BASIC CONTROL PANEL/TERMINAL USE

	Control/display panels aboard the USS Enterprise are software-
defined surfaces that are continually updated and reconfigured for maximum 
operator efficiency and ease of use. Each panel is tied into a local 
subprocessor that continually monitors panel activity and compares it to 
predefined scenarios and operational 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 
nonprogrammed instructions, if desired.
	Layout of the display surface is designed for maximum intuitive 
grouping of related functions and for logical organizational flow of operation. 
The library computer access and retrieval system (LCARS) software 
continually monitors operator activity and continually reconfigures the 
display surface to present the operator with a selection of the most 
frequently chosen courses of action in that particular situation. The LCARS 
software also provides the operator with full information (to the level 
selected by the operator or by operating rules) to choose any other legal 
action.
	Most panels are also configured to accept vocal input, although 
keyboard input is preferred in most situations for greater operating speed 
and reduced chance of input error by voice discriminator algorithms.
	Cruise Mode operating rules allow each crew member to define a 
customized operating configuration for his/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 new 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.

CONTROL/DISPLAY PANELS

	Control/display surfaces 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. This matrix detects 
tactile input by the operatorÕs 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 aluminum surface wafer is chemically bonded onto a triaxial 
optical display crystal membrane, which serves as a high resolution graphic 
display medium. Monocrystal microwaveguides 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 is composed of microfoamed 
polyduranide sheeting, which provides structural integrity to the assembly. 
Incorporated into this layer is a matrix of optical nanoprocessors that permit 
the display surface sheeting to be self-configuring, once addressed and 
initialized by the local processor node. For redundancyÕs sake, the panel 
nanoprocessors include sufficient nonvolatile memory to permit system 
operation, even in the absence of main computer support.  Æ