Illuminated sidestick controller, such as an illuminated sidestick controller for use in aircraft
A system and method for illuminating one or more sidestick controllers within a cockpit of an aircraft is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a sidestick controller having lighting components that display lighting behaviors representing the movement and/or control of an aircraft. In some embodiments, the system illuminates various different lighting components on a sidestick controller based on information received from aircraft control systems, cockpit lighting systems, and other systems associated with an aircraft.
1. A sidestick controller for use in an aircraft, comprising:
a control module, wherein the control module is configured to control operation of the aircraft; and
an illumination module, wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more lighted signals within response to operation of an auto-flight system of the aircraft;
wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more colors associated with the operation of the aircraft; and the illumination module is located on the sidestick controller.
2. The sidestick controller of claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is configured to display the one or more lighted signals in response to operation of a second sidestick controller of the aircraft.
3. The sidestick controller of claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is configured to modify an intensity of the one or more lighted signals in response to information associated with lighting of a cabin within the aircraft.
4. The sidestick controller of claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more lighted signals indicative of a roll operation of the aircraft when the aircraft is undergoing a roll operation.
5. The sidestick controller of claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is configured to display the one or more lighted signals to indicate a pitch operation of the aircraft when the aircraft is undergoing the pitch operation.
6. The sidestick controller of claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is configured to display a first color when the sidestick controller is a priority stick for actively controlling the aircraft, and a second color when the sidestick controller is not the priority stick.
7. The sidestick controller of claim 1 , wherein the illumination module is configured to display the one or more lighted signals in response to a warning or cue signal.
8. The sidestick controller of claim 1 , wherein the illumination module displays the one or more lighted signals via a display device.
9. A system for indicating information associated with control of an aircraft, the aircraft having a flight control system, the system comprising:
an information component, wherein the information component is configured to determine a state of control of the flight control system based on information received from an auto-flight system of the aircraft; and
an illumination component,
wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate one or more indicators located on or associated with a sidestick controller of the aircraft in response to the determined state of control of the flight control system;
wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more colors associated with the operation of the aircraft; and the illumination module is located on the sidestick controller.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine if the sidestick controller has been given priority.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine whether a warning or cue is to be given.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine whether the aircraft is being commanded to perform a roll operation.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine whether the aircraft is being commanded to perform a pitch operation.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine if the sidestick controller has been given priority; and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicative of priority.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine if a warning or cue is to be given; and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicative of the warning or cue.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine whether the aircraft is being commanded to perform a roll operation; and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicative of the roll operation.
17. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine whether the aircraft is being commanded to perform a pitch operation; and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicative of the pitch operation.
18. The system of claim 9 , wherein the information component is configured to determine whether the aircraft is being commanded to perform a roll or pitch operation based on information received from another sidestick controller of the aircraft.
19. A method for displaying lighted information via a sidestick controller of an aircraft, the method comprising:
identifying whether a sidestick controller is assigned priority; and
when the sidestick controller is not assigned priority:
receiving pitch control input information from an auto-flight system within the aircraft;
illuminating pitch lights of the sidestick controller based on the received pitch control input information;
receiving roll control input information from an auto-flight system within the aircraft: and
illuminating roll lights of the sidestick controller based on the received roll control input information;
wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more colors associated with the operation of the aircraft; and the illumination module is located on the side stick controller.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
receiving warning or cue input information; and
illuminating one or more indicators of the sidestick controller based on the received warning or cue input information.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein receiving pitch control information includes receiving pitch control information from another sidestick controller within the aircraft.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein receiving roll control information includes receiving roll control information from another sidestick controller within the aircraft.