1 : A three-dimensional virtual-touch human-machine interface system comprising: a three-dimensional object sensor configured to detect a position of a user object within a first three-dimensional space; a three-dimensional display configured to display an image within a second three-dimensional space, said image having an active region; and a computer coupled to said sensor and said display, configured to map said position of said user object within a third three-dimensional space, configured to map a position of said active region within said third three-dimensional space, and configured to determine when said positions of said user object and said active region of said image are substantially coincident within said third three-dimensional space.