Flight deck multifunction control display unit

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling a flight deck multifunction control display unit are disclosed. In various embodiments, the systems may comprise a flight management system or other MCDU driven devices, a command database that stores a plurality of voice commands and a plurality of multifunction control display unit commands. In various embodiments, each voice command is associated with one of the plurality of multifunction control display unit commands. The systems may further comprise a pilot voice interface configured to receive a voice command from a pilot and transmit the voice command to the multifunction control display unit. The multifunction control display unit can receive the voice command from the pilot voice interface and, in response, access the command database to identify a multifunction control display unit command in the command database that is associated with the voice command.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a tablet computing device configured to render and implement a multifunction control display unit (“MCDU”); 
 a data conversion device in operable communication with the tablet computing device and configured to convert MCDU commands from a universal serial bus (“USB”) standard to an avionics data bus standard; 
 a gesture sensitive device in operable communication with the tablet computing device and configured to detect hand gestures and transmit gesture data associated with the gesture to the tablet computing device; 
 an MCDU cabinet having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity having only the data conversion device disposed therein; 
 a mounting bracket coupled to the outer surface of the MCDU cabinet, the mounting bracket configured to releasably mount the tablet computing device therein, the mounting bracket further configured to be movable, in multiple directions, relative to the MCDU cabinet, to thereby permit movement of the tablet computing device in the multiple directions when the tablet computing device is mounted therein; 
 a flight management system (FMS) in operable communication with the data conversion device; 
 a command database, the command database in operable communication with the tablet computing device and storing a plurality of voice commands and a plurality of MCDU commands, each voice command associated with one of the plurality of MCDU commands; and 
 a pilot voice interface configured to receive a voice command from a pilot and transmit the voice command to the tablet computing device, 
 wherein, the tablet computing device is configured to:
 interpret the gesture data as an instruction to execute, 
 receive the voice command transmitted by the pilot voice interface, 
 access the command database in response to the voice command to identify an MCDU command in the command database that is associated with the voice command and that is executable by the FMS, 
 at least selectively bypass, in response to the voice command, selection of a plurality of manual MCDU commands, and 
 transmit the MCDU command to the data conversion device for transmission to, and execution by, the FMS. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , the tablet computing device comprising a voice recognition module, the voice recognition module comprising voice recognition software. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tablet computing device comprising comprises a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, processor-readable, memory, the memory storing that stores voice recognition software, wherein the processor executing is configured to execute the voice recognition software to convert the voice command into a text command. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tablet computing device matching is configured to match the text command to one of the plurality of MCDU commands. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tablet computing device is communicatively coupled to an existing avionics data bus, the tablet computing device transmitting and is configured to transmit the MCDU command by way of the existing avionics data bus. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the avionics data bus standard is an Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (“ARINC”) 429 standard. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tablet computing device communicates is further configured to communicate with the data conversion device via at least one of: via a wired connection or via a wireless connection. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of MCDU driven avionics systems in operable communication with the tablet computing device, 
 wherein the tablet computing device is further configured to identify one or more MCDU commands executable by the plurality of MCDU driven avionics systems and to selectively transmit the MCDU command to at least one of the plurality of MCDU driven avionics systems for execution thereby.