Patent ID: 8354997

Claim:
A sensing system, comprising a sensing device, comprising a first array of sensors and a second array of sensors, wherein the first array and the second array produce a touchless sensing space that projects above a surface of a communication device; a connector to the communication device that provides for a raising, lowering and orienting of the sensing device to adjust a location and sensitivity of the touchless sensing space; and a controller operatively coupled to the first array and the second array for: interpreting sensory signals from the sensors, determining a finger location and movement in the touchless sensing space, mapping virtual user interface controls in the touchless sensing space to user interface controls of a removable face plate based on the finger locations and finger movements, and generating one or more command actions to control a user interface of the communication device according to the finger location and movement; and where the removable face plate displays user interface controls that are mapped to the virtual controls, suitable for attachment to the communication device, wherein the controller projects the touchless sensing space 0 to 5 cm or more above a surface of the removable face plate in accordance with the displayed user interface controls such that finger positioning or movement on a user interface control on the surface of the removable face plate corresponds to at least one command action to control the user interface of the communication device.