Virtual control device and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019033978-A1
Application number	US-201816049500-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 30, 2018
Priority date	Jul 31, 2017
Publication date	Jan 31, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A virtual control system that includes a control unit, a gesture recognition device, and a hologram generation device. The hologram generation device is configured to generate a hologram in a first volume of space. The gesture recognition device is configured to recognize a proper gesture within the first volume of space. The control unit is configured to send a signal to a component to be controlled when the gesture recognition device recognizes the proper gesture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A virtual control system comprising:
a control unit, a gesture recognition device, and a hologram generation device, wherein the hologram generation device is configured to generate a hologram in a first volume of space, wherein the gesture recognition device is configured to recognize a proper gesture within the first volume of space, and wherein the control unit is configured to send a signal to a component to be controlled when the gesture recognition device recognizes the proper gesture.

2 . The virtual control system of claim 1 further comprising an acoustic field generator, wherein the acoustic field generator is configured to generate an acoustic field in a second volume of space, wherein the first volume of space and second volume of space at least partially overlap to form a virtual control volume, wherein the gesture recognition device is configured to recognize the proper gesture within the virtual control volume.

3 . The virtual control system of claim 2 wherein the virtual control system is associated with an aircraft lavatory, and wherein the hologram is one of a knob, a button, a lever or a switch.

4 . The virtual control system of claim 3 wherein the hologram is generated in a location adjacent the component to be controlled.

5 . The virtual control system of claim 4 further comprising a motion sensor, wherein the hologram is generated when the motion sensor senses motion.

6 . A method of switching a component to be controlled from a first state to a second state, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a virtual control system that includes a control unit, an acoustic field generator, a gesture recognition device, and a hologram generation device, wherein the hologram generation device is configured to generate a hologram in a first volume of space, wherein the acoustic field generator is configured to generate an acoustic field in a second volume of space, wherein the first volume of space and second volume of space at least partially overlap to form a virtual control volume, wherein the gesture recognition device is configured to recognize a human motion or gesture within the virtual control volume, projecting a hologram in the first volume of space, generating an acoustic field in the second volume of space, sending a signal to the control unit when the gesture recognition device recognizes a proper gesture within the virtual control volume, and sending a signal from the control unit to the component to be controlled and switching the component to be controlled from the first state to the second state.

7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the virtual control system is associated with an aircraft lavatory, and wherein the hologram is one of a knob, a button, a lever or a switch.

8 . An aircraft lavatory comprising:
an enclosure that defines a lavatory interior, a door that is movable between an open and a closed position, a sink positioned in the lavatory interior, a toilet positioned in the lavatory interior, a virtual control system, that includes a control unit, a gesture recognition device, and a hologram generation device, wherein the hologram generation device is configured to generate a hologram in a first volume of space within the lavatory interior, wherein the gesture recognition device is configured to recognize a proper gesture within the first volume of space, wherein the control unit is configured to send a signal to a component to be controlled when the gesture recognition device recognizes the proper gesture, and wherein the component to be controlled is associated with one of the toilet, sink or door.

9 . The aircraft lavatory of claim 8 further comprising an acoustic field generator, wherein the acoustic field generator is configured to generate an acoustic field in a second volume of space within the lavatory interior, wherein the first volume of space and second volume of space at least partially overlap to form a virtual control volume, wherein the gesture recognition device is configured to recognize the proper gesture within the virtual control volume.

10 . The aircraft lavatory of claim 8 wherein the hologram is configured to be generated when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position.

11 . The aircraft lavatory of claim 8 further comprising a motion sensor, wherein the hologram is generated when the motion sensor is activated.

Assignees

• C&D Zodiac Inc

Inventors

• Eijkelenboom Adriaan

Classifications

• G03H2001/0061

  in haptic applications when the observer interacts with the holobject · CPC title

• G06F3/017 Primary

  Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883) · CPC title

• G03H1/0005

  Adaptation of holography to specific applications (holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042) · CPC title

• G06F3/04815

  Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional [3D], e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object · CPC title

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title