Abstract: A system for generating position information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data can be collected in many different ways and may include using a retroreflector as the reflector. The two sets of image data are used to generate position information related to the reflector. In particular, position information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two set of image data. Because one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data, the difference between the two sets of image data gives a definitive indication of the reflector's position.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a moveable puck that is capable of moving over a surface in a puck field of motion. The surface includes a detent feature defined within the puck field of motion for engaging with a detent feature of the moveable puck.

Abstract: A system for generating orientation information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data are collected using at least one reflector with some orientation-specific characteristic or a reflector integrated into a device that includes some orientation-specific structural feature. Once collected, the two sets of image data are used to generate orientation information related to the reflector. In particular, orientation information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two sets of image data.

Abstract: An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.

Abstract: A system for generating position information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data can be collected in many different ways and may include using a retroreflector as the reflector. The two sets of image data are used to generate position information related to the reflector. In particular, position information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two set of image data. Because one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data, the difference between the two sets of image data gives a definitive indication of the reflector's position.

Abstract: A system for generating position information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data can be collected in many different ways and may include using a retroreflector as the reflector. The two sets of image data are used to generate position information related to the reflector. In particular, position information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two set of image data. Because one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data, the difference between the two sets of image data gives a definitive indication of the reflector's position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent distributed analyses of images including capturing the images and analyzing the captured images, where feature information is extracted from the captured images. The extracted feature information is used in determining whether a predefined condition is met, and the extracted feature information is transmitted for further analysis when the predefined condition is met. The extracted feature information is stored and is used to generate statistical information related to the extracted feature information. Further, additional feature information is provided from other databases to implement further analysis including an event detection or recognition. Accordingly, distributed intelligent analyses of images is provided for analyzing captured images to efficiently and effectively implement event detection or recognition.

Abstract: A system for generating orientation information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data are collected using at least one reflector with some orientation-specific characteristic or a reflector integrated into a device that includes some orientation-specific structural feature. Once collected, the two sets of image data are used to generate orientation information related to the reflector. In particular, orientation information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two sets of image data.

Abstract: A system for generating orientation information includes a reflector, an image collection system, and a processor. The image collection system is configured to collect at least two sets of image data, where one set of image data includes a stronger indication of the reflector than the other set of image data. The two sets of image data are collected using at least one reflector with some orientation-specific characteristic or a reflector integrated into a device that includes some orientation-specific structural feature. Once collected, the two sets of image data are used to generate orientation information related to the reflector. In particular, orientation information related to the reflector is generated by taking the difference between the two sets of image data.

Abstract: An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent distributed analyses of images including capturing the images and analyzing the captured images, where feature information is extracted from the captured images. The extracted feature information is used in determining whether a predefined condition is met, and the extracted feature information is transmitted for further analysis when the predefined condition is met. The extracted feature information is stored and is used to generate statistical information related to the extracted feature information. Further, additional feature information is provided from other databases to implement further analysis including an event detection or recognition. Accordingly, distributed intelligent analyses of images is provided for analyzing captured images to efficiently and effectively implement event detection or recognition.

Abstract: An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.

Abstract: An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent distributed analyses of images including capturing the images and analyzing the captured images, where feature information is extracted from the captured images. The extracted feature information is used in determining whether a predefined condition is met, and the extracted feature information is transmitted for further analysis when the predefined condition is met. The extracted feature information is stored and is used to generate statistical information related to the extracted feature information. Further, additional feature information is provided from other databases to implement further analysis including an event detection or recognition. Accordingly, distributed intelligent analyses of images is provided for analyzing captured images to efficiently and effectively implement event detection or recognition.

Abstract: A pointing device having a laser in a handheld housing is disclosed. The laser generates a light beam that exits the housing. A beam steering assembly causes the light beam to move relative to the housing. The pointer includes a housing orientation sensor that measures the orientation of the housing. A controller operates the beam steering assembly to compensate for changes in the housing orientation. Embodiments based on housing orientation sensors constructed from a gyroscope and a camera are described. In addition to stabilizing the light beam location, embodiments in which the beam steering assembly also causes the light beam to execute a fixed pattern can also be constructed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pupil detection are described. First light is emitted from a first light source at a first illumination angle relative to the axis of a detector. Second light is emitted from a second light source at a second illumination angle relative to the axis. The first light and the second light can have substantially equal intensities. The second illumination angle is greater than the first illumination angle. Reflected first light and reflected second light are received at the detector. The difference between the reflected first light and the reflected second light can be determined. The difference can be used to detect the pupils of a subject's eyes.

Abstract: An optical navigation system, e.g. optical mouse, determines optical navigation quality by examining some or all of the photosensors of a frame or monitoring intermediate or final results of the motion estimation system. The optical navigation quality is then used to determine the navigation output produced by the optical navigation system.

Abstract: An input device comprises a light source, a light modulator, and a sensor. The light modulator is configured to emit a path of light. The light modulator is arranged relative to the light source transversely across the path of light to produce a light contrast pattern from the light modulator. The sensor module is configured to detect relative motion between the light contrast pattern and the sensor module.

Abstract: Eye detection is used as the basis for providing power management or other variations of operational parameters of a controlled device. The system includes an imager and eye detection processing which cooperate to detect light received from a person's eye. The eye detection processing generates an output that can be used for determinations regarding presence of one or more persons or presence of a specific person. This output is used as the basis for switching the controlled device between at least two power consumption states. Eye detection may also be used to allow a person to actively adjust operational conditions of the controlled device, since unnatural eye blinking patterns may be associated with particular commands.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pupil detection are described. First light is emitted from a first light source at a first illumination angle relative to the axis of a detector. Second light is emitted from a second light source at a second illumination angle relative to the axis. The first light and the second light can have substantially equal intensities. The second illumination angle is greater than the first illumination angle. Reflected first light and reflected second light are received at the detector. The difference between the reflected first light and the reflected second light can be determined. The difference can be used to detect the pupils of a subject's eyes.