HoloTouch, Atlantex, introduce touchless holographic interface

Fully functional touchless holographic interface lets operators enter commands and data into a wide range of electronic equipment by simply passing a finger through holographic images of "keys" floating in the air at a convenient location.

By Control Engineering Staff September 9, 2004

Fully functional touchless holographic interface lets operators enter commands and data into a wide range of electronic equipment by simply passing a finger through holographic images of “keys” floating in the air at a convenient location. The device, announced recently by HoloTouch Inc . and Atlantex Corp ., is powered by, and delivers data to the USB or other port of, a standard PC.

BeamOne from Atlantex Corp. uses the HoloTouch technology to generate images of controls that appear to float in the air. Interface is suited for applications where mechanical switches are not rugged enough, sterilization or hygiene is an issue, or the user interface needs to be bigger than the device.

BeamOne from Atlantex Corp. uses the HoloTouch technology to generate images of controls that appear to float in thin air. The device operates as a simple 4-button keypad. The buttons appear approximately 4-in. in front of the device. Programmable unit comes with all necessary software and IR sensors to detect an operator’s interaction with the floating holographic images.

The user touches the spots where the buttons appear to be to activate them and perform a variety of control functions. The interface is suited for applications where mechanical switches are not rugged enough, sterilization or hygiene is an issue, or the user interface needs to be bigger than the device.

Says R. Douglas McPheters, president of HoloTouch Inc., “This compact new device demonstrates there are no practical barriers to using our innovative touchless holographic actuation and control technology in a wide variety of electronic equipment, including those sold in the automotive, banking, factory floor, gaming, kiosk…markets, just to name a few.”

Technology for the device was developed and patented by McPheters in 2002. Click here to read the earlier Control Engineering announcement about the development. For more information about the BeamOne, including detailed specifications, click here .

—Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com