RU2497177C1 - Information input device/poly-joystick for hyper-manoeuvre control - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology.

SUBSTANCE: device includes at least two joysticks, in the top part of which there is at least one mini-joystick; the middle part has a shape adapted for gripping with the hand; each joystick is immovably connected to the control object with the possibility of adjusting the position under the length of the hands of the pilot, such that they are used as unloading levers, wherein the pilot is able, while holding them, to remove the overload on his body and hands, while focusing on control with fingers; the shape of the joysticks is in form of figures from the top part of which at least one shaped shelf, on which at least one mini-joystick is mounted, moves away towards the index finger and middle finger of the hand or envelopes the joystick.

EFFECT: design of a device which enables extremely fast and easy generation of control commands for hyper-manoeuvre high-speed aircraft and spacecraft in conditions of strong vibrations and overload.

4 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The invention relates to computing, in particular to devices for entering information into a computer.

It can be used to enter information into computers in high-speed aircraft or spacecraft and other vehicles or other vehicles, at least temporarily exposed to strong vibrations and overloads, to control these devices, as well as for high-precision guidance of guided weapons, including those placed on these devices.

Known and widely used is the method of entering information into a computer using a keyboard and joystick, in which a display and a control unit are involved.

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 (according to the patented control knob) there are many switches for controlling the TV with one hand, which allow you to control the TV volume, mute, switch channels (up and down). The control knob can be programmed by the user. The microprocessor saves the user-selected ones, programs the television channels and allows you to turn them on with your index finger.

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

The disadvantages of analogues is the functional unevenness of the load on the fingers. 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 is known according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2024048. This device, not being the subject of this patent, is referred to as an auxiliary tool and is a two-layer glove, between the layers of which contact sensors are mounted, as well as the wires connecting them. The invention is intended 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 prototype is the solution set forth in RF patent No. 2333527 "Computer input device - anti-boot poly-joystick."

According to patent No. 2333527, the device comprises an outer shell covering the hand, inside which is located an inner shell having the shape of a hand, and sensitive elements are located between the shells opposite the surface of the phalanx of the fingers. 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 their sensitive elements in these places to the elastic inner shell of the device . As control sensors, two-axis or single-axis joysticks, or buttons, or various combinations of different joysticks and buttons are used.

In the prototype, 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 the prototype 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.

Known devices for inputting information into on-board computers containing two control knobs in the form of two joysticks. Such control systems are used in the cockpits of large aircraft (Boeing 737, Airbus A320, etc.), or spacecraft (Shuttle, Buran), controlled by two pilots (astronauts). In each pilot’s seat, they have 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 , means of indication 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 No. 23353527 "Information input device in a computer - anti-boot poly-joystick" the figures show two symmetric 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.

The technical result obtained from the present invention is to create a device that allows extremely quickly and easily generate control commands for hyper-maneuverable high-speed aircraft and spacecraft, both under conditions of strong vibrations and overloads, and with remote control.

The term “over-maneuverability” in Wikipedia is defined as “the ability of some aircraft to maintain stability and controllability at supercritical angles of attack with high overloads ...” http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/ super-maneuverability)

In the article “Do drones own the future of military aviation?” [Internet publication Military Parity, 10/15/11, http://www.militaryparitet.com/perevodnie/data/ic_perevodnie/1735] the term "hypermaneuverability" is disclosed as "extremely high maneuverability, especially for lateral accelerations that the pilot can withstand, can not". In this description, the term "hypermaneuverability" is used in this sense.

At one time, stealth technology became the basic idea of fifth-generation invisible fighters. Theoretically, the F-22 “invisible” American fighter is capable of shooting an entire MiG-31 unit even before it is detected. This significantly changed the tactics of air combat. Modern air battles are conducted on the principle of "first saw - first shot down." Maneuverability was pushed into the background. With the emergence of rival stealth technology, its advantages are gradually leveled. When the F-22 fights with the latest Russian fifth-generation fighter T-50 (PAK-FA), the "invisibility" loses its advantages. Therefore, many experts believe that the outcome of the battle of two stealth fighters will again be determined by their maneuverability. Many experts believe that unmanned aerial vehicles will possess hypermaneuverability, first of all.

A feature of modern anti-aircraft missiles is their ability to hit targets maneuvering with accelerations not exceeding 15-17g. But they were not designed for this. The missile's task is to catch up with the target and hit it from afar with a wide beam of damaging elements. If the target will be able to maneuver with accelerations exceeding 17-20 g, and in time to see a flying rocket, then it will have time to leave the affected area. Consequently, if we achieve maneuverability of an aircraft exceeding 17-20 g, it will become invulnerable to enemy missiles.

However, it becomes very difficult to control the apparatus performing maneuvers with high overloads using the control sticks (RU) in the form of joysticks. Even if the drone is being controlled, the time it takes 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. At 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 during maneuvers in conditions of large overload will be 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 claimed 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, the mini-joysticks were mounted on the top of the control handle and actuated with one 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 difference allows you to additionally include the index or ring 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, it is possible to send not only signals of the “0” and “1” type, but also signals differentiated in direction, i.e. “X” and “U” The system understands that a down, left or right push has been made. This allows the formation of more complex control signals. In known control systems, this is not. Therefore, there are no differences between 1.1 and 1.2 in the well-known solutions, therefore, they can be considered new.

Differences in claim 2 of the formula

2. The device 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.

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, the control sticks are installed in two pieces per pilot, which allows you to fully use the capabilities of his 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.

It should be noted that in the prototype, the figure for the patent No. 2333527, also shows two symmetrical parts of the joystick. Although the claims and the description of the patent do not say anything about the functional sense of the symmetry of the anti-boot poly-joystick, nevertheless, the presence of two symmetrical parts of the prototype can be considered a mirror design, and therefore, to some extent, can be considered a well-known solution. However, in the framework of the restrictive part of the claims of the present application, which claims to be 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 prototype generally there are no control knobs covered by the hands, which causes a lot of interference, which are its key shortcomings.

2.2. Depending on his anatomical features, the pilot himself 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.

There are no differences 2.1 and 2.2 in the well-known solutions, therefore they can be considered new.

3. The functions of the mini-joysticks located on the control sticks are set by the operator by software. In principle, changes in the functions of individual devices are known by software. But under paragraph 2.2, difference 3 can be considered complementary and new.

4. The control knobs are connected to the control object motionlessly or with the possibility of adjusting 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 hyper-maneuverable devices (GMA) in the conditions of direct piloting and the action of overloads, the control knobs can be firmly connected to the control object (with the possibility of adjusting their location before the flight), while the pilot has the ability, holding on to them, to remove overloads acting on his body and hands, focusing on controlling the fingers.

There is no such difference in the known solutions in the framework of the restrictive part, therefore, it can be considered new.

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.

There is no such difference in the known solutions in the framework of the restrictive part, therefore, it can be considered new.

The invention is illustrated by figures 1-3:

- figure 1 and 2 show the control sticks with mini joysticks;

- figure 3 shows a control option using the index and ring fingers;

- figure 4 shows the control knobs of the device connected to the control object.

- figure 5 shows the control knobs of the device mounted on separate bases.

In figures 1-4, the numbers denote:

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 - the control object (the body of the controlled apparatus);

9 - a common or separate base of the control handle.

The device options shown in Figures 1-4 consist of two control knobs 1. The middle part of the control knobs 2 has a shape adapted to be covered with a hand. Two mini-joysticks 3 are installed in the upper part of the control knobs.

Each control handle 1 is made in the form of a figure, from the top of which leans to the side or bends around the control handle of the figured shelf 4, on which two mini-joysticks are also installed 3. At the bottom of the place where the figured shelf 5 moves away 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 comprises 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 are set by the operator programmatically.

The functions of the mini-joysticks 3 located on the control knobs 6 and 7 are set by the operator programmatically.

Two variants of the device are claimed. In the first embodiment (Fig. 4), the 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 (figure 5), 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 the 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. The processes of function assignment and control of the aircraft and spacecraft using the inventive device relate to control methods, and therefore are not considered in detail in the framework of this application for the device. 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 at the same time. This is not found in any known control device other than playing musical instruments. Figure 3 on the left shows the simultaneous control of the thumb, index and ring fingers, and on the right the simultaneous control of the thumb and index finger. The ability to simultaneously control immediately with three fingers of each hand allows you to control the aircraft and spacecraft along the most complex trajectories, which should increase its chances of winning in air or space combat.

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. For example, in the control system of the Buran orbital complex there were 1037 switching elements of various types in the form of toggle switches, switches, regulators, and the Shuttle had even more - 1666. The switching elements in the cockpit interfere with the placement of airbags there that could save pilots emergency landings, reduce the ergonomics of control systems, increase their size and weight, complicate management in the face of a shortage of time, the effects of 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. For example, the total reduction in the weight of the Burana and Shuttle control systems by translating all the switching elements into a virtual form could reach 300 and 500 kg, respectively.

The net time of the 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 t _m  and time of direct action on the governing body t _d ,  i.e. T = t _m + t _d.These parameters significantly depend on the design of the controls and their location. Travel time depends on hand speedV _hands, which averages 2 m / s, and distanceR _i beforei-governing body, i.e. t _m = R _i / V _hands .Average access time to fighter controls with an average distance to them of 0.48 m will be 0.24 s. At the same time, the maximum access time of the pilot’s fingers to the mini-joysticks of the proposed device with an average distance of 36 mm to them will be 0.018 s. Therefore, the use of multi-joysticks can reduce the time of access to the controls by more than 12 times. The minimum time required 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 is 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.

Thus, the present invention allows the creation of information input systems suitable for controlling hyper-maneuverable aircraft and spacecraft, including UAVs, significantly speeds up the formation of control commands, reduces the weight of control systems.

The device may find military applications for controlling hypermaneuverable unmanned aerial vehicles.

Claims (4)

1. Information input device is a poly-joystick for hyper-maneuverable control, comprising at least two control knobs, at least one mini-joystick is installed in its upper part, and the middle part has a shape adapted to be covered by a hand, characterized in that it is hyper-maneuverable for control high-speed aircraft and spacecraft under conditions of strong vibrations and overloads, each control knob is connected to the control object motionlessly with the ability to adjust the position to the length of the arms pi ota, so that they are used as unloading handles, while the pilot is able to hold onto them to remove overloads acting on his body and hands, focusing on the control of his fingers, and the shape of the control handles is made in the form of figures, from the top of which moves away to side of the index and middle fingers or bends around the control knob of at least one curly shelf, on which at least one mini-joystick is installed. 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 1, characterized in that at least one more mini-joystick is installed in the lower part of the place of departure of the figured shelf from the middle part of the control handle. 4. 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.

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