Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method of providing device inputs. The method includes illuminating hand gestures performed via a bare hand of a user in a foreground of a background surface with at least one infrared (IR) light source. The method also includes generating a first plurality of silhouette images associated with the bare hand based on an IR light contrast between the bare hand and the background surface and generating a second plurality of silhouette images associated with the bare hand based on an IR light contrast between the bare hand and the background surface. The method also includes determining a plurality of three-dimensional features of the bare hand relative to the background surface based on a parallax separation of the bare hand in the first plurality of silhouette images relative to the second plurality of silhouette images.

Abstract: A three-dimensional control apparatus including a casing, the casing including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being opposite to the second surface; and a three-dimensional (3D) controller including a first cap actuator, the first cap actuator including a first rounded control surface, at least a portion of the first rounded control surface extending beyond the first surface of the casing; a second cap actuator, the second cap actuator including a second rounded control surface, at least a portion of the second rounded control surface extending beyond the first surface of the casing, the first rounded control surface being aligned with the second rounded control surface; a first sensor to detect force on the first cap actuator; and a second cap sensor to detect force on the second cap actuator.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for executing and interpreting gesture inputs in a gesture recognition interface system. The method includes detecting and translating a first sub-gesture into a first device input that defines a given reference associated with a portion of displayed visual content. The method also includes detecting and translating a second sub-gesture into a second device input that defines an execution command for the portion of the displayed visual content to which the given reference refers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional control apparatus including a casing, the casing including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being opposite to the second surface; and a three-dimensional (3D) controller including a first cap actuator, the first cap actuator including a first rounded control surface, at least a portion of the first rounded control surface extending beyond the first surface of the casing; a second cap actuator, the second cap actuator including a second rounded control surface, at least a portion of the second rounded control surface extending beyond the first surface of the casing, the first rounded control surface being aligned with the second rounded control surface; a first sensor to detect force on the first cap actuator; and a second cap sensor to detect force on the second cap actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle has a personnel compartment including a necessary driving volume. A deployable display apparatus provides a plurality of visual display units to a vehicle. The vehicle has a personnel compartment including a necessary driving volume. At least one display housing is provided. Each display housing is configured to support at least one visual display unit. The visual display unit is configured to selectively provide visual information to an operator. At least one mounting arm has spaced-apart first and second arm ends. The first arm end is stationary relative to a base surface. The second arm end is attached to the display housing. The mounting arm is configured to selectively move the display housing between stowed and deployed positions such that at least one display housing, when in the deployed position, at least partially occupies the necessary driving volume, and the display housing, when in the stowed position, is wholly outside the necessary driving volume.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an integrated patient room having multiple features designed to enhance the safety, satisfaction and/or outcomes for a patient and/or caregiver. In one embodiment, the integrated patient room comprises at least one bed and at least one chair. The bed and the chair can each assume a wide range of positions, and can be pre-programmed into preferred positions. Further, the bed, chair, and/or other components in the patient room may be automatically synchronized with one another to facilitate transfer of a patient. A touch screen monitor with an intuitive graphical user interface may be employed as a communication portal. The functions of the bed, chair and/or other components in the room may be accessed and/or controlled through the communication portal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for executing and interpreting gesture inputs in a gesture recognition interface system. The method includes detecting and translating a first sub-gesture into a first device input that defines a given reference associated with a portion of displayed visual content. The method also includes detecting and translating a second sub-gesture into a second device input that defines an execution command for the portion of the displayed visual content to which the given reference refers.

Abstract: A vehicle has a personnel compartment including a necessary driving volume. A deployable display apparatus provides a plurality of visual display units to a vehicle. The vehicle has a personnel compartment including a necessary driving volume. At least one display housing is provided. Each display housing is configured to support at least one visual display unit. The visual display unit is configured to selectively provide visual information to an operator. At least one mounting arm has spaced-apart first and second arm ends. The first arm end is stationary relative to a base surface. The second arm end is attached to the display housing. The mounting arm is configured to selectively move the display housing between stowed and deployed positions such that at least one display housing, when in the deployed position, at least partially occupies the necessary driving volume, and the display housing, when in the stowed position, is wholly outside the necessary driving volume.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method of providing device inputs. The method includes illuminating hand gestures performed via a bare hand of a user in a foreground of a background surface with at least one infrared (IR) light source. The method also includes generating a first plurality of silhouette images associated with the bare hand based on an IR light contrast between the bare hand and the background surface and generating a second plurality of silhouette images associated with the bare hand based on an IR light contrast between the bare hand and the background surface. The method also includes determining a plurality of three-dimensional features of the bare hand relative to the background surface based on a parallax separation of the bare hand in the first plurality of silhouette images relative to the second plurality of silhouette images.