Flight deck touch-sensitive hardware controls

摘要

Touch or proximity sensors are integrated into control devices such as knobs, dials or wheels incorporated in a user control panel. A control output processor detects whether any of the sensors are outputting signals indicating that a control device is being touched (or nearly touched) by a user. The control output processor causes an associated display area to be highlighted or otherwise modified on a display screen to indicate to the user which control device is being touched. This feature allows for “no-look” interaction with control panels, and keeps the user's eyes focused on the relevant displays where the control devices produce effects. This allows users to preview and verify that the correct control device is being manipulated prior to taking any (potentially erroneous) control actions.

主权项

1. A method for producing a visual indication that a user is touching or nearly touching a control device on a control panel, comprising:
using a sensor to produce an electrical user proximity signal whenever the sensor detects that the user is currently touching or nearly touching the control device and not produce said electrical user proximity signal whenever the sensor does not detect that the user is touching or nearly touching the control device; producing a first electrical display control signal in response to the absence of an electrical user proximity signal for a time interval having a duration greater than a first threshold value; while said first electrical display control signal is being produced, displaying a first image in an area on a display screen that is associated with the control device, but is not part of or collocated with the control panel, said first image comprising a visual indication of a current setting of the control device; producing a second electrical display control signal in response to the presence of an electrical user proximity signal for a time interval having a duration greater than a second threshold value; and displaying a second image in said area on said display screen while said second electrical display control signal is being produced, said second image comprising said visual indication of said current setting of the control device, wherein said second image is different than said first image.