Patent ID: 6377238
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: G03H,G06F

Abstract:
A control arrangement for allowing an operator to control an electronic or electro-mechanical device of the type conventionally controlled by a tangible control mechanism having at least one customarily touch-activated tangible input object, physical contact with which produces a response by said device; said control arrangement allowing such control without the operator touching any solid object and comprising:an image generator for generating a holographic image of at least the one tangible input object of the tangible control mechanism for the device, with said generated holographic image for producing a response by said device corresponding to that produced conventionally by the one tangible input object of the tangible control mechanism; said image generator generating said holographic image of said one tangible input object such that it is larger than the one tangible input object of the tangible control mechanism; an actuation detector for determining selection by the operator of said holographic image of said one tangible input object; and a signal generator for receiving the determination of said actuation detector and providing an input signal to the device thereby to produce the response.