An aircraft display and control system generally includes a processor, a cursor control and selection device, an aeronautical information database, a geographic database, and a plurality of display devices. Users, such as an aircraft pilot and copilot, can perform flight plan entry and modification by manipulating graphical information on the display devices using cursor control. In one embodiment, the present invention allows multiple members of an aircraft crew to share control of common flight information display areas, aids the crew's situational awareness by providing software-implemented dynamic symbology and highlighting to indicate cursor location, current panel of entry, and current focus for keyboard and cursor events.

The invention provides a thin and small input device that improves a tactile operation sensation and a luxurious appearance. An input device to which an operator enters a desired command by operating it with a finger and which has a case, switch contacts disposed in the case, rotatable operation members disposed rotatably corresponding to the switch contacts that are partially projected from the holes of the case and pressed by an operator, and support members 44 for supporting the rotatable operation members by pressing it onto the case side and for operating the switch contacts when an operator presses the rotatable operation member against the pressing force.

A multi-function control device for use with a motor vehicle includes a display unit adapted to be mounted to the vehicle. The display unit has a display screen for displaying information associated with a plurality of vehicle functions, and a plurality of keys corresponding to the plurality of vehicle functions. Each of the keys is operable to select a particular vehicle function so as to display information associated with the particular vehicle function on the display screen. The control device further includes a mouse adapted to be mounted to the vehicle proximate the display unit. The mouse has at least one mouse switch in communication with the display unit. Furthermore, the at least one mouse switch is operable to control the plurality of vehicle functions.

A network switch comprises a multiplicity of ports for receiving and forwarding addressed data packets, a forwarding engine for directing packets received at the ports to at least one other port, a register for storing unit identifications of a set of units including the network unit, and hashing logic for selecting one of the unit identifications in response to address data in a packet. The forwarding engine makes a determination whether the one of the unit identifications corresponds to the network unit and is operative to direct the packet in accordance with that determination. The use of the register enables a substantial increase in the number of ports that can be members of a stack-wide trunk.

A system and method for graphically controlling a communication device and displaying its characteristics on a display within a vehicle including a microprocessor, a communication and navigation information window within a portion of the display, the window being generated by and in communication with the microprocessor, at least one radio in communication with and controlled by the microprocessor, a data input means in communication with the microprocessor and at least one communication and navigation information database in communication with the microprocessor. An aircraft operator provides input to a cursor control device and receives visual feedback via a display produced by a monitor. The display includes various graphical elements associated with each radio's characteristics. Through the use of the cursor control device, the operator may modify the radio's characteristics and/or other such indicia graphically in accordance with feedback provided by the display.