Enhanced hygiene realized via non-contact gesture operation

This gesture user-interface from Hitachi Consumer Electronics includes sensors that detect hand movement over the display to enable operation of on-screen menus, etc. The front of the display has built-in infrared illumination and 3D camera devices to enable sensing of hand position and movement by measuring the time it takes for infrared light to be reflected. Using this gesture recognition technology in conjunction with software to move menus and objects around a screen promises a variety of practical applications. For example, moving the hand to the right to move menu items in the same direction provides more of an intuitive feel to on-screen operations by harmonizing the interface with hand gestures. And since the display does not have to be touched, the level of hygiene offered by this technology is greatly enhanced, which of course, is a very important consideration for user interfaces that are set up in public places.

Intuitive operation with up, down, left and right movement, as well as forward and backward motion sensing

The system not only detects up, down, left and right movement but also hand motion toward or away from the screen. For example, moving the hand closer to the screen enables forward motion in a map to bring information up front while conversely, moving the hand away shifts images into the back of the map. This kind "depth" or the forward and backward retrieval of data on a screen is an important element of the gesture interface. And since the demonstration at this year's CEATEC Japan proposed application in public places, Hitachi set up a virtual walk-through of a town on-screen where users could move freely about, as well as a demonstration of a building floor directory displaying floor information at finger point that visitors were welcome to try out. Hitachi has predicted that this type of non-contact interface will have significant potential in a range of different fields including education, business, amusement, broadcasting, and medical treatment. The booth also featured a demonstration of a screen employing this gesture interface to manipulate a CT scan image.

Booth number: 1A01