초록 ▼

An aircraft flight mode selector assembly utilizes computer-generated menus and soft wired bezel keys to enable the use of a greater number of flight modes to be accessed in a smaller space than is presently possible with a flight mode selector consisting solely of conventional dedicated switches, s

An aircraft flight mode selector assembly utilizes computer-generated menus and soft wired bezel keys to enable the use of a greater number of flight modes to be accessed in a smaller space than is presently possible with a flight mode selector consisting solely of conventional dedicated switches, switch indicator lights, and hard wired selector panel assemblies. Serial bus connections between the flight mode selector assembly and the flight control computer in the aircraft reduce the amount of wiring needed for the flight mode selector assembly, as compared to present protocol which utilizes dedicated wiring for each dedicated switch in the aircraft flight mode selector. The use of computer-generated displays and menus permits easy expansion of the flight mode selector assembly without the need to add additional switches and switch indicator lights. The inclusion of a display information look-up table in the processor controller, which table is separate from the software program in the controller, allows changes to the flight mode selector panel display to be made merely by changing the look-up table. The flight mode selector assembly also includes a pilot message display which is used to convey text messages to the pilot of the aircraft.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An aircraft flight mode selector system comprising:a) a screen for displaying a plurality of general aircraft flight modes and for displaying subsidiary aircraft flight modes;b) a plurality of first switches which are operable, when closed, to cause different first gene

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An aircraft flight mode selector system comprising:a) a screen for displaying a plurality of general aircraft flight modes and for displaying subsidiary aircraft flight modes;b) a plurality of first switches which are operable, when closed, to cause different first general flight modes to be displayed on said screen, said first switches also being operable, when closed, to cause a plurality of different first subsidiary flight modes to be displayed on said screen, which first subsidiary flight modes are catagories of said displayed first general flight mode;c) a plurality of second switches which are operable, when closed, to select certain of said subsidiary flight modes for activation, said second switches also being operable, when closed, to cause said screen to display which of said subsidiary flight modes has been selected; andd) a flight control computer operably connected to said first and second switches, said flight control computer being operable to institute changes in the flight mode of the aircraft as dictated by closure of selected ones of said first and second switches.