Abstract: A system for generating position information includes a computing device and a position determination system that is configured to determine the position of a passive pointing element. In an embodiment, the position determination system is integrated into the computing device and includes two detectors that determine the linear or angular position of the passive pointing element, from which triangulation is used to identify the two dimensional position of the passive pointing element. Because the triangulation detectors determine the linear or angular position of the passive pointing element without active input from the passive pointing element, the passive pointing element can be unpowered and untethered.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device determines a position of a user-controlled object within a virtual mouse region. The ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic transmitter, spatially separated ultrasonic receivers and a processor. The ultrasonic transmitter produces an ultrasonic pulse and radiates the ultrasonic pulse into the virtual mouse region. The ultrasonic receivers receive a reflected ultrasonic pulse reflected from the user-controlled object within the virtual mouse region and produce respective reflected ultrasonic signals in response thereto. The processor determines the position of the user-controlled object within the virtual mouse region based on the reflected ultrasonic signals, and generates a position signal indicative of the position.

Abstract: A biometric identification device includes a biometric sensor, an encryption factor, and a microprocessor. The biometric sensor is operable to sense a biometric characteristic from a user and to generate data representing the biometric characteristic. The microprocessor is coupled to the biometric sensor and is operable to generate a user key based on the biometric characteristic and the encryption factor.

Abstract: A switch for controlling a lighting device includes a contact surface, a light source, and an optical navigation sensor. The contact surface includes a generally transparent zone and is configured for removably receiving a fingertip adjacent to the transparent zone. The light source is configured to illuminate the transparent zone of the contact surface. The optical navigation sensor is configured to sense relative motion of the illuminated fingertip at the transparent zone to modify a function of a lighting device external to the light switch based on the relative motion.

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: 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: An imaging system includes an image sensor, a first light source on-axis with the image sensor, and a controller. The image sensor is configured to generate an image of a field of view including a retroreflector. The first light source is configured to illuminate the retroreflector, and the controller is configured to output the image and location data for the retroreflector.

Abstract: A text entry system enables efficient entry of characters on an electronic device. The electronic device includes a display for displaying characters, an input device moveable between selectable positions and a processor operable to map a first one of the selectable positions and a second one of the selectable positions to an entered character.

Abstract: An image processing system uses centralized image correction data to process digital images. The image processing system includes a centralized database for storing image correction data for imaging devices. An image processor that receives image data representing an image captured by one of the imaging devices accesses the centralized database with a key associated with the imaging device to retrieve the image correction data for the imaging device. The image processor processes the image data using the retrieved image correction data to correct the image data by reducing various noise components in the image.

Abstract: A reflector and a powerless signal generator mechanism are incorporated into a single powerless pointing device. A light source generates a light signal, and the reflector incorporated within the powerless pointing device reflects the light signal back to a image collection system of a computer. Image data is generated, and is used to generate position data relating to the position of the reflector. The position is correlated to a position on a graphical user interface. A user action activates the powerless signal generator mechanism, generating a signal. The signal can be, for example, in the form of a sound pulse having one or more predetermined frequencies or an RF signal generated by a piezo-electric transducer.

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 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: Input devices and methods of operating the same are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a housing, a display screen, a main input device, a wireless receiver, a carrier bay, and an auxiliary input device. The main input device translates user manipulations of the main input device into control signals. The auxiliary input device is sized and arranged to be carried in and attached to the carrier bay in a docked state and detached from the carrier bay in an undocked state. In the undocked state, the auxiliary input device translates user manipulations of the auxiliary input device into control signals and wirelessly transmits the control signals for reception by the wireless receiver. In the docked state, the auxiliary input device is unresponsive to user manipulations of the auxiliary input device.

Abstract: An optical pointing device comprising an optical navigation sensor and an adjustment module for adjusting an operational height of the optical navigation sensor is provided in one embodiment. In another embodiment, an optical pointing device comprising a housing and an optical navigation sensor contained in the housing is provided where the optical navigation sensor is configured to provide movement information to a processing system to cause a pointer to continue moving in response to detecting that the housing has been lifted from a navigation surface.

Abstract: A system and method detecting fissile material. According to one embodiment, a detector includes an array of active pixel sensors wherein each active pixel sensor operable to integrate a charge generated by radiation that is incident upon the active pixel sensor by using a charge-sensing element during an integration phase. Then, a voltage signal is generated that is based upon the integrated charge intensity during a readout phase. After reading out the voltage signal during the readout phase, the active pixel sensor is reset ready to integrate again. The integration phase is typically set to a time interval that is optimal for detecting radiation from fissile material, and the system is typically able to count individual events occurring in an integration period, and to digitally sum these event counts to measure rate of radiation events.

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 method and apparatus for detecting a location of an eye of a user using an automated detection process, and automatically determining a position of a head of the user with respect to an object based on the detected location of the eye. A location of an eye of a user inside a vehicle is detected using the automated detection process, at least one of height and orientation information of the user is automatically determined based on the detected location of the eye, and a mechanical device inside the vehicle is controlled in accordance with the determined information. Moreover, an eye blinking pattern of a user is detected using an infrared reflectivity of an eye of the user, and messages are transmitted from the user in accordance with the detected eye blinking pattern of the user.

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: Two or more spatial filters are used in determining velocity based on speckle translation. A light source may be turned on, turned off, or both for a variable amount of time during operation. The velocity may then be determined with trend identification, correlation, recursive frequency estimation, or measurement bandwidth variation. A confidence level may also be calculated for the measured velocity, and the measured velocity reported or used only when the calculated confidence level meets or exceeds a given value.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a base surface. The pointing device includes a moveable puck confined to move over the base surface within a puck field of motion. The pointing device includes a position detector for identifying a position of the puck. The pointing device includes a first light source for providing visible light through the puck.