The subject disclosure is directed towards using timing and/or relative depth data to reduce false positives in gesture detection within a depth-sensed region. Depth camera data is processed to position a cursor over a displayed representation of a control. If the user's hand hovers over the control for a threshold time period, and then changes hand depth a relative amount (e.g., pushes the hand forward a delta amount), an event is fired. The displayed representation of the control may change (e.g., enlarge) upon hovering. The relative depth may be computed based upon the depth when the user hand initially enters the control area. The relative depth may remain the same if the user pulls the hand away from the camera by tracking the maximum depth and firing the event when the maximum depth value minus the current depth value reaches a delta value.
Depth camera-based relative gesture detection