INTERACTIVE HOLOGRAPHIC HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERFACE

Abstract

The interactive holographic human-computer interface (H2CI) has the following key capabilities: 1. Support for multiple applications just as today's human-computer interfaces support any application that is developed for the computer 2. Provision of the convenience, efficiency, combined data display and input interface of virtual physical controls (displayed as holograms) 3. Interaction with the virtual physical controls, as the actual interface to the local or external system, would also result in changes to the system being controlled, not just in the displayed holograms 4. Use of sensor feedback (in realtime, under computer control), including EMR emission and detection, to allow synchronization of physical objects with each other, under the control of virtual objects representing both the targets and tools or instruments to manipulate them 5. holographic interface that would distinguish the type of motion 6. Emission and detection, probably with EMR, of simulated electrical, vibration, or other physical phenomena characteristic of the physical objects represented by the displayed holograms.

In order to accomplish these capabilities, the H2CI uses a combination of software and hardware components to track the motion, type of motion, location, and dwell time of a Command Object relative to a displayed hologram. This allows the H2CI to distinguish, in realtime, without human intervention, intended from unintended motions as well as which of multiple displayed holograms is of interest to a Command Object controlled by the user. In addition, emission and detection of EMR would permit the exchange of information among virtual objects in addition to their proximity to each other or beyond the physical capacity of the motion detector configuration, independently of the motion detector

Claims

1. An interactive holographic human-computer interface (H2CI), comprising: a holographic display unit for constructing and displaying one or more holograms; a motion detector for detecting motion, type of motion, dwell time, and location of a physical Command Object relative to a displayed hologram; sensors on external systems to determine location of two or more physical objects (e.g., both tool or instrument and target) relative to each other; a controller (included in the term CPU) in communication with the motion detector for converting the detected location of the physical Command Object relative to its position with respect to a displayed hologram into a command signal when the Command Object is at or near a command point in the hologram for the prescribed dwell time and performs a type of motion corresponding to a contact code; emission and detection by displayed holograms of EMR to simulate electrical, vibration, or other physical phenomena characteristic of the physical objects represented by the displayed holograms; Such emitted information might, for example, represent characteristics of virtual targets too large for the motion detector setup, which could be detected by virtual controls. a controller (included in the term CPU) for converting the EMR emitted by one hologram into a command signal when the EMR is detected by another hologram; and means (included in the term CPU) for transmitting the command signal to the local system or an external system controllable by the command signal, automatically, under CPU control.

2. The H2CI as recited in claim 1, wherein the hologram visually represents a control interface, including detection and emission of EMR, associated with the external or local system.

3. The H2CI as recited in claim 1, wherein the holograms visually represent at least one object being manipulated for the local or external system.

4. The H2CI as recited in claim 1, wherein the holograms visually represent at least one physical control, including detection and emission of EMR, associated with the control interface of the external or local system.

5. The H2CI as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more holograms represent physical objects with their physical attributes simulated by emission of EMR and at least one hologram represents an instrument that detects the EMR.

6. The H2CI as recited in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary control interface for transmitting auxiliary control signals to the external system.

7. A method of controlling a system by holographic interface, including with EMR, comprising the steps of: displaying one or more holograms; detecting motion, type of motion, dwell time, and location of a physical Command Object relative to a displayed hologram, which may represent a physical control; processing the detected motion, type of motion, dwell time, and location of the physical Command Object relative to the displayed hologram; converting the processed motion, type of motion, dwell time, and location of the physical Command Object into a command signal when the Command Object, based on its motion, type of motion, dwell time and location, is at or near a command point in the displayed hologram and performs a contact code or manipulates a physical control represented by the displayed hologram; emitting and detecting by displayed holograms or the Command Object, EMR simulating electrical, vibration, or other physical phenomena characteristic of the physical objects represented by the displayed holograms or the Command Object; converting the EMR emitted by one hologram or the Command Object into a command signal when the EMR is detected by another hologram; and transmitting the command signal to an external system controllable by the command signal.

8. The method of controlling an external system according to claim 7, wherein at least one hologram represents a holographic image of a physical control for the external system, capable of emitting and detecting EMR, including holographic representations of flat screen displays or any component of the external system, the method further comprising the steps of: determining whether the motion is intended or unintended (type of motion) detecting the manipulation of the physical control, including detection and emission of EMR; manipulating the holographic image of the physical control (including emission and detection of EMR) of the external system; generating a command signal commanding the external system to perform an action corresponding to manipulation of the physical control, including detection and emission of EMR; and transmitting the command signal to perform the action to the external system, the external system performing the action after receiving the command signal.

9. The method of controlling an external system according to claim 8, wherein the external system is a robotic device.

10. The method of controlling an external system according to claim 8, including detection and emission of EMR, wherein the external system may be any system, including power plants, processing plants, planes, ships, vehicles, or external software systems (such as simulations), either remotely or locally located.

11. The method of controlling an external system according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: receiving an auxiliary command; generating an auxiliary command signal commanding the external system to perform an action corresponding to the auxiliary command; and transmitting the auxiliary command signal to perform the action to the external system, the external system performing the action after receiving the auxiliary command signal.

12. A method of controlling a system by holographic interface, including detection and emission of EMR, comprising the steps of: displaying one or more holograms; detecting motion, type of motion, dwell time, and location of a physical Command Object relative to a displayed hologram; processing a contact code based on the detected motion, type of motion, dwell time, and location of the physical Command Object; converting the processed contact code into a command signal; or emitting and detecting by displayed holograms, or the Command Object, EMR simulating electrical, vibration, or other physical phenomena characteristic of the physical objects represented by the displayed holograms or the Command Object; converting the EMR emitted by one hologram, or the Command Object, into a command signal when the EMR is detected by another hologram; and transmitting the command signal to an external system controllable the signal.

13. The method of controlling an external system according to claim 12, in realtime, without human intervention, wherein at least one hologram represents a holographic image of physical controls of the external system, including holographic representations of flat screen displays or any component of the external system, the method further comprising the steps of: manipulating the holographic image of one of the physical controls of the external system, including by detection of EMR; determining whether the motion is intended or unintended (type of motion); detecting the manipulation of the physical control; generating a command signal commanding the external system to perform an action corresponding to manipulation of the physical control; and transmitting the command signal to perform the action to the external system, the external system performing the action after receiving the command signal.

14. The method of controlling a device according to claim 13, wherein the external system is a robotic device.

15. The method of controlling an external system according to claim 13, wherein the external system may be any system including power plants, processing plants, planes, ships, vehicles, or external software systems (such as simulations), either remotely or locally located.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a holographic interface for manipulation according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of a prior art holographic interface system.

[0034] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the prior art holographic interface system of FIG. 2.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating system components of the holographic interface for manipulation according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 5 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a holographic interface for manipulation according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 6 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an H2CI according to the present invention showing a local system linked to one or more external systems located both locally and in one or more remote locations

[0038] FIG. 7 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an H2CI according to the present invention showing a local system linked to a robotic external system

[0039] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating system components of an alternative embodiment of an H2CI according to the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 9 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an H2CI according to the present invention showing virtual representations of physical controls, sensors for proximity of physical objects to each other, and virtual objects emitting and detecting EMR.

[0041] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] A shown in FIG. 1, the holographic interface for manipulation 100 operates in a manner similar to the prior art system described above and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, including holographic display unit 30, motion detector 35 and CPU 10. However, the CPU further communicates with an external system 110. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the external system 110 is a conventional robotic arm gripping a physical object, e.g., a cup 115. The holographic display unit 30 projects a holographic image 116, representative of the physical object 115, and the user's hand serves as the Command Object 17, as described above, to manipulate the holographic image 116. The CPU 10 interprets motion of the Command Object 17 (i.e., the user's hand) with regard to the holographic image 116, as described above with relation to FIGS. 2 and 3, to transmit a command signal to the robotic arm 110 for real, physical manipulation of the physical object 115. The hologram may be a representation of the physical controls of the external system (or a simulation thereof), e.g., a control panel, a cockpit, a remote control device, etc., and the holographic image 116 being manipulated by the Command Object 17 may be a physical control, e.g., a steering wheel, a button on a remote control, a switch, or other physical control of the external system. In FIG. 1, the CPU 10 is shown as being in communication with robotic arm 110 by a wired line or Ethernet cable 113. However, it should be understood that the CPU 10 may transmit control signals to and receive feedback signals from the external system 110 by any suitable transmission path, including wired or wireless transmission. It should be understood that the external system may be any suitable external system, e.g., a computer, computer system or the like for interpreting control signals and delivering control commands for the external system or, alternatively, for interpreting control signals for a computerized simulation of an external system.

[0043] The holographic interface for manipulation 100 controls CPU 10 a manner similar to a conventional computer interface (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.), exchanging interface command signals with the CPU 10. The CPU 10 then, in turn, may transmit command and control signals to an external system or system. It should be understood that the external system may be any type of external system, including a computer, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0044] In addition to motion detection, it should be understood that any suitable type of auxiliary control interface, as is conventionally known, may be integrated into the system, such as speech or voice recognition hardware and/or software; conventional computer interfaces such as keyboards, mice, etc.; wireless remote control signals, or the like. Thus, auxiliary control signals by any additional type of controller or interface may also be used and transmitted to the external system.

[0045] It should be understood that the CPU 10 may be part of or replaced by any suitable computer system or controller, such as that diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4. Data is entered via the motion detector 35 communicating with the CPU 10, as described above, and may be stored in memory 112, which may be any suitable type of computer readable and programmable memory, which is preferably a non-transitory, computer readable storage medium. Calculations are performed by a processor 114, which may be any suitable type of computer processor. The processor 114 may be associated with or incorporated into any suitable type of computing system, for example, a personal computer or a programmable logic controller. The motion detector 35, the processor 114, the memory 112, the holographic display unit 30, the external system 110, and any associated computer readable recording media are in communication with one another by any suitable type of data bus, as is well known in the art.

[0046] Examples of computer-readable recording media include non-transitory storage media, a magnetic recording apparatus, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and/or a semiconductor memory (for example, RAM, ROM, etc.). Examples of magnetic recording apparatus that may be used in addition to memory 112, or in place of memory 112, include a hard disk system (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape (MT). Examples of the optical disk include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable)/RW. It should be understood that non-transitory computer-readable storage media include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal.

[0047] It should be understood that the robotic arm shown in FIG. 1 is shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the holographic interface for manipulation 100 may be used to control any remote system (such as the robotic arm of FIG. 1, or any other type of machinery that may be used in a remote plant or external software system such as a simulation) or to replace local or onboard controls or interfaces. As a further example, FIG. 5 illustrates local system 100 can be embedded in an external system, in this case a vehicle V, the holographic display unit 30 being mounted within the vehicle's cabin for projecting the holographic image 116, which is in the form of a steering wheel in this example. The motion detector 35 is similarly mounted within the vehicle's cabin for detecting the user's manipulation of the holographic steering wheel image 116. As shown, the user may use his or her hands in a conventional steering manner, so that the hands serve as the Command Objects 17 such that the motion detector 35 will detect the user's conventional steering movements with respect to the holographic steering wheel image 116. The motion detector 35 transmits the received motion signals to the CPU 10, which may be mounted in any suitable location within vehicle V for transmitting control signals to the external system 110, which, in this example, is the vehicle's steering system. The CPU 10 may discriminate between general motions made by the Command Objects 17 (i.e., the user's hands in this example) and motions specific to the steering of a vehicle. For example, if the user makes back-and-forth linear motions with his or her hands, the CPU 10 will not interpret this as steering-related and will not transmit a control signal to the vehicle's steering system. The CPU 10 can be programmed to only interpret clockwise or counter-clockwise rotational movement of the user's hands as steering-related, and only transmit a control signal when such motion is detected by the motion detector 35, for example.

[0048] It should be understood that FIGS. 1 and 5 only illustrate examples of the use of the holographic interface for manipulation 100, and that the holographic interface for manipulation 100 may be used as an interface for any suitable system, including remote systems, such as remote plants, or local or onboard systems, such as the exemplary vehicle V of FIG. 5, or as a further example, a fighter jet. In a more complex system, such as a fighter jet, the holographic display unit 30 could be used to project fighter jet controls to be manipulated by the user, as well as heads-up holographic information. The CPU 10 may be in communication with information systems associated with the jet, such as radar signal processing systems and the like. It should be understood that in addition to on-board control, such as in vehicle V or in the example of a fighter jet, the holographic interface for manipulation 100 may also be used in conjunction with a mock-up for purposes of training or simulation.

[0049] It should be further understood that the holographic interface 100 is not limited to the control of external systems, but may also be used as a direct interface for a computer, computer system, computer network or the like. The holographic interface 100 allows the user to interact with holograms of objects of interest directly, for viewing, arranging for design purposes, editing and the like, particularly for applications running on the computer, including conventional computer applications, simulations and the like.

[0050] Further, it is important to note that the holographic interface for manipulation 100 provides the user with the capability to directly manipulate holograms that represent controls on systems, whether physical or not, that are external to the computer running the interface. For example, in FIG. 1, the user is not manipulating a hologram of the robotic arm 110, but is rather manipulating a hologram of the object 115 being manipulated by the robotic arm. This is one use of the system, whereas the example of FIG. 5 illustrates another use, where the user manipulates a hologram of the controls of the external system (a vehicle in this example). It should be further understood that the external system may be another computer or computerized system, such that the external control corresponds to external software control, thus forming a remote computer interface.

[0051] It should be further understood that the remote system, such as the exemplary robotic arm 110 of FIG. 1, may include sensors, transmitters or any other necessary or desired auxiliary or peripheral equipment, or may be in communication with such at the remote location. Using the example of FIG. 1, as the user's hand 17 moves toward the hologram of the object 116, the robotic arm 110 moves toward the actual object 115. In addition to system 100 tracking the relative location of the user's hand 17 via sensor 35, additional external sensors may be used to track the location of the hand 17 (or some other Command Object) relative to both the position of the robotic arm 110 and the physical object 115, as well as translating the hand movements into actual physical pressure on the object 115.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows the overall context for interactive holographic human-computer interface (H2CI). The H2CI uses a combination of software and hardware components to track the motion, type of motion, location, and dwell time of a Command Object relative to a displayed hologram. This allows the H2CI to distinguish, in realtime, without human intervention, intended from unintended motions as well as which of multiple displayed holograms is of interest to a Command Object controlled by the user (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 5). Further, emission and detection of EMR would permit the exchange of information among virtual objects and/or the Command Object, in addition to their proximity to each other or beyond the physical capacity of the motion detector configuration, independently of the motion detector (FIG. 9).

[0053] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a local system, the H2CI, connected to a single external system 110, the robotic arm, located locally or remotely (FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 7, the H2CI of the local system 100 operates in a manner similar to the prior art system described above and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, including holographic display unit 30, motion detector 35 and CPU 10. However, the CPU further communicates with an external system 110. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the external system 110 (depicted by the unnumbered angled, diagonal lines) is a conventional robotic arm gripping a physical object, aided by sensors 28 (FIG. 7), e.g., a cup 115. The holographic display unit 30 projects a holographic image 116, representative of the physical object 115, and the user's hand serves as the Command Object 17, as described above, to manipulate the holographic image 116. The CPU 10 interprets motion, type of motion, location, and dwell time of the Command Object 17 (i.e., the user's hand) with regard to the holographic image 116, as described above with relation to FIG. 7, to transmit a command signal to the robotic arm 110 for real, physical manipulation of the physical object 115. A sensor 28 (FIG. 7) in the physical robotic arm 110 determines whether it is moving toward the physical object 115 at the same angle and at the same distance as the Command Object 17 relative to the holographic image 116 (FIG. 7).

[0054] The hologram may also be a representation of the physical controls (virtual controls) of the external system (or a simulation thereof) rather than a representation of the physical object to be manipulated as with image 116. For example, the holographic image 116 being manipulated by the Command Object 17 FIG. 7 may represent a physical control, e.g., a joy stick in a plane, a wheel for steering a vehicle or controlling a valve, a button(s) and/or a switch(es) on a remote control panel, or other physical control of the external system FIG. 6. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the CPU 10 is shown as being in communication with robotic arm 110 by a wired line or Ethernet cable 113. However, it should be understood that the CPU 10 may transmit control signals to and receive feedback signals from the external system 110 by any suitable transmission path, including wired or wireless transmission. Wireless transmission would allow connection to remote external systems, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9.

[0055] It should be understood that the external system may include any suitable external computer, computer system or the like, possibly embedded in the external system, for interpreting control signals and delivering control commands to an external system or, alternatively, for interpreting control signals to a computerized simulation of an external system.

[0056] In addition to tracking the proximity of Command Object 17 to a displayed hologram and determining actions to be performed on the displayed hologram with motion detector 35, emission and detection of EMR by displayed holograms would allow the exchange of information among displayed holograms and/or the Command Object, without the motion detector. In FIG. 9, Virtual Control 60 is in communication with Physical Control 120, the control for an external system. Virtual Target 50 represents Physical Target 115. As the Command Object 17 moves the virtual Control 60 toward any part of the virtual Target 50, the Physical Control 120 moves the external system toward that same part of the Physical Target 115 (i.e., direct control). CPU 10 and Holographic Display Unit 30 enable the virtual Control 60 to detect EMR 26 from the virtual Target 50 and virtual Target 50 to emit previously coded and stored EMR 26. This EMR describes details of the Physical Target 115 to the external system via Physical Control 120. In the case of a Physical Control 120 for a robotic external system (e.g., 110 in FIG. 7), these details could describe to the external system how much pressure to apply in manipulating the Physical Target 115.

[0057] The H2CI of the local system 100 controls CPU 10 in a manner similar to a conventional computer interface (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.), exchanging interface command signals with the CPU 10. The CPU 10 then, in turn, may transmit command and control signals to an external system. It should be understood that the external system may be any type of external system or computer system, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0058] In addition to motion detection, it should be understood that any suitable type of auxiliary control interface, as is conventionally known, may be integrated into the system, such as speech or voice recognition hardware and/or software; conventional computer interfaces such as keyboards, mice, etc.; wireless remote-control signals, or the like. Thus, auxiliary control signals by any additional type of controller or interface may also be used and transmitted to the external system.

[0059] It should be understood that the CPU 10 may be part of or replaced by any suitable computer system or controller, such as that diagrammatically shown in FIG. 8. Data is entered via the motion detector 35 communicating with the CPU 10, as described above, and may be stored in memory 112, which may be any suitable type of computer readable and programmable memory, which is preferably a non-transitory, computer readable storage medium. Calculations are performed by a processor 114, which may be any suitable type of computer processor. The processor 114 may be associated with or incorporated into any suitable type of computing system, for example, a personal computer, a programmable logic controller, or a smart phone or watch. The motion detector 35, the processor 114, the memory 112, the holographic display unit 30, the external system 110 (local or remote environment), and any associated computer readable recording media are in communication with one another by any suitable type of data bus or wireless communication as is well known in the art and are shown as separate physical components for explanatory purposes; they probably would be integrated at least at the platform level. Any processing capabilities not included in the Holographic Display Unit or the Motion Detector are included in the term CPU, whether physically part of the CPU or physically separate. The emission and detection of EMR by holograms would allow exchange of information among displayed holograms and/or the Command Object, without the motion detector. Emission and detection of EMR would be accomplished through the CPU 10 and the Holographic Display Unit 30 (FIG. 9).

[0060] Examples of computer-readable recording media include non-transitory storage media, a magnetic recording apparatus, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and/or a semiconductor memory (for example, RAM ROM, etc.). Examples of magnetic recording apparatus that may be used in addition to memory 112, or in place of memory 112, include a hard disk system (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape (MT). Examples of the optical disk include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable)/RW. It should be understood that non-transitory computer-readable storage media include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory, propagating signal.

[0061] It should be understood that the robotic arm shown in FIG. 7 is shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the interactive H2CI of the local system 100 may be used to control any external system, which may include any other type of machinery and/or process, or a system into which the H2CI is embedded, such as power plants, processing plants, planes, ships, vehicles, or external software systems (such as simulations), either remotely or locally located (FIG. 6). replacing, as appropriate, physical controls (e.g., levers, buttons, dials, and wheels) with holographic representations. As an example of such replacement, FIG. 6 illustrates the local system (100 in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7), with all of its components deployed with a variety of external systems, connected locally to an external system or systems or connected remotely to an external system or systems.

[0062] It is further contemplated that local system 100 could be embedded into an external system. Holographic images could represent various desired physical controls (virtual controls) for the external systems (e.g., rather than the cup represented by 116), such as levers, wheels, switches, or flat-panel monitors, or other objects. As shown (FIG. 7 and FIG. 9), the user may use his or her hands in a conventional manner, so that the hands serve as the Command Objects 17 such that the motion detector 35 or emission and detection of EMR 26 will detect the user's conventional movements with respect to the holographically represented physical object 116 (e.g., the cup or a control). Haptic feedback would allow the user to detect that contact was made with the virtual control.

[0063] As depicted in FIG. 9, the above noted feedback would be an example of using EMR 26 emitted from the hologram and detected by a haptic device on the user's hand. Such feedback could also eliminate the need for a motion detector 35. Virtual reality applications are another example of an application that could use the emission and detection of EMR 26 by the projected holograms. In FIG. 9, emission and detection of EMR 26 would be accomplished through the CPU 10 and the Holographic Display Unit 30. The motion detector 35 transmits the received motion signals to the CPU 10, which may be mounted in any suitable location for transmitting control signals to the external system 110, located remotely or locally. The CPU 10 may discriminate between general motions made by the Command Objects 17 (i.e., the user's hands in this example) and motions specific to the physical control represented by the hologram. For example, if the hologram 116 represented a wheel to be used for manipulating the robotic arm 110 and the user made back-and-forth linear motions with his or her hands, the CPU 10 would not interpret this as wheel-related and will not transmit a control signal to the external system 110. The CPU 10 can be programmed to only interpret clockwise or counter-clockwise rotational movement of the user's hands as wheel-related, and only transmit a control signal when such motion is detected by the motion detector 35 or emission and detection of EMR, for example. This discrimination is done under computer control (CPU 10), automatically, in realtime, without human intervention. That is, the type of motion (intended motions specific to the control or unintended general motions to be ignored) is tracked by the motion detector 35 or emission and detection of EMR 26 and interpreted by the CPU 10. Note that the wheel is only an example of a control that could be replaced by a hologram. Any other controls or combination of controls could as well be replaced, as described below. The type of motion interpreted as intended would depend on the type of control represented by the hologram. A virtual lever, for example, would only accept a forward or backward movement of a minimum distance and duration.

[0064] It should be understood that figures only illustrate an exemplary use of the local system 100 with the interactive holographic human-computer interface (H2CI), and that the H2CI for local system 100 may be used as an interface for any suitable system, either external or the local system itself. In a more complex exemplary system, such as a fighter jet, the local system running the H2CI would be embedded in a fighter jet. The holographic display unit 30 could be used to project virtual fighter jet controls to be manipulated by the user, as well as heads-up holographic information. The CPU 10 may be in communication with information systems associated with the jet, such as radar signal processing systems and the like. It should be understood that in addition to actual, realtime control, the H2CI for local system 100 may also be used in conjunction with a mock-up for purposes of training or simulation.

[0065] It should be further understood that there are exemplary applications involving infectious or other hazardous materials or implements (e.g., diseases, chemicals, needles, proximity to high voltage or heat, or sharp edges), in a wide range of areas such as medical, scientific, mining, or industrial processes, where the materials or implements could be handled through virtual representations of physical controls to improve safety for operators, reduce contamination of the materials or controls, or reduce costs for skilled operators (FIG. 9) by allowing remote operation. Robotic assistance would be included as appropriate. Holographic representations of the controls on related equipment could further improve safety and reduce costs for skilled operators who could use holographic representations of controls for remotely located equipment.

[0066] In a related exemplary application, the results of genome resequencing could be used directly in realtime to build or modify holographic representations of a genome, using holographic representations of the results from robotic resequencing equipment connected to components equivalent to 30 and 35, or EMR 26 in lieu of 35, in FIGS. 2, 3, and 9. This could be two wayholographic sequencing components could be used with virtual controls to analyze the holographic genome for further sequencing using EMR emission and detection. Holographic display of genomes would be useful in analyzing the structure as well as the function of the genome. The emission and detection of EMR by holograms would allow exchange of information among displayed holograms and/or the Command Object without the motion detector. Emission and detection would be accomplished through the CPU 10 and the Holographic Display Unit 30 (FIG. 9).

[0067] It should be further understood that the H2CI for local system 100 is not limited to the control of external systems, but may also be used as a direct interface for a computer, computer system, computer network or the like. The H2CI for local system 100 allows the user to interact with holograms of objects of interest directly, for viewing, arranging for design purposes, editing and the like, particularly for applications running on the local system, including conventional computer applications, simulations and the like. Such control of conventional computer applications would allow the user to manipulate virtual controls and objects for the local system as well as virtual controls and objects for external systems, whether locally or remotely located, through the same interface (FIG. 6).

[0068] Further, the H2CI for local system 100 provides the user with the capability to directly manipulate holograms that represent controls on systems, whether physical or not, that are external to the computer (external systems) using the interface (local system). For example, in FIG. 7, the user is not manipulating a hologram of the robotic arm 110 (external system), but is rather manipulating a hologram 116 of the object 115 being manipulated by the robotic arm. The Command Object, the user's hand, is being tracked by motion detector 35, which is sending signals through the CPU (in realtime, without human intervention) to the external system 110, causing the robotic arm to move. Sensors 28 on the robotic arm 110 (FIG. 7) provide feedback regarding its position relative to the object 115. This is one use of the local system 100 in controlling an external system 110. It should be further understood that the external system may be another computer or computerized system, such that the external control corresponds to external software control, thus forming a remote H2CI for the remote computer or computerized system.

[0069] It should be further understood that the remote external system, such as the exemplary robotic arm 110 of FIG. 7 or the physical control 120 of FIG. 9, may include sensors 28, transmitters or any other necessary or desired auxiliary or peripheral equipment, or may be in communication with such at the remote location. Using the example of FIG. 7, as the user's hand 17 moves toward the hologram of the object 116, the robotic arm 110 moves toward the actual object 115. In addition to having the local system 100 track the relative location of the user's hand 17 with respect to the hologram of the object 116 via 35 and the pressure of the user's hand on 116 via EMR detection and emission 26 FIG. 9, additional external sensors 28 (FIG. 7 and FIG. 9) may be used to track the position of the robotic arm 110 relative to the physical object 115, as well as translating the hand movements into actual physical pressure on the object 115. The addition of sensors as described in the foregoing is exemplary and would apply to any system for which such control was desired, as in remote operation of robotic system, remote operation of construction equipment, or remote operation of transport systems (FIG. 9).

[0070] It should be further understood that feedback from external systems may be displayed in hologram 25 (as in, for example, FIG. 3). An exemplary scenario, in a nuclear power plant, notification of abnormal conditions such as overheating may be displayed as a hologram of the affected component, with accompanying audio, textual, and/or visual cues to draw attention to the problem, including recommended corrective action. Such feedback would be especially useful in complex environments such as the control center of a nuclear power plant, a plane, or a ship where multiple abnormal conditions may appear at the same time.

[0071] In the above example of a nuclear power plant, when a component is detected to be outside normal parameters it must be dealt with immediately. As was discovered with Three Mile Island, when one component fails it may start a cascade of failing components. Interpreting the multiple alerts may require more time than is safe for prioritizing and responding, as happened with Three Mile Island. Displaying holograms of failing components, including their physical location relative to each other, with audio, textual, and/or visual cues to indicate priority and corrective action alleviates the problem. In current displays, displaying such complex information requires multiple flat screens and limits an integrated display of the failing components with related cues and actions easily comprehended by operators. Operators using such an integrated interactive holographic display are able to respond by touching the displayed hologram as indicated by the cue accompanying the hologram of the failing component. Feedback using EMR could be used to confirm the touch. Further, virtual controls may be displayed for each failing component to allow the operators to take corrective action using the familiar controls for the component. This means that properly interpreting the touch (i.e., type of motion) is crucial, so that unintended touches (motions) are distinguished under computer control, automatically, in realtime, without human intervention. The hologram of the failing component (as represented by 50 in FIG. 9) may be displayed in its actual size or scaled for convenience, including controls (levers, buttons, wheels, or replicas of physical flat screen displays as represented by 60 in FIG. 9) used for controlling the physical component.

[0072] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.