How Screens Change What They Show Based on Your Hand Distance

A method for changing the menu options shown on a screen depending on how close or far away your hand is hovering above it.

What it covers

This patent describes a way for a touch-sensitive interface to react to the 'hover' distance of a user's hand or finger. Instead of just knowing where you are touching, the system uses sensors to track the vertical distance (how far your hand is from the screen) and horizontal position (where your hand is over the screen). As you move your hand closer or further away, the interface automatically switches between different levels of a menu hierarchy. For example, if your hand is at a 'first distance,' the screen shows a high-level menu; if you move your hand to a 'second distance,' the screen replaces those options with more specific sub-commands without you ever needing to tap the glass.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover standard touchscreens that only detect contact (x,y coordinates) without measuring vertical distance (z-axis).
• —Does not cover voice-activated command systems.
• —Does not cover systems that rely solely on eye-tracking to determine menu selection.
• —Does not cover simple proximity sensors that only turn a screen on or off without changing the displayed content hierarchy.

The clever bit

The system treats the empty space above the screen as an active input layer, using the 'z-axis' (vertical distance) as a navigation tool to drill down into hierarchical menus without requiring physical contact or clicks.

Why it matters

This technology aims to reduce screen clutter by hiding complex menu options until the user moves their hand closer, effectively creating a 'depth-based' user interface. It is relevant for automotive dashboard displays or specialized industrial control panels where users need to navigate complex software without taking their eyes off a task or touching the screen repeatedly.

Real-world examples

• 1.Advanced automotive infotainment systems with hover-sensitive touchscreens
• 2.Industrial control panels for machinery
• 3.Touchless kiosks in sterile environments