Abstract:
A rotary knob is integrated into a cursor control console and facilitates entering of alpha and numeric data into an aircraft computer system. The console houses both a cursor control device and the rotary knob. The rotary knob is located within finger reach of the cursor control device such that an operator can manipulate either control with only movement of the users fingers, hand, and/or wrist. An operator manipulates the cursor control device to select a desired parameter. The operator then spins or rotates the knob to select the desired alpha or numeric value.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to input devices and more specifically to vehicle based cursor control input devices. 
   Computers are used in a wide range of applications from desktop personal computers for home and business applications to flight decks of jumbo jets for controlling the flight and operation of the aircraft. As computers have become more powerful, the need for improved human interfaces has become more important. Current computers typically use graphical user interfaces(GUIs) to improve and simplify the human interface. Graphical user interfaces use a cursor to select, activate, and manipulate various symbols, pages, icons, scroll bars, etc. on a display to accomplish desired results. 
   The cursor is controlled using a cursor control device(CCD) such as a mouse, trackball, joystick, touchpad, or the like. These devices are typically accompanied by one or more buttons which the operator activates to select or enter various commands or data. 
   Most CCDs function well in fixed or stable environments, however, they are difficult to use in vehicles where turbulence makes a CCD difficult to precisely control. CCDs are particularly difficult to use in an aircraft where space is limited and the environment can be extremely turbulent during bad weather. 
   In order to solve some of the problems related to CCDs in vehicles, CCDs mounted in a housing as shown in  FIG. 1  were developed.  FIG. 1  shows a prior art cursor control console  10  comprising a housing  11 , wrist rest  11 A, CCD  12 , select button  13 , and multi-function buttons  14 . Console  10  is typically located on the center console or pedestal of an aircraft flight deck. This location is convenient to both the pilot and copilot. The pilot or copilot position their wrist or palm of their hand on the wrist rest  11 A while manipulating CCD  12  with a finger. Wrist rest  11 A provides stability to the pilot&#39;s fingers during turbulence. 
   CCD  12  is a touchpad/glide-mouse type cursor control device. The pilot manipulates a cursor on a display via CCD  12  then actuates select button  13  to select or enter the desired data. Multi-function buttons  14  provide additional input functionality such as active display device selection. 
   The consoles and CCDs of the prior art are deficient in that it is difficult to enter alpha and numeric data using the CCD. Entering alphanumeric data with a typical CCD is slow and cumbersome. As a consequence, current aircraft flight decks have a multitude of dedicated knobs and keypads for entering data into the various aircraft control panels and systems. 
   Aircraft flight deck human interfaces would be greatly improved, and costs reduced by a cursor control console capable of entering alpha and numeric data quickly, conveniently, and accurately during turbulent conditions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention discloses a control console having both a cursor control device(CCD) and a rotary knob to facilitate entering alpha and numeric data. The rotary knob is located within finger reach of the cursor control device such that an operator can manipulate either the CCD or the knob with movement of only the operator&#39;s fingers, hand, and/or wrist. An operator manipulates the cursor control device to select a desired parameter then spins or rotates the rotary knob to display the desired alpha or numeric value. A button is provided to select or enter the data. The method of using the invention significantly enhances the human interface of an aircraft flight deck. 
   The invention is an improvement over the conventional control console shown in FIG.  1 . The key to the invention is a rotary knob which is located within finger reach of the CCD. The addition of the rotary knob provides several advantages over the prior art. 
   The first advantage is accessibility of the knob. Since the pilot or operator&#39;s hand is already on the console, it is convenient to have the knob there also. 
   Another advantage is less distraction of the pilot. Prior systems required the pilot to visually locate dedicated control knobs then manipulate them as desired. The pilot is distracted while locating and manipulating these knobs. The invention locates the knob conveniently so that the pilot can easily locate the knob without visual assistance. 
   Yet another advantage is reduced cost. When used in cooperation with a GUI, a single rotary knob on the console replaces many dedicated control knobs. 
   Therefore, the objects of the invention are to simplify the operator interface, reduce pilot/operator distraction, reduce the number of dedicated control panels, and reduce costs. 
   A feature of the invention is a control console having a rotary knob within finger reach of a CCD. 
   The significant features of the invention are illustrated in the figures and described more fully below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art control console. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 3A through 3C  illustrate alternate embodiments of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   This description describes the invention as embodied in an aircraft flight deck/cockpit, however the invention is useful in other environments such as land and water based vehicles. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention. Control console  20  includes housing  21 , wrist rest  21 A, CCD  12 , select buttons  13 , and rotary knob  22 . The ergonomics of console  20  are similar in some respects to the prior art. Console  20  is preferably located to the side of the pilot&#39;s seat within easy reach of the pilot. The pilot/operator positions his wrist or hand on the wrist rest  21 A while manipulating CCD  12 , rotary knob  22 , and select button  13 . 
   The key to the invention is rotary knob  22  which is within finger reach of CCD  12 . The phrase “within finger reach” refers to the close proximity of the knob  22  and CCD  12 . It means that rotary knob  22  and CCD  12  are sufficiently near to each other such that the pilot/operator can move to manipulate either device using movement of primarily only the fingers, hand, and wrist. Rotary knob  22  of the preferred embodiment uses a conventional grey code coarse-fine knob mounted axially to the housing  21 . Knob  22  includes both a coarse knob  22 B and a fine knob  22 A. Coarse knob  22 B permits large changes to be made quickly to a selected parameter. Fine knob  22 A permits small precise changes to a selected parameter. 
   CCD  12  is preferably a touchpad or glide mouse type cursor control device. Touchpads are well known. They permit an operator to control the X-Y movements of a cursor by movement of a finger over the surface of the touchpad. Other CCD devices which are usable in accordance with the invention include trackballs, joysticks, and the like. CCD  12  generates a CCD signal indicative of operator manipulation of the CCD. 
   Select button  13  is of conventional design. Two select buttons  13  are provided, one on each side of housing  21 . Select button  13  provides an input signal useful for indicating a selection or activation of a parameter, symbol, icon, action, etc. similar to buttons on a mouse type CCD. 
   Wrist rest  21 A is similar to the prior art. Rest  21 A provides an area for positioning the operator&#39;s wrist or hand. The rest  21 A is a fixed location in reference to both the CCD  12  and knob  22  such that once the operator&#39;s hand or wrist is positioned on the rest  21 A, both CCD  12  and knob  22  are easily located without visual aide. 
   Console  20  communicates with at least one computer  23 . Communications include data from CCD  12 , knob  22 , and select button  13 . CCD  12  generates a CCD signal representative of X-Y manipulations of the CCD by the operator. Knob  22  generates a rotary signal representative of rotary movement of the knob  22 . The rotary signal includes data representative of both the coarse and fine knobs  22 A and  22 B. Select buttons  13  generate a select signal indicative of buttons  13  activation. Each of these signals are communicated to computer  23 . 
   Computer  23  is a conventional computer/microprocessor which communicates with various aircraft systems  25 . Computer  23  also is in communication with visual display device  24  to coordinate the cursor control commands from the CCD  12  with the cursor symbol on display device  24 . Computer  23  includes a memory  23 A capable of storing computer instructions and data. Memory is any combination of random access memory(RAM), read only memory(ROM), disk storage, or the like. 
   Visual display device  24  is a flat panel type electronic display. Other types of electronic displays are also compatible with the invention. Display device  24  displays the GUI interface to the pilot enabling her to view the cursor location and the various symbology. 
   Computer  23  is also in communication with various aircraft systems such as sensors, communications systems, utilities, navigation systems, control surfaces, engines, and the like. This configuration permits the pilot to control numerous aircraft function from the invention&#39;s control console. 
   Several other embodiments of the invention are envisioned. The major differences being the location and shape of the rotary knob. 
     FIG. 3A  illustrates a control console  20  having in-line knobs  30  positioned along side the CCD  12  substantially parallel with the operator&#39;s wrist. Knobs  30  protrude from housing  21  sufficiently to allow them to be rotated. Knobs  30  function as one coarse knob and one fine knob. The housing  21  and wrist rest  21 A are substantially similar to the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 3B  illustrates a control console  20  having in-line rotary knobs located between the wrist rest  21 A and CCD  12 . Coarse-fine knobs  30  protrude from housing  21  and are rotated fore and aft. 
     FIG. 3C  illustrates the invention embodied using a joystick  31  in place of a touchpad. Joystick  31  is forward of wrist rest  21 A and permits the operator to control a cursor substantially equivalent to a touchpad or other CCD. Rotary knob  33  is a conventional coarse-fine knob extending axially from housing  21  and within finger reach of joystick  31 . The location of the select button  32  is moved to the top of joystick  31 . Wrist rest  21 A is padded and shaped differently to facilitate moving the joystick. 
   The method of the invention follows from the apparatus. The cursor control console with rotary knob is provided and located in a convenient position relative to the operator. The operator&#39;s hand or wrist is positioned on the wrist rest such that both the CCD and the rotary knob are within finger reach. The operator manipulates the CCD to cause a cursor to move as desired on the GUI. A representative cursor movement would be to move to a parameter which the operator desires to change such as altitude, speed, radio frequency, temperature, flight level, time, name, etc. Once the parameter is selected, the rotary knob is rotated causing the desired value to be displayed on the display device. Finally, the select button is activated causing the desired value to be entered. 
   This description has been for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art recognize numerous alternate embodiments of the invention which deviate from the described embodiment but still perform the same work in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result and are therefore equivalent to the invention. 
   It is clear from the foregoing that the present invention represents a new and useful control console and method for use in aircraft and other vehicles.