EP2064619A1

EP2064619A1 - Secure man-machine interface for managing graphical objects on a viewing screen

Info

Publication number: EP2064619A1
Application number: EP07820425A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Cazaux; Sylvain Marchal
Original assignee: Thales SA
Current assignee: Thales SA
Priority date: 2006-09-22
Filing date: 2007-09-20
Publication date: 2009-06-03
Also published as: WO2008034883A1; FR2906378B1; US20100207869A1; FR2906378A1; CA2664044A1

Abstract

The field of the invention is that of man-machine interface devices for viewing screen (1), said screen being able to display graphical objects (10) called “widgets”, said interface device making it possible to carry out the operations of navigating, selecting and activating said graphical objects (10), the device comprising at least: a computer (2) linked to the viewing screen (1), the computer generating on the screen a virtual designation element called a focus, said focus being able to be positioned on the entirety of the graphical objects (10); a keyboard (4) linked to the computer and comprising function keys: navigation keys make it possible to move the focus upwards, downwards, to the right and to the left of the screen, a so-called activation key making it possible to select or activate the graphical object designated by the focus; a so-called cancel key making it possible to deselect or deactivate the graphical object selected by the focus.

Description

SECURE MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE FOR MANAGING GRAPHIC OBJECTS ON A DISPLAY SCREEN.

The field of the invention is that of human-machine interface devices for managing graphic objects presented on a display screen. There is a wide variety of applications for this type of devices that are used in all technical fields requiring a human-machine interface between a user and a display screen. However, the device according to the invention is more particularly intended for applications requiring a high level of security for use in severe environments. In this case, the device is preferably used in case of failure of the other interface mechanisms.

This device is particularly applicable to the aeronautical field where it is vital that the crew can use in all circumstances a simple and robust system to manage the display screens of the dashboard.

Generally, as shown in Figure 1, the interface devices 3 are keyboards and designation pointers more commonly called "mouse", "trackball" or "touchscreen" depending on the technologies used. These devices are connected to a calculator 2 or to a computer which converts the received information into graphic information presented on a display screen 1. Each knows, for example, the arrow cursor representing the virtual position of a "mouse". On a screen. An alpha-numeric keypad 4 makes it possible to enter text on the display screen 1.

In all that follows, graphic objects will be referred to in their English terminology as "widgets".

The designation pointer may include mechanical or electromechanical elements that are likely to fail. For some applications, particularly in aeronautics, it is vital that the man-machine interface can continue to function properly despite this breakdown. The process according to the invention is particularly simple and robust. It has as main advantages to require only few adaptations of the existing devices and to be particularly simple and ergonomic. It can be applied to a display screen or a set of screens, the device advantageously inserting into the inter-screen navigation mechanism of the designator. In this case, the unit screen is the highest level graphical object.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a human-machine interface device for a display system comprising at least one display screen, said system being able to display graphic objects called "widgets" on at least said screen, said device interface for carrying out the operations of navigation, selection and activation of said graphic objects, the device comprising at least one designation pointer and a computer connected to said pointer and the display screen, said computer for transforming the signals from pointer to commands of graphic objects, characterized in that:

• The calculator generates on the screen a virtual element of designation called focus, said focus can be positioned on all the graphic objects;

• the designation pointer is a keyboard with function keys:

• Navigation keys to move the focus up, down, right and left of the screen; An activation key enabling the selection or activation of the graphic object designated by the focus;

• a cancellation key to deselect or disable the graphic object selected by the focus.

Advantageously, the pointer comprises six keys, four navigation keys, an activation key and a cancel key.

Advantageously, when a primary graphic object makes it possible to select other secondary graphic objects dependent on said primary graphic object, the navigation, activation and cancellation functions of the six keys are retained and also apply to the secondary graphic objects. . Advantageously, the display system comprising several screens, each screen is comparable to a primary graphic object.

Advantageously, when the focus designates a graphic object, its graphic representation changes, the change of graphic representation may consist of changing at least one of the colors constituting this graphic object or the appearance of a periphery surrounding the graphic object.

Advantageously, the graphic objects are either: • command buttons;

• edition type objects for entering a string of characters;

• selection type objects for selecting an "item" in a list; • scroll-panel objects displaying a window of visibility on a larger mobile page. Advantageously, when the object is of the scroll-panel type, the navigation keys make it possible to move the mobile page throughout the visibility window so that the device can fulfill its navigation / selection / activation role on all graphic objects by making them visible to the user.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages will become apparent on reading the description which follows given by way of non-limiting example and by virtue of the appended figures among which:

FIG. 1 represents a human-machine interface device according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 represents a human-machine interface device according to the invention; FIG. 3 represents the different states of the widgets in a device according to the invention in the case of an inter-widget navigation;

FIG. 4 represents the different states of the widgets in a device according to the invention in the case of an intra-widget navigation; FIGS. 5 to 9 represent the same screen portion in different configurations of use of the device according to the invention.

By way of example, FIG. 2 represents a device according to the invention. It basically includes:

• A display screen 1 which can display graphic objects 10 called "widgets". These graphic objects 10 will be detailed in the following description; "An electronic calculator 2 or a computer with electronic and computer capabilities to generate graphic objects. The computer must generate on the screen a virtual element of designation called focus, said focus can be positioned on all the graphic objects; "A designation pointer 5. This one has six keys that are:

• four navigation keys to move the widget focus to widget up, down, right and left of the screen; A fifth key called activation or validation to select or activate the graphic object designated by the focus;

• a sixth undo key to deselect or disable the graphic object selected by the focus.

For the sake of clarity, Figure 2 has only one screen. Of course, the interface device according to the invention can also be applied to a display system comprising several screens. In this case, each graphical screen can be considered as a higher level graphical object. The focus is then unique and common to all screens.

It should be noted that the loss of the alphanumeric keyboard will be advantageously compensated by a graphical application representing this same keyboard, in the form of a button control button for example, and exploitable using the device according to the invention.

In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the pointer is represented by an assembly of 6 keys grouped into two columns of three keys, the navigation keys carrying an arrow, the validation key carrying a V and the cancellation key carrying a A. This provision is given as an example and any other provision fulfilling the same functions is also possible. One can consider other key settings or perform several functions by the same key. For example, the cancel function could be automatically performed after a period of no control on the keys. In Figures 3 and 4, the implementation of the keys is indicated by a bold shaded perimeter. This pointer is particularly simple and works by means of elements having a very high reliability.

It should be noted that the pointer according to the invention does not exclude the implementation of other pointers such as mice or tactile surfaces. Of course, a classic or graphical keyboard is needed to enter the different text or calculation information.

The operation of the pointer is very simple. This interface is used interchangeably to ensure navigation, selection and activation between the different graphic objects displayed, said inter-widget mode to ensure navigation, selection and activation between the different graphic objects of the same widget, called intra-widget mode.

The inter-widget navigation is illustrated in Figure 3. The principle of navigation is based on the use of the virtual element of designation called focus. Each widget has three possible states that are:

• the state says "NORMAL". In this state, the focus is not on the widget;

• the state says "SELECT". In this state, the focus is on the widget. We go from the normal state to the selected state by moving the focus with the navigation keys on the wîdget that one wishes to select. To allow the user to visually determine the selected object, when the focus designates a graphic object, the representation of this graphic object changes, the change of graphic representation may consist in the change of at least one of the colors constituting this object graphic or the appearance of a periphery surrounding the graphic object.

• The state says "ACTIVE". We enter this state by pressing the validation key and exit from this state automatically, for example, at the end of the inactivity period or by pressing the cancel key. Depending on the function of the widget, the validation can activate various functions that will be detailed in the following description.

Some primary widgets have secondary widgets. The management and the navigation inside the secondary widgets obeys the same rules as illustrated in figure 4. Thus, one will have for each secondary widget three possible states which are: • the state said "NORMAL";

• the state says "SELECTED";

• The state says "ACTIVE".

The selection of these different states is also performed by the navigation keys, selection and cancellation of the keyboard.

Graphic objects are of different types. They can be:

• control buttons;

• "Edit" type objects to enter a string of characters;

• "Selection" type objects to select an "item" from a list;

• "Scroll-panel" type objects displaying a window of visibility on a larger mobile page. By way of example, FIGS. 5 to 9 illustrate the implementation of the interface according to the invention on different types of graphic objects represented on a portion of a display screen. In these figures, the same graphic objects are represented in different states.

The simplest graphic objects are of the "Buttons" type. Their activation allows the user to launch an action.

They can be single-state. In this case, the user starts an action directly. This is the case of the on / off buttons still called "push-button". On the different figures, the graphics 12 noted

"START4" represents a button of this type. They can be bi-state. In this case, the user starts an action after entering an argument, type

0/1, selected / unselected or up / down. Its implementation is very simple. When the button is in the "SELECTED" state, pressing the enter key initiates the action controlled by the button. In this case, the cancel key has no effect.

In Figure 6, the button "STARTi; Is in the "SELECTED" state indicated by a change in the background color represented by dotted lines.

"Edit" objects allow the user to enter a string. The entries can be:

• typed. The characters are of floating type, integer, ascii, ...

• hidden, such as the indication of the date in day / month / year or the indication of an angle in degree / minute / second, ...

• single line or multiline ...

In any case, the user needs to manipulate a local cursor specific to the text box, in order to define where the typed text will be inserted. This displacement is done naturally by means of the navigation keys.

When the window of the editing area is smaller than all the text to be displayed, the editing area generally includes horizontal or vertical scroll bars, also called "scroll".

These bars are conventionally manipulated by mouse pointers. In the case of the device according to the invention, it is preferable to deactivate them. To recreate the behavior of these bars, it suffices that, when the local cursor is at the left, right, high or low stop of the editing zone, pressing the navigation keys in the direction of the stop shifts the lines of text and brings up the first hidden line. For example, if the local cursor is at the bottom of the window, pressing the down navigation key will bring up the line below the last line of the displayed text. It will be said, in the rest of the text, that the navigation keys have the "scroll" function.

To validate the character strings entered, simply press the validation key. Pressing the cancel key cancels the character strings entered.

"Selection" objects allow the user to select an item from an existing list. In the various figures, the graphic 13 represents a graphic object of this type. These "widgets" can be of type:

• "Scoll-list": the list of items is always displayed on the screen;

• "Combo-box": the validation of a displayed item results in the opening of a window containing all the items; • "Popup-Button": the validation of a particular button results in the opening of a window containing all the items. In all cases, before making a selection, the user needs to move a local focus on all items in the list to designate the item he wishes to select. This navigation is done using the navigation keys.

Of course, the display window may also be smaller than the set of items to display as indicated on the representation 13 of the different figures where the widget displays only items numbered 11 to 15. In this case , the keys may also have the "scroll" function. When the designated item is the first or last of the displayed list, pressing one of the up or down navigation keys shifts all items and displays the hidden item.

When the object of type selection is of type "Combo-box" or

"Popup-Button", the validation key can have a double function: it validates the selected item and it closes the open window or Ie "Popup". The cancel key may also have this window close function.

"Scrollarea" type objects also referred to as "scrollpanel" are graphical objects that include, as their name indicates, a fixed window of visibility called "viewport" on a mobile page larger than the "viewport" called "sheet" . In order to be able to view the entire page, the user must be able to move the visible area of the mobile page in all directions. This function is called the "scroll" function.

There are different types of "scrollarea".

A first type as represented by the graphics 11 and 14 of FIGS. 5 to 9 essentially comprises a graphic zone which can be a bitmap image or graphic primitives as indicated on the graphics. The management of a scroll-panel by means of the device according to the invention is very simple. Using the navigation keys, the focus is shifted to the selected scroll-panel. As shown in FIG. 7, one can signify the presence of the focus by creating a periphery around the selected object. In Figure 7, the selected object is the graphic 14. By pressing the activation key, it selects the graphics area. Again, this selection is accompanied by the generation of a periphery around the selected graphic area as can be seen on the graphic 14 of Figure 8. To navigate in the graphics area, use the navigation keys as indicated in Figure 9 that move the "sheet" throughout the "viewport". The editing area usually includes horizontal or vertical scroll bars, also called "scroll". These bars are conventionally manipulated by mouse pointers. In the case of the device according to the invention, it is preferable to deactivate them. We return classically in selected mode by means of the cancel key.

A second type of "scrollarea" includes so-called secondary interactive graphic objects. The management of secondary graphic objects within this "scrollarea" is identical to that of graphic objects primary. The "scroll" function can also be provided by the navigation keys. For example, if the focus is on a secondary graphical object at the edge of viewport, pressing the navigation key that would normally bring the focus to a graphical object outside the viewport shifts the entire sheet. to bring said graphic object into the viewport.

Claims

A human-machine interface device for a display system comprising at least one screen (1), said system being able to display graphic objects (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) called "widgets" on at least said screen, said interface device for carrying out the operations of navigation, selection and activation of said graphic objects, the device comprising at least one designation pointer (5) and a computer (2) connected to said pointer and to the screen of visualization, said calculator for transforming the signals from the pointer into commands of the graphic objects, the computer generating on the screen a virtual element of designation called focus, said focus can be positioned on all the graphic objects, the designation pointer ( 5) being a keyboard with function keys:

• navigation keys to move the focus up, down, right and left of the screen,

An activation key enabling the selection or activation of the graphic object designated by the focus;

• a cancellation key to deselect or disable the graphic object selected by the focus. characterized in that when a so-called primary graphic object makes it possible to select other secondary graphic objects dependent on said primary graphic object, the functions of navigation, activation and cancellation of the keys are retained and also apply secondary graphic objects.

Human-machine interface device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pointer comprises six keys, four navigation keys, an activation key and a cancel key.

3. A human-machine interface device according to claim 1, characterized in that the display system comprising several screens, each screen is comparable to a primary graphic object.

4, human-machine interface device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the focus designates a graphic object, its graphical representation changes.

5. Human-machine interface device according to claim 4, characterized in that the change in graphical representation is the change of at least one of the colors constituting this graphic object.

6. Man-machine interface device according to claim 4, characterized in that the change in graphical representation is the appearance of a periphery surrounding the graphical object.

Human-machine interface device according to claim 1, characterized in that the graphic objects are either:

• control buttons; • edition type objects for entering a string of characters;

• selection type objects for selecting an "item" in a list;

• scroll-panel objects displaying a window of visibility on a larger mobile page.

8. Man-machine interface device according to claim 7, characterized in that, when the object is of the scroll-panel type, the navigation keys are used to move the mobile page throughout the visibility window.