Importance

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Abstract

A mockup device interfaces directly with the keyboard port of a desktop (personal) computer and requires no additional or specialized adapter. A hardware mockup of an aircraft cockpit control panel, including instruments, switches and control yoke, includes an interface unit through which digital signals that replicate keystroke sequences employed by flight simulation application software are generated. The interface unit is coupled with and responds to the physical manipulation of the control elements of the cockpit control panel mockup, so that control panel manipulative action of the computer user `pilot` causes the generation and delivery of keystroke representative signals to the keyboard port of the computer. In response to these keystroke representative signals the flight simulation software that has been loaded into the computer controls the flight simulation display just as though the user were operating the system directly from the keyboard. However, because the interface unit produces the command sequences in response to the manipulation of dedicated control/switch elements corresponding to those on an actual cockpit control panel and at a signalling rate that far exceeds the manipulative keystroke action of the computer user, the flight simulation display on the computer monitor is presented effectively in near real time, thereby creating a more realistic simulation of flight conditions to the `pilot` user.

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First Claim