Virtual interface and control device

Abstract

An input device for a computer or other programmable device translates the proximity of an object to one or more antennae into an electronic signal. The antennae generate a first frequency and a second frequency. When an object, such as a hand, is placed in proximity to the antenna, the object causes the first and second frequencies to heterodyne, which creates a third frequency, also referred to as a beat frequency or pulse frequency. A receiver interprets the pulse frequency and translates it into an electronic signal that can be used to command a computer or other programmable device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for generating an electronic signal using an input device to command a computer or other programmable device, comprising:
 generating, by a first antenna, a first frequency; 
 generating, by a second antenna, a second frequency; 
 placing an object in proximity to the first antenna and the second antenna, the object causing the first and second frequencies to generate a pulse frequency without any physical contact between the object and the input device; 
 sensing, by a receiver, the pulse frequency; 
 translating the pulse frequency into an electronic signal; and 
 commanding the computer or other programmable device using the electronic signal, 
 wherein the receiver is embedded in or externally attached to a touchpad control pad, and wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are positioned on opposite ends of the control pad and the receiver is positioned between the two antennas, wherein the object is configured to cause the first and second frequencies to be heterodyned so as to generate the heterodyned pulse frequency that is subsequently sensed by the receiver, 
 wherein the first antenna is attached to the control pad, wherein the second antenna is attached to the control pad, wherein the first antenna is attached to the control pad via servos and actuators such that the first antenna is rotated and pivoted about the control pad, and wherein the first antenna is configured to automatically self-calibrate and position itself in a position based on feedback input from the receiver. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the object placed in proximity to the first antenna and the second antenna is a hand, and wherein the pulse frequency is generated without any physical contact between the hand and the input device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein placing the hand in proximity to the first and second antennae causes the two frequencies to heterodyne to generate the pulse frequency. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second antennae generate a third frequency configured to heterodyne with the first and second frequencies. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first antenna is attached to the control pad. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second antenna is attached to the control pad. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first antenna is attached to the control pad via servos and actuators such that it may be rotated and pivoted about the control pad. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first antenna is configured to automatically self-calibrate and position itself in the optimal position based on feedback input from the receiver. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable device comprises an imaging device, and wherein the imaging device is configured to project three-dimensional images. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the imaging device is a holographic projector. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 projecting, by the holographic projector, a holographic image; and 
 overlaying the projected holographic image with a field emitted by the first antenna, the second antenna, and the a third antenna. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising interacting with the holographic image using the field. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second antennas are configured to move from a first position to a second position different from the first position, wherein the first and second antennas are arranged to be parallel to a top surface of the control pad in the first position, and wherein the first and second antennas are arranged to be angled with respect to the top surface of the control pad in the second position. 
     
     
       14. A method for generating an electronic signal using an input device to command a computer or other programmable device, comprising:
 generating, by a first antenna, a first frequency;   generating, by a second antenna, a second frequency;   generating a pulse frequency based on the first and second frequencies, when an object is placed in proximity to the first antenna and the second antenna, without any physical contact between the object and the input device;   sensing, by a receiver, the pulse frequency;   translating the pulse frequency into an electronic signal; and   commanding the computer or other programmable device using the electronic signal,   wherein the receiver is embedded in or externally attached to a control pad, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are positioned on opposite ends of the control pad and the receiver is positioned between the two antennas, wherein the object is configured to cause the first and second frequencies to be heterodyned so as to generate the heterodyned pulse frequency that is subsequently sensed by the receiver,   wherein the first antenna is attached to the control pad via servos and actuators such that the first antenna is rotated and pivoted about the control pad, and wherein the first antenna is configured to automatically self-calibrate and position itself in a position based on feedback input from the receiver.   
     
     
       15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating, by at least one additional antenna, at least one third frequency, wherein generating the pulse frequency is performed based on the first to third frequencies. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 14, wherein the object comprises a portion of a user's body. 
     
     
       17. A method for generating an electronic signal using an input device to command a computer or other programmable device, comprising:
 generating, by a plurality of antennas, a plurality of frequencies, the plurality of antennas comprising first and second antennas configured to respectively generate first and second frequencies;   generating a pulse frequency based on the plurality of frequencies, when an object is placed in proximity to the plurality of antennas, without any physical contact between the object and the input device;   sensing, by at least one receiver, the pulse frequency;   translating the pulse frequency into an electronic signal; and   commanding the computer or other programmable device using the electronic signal,   wherein the receiver is embedded in or externally attached to a control pad, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are positioned on opposite ends of the control pad and the receiver is positioned between the two antennas, and wherein the object is configured to cause the first and second frequencies to be heterodyned so as to generate the heterodyned pulse frequency that is subsequently sensed by the receiver,   wherein the first antenna is attached to the control pad via a plurality of actuators such that the first antenna is rotated and pivoted about the control pad, and wherein the first antenna is configured to automatically self-calibrate and position itself in a position based on feedback input from the receiver.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 17, wherein the object comprises a portion of a user's body.