HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY AND CONTROLS APPLIED TO GAS INSTALLATIONS

• US 20070183012A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olivier Cadet, Omar Germouni, Thomas Parias
• Original Assignee: Olivier Cadet, Omar Germouni, Thomas Parias
• Inventors: Parias, Thomas, Germouni, Omar, Cadet, Olivier
• Granted Patent: US 7,724,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/35
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0005 Adaptation of holography to specific applications holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/22 Processes or apparatus for obtaining an optical image from holograms G03H1/26 - G03H1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0061 in haptic applications when the observer interacts with the holobject
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2210/63 Environment affecting the recording, e.g. underwater G03H2001/0432 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for holographic control and monitoring of processing devices. Operator control of a processing device is indicated by interaction with a holographic image. The holographic image is generated, and the operator interaction is detected, by a holographic control system. The holographic control system is sealed to prevent explosions, corrosion, and contamination resulting from contact with external substances.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a holographic generator configured to display holographic controls for one or more devices of a processing facility;

an input detector configured to receive user input indicative of user interaction with the holographic controls; and

control circuitry configured to issue control signal responsive to the user input, wherein the control signals operate the one or more devices of the processing facility.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more devices controlled by interaction with the holographic controls are selected from at least one of a valve, a pump, a compressor, a heater, and a fan.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor to activate the holographic generator when an operator wearing a radio-activated tag is within a predetermined operating range of the proximity sensor.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the radio-activated tag worn by the operator is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing enclosing the holographic generator in order to seal the holographic generator from the ambient environment.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light source configured to illuminate a target device of the one or more devices, the target device being selected according to the user input.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the holographic generator is secured as a fixture in a given location of the processing facility.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said holographic generator is further configured to display the status of one or more devices of the processing facility.

9. A system, comprising:

a device in a processing facility;

a device controller configured to control the device;

a stationary wireless communication module in communication the device controller; and

a portable control device, comprising;

a holographic generator configured to display holographic controls for the device;

an input detector configured to receive user input indicative of user interaction with the holographic controls; and

a wireless communication module configured to issue control

signals to the wireless communication module responsive to the user input, wherein the control signals cause the device controller to operate the device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more devices controlled by interaction with the holographic controls are selected from at least one of a valve, a pump, a compressor, a heater, and a fan.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a proximity sensor to activate the holographic generator when an operator wearing a radio-activated tag is within a predetermined operating range of the proximity sensor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the radio-activated tag worn by the operator is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising a housing enclosing the holographic generator in order to seal the holographic generator from the ambient environment.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said holographic generator is further configured to display the status of the device.

15. A method for providing a holographic control interface, comprising:

generating the holographic control interface, wherein the holographic control interface includes one or more holographic controls for at least one device of a processing facility;

detecting an operator interaction with the one or more holographic controls; and

issuing one or more control signals responsive to the detected operator interaction, the control signal configured to operate the at least one device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one device controlled by the one or more control signals is selected from a control valve, a pump, a compressor, a heater, and a fan.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said operator interaction is made by the placement of a finger relative to the one or more holographic controls.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said holographic control interface includes one or more displays of the status of the at least one device controlled by the one or more control signals.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising illuminating the device during a period when the operator interaction with the one or more holographic controls is detected.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the holographic control interface comprises first selecting the holographic control interface from a plurality of holographic control interfaces according to a selection of the device from a plurality of devices.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said plurality of holographic control interfaces is stored in a database.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said database is a remote database accessed by a wireless communication link.

23. A system, comprising:

a holographic generator configured to display holographic controls for one or more devices of a processing facility;

an input detector configured to receive user input indicative of user interaction with the holographic controls;

control circuitry configured to issue control signal responsive to the user input, wherein the control signals operate the one or more devices of the processing facility;

a proximity sensor to activate the holographic generator when an operator wearing a radio-activated tag is within a predetermined operating range of the proximity sensor; and

a housing enclosing the holographic generator in order to seal the holographic generator from the ambient environment.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more devices controlled by interaction with the holographic controls are selected from at least one of a valve, a pump, a compressor, a heater, and a fan.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the radio-activated tag worn by the operator is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

26. The system of claim 23, further comprising a light source configured to illuminate a target device of the one or more devices, the target device being selected according to the user input.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein said holographic generator is further configured to display the status of one or more devices of the processing facility.