Background:

The computer control and display panel surfaces which is currently used by UFED are composed of three basic layers.

The outermost layer is fabricated from a 2.5 mm tripolymer-coated transparent aluminum wafer into which is imbedded a sensor matrix that detects tactile input by the operator's fingertips. Also incorporated into this layer is a transducer matrix that provides tactile and auditory feedback to the operator, indicating that a particular control surface address has been activated.

The transparent aluminum surface wafer is chemically bonded onto the second layer, which is a triaxial optical display crystal membrane, that serves as a high resolution graphic display medium. Monocrystal microwave-guides at 1.8 mm intervals provide electro-plasma system power transmission to the upper sensor matrix and transducer layers.

The substrate of the control surface, the third layer, is composed of microfoamed polyduranide sheeting, which provides structural integrity to the assembly. Incorporated into its layer is a matrix of optical nano-processors that permit the display surface sheeting to be self-configuring, once addressed and initialized by the local processor node. For redundancy's sake, the panels nano-processors include sufficient nonvolatile memory to permit system operation, even in the absence of main computer support.

Basic Control Panel and Terminal Use:

The control and display panels currently used by the UFED are software defined surfaces that are continuously updated and reconfigured for maximum operator efficiency and ease of use. Each computer panel is tied into a local sub-processor that monitors panel activity and compares it to predefined scenarios and operation profiles. This permits the computer to continually update the panel configuration to provide the operator with a current menu of the most likely current actions. This also provides the operator with sufficient information and flexibility to determine and execute non-programmed instructions, if desired.

Most panels are also configured to accept vocal input, although keyboard input is preferred in most situations for greater operation speed and reduced chance of input errors by voice discriminator algorithms.

Cruise Mode operating rules allow each crew member to define a customized operating configuration for his or her work station. This means that crew members are free to configure panel layout and procedural menus to suit personal working styles and levels of training. In the case where a system upgrade has recently been installed, but the duty officer has not yet been trained on the crew configuration, panel software can usually be instructed to emulate the previous version until the individual has been properly certified. Standard configuration can be activated at any time, and Full Enable configuration is automatically activated during Alert status.