device  110  ( FIG. 1 ) may be adapted to display an image in response to the third output signal and the fourth output signal, wherein the third output signal comprises a command to display an image including a portion of the first portion of the virtual keyboard over which the thumb and/or fingers of the left hand are disposed and the fourth output signal comprises a command to display an image including a portion of the second portion of the virtual keyboard over which the thumb and/or fingers of the right hand are disposed. 
     In another embodiment, the handlebar  202  may include a tactile generator  248 . The tactile generator  248  may operate similar to the tactile generator  148  described in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment. According to another embodiment, the tactile generator  248  may be disposed on the handlebar  202 . For example, the tactile generator  248  may be disposed between the first and the second sections  208 ,  210  between the first and second grip surfaces  212 ,  214 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, the tactile generator  248  may be disposed on the first section  208  or on the second section  210 . In still other embodiments, the tactile generator  248  may be embedded within the handlebar  202  or located elsewhere. 
     In still another embodiment, the handlebar  202  may include may include a user input device  250  adapted to translate a two-dimensional motion of a device to an output signal is included. In an embodiment, the input device  250  is a disposed on the handlebar  202  between the grip surfaces  212 ,  214 . In another embodiment, the input device  250  may be a cursor control device, such as a track-button mouse. Alternatively, the input device  250  may include a touchpad. 
     Aircraft control systems have now been provided that reduce effort of the flight crew in interacting with the displays and the flight control system on an aircraft. The systems simplify a means by which the flight crew inputs data into a flight control system. Additionally, the input/steering mechanisms described above may be relatively inexpensive and simple to implement into new and existing aircraft. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the inventive subject matter, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the inventive subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the inventive subject matter. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter as set forth in the appended claims.