Patent ID: 7054045

Claim:
An apparatus allowing an operator to control an electronic or electro-mechanical device of the type conventionally controlled by a tangible control mechanism having one or more customarily touch-activated tangible input objects, physical contact with which produces a response by the electronic or electro-mechanical device, said apparatus allowing such control without the operator physically touching any solid object and comprising: hologram means for generating a holographic image of a tangible input object of the tangible control mechanism for the electronic or electro-mechanical device; illumination means for illuminating said hologram means to produce the holographic image; actuation detection means for detecting selection by the operator of the holographic image, generated by said hologram means, of the tangible input object; and signal generation means for receiving the detection of said actuation detection means and providing an input signal to the electronic or electro-mechanical device thereby to produce the response, wherein said hologram means is affixed to at least one of a transparent material and a translucent material, and the actuation detection means comprises emission/detection means for producing and receiving electromagnetic radiation, said emission/detection means being positioned on a side of said hologram means opposite the operator and being positioned to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation toward the holographic image and through said material to which said hologram means is affixed.