Abstract: A cursor control device (20) suitable for use with a computer-controlled display (66) is disclosed. The cursor control device (20) includes a touch-pad controller (24) and interface electronics (22) that produce cursor control output signals (40) suitable for controlling the location of a cursor on the computer-controlled display (66). The touch-pad controller (24) includes a housing (28) having: (i) a base (39); (ii) a surface (41) that slopes upwardly from the base (39); and a pair of side walls (43) that extend from the base (39) to the sloped surface (41). The slope angle is greater than 10.degree., and preferably is greater than 20.degree.. A touch sensitive pad (26) mounted in the sloped surface (41) senses the location of an object, such as a finger pressing against the touch sensitive pad (26). Further, a thumb switch (30) is mounted in one side wall (43) of the housing (28).

Abstract: An aircraft navigation control system includes a flight management system control display unit (12), a navigation display unit (40), logic circuitry (60) and a cursor control input device (70). The flight management system control display unit (12) includes a keyboard (30) to allow desired route waypoint modification via keyboard entries. These entries appear on a display (20) which provides a text listing of the selected waypoints. The navigation display (40) produces a graphical depiction of the selected waypoints as provided on the flight management system control display unit (12). In addition, the user may modify or create a new desired route by movement of a cursor (4) on the navigation display (40) to thereby highlight and select various waypoints as depicted on the display (40). By use of this graphical interface via a cursor control device (70) and the cursor (74) on the navigation display (40), a user may create, by a connect the dot approach, a new desired navigation route.