Abstract:
A virtual interface including a virtual screen generator configured to produce a virtual display screen, a display generator configured to project at least one virtual display element onto the virtual display screen, and at least one sensor configured to detect interaction with the at least one virtual display element.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a Non-Provisional Application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/429,335 filed Jan. 3, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of human/machine interfaces and, more particularly, to a virtual interface. 
         [0003]    Human-machine interfaces have made considerable developments over the last century. Inputting information to a machine using knobs and levers progressed to alpha-numeric keyboards, voice commands and the like. Over time, input devices such as computer mice were developed to provide a more flexible interface to machines such as computers. Recently, touch screen displays have been developed to serve as an interface to machines in a wide variety of applications. Touch screen or electronic visual displays detect a presence and location of a touch within a display area. Touch screens allow a person to interact directly with what is displayed as opposed to indirectly such as moving a curser with a mouse. Touch screen displays are being used a wide range of appliances. Touch screen can be found in control panels for a wide range of applications, from complex manufacturing systems to everyday household devices. Touch screens are also used in hand held computers and wireless telephone devices. More recently, computer game interfaces have been developed that sense movement indirectly, such as through a game controller, or directly sense real-time movement of a participant by analyzing acquired camera images. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Disclosed is a virtual interface including a virtual screen generator configured to produce a virtual display screen, a display generator configured to project at least one virtual display element onto the virtual display screen, and at least one sensor configured to detect interaction with the at least one virtual display element. 
         [0005]    Also disclosed is a method of detecting a user input through a virtual interface. The method includes projecting at least one virtual display element onto a virtual display screen formed from a plurality of particles, and sensing an input at the at least one virtual display element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a virtual interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the virtual interface of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method of detecting a user input through the virtual interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
         [0011]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a virtual interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated generally at  2 . Virtual interface  2  includes a frame member  4  having first and second opposing side members  6  and  7  that are joined to third and fourth opposing side members  8  and  9  to collectively define a virtual display screen zone  11 . As will be discussed more fully below, virtual display screen zone  11  supports a virtual display screen  17  that is formed from a plurality of random, un-associated particles. Virtual display screen  17  is generated by a virtual display screen system  24  that includes a virtual screen generator  30  and a display generator  34 . 
         [0012]    Virtual screen generator  30  includes a screen medium system or mist generator  37  that transforms random particles such as water particles, into virtual display screen  17 . Screen medium system  37  includes a screen delivery conduit  40  having a particle outlet  43 . Particle outlet  43  transforms the water particles into a mist that is emitted into screen zone  11 . The particles are collected through a particle inlet  44  that is arranged below a particle collector  45  formed on side member  7 . Particle inlet  44  is connected to a particle inlet conduit  46  which leads to a collection zone (not shown). A first fan  48  generates an air flow that is passed through screen delivery conduit  40  to create the mist that is passed into screen zone  11 . A second fan  50  generates suction in particle inlet conduit  46  that draws in the mist through particle collector  45 . In this manner, virtual screen generator  30  creates a continuous sheet of mist that forms virtual display screen  17  within screen zone  11 . 
         [0013]    In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment, display generator  34  includes a plurality of light emitting devices  52 - 55  that are configured to generate one or more virtual display elements, such as shown generally at  56 , on virtual display screen  17 . The particular form/shape, color, and other attributes of virtual display element  56  can vary. Light emitting devices  52 - 55  can take on a variety of forms such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, and the like. Display generator  34  also includes a plurality of sensors  57 - 60  arranged adjacent to corresponding ones of the plurality of light emitting devices  52 - 55 . In accordance with one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, sensors  57 - 60  take the form of optical sensors that detect movement at or interaction with the one or more virtual display elements  56 . In addition to sensors  57 - 60 , display generator  34  includes a temperature sensor  63 . Light emitting devices  52 - 55 , sensors  57 - 60  and temperature sensor  63  are electrically connected to a central processing unit (CPU)  68 . 
         [0014]    As will be discussed more fully below, CPU  68  signals virtual screen generator  30  to generate a virtual display screen, and light emitting devices  52 - 55  to create the one or more virtual display elements  56 . Upon sensing a virtual input to the one or more virtual display elements, CPU  68  generates a perceivable feedback signal and a control signal. The perceivable feedback signal is passed to a tactile feedback system  79 . Tactile feedback system  79  includes first and second feedback members  80  and  81  that take the form of air puffers  83  and  84 . Air puffers  83  and  84  are fluidly connected to fans  48  through corresponding first and second conduits  86  and  87 . Air puffers  83  and  84  are also fluidly connected to corresponding output members  89  and  90 . Conduits  86  and  87  selectively deliver a puff of air from fan  48  to output members  89  and  90 . That is, upon detecting an input through virtual display element  56 , a puff of air is passed to the area of the selected virtual display element to provide a tactile feedback to an operator. In addition to tactile feedback, CPU  68  generates an audible feedback through an audible feedback system  94  that is operatively coupled to a speaker  96 . Speaker  96  is configured to emit, for example, a “click” sound upon sensing an input through a virtual display element  56 . 
         [0015]    Reference will now follow to  FIG. 3  in describing a method  100  of detecting a user input to a virtual interface. Initially, a determination is made in block  102  whether a person is present at virtual interface  2 . If no presence is detected, virtual interface  2  awaits a “presence” signal in block  104 . If a presence signal is received, CPU  68  signals virtual screen generator  30  to generate a virtual display screen as indicated in block  110 . Once the virtual display screen is created, display generator  34  is signaled to create one or more predetermined virtual display elements as indicated in block  118 . At this point, CPU  68  awaits an input signal that is passed from one or more of sensors  57 - 60  as indicated on block  120 . Once an input signal is received, CPU  68  signals tactile feedback system  79  to emit a tactile feedback to the area of the sensed input as indicated in block  124 . CPU  68  also signals auditory feedback system  94  to emit an audible signal. At this point, CPU  68  awaits further inputs to the one or more virtual display elements. CPU  68  could also be configured to log and store an input data history for later review. If, after a predetermined time period, no inputs are sensed, the virtual display screen is dispersed as indicated in block  126  and virtual interface  2  waits for a presence signal as indicated on block  104 . 
         [0016]    At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments provide a system for receiving control inputs though an interface that does not exits in the conventional physical sense. The screen is formed from random particles that are easily dispersed when not needed. The virtual display elements can be configured to represent a wide array of display options and provide different display options dependent upon each selection. In this manner, the virtual display can be employed in environments in which direct physical contact with a display screen is not desirable. For example, the virtual interface can be incorporated in to a wide array of environments such as surgical theaters, explosive environments, chemical environments and the like. It should also be understood that while the virtual display screen is described as being formed from water particles forming a mist, a wide array of other particles, such as dust particles, smoke particles and less tangible particles could be employed depending upon particular environmental conditions/constraints/needs and the like. In short, the virtual display need be merely a somewhat perceivable (visually) background onto which a virtual display element can be projected. The virtual display need not be tactilely perceivable. 
         [0017]    While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.