Abstract: An optical assembly for detecting an optical signal from a signal source in systems where the intensity of the optical signal may surpass the operational range of the optical detector being used. The optical assembly includes an optical detector for converting the optical input signal into a corresponding electrical output signal. The optical detector has a set operational range of input signal intensities. An attenuator is disposed between the optical detector and the signal source. The attenuator is capable of reducing the signal intensity of the optical signal if required so that the optical signal falls within the operational range of the optical detector. A controller is electronically coupled to both the optical detector and the attenuator. The controller controls the attenuator as a function of the output signal of the optical detector, wherein the attenuator attenuates the optical signal to fall within the operational range of the optical detector.

Abstract: A mouseless, optical and position translation type screen pointer control images a portion of the texture or fingerprint on one of the user's digits, which may be a thumb or a finger. Motion of the digit produces motion of the image that is detected by a movement sensor and is translated into corresponding motion of the screen pointer. The digit is placed onto an end of a rod lens that either extends upward amongst the keys: say, proximate the junction of the "H", "J", "Y" and "U" keys; or, horizontally outward from the front edge of the keyboard. As the image "moves" within the movement sensor a portion of it disappears from the field of view, and is replaced with other image patterns. A sufficiently changed image is maintained as a new current image, which then itself changes, and so on. A comparison between a reference frame (previous image) and the current frame (present image) allows detection of the amount and direction of image motion.

Abstract: A scanning microscope includes a multiple point source producing device for producing a plurality of point sources arranged in an orderly array or focal points equivalent thereto; a scanning device for scanning in small regions into which the point sources or the focal points are divided; a plurality of minute apertures located at positions conjugate with the point sources or the focal points; a light-receiving device composed of a plurality of light-receiving elements for independently receiving light transmitted through the minute apertures; and a specimen image producing device for forming an image of a specimen in accordance with the amount of deflection caused by the scanning device and a signal received by the light-receiving device. In this way, the scanning microscope in which illumination efficiency is good and a real-time observation can be made is provide.