WO2013141746A1

WO2013141746A1 - Information input device - polyjoystick for hypermanoeuver control

Info

Publication number: WO2013141746A1
Application number: PCT/RU2012/000448
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Научно-Производственное Предприятие "Тензосенсор"
Priority date: 2012-03-19
Filing date: 2012-06-08
Publication date: 2013-09-26
Also published as: RU2497177C1; RU2012110549A

Abstract

The invention relates to information input devices for a PC. The device comprises two control sticks for the left and right hands which are mirror images of one another and have functions which are set by an operator by means of programming depending on whether the operator is left-handed or right-handed. A shaped ledge emerges from each control stick, and at least one minijoystick is mounted on said shaped ledge. The functions of the minijoysticks arranged on the control sticks are set by the operator by means of programming. The control sticks can be connected to a control object immovably or are mounted on separate bases. The advantage of the device consists in the possibility of use for control using the three most developed fingers on both hands simultaneously. The device significantly expedites the generation of control commands and reduces the weight of the control systems.

Description

Information input device - poly-joystick for hyper-maneuverable control

The invention relates to computing, in particular to devices for entering information into a computer. The device can be used in high-speed aircraft or spacecraft, as well as in vehicles that are at least temporarily exposed to strong vibrations and overloads, to control these devices or means, as well as for high-precision guidance of guided weapons, including those placed on these devices.

State of the art

A known method of entering information into a computer using a keyboard and joystick, which involves a display and a control unit. By pressing the keys of the keyboard or the joystick, the operator initiates the transfer of the corresponding electronic codes to the control unit. Receiving electronic codes, the control unit generates the corresponding control commands.

Known US patent US7170420 "Ergonomic remote control television" for transmitting control signals to a TV, VCR or DVD. On the remote control (control knob) there are many switches for controlling the TV with one hand, allowing you to control the sound volume of the TV, mute, switch channels (up and down). The control knob can be programmed by the user. The microprocessor programs the television channels and allows you to turn them on with your index finger.

Known US patent US 7379052 "Wrist computer control devices", in which the device is attached to the hand with a belt or other methods, and control is via a trackball, joystick, touchpad or other device that can be controlled by the user's thumb in combination with one or multiple switches pressed by the fingertips, which ensures the functional equivalence of a computer mouse or trackball.

The disadvantage of analogues is the functional unevenness of the load on the fingers, since almost all the functions of the remote control are performed by the thumb, and the rest of the fingers are inactive. This reduces the efficiency and speed of control.

A device according to the patent of the Russian Federation .024048 is known in the form of two-layer gloves, between the layers of which contact sensors are mounted, as well as the wires connecting them. The device is designed to enter into the computer information about the position of the driver’s hands on the steering wheel rim. An auxiliary tool in the form of a glove is used to fix touch sensors on the inner surface of the driver’s hand.

The disadvantage of this device is its redundancy. Despite the fact that in it all the fingers of the hand could be functionally loaded uniformly, such a device, in addition to control signals, transmits a lot of interference that occurs during the natural movement of the fingers of the operator. It is quite difficult to distinguish where the control signal is and where the error is in such devices.

The closest is the solution set forth in the patent of the Russian Federation

Ν ° 2333527 "A computer data input device - anti-boot poly-joystick."

According to this patent, the device contains an outer shell covering the hand, inside which is located an inner shell having the shape of a hand, and between the shells opposite the surface of the phalanx of the fingers are sensitive elements.

On the lower inner surface of the outer shell opposite the lower surfaces of the final phalanges of the fingers of the hand are located control sensors connected by sensitive elements in these places to the elastic inner shell of the device. As control sensors, two-axis or single-axis joysticks or buttons are used, or various combinations different joysticks and buttons.

In this device, the outer shell is fixedly connected either with a strong element of the body of the tool, in which information is input into a computer, for example, a vehicle or a controlled object, or with a gyro-stabilized surface, in the zone of convenient reach of the operator.

The disadvantage of this device is the high level of interference and inconvenience of use, as the hands quickly get tired, constantly being in the position shown in the figures to the description of the patent.

Also known are devices for inputting information into onboard computers containing two control knobs in the form of two joysticks. Such control systems are used in the cockpits of large aircraft or spacecraft controlled by two pilots (astronauts, astronauts).

Each pilot’s seat has one control stick in the form of a joystick, the middle part of which has a shape adapted to be covered by the hand, and at the top of each joystick there is usually one two-axis mini-joystick and other controls, for example multi-position switches, as well as indicators in the form of LEDs or lamps. The control sticks in the form of joysticks on which more than one two-axis mini-joystick is installed are unknown.

The disadvantage of such solutions is the difficulty of controlling the apparatus, performing maneuvers with high overloads.

In the patent of the Russian Federation 2333527 "Computer input device - anti-boot poly-joystick" the figures show two symmetrical devices for the left and right hands, containing five mini-joysticks. However, they do not have the shape of control knobs. This leads to a high level of interference from accidental movement of the fingers and is a disadvantage of the device.

Disclosure of Entity

The technical result obtained from the invention, consists in creating a device that allows you to quickly and easily form control commands for hyper-maneuverable high-speed aircraft and spacecraft, both under conditions of strong vibrations and overloads, and with remote control.

Moreover, the term "over-maneuverability" is defined as

"The ability of some aircraft to maintain stability and controllability at supercritical angles of attack with high overloads ...", or disclosed as "extremely high maneuverability, especially in lateral accelerations, which the pilot cannot withstand."

In the description of the present invention, the term "hypermaneuverability" is used in that sense.

It becomes very difficult to control the device performing maneuvers with high overloads with the help of control sticks in the form of joysticks. Even if an unmanned aerial vehicle is controlled, the time required to move the control handle from one extreme position to another should be tenths of a second.

Practice shows that high-speed maneuvers, requiring repeatedly and quickly to complete the full course of the control stick in the form of a joystick, is very difficult to carry out even in conditions when the pilot is not overloaded. The usual joystick has too much full stroke - when moving from one extreme position to another, it is approximately 150 mm. With a hand speed of 2 m / s, the time of each transition will be t _d = 0.15 / 2.0 = 0.075 s.

And to carry out multiple movements of the control handle from one extreme position to another when maneuvering under conditions of large overload is extremely difficult. Full management in such conditions becomes impossible.

The specified technical result is achieved through the use of mini-joysticks with a small stroke of the control handles located on the control handle.

The main differences of the described invention are as follows. The differences according to claim 1 of the formula

1.1 Each control handle is made in the form of a figure, from the upper part of which moves to the side or goes around the control handle of a figured shelf. At least one mini-joystick is installed on the curly shelf of the control handle.

In all known joystick implementations, mini-joysticks are mounted on the top of the control handle and are actuated by the thumb. In the proposed embodiment, the mini-joysticks are additionally located on the curly shelf in the reach of the pillows of the first phalanx of the middle or index finger of the pilot’s hand, covering the control handle. This allows you to further include the index or middle finger in the control process, which expands the maneuverability of the control system.

1.2. At least one more mini-joystick is installed in the lower part of the place where the curly shelf departs from the middle part of the control handle.

In all known implementations of the joysticks, various triggers for controlling weapons or buttons were placed at the top of the control handle in the reach of the index finger. The installation in this area of the mini-joystick allows you to expand the functionality of the system due to a more complete use of the capabilities of the index finger. Using the mini-joystick, it is possible to form more complex and functional control signals. For example, when using the mini-joystick instead of the trigger, you can send not only signals of the “0” and “1” type, but also signals differentiated in direction. The system understands that it is pressed down, left, or right. This allows the formation of more complex control signals. In known control systems, this is not.

Differences in claim 2 of the formula

2. The device comprises a control knob for the left hand and a control knob for the right hand, which are mirror copies of each other, and their functions are divided into “main” and “auxiliary” depending on whether the operator is left-handed or right-handed, and are set by the operator programmatically.

2.1. In known control systems, for example, airplanes, as a rule, one joystick is used per pilot. In this case, the joysticks are installed either in the middle or to the right of the pilot, and are not differentiated to control the left or right hand. This affects the functionality of the device.

In the proposed solution, two control knobs are installed on one pilot, which allows you to fully use the capabilities of both hands to control the device. Mirroring creates maximum comfort for the pilot, as the control knobs are adapted to the anatomical features of each hand.

Patent No. 2333527 also shows two symmetrical parts of the joystick. Although the formula and description of this patent do not say anything about the functional sense of the symmetry of the joystick, the presence of two symmetrical parts can be considered a mirror image of the structure, and therefore, to some extent, can be considered a well-known solution.

However, in the framework of the restrictive part of the claimed formula, according to which "an information input device containing at least two control knobs, ... the middle part of which has a shape adapted to be covered by the hand", this difference is new, since the analogue does not have handles at all controls covered by the hands, which causes a lot of interference, which are its key shortcomings.

2.2. The pilot, depending on his anatomical features, chooses which handle he will have “primary” and which “auxiliary”, depending on whether he is left-handed or right-handed. Depending on the choice of the operator, the functions of the handles are set programmatically. This allows you to adapt the control system to the characteristics of the pilot and increases the maneuverability of the device as a whole.

3. The functions of the mini-joysticks located on the control sticks are set by the operator programmatically, which can be considered complementary and new.

4. The control knobs are connected to the control object motionlessly or with the ability to adjust their position.

In all known devices, the control knobs are movable and must be tilted to control the apparatus. In the proposed device, all control of the device is carried out by mini-joysticks located on the control knobs, so there is no need for mobility of control knobs, and they are used as unloading handles, for which the pilot can hold under the influence of overloads and remove the load from the hands. To control hypermaneuverable devices in the conditions of direct piloting and the action of overloads, the control sticks can be firmly connected to the control object with the possibility of adjusting their location before the flight. In this case, the pilot has the ability, holding hands, to remove the overload acting on his body and hands, focusing on the management of the fingers.

5. The control knobs are mounted motionless on a common or on separate bases, with the possibility of free movement. This version of the device is convenient to use when controlling unmanned aerial vehicles from the ground. For conditions of remote control and computer games, the control knobs can be installed on a common or on separate bases, with the ability to freely move around the operator’s desktop.

Description of the figures of the drawings

The invention is illustrated by figures 1 to 10.

figure 1 - control knob for the left hand (left view)

figure 2 - control knob for the left hand (front view)

on Fig.Z - control knob for the right hand (front view)

figure 4 - control knob for the right hand (right view)

figure 5 is a control option using the thumb, index and middle fingers

figure 6 - control option using the thumb and forefinger

figure 7 - left control knob connected to the control object in Fig.8 - the right control knob connected to the control object in Fig.9 - the left control knob mounted on a separate base; Fig.10 - the right control knob mounted on a separate base

In figures 1 to 10, the numbers indicate:

1 - control knob

2 - the middle part of the control knob

3 - mini joystick

4 - figured shelf

5 - place of departure of the figured shelf

6 - control knob for the left hand

7 - control knob for the right hand

8 - control object (aircraft body) common or separate base of the control handle

9 - common or separate base of the control handle

Principle of implementation

The embodiments of the device shown in the figures consist of two control knobs 1. The middle part of the control knobs 2 has a shape adapted to be covered by a hand. At the top of the control knobs two mini-joysticks 3 are installed.

Each control handle 1 is made in the form of a figure, from the upper part of which moves to the side or goes around the control handle of the figured shelf 4, on which two mini-joysticks 3 are also installed.

In the lower part of the place of departure of the figured shelf 5 from the middle part of the control handle 2, there is another mini-joystick. In total, each control knob contains 5 mini-joysticks.

The device contains a control knob for the left hand 6 and a control knob for the right hand 7, which are mirror copies of each other, and their functions are divided into “main” and “auxiliary” depending on whether the operator is left-handed or right-handed, and installed operator software. Functions mini-joysticks 3 located on the control knobs 6 and 7 are set by the operator programmatically.

There may be two embodiments of the device. In the first version

(Fig. 7, 8) control knobs 6 and 7 are connected to the control object motionlessly or with the possibility of adjusting their position. This option is intended for use in aircraft subject to overload.

In the second embodiment (Fig. 9, 10) the control knobs 6 and 7 are installed on a common or on separate bases, with the possibility of free movement. This option is intended for use in comfortable conditions, in game simulators, remote control of hyper-maneuverable drones in conditions when the operator is not exposed to overloads. The device operates as follows. Before a control session, the operator chooses which handle he will have “primary” and which “auxiliary”, depending on whether he is left-handed or right-handed. Depending on the choice of the operator, the functions of the control knobs 6 and 7 are set by software. This allows you to adapt the control system to the characteristics of the pilot and increases the maneuverability of the device as a whole.

Then, depending on the type of tasks performed by the operator, the functions of all ten mini-joysticks 3 located on the control knobs 6 and 7 are installed using the known algorithms in a programmatic way. Typically, these are functions for controlling various units and systems of an airplane, spacecraft, etc. After assigning functions, the operator controls the device.

The advantage of the device is the ability to use to control the three leading and most developed fingers of each hand at the same time.

In FIG. 5 shows the simultaneous control of the thumb, forefinger and middle finger, and not FIG. 6 simultaneous control of large and forefinger.

The ability to simultaneously control immediately with three fingers of each hand allows you to control aircraft and spacecraft along the most complex paths, which should increase the chances of winning an air or space battle.

It is known that 70-80% of the surface of aircraft and spacecraft cabins is filled with switching elements in the form of buttons, toggle switches and switches. Most of them are duplicated and rarely used, but in emergency situations they are traumatic elements.

Switching elements in the cockpit interfere with the placement of airbags there that could save pilots during emergency landings, reduce the ergonomics of control systems, increase their size and weight, and complicate control in conditions of time pressure, overloads and vibrations.

The proposed information input device for hypermaneuverable devices using multifunctional or polymorphic switches supports the current trend of virtualization of switching elements by displaying them on aircraft displays. The more buttons, toggle switches and switches are virtual, the more you can reduce the weight of control systems.

The net time of formation of the control team without taking into account the reaction time of the pilot is the sum of the time the hand moves to the control element t _M and the time of direct action on the control element t _d , i.e., T = t _M + f _A

These parameters significantly depend on the design of the controls and their location. The travel time depends on the speed of Kruka’s hand, which is on average 2 m / s, and the distance R, to the r ^' governing body, i.e. t _M = Л, - / V _vyKn .

The average access time to the fighter’s controls with an average distance of 0.48 m to them is 0.24 s.

At the same time, the maximum access time for the pilot’s fingers to minijoists of the proposed device with an average distance to them

36 mm will be equal to 0.018 s.

Consequently, the use of multi-joysticks can reduce the access time to the controls by more than 12 times. The minimum time to complete a maneuver requiring a full stroke of the control stick based on the joystick (approximately 150 mm) from one extreme position to another will be t _d = 0.15 / 2 = 0.075 s.

At the same time, the full stroke of the handle of the mini-joystick does not exceed 10 mm, which means that the action time at a finger speed of 2 m / s will be t _d = 0.01 / 2 = 0.005 s. This is about 15 times faster than using a conventional joystick.

The proposal allows the creation of information input systems suitable for controlling hyper-maneuverable aircraft and spacecraft, including unmanned ones, significantly speeds up the formation of control teams and reduces the weight of control systems. The proposal may find military application for controlling hypermaneuverable unmanned aerial vehicles.

Claims

Formula

1. A computer data input device containing at least two control knobs, at least one mini-joystick is installed in the upper part, and the middle part has a shape adapted to be covered by a hand, characterized in that each control knob is made in the form at least one mini-joystick is mounted on the side or around the control handle, and at least one more Ying mini joystick.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a control knob for the left hand and a control knob for the right hand, which are mirror copies of each other, and their functions are divided into "main" and "auxiliary" depending on whether the operator is left-handed or right-handed, and are set by the operator programmatically.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the functions of the mini-joysticks located on the control sticks are set by the operator programmatically.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control knobs are connected to the control object motionlessly or with the possibility of adjusting their position.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control knobs are mounted on a common or separate basis, with the possibility of free movement.