Abstract: An operation input device for a vehicle includes: a first operation unit for executing an operation of an in-vehicle device on the vehicle; and a second operation unit for executing a negative operation of the in-vehicle device so that the operation of the in-vehicle device is cancelled. An operation direction of the second operation unit has a directional component. The directional component of the operation direction of the second operation unit is opposite to an extending direction of an arm of a user, who sits down on a predetermined seat. The user extends the arm along with the extending direction in order to touch the operation input device.

Abstract: An aspect provides an information handling device, including: one or more processors; a memory device that stores instructions executed by the one or more processors; and a housing that contains the one or more processors and the memory device; the housing having a substantially rectangular shape with a length and height dimension that exceed a width dimension; and the housing further comprising a shaped pen dock running along an end of the housing defining the width dimension. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A pointing stick includes: an operation member, which is provided to operate a movement of a cursor displayed on a screen of an information processing device: and an attachment member, which supports the operation member to be stood, wherein an attachment leg is protruded from the operation member and is inserted through an insertion hole formed in the attachment member when assembling the pointing stick, and wherein the attachment leg is fixed to not protrude from a back face of the attachment member, which is opposite to an front face on which the operation member stands, after assembling the pointing stick.

Abstract: Disclosed are a head-mounted display apparatus and a contents display method. The head-mounted display apparatus includes: a mobile device tracing information processing unit for receiving position information or orientation information of a mobile device and generating tracing information of the mobile device based on the received position information or orientation information of the mobile device; a gesture processing unit for receiving input information of the mobile device and generating gesture information to change an output format of contents by using the received input information; a rendering unit for generating a predetermined virtually augmented contents image based on the tracing information of the mobile device and the gesture information; and a display unit for displaying the generated virtually augmented contents image.

Abstract: Cockpit controls designed for a at least two pilots and automation. Duplications of controls: sticks and control columns move along the same position path in unison with other sets of controls electronically based on a plurality of parallel processed parameters allowing two pilots to assist each other effectively with the ability of one pilot to override the other for effective monitoring and control in normal and emergency situations.

Abstract: Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Input device has a touch sensitive input surface with a sensor for detecting the position of an object touching the input surface, an interface for transferring sensor data and a device for producing haptically detectable feedback, which is designed to move the input surface, which is mounted so as to be movable along an axis.

Abstract: A three-dimensional control apparatus including a casing, the casing including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being opposite to the second surface; and a three-dimensional (3D) controller including a first cap actuator, the first cap actuator including a first rounded control surface, at least a portion of the first rounded control surface extending beyond the first surface of the casing; a second cap actuator, the second cap actuator including a second rounded control surface, at least a portion of the second rounded control surface extending beyond the first surface of the casing, the first rounded control surface being aligned with the second rounded control surface; a first sensor to detect force on the first cap actuator; and a second cap sensor to detect force on the second cap actuator.

Abstract: An input module is mounted on a portable electronic device and has a sensing substrate and a cover lens mounted on a top surface of the sensing substrate, a physical switch mounted on and electrically connected to a bottom surface of the sensing substrate, and a flexible bridging board having two opposite short sides respectively protruding from two short sides of the sensing substrate for the two short sides of the flexible bridging board to be mounted on the electronic device. As the two short sides of the input module are mounted on the electronic device and a lever arm between a pressed point to a fixed point of the input module is shortened, a torque applied to the input module is lowered and the input module is not easily deformed.

Abstract: A touch panel including multiple electrodes is provided. The electrodes form a sensing area and are disposed on a same plane. The sensing area has a first border and a second border that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The electrodes include one parallelogram electrode. The parallelogram electrode has two first sides parallel to the first border and two second sides parallel to neither the first border nor the second border.

Abstract: An input device includes: a main body portion having one surface; a movable portion having a contact surface formed in the one surface of the main body portion, is operated through the contact surface and is movable relative to the main body portion; a supporting portion that is provided in the main body portion and movably supports the movable portion; an applying portion that applies a force to move the movable portion; a determining unit that detects whether there is a contact with the contact surface of the movable portion and determines a state-of-contact whether the contact surface is in contact state or in non-contact state; a controller that controls the applying portion to move the movable portion to a predetermined position when the determined state-of-contact changes from contact state to non-contact state; and an output unit that detects and outputs the amount of movement of the movable portion relative to the main body portion while the determined state-of-contact, and does not output the amount

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus, includes a power management controller configured to perform power management of the apparatus, a power supply circuit configured to supply an operational power to components of the apparatus using power supplied from a rechargeable battery, and a power supply controller configured to control the circuit in response to a request from the power management controller. The power supply controller is coupled to two or more switches, and is configured to cause the power management controller to execute an initialization process in response to a first operation of the two or more switches.

Abstract: A manifestation of user frustration associated with an action currently being performed by an apparatus is detected. The action is modified so as to alleviate the user frustration. The apparatus determines whether the modification to the action results in alleviating the user frustration, and may store data that causes the modification to the action to be subsequently performed.

Abstract: A Sin-Cos sensor arrangement comprises a Sin-Cos sensor operably coupled to signal processing logic via a hardware interface. The hardware interface is arranged to provide the signal processing logic with analog sine and cosine waveforms indicative of fine position data and binary counterparts of the analog sine and cosine waveforms (Phase_A and Phase_B) indicative of rough position data. The signal processing logic is arranged to determine a position and speed of the Sin-Cos sensor by compensating for inaccuracies between analog sine and cosine waveforms and their binary counterparts. In this manner, a fully software-based solution provides a fast, efficient and high accuracy position and speed estimation based on the processing of the analog sine and cosine signals and the digital representation thereof of the Sin-Cos sensor.

Abstract: A game controller, a game machine, and a game system including the game system. The game controller is a device for manipulating a game program, and at least a portion of a body portion of the game controller is deformable to have forms that are adapted to contents of a game. Accordingly, a physical sensation when a user plays a game may be improved.

Abstract: The lever is mounted such as to be capable of moving relative to a detector suitable for detecting lever movements and for sending electrical signals to a processing unit. The detector comprises an axially magnetized cylindrical magnet positioned according to the axis of rotation and selection of the lever corresponding to the selection of gears, and a sensor arranged opposite the magnet, such that the signal is independent of the angular position of the lever about the gear-selection axis.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which in a conventional non-grounding man-machine interface having no reaction base on the human body and for giving the existence of a virtual object and the impact force of a collision to a person, a haptic sensation of a torque, a force and the like can be continuously presented in the same direction, which can not be presented by only the physical characteristic of a haptic sensation presentation device. In a haptic presentation device, the rotation velocity of at least one rotator in the haptic presentation device is controlled by a control device, and a vibration, a force or a torque as the physical characteristic is controlled, so that the user is made to conceive various haptic information of the vibration, force, torque or the like.

Abstract: A user input device includes a housing, a user input element adapted to be operated by a user and configured to send a signal to a processor when operated by the user, and an actuator coupled to the user input element. The actuator is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a haptic effect to the user input element in response to the control signal from the processor. A vibration isolation barrier is disposed between the user input element and the housing, wherein the vibration isolation barrier substantially mechanically isolates the user input element from the housing. The user input element may be a joystick, button, or trigger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of detecting user initiated movement by an input element handled by a user is disclosed. The method may include performing a calibration procedure that is initiated by the user via a physical movement performed by the user. The method may also include positioning at least one sensor to dynamically adjust a size of an effective workspace range capable of detecting the user's movement of the input element.

Abstract: A computer input device with switchable operation modes includes a body, a printed-circuit-board (PCB), a processor, and two switches. Two function buttons are disposed on the body to be pressed to move back and forth; the PCB is disposed in the body; the processor and the switches are disposed on the PCB and electrically connected with each other. The processor outputs control signals corresponding to a first operation mode or a second operation mode to a computer. While the switches are respectively triggered by the pressing of the function buttons, triggering signals are transmitted to the processor simultaneously, so that the processor switches the first operation mode to the second operation mode; or the processor switches the second operation mode to the first operation mode.

Abstract: A user-interface for controlling a data processing system using a joystick includes a joystick for controlling input to the data processing system. The joystick has a pivoting component for assuming tilted positions by tilting in directions that lie in a reference plane associated with the component, and a sensor for sensing at succeeding sampling moments the direction corresponding to succeeding tilted positions of the component, and a difference determination device for determining a difference in direction between a first direction sensed at a first sampling moment and a second direction sensed at a second sampling moment after the first moment, and a parameter modifier for modifying a value of a parameter of the data processing system by adding or subtracting a difference value that depends upon the difference in direction.

Abstract: An unmanned systems operator control system includes a hand held controller with a set of switches and control enumeration software specially configured to report a superset of virtual switches based on the physical switches. A core unit includes a first unmanned system control application subscribing to a first switch subset of the superset and outputting commands controlling a first unmanned system based on activation of the set of switches. A second unmanned system control application subscribes to a second switch subset of the superset and outputs commands controlling a second unmanned system based on activation of the set of switches. A mode switching subsystem is configured, in a first state, to map the set of switches to the first switch subset and, in a second state, to map the set of switches to the second switch subset.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in a first embodiment of the invention as including a non-conductive substrate providing a first surface onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. A fingerprint sensing circuit is applied to a second surface of the non-conductive substrate opposite the first surface. The fingerprint sensing circuit is capable of sensing a fingerprint through the non-conductive substrate. A navigation device is positioned adjacent to (e.g., below) the non-conductive substrate and is capable of being manipulated by the user through the non-conductive substrate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a detection system and a corresponding method for detecting movements of a movable object that compensate for unintentional tilt movement of the movable object in a first direction and/or in a second direction when a linear movement in a third direction is detected.

Abstract: A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period.

Abstract: A tactile force sense presenting device of the present invention includes: an operation unit which includes an operation lever to be operated by an operator, and a movement guide surface which guides an input of a slide motion of the operation lever in the XY-planar direction and an input of a push-in motion of the operation lever in the Z-axis direction at a specific position on the XY-plane; a detection unit which detects the input of the slide motion of the operation lever in the XY-planar direction and the input of the push-in motion of the operation lever in the Z-axis direction; a calculation control unit which calculates a force corresponding to an operation of the operation lever, based on detection results of the detection unit; and a drive transmission unit which includes a driving unit including at least one actuator, and which causes, based on calculation results of the calculation control unit, the driving unit to generate a resistive force of the operation lever with respect to the input of the

Abstract: A system associated with a text entry application, such as email or instant messaging, comprises an optional onscreen representation of a circular keyboard, a list of potential linguistic object matches, and a message area where the selected words are entered. The circular keyboard is manipulated via a hardware joystick or game-pad with analog joystick or omni-directional rocker switch built therein. The user points the joystick in the general direction of the desired letter, and then continues pointing roughly to each letter in the desired word. Once all letters have been roughly selected, buttons are used to select a specific word from the list of potential matches and send the selected word to the message area.

Abstract: A exemplary key assembly for a handheld device includes one or more L-shaped key structures each having a first member configured to receive an input keystroke and a second member substantially orthogonal to the first member; and a frame configured to receive the one or more L-shaped key structures, the frame having a wall aligned with the second member of the key structure, with the wall further comprising a switch for each of the one or more L-shaped key structures associated with an inner surface of the wall, wherein each switch is associated with an actuator associated with the second member of the corresponding key structure such that depression of a given key structure causes the actuator of the second member of the key structure to engage the switch of the wall.

Abstract: To prevent a user from sensing change in feeling of operation of a pointing device. There is provided a computer system control method for controlling a computer system having a coordinate designation system for producing base data for calculating position coordinates, the method comprising the steps of obtaining the position coordinates calculated based on the base data; when a predetermined application program is activated from another application program, obtaining position coordinates notified by the other application program, and showing a designated position image on a display screen based on the position coordinates obtained; and when the predetermined application program is activated from an operating system, showing the designated position image on the display screen based on the position coordinates obtained at the step of obtaining the position coordinates.

Abstract: A key activation system for use in an electronic device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for performing video compression. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: encoding a plurality of video frames or portions thereof according to a first encoding format, the first encoding format being optimized for transmission to a client device over a current communication channel; transmitting the plurality of encoded video frames or portions to the client device over the communication channel; concurrently encoding the first plurality of video frames according to a second encoding format, the second encoding format having a relatively higher-quality compressed video and/or a lower compression ratio than the first encoding format; storing the first plurality of video frames encoded in the second encoding format on a storage device; and making the first plurality of video frames encoded in the second encoding format available to the client device and other client devices for playback of the video stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for misalignment compensation in optical joysticks is described. The optical joystick includes a light source, a plurality of photodetectors, and circuitry for controlling operation of the optical joystick. In some embodiments, each of the photodetectors may partitioned into a plurality of photodetector elements and select photodetector elements are configured to be individually activated in order to cause an electrical shifting of the selected photodetector elements to achieve a different operational alignment position of optical components of the optical joystick. In some embodiments, the light source may be similarly be calibrated by individually activating portions of a light-source array to cause an electrical shift. Various other embodiments and methods of operation are also described.

Abstract: A pointing device for a portable computer is disclosed. The pointing device includes an operation cover for covering a first and second pressure sensors. The pointing device also includes one front operation surface and two rear pressure faces. Detection axes are arranged in a vertical direction, and the pressure faces are so inclined that normal lines will approach each other above the operation surface. The operation surface is applied with depression pressure P1 including a horizontal component Ph and a vertical component Pv. Even when any position on the operation surface is pressed down, pressure P2a detected by the first pressure sensor becomes greater than pressure P3a detected by the second pressure sensor.

Abstract: Sound processing methods and apparatus are provided. A sound capture unit is configured to identify one or more sound sources. The sound capture unit generates data capable of being analyzed to determine a listening zone at which to process sound to the substantial exclusion of sounds outside the listening zone. Sound captured and processed for the listening zone may be used for interactivity with the computer program. The listening zone may be adjusted based on the location of a sound source. One or more listening zones may be pre-calibrated. The apparatus may optionally include an image capture unit configured to capture one or more image frames. The listening zone may be adjusted based on the image. A video game unit may be controlled by generating inertial, optical and/or acoustic signals with a controller and tracking a position and/or orientation of the controller using the inertial, acoustic and/or optical signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a position control apparatus using a joystick, capable of restricting motion of an object when pressure acting on the object is sensed and the pressure is applied thereto. The position control apparatus using a joystick includes a stick unit, a sensing unit, a motor, and a pressing unit. The stick unit includes a stick bar which is capable of rotating about a point between one end and the other end thereof when a load is applied to one end thereof. The sensing unit senses a rotation position of the stick unit. The motor is driven when pressure is measured by a pressure sensor. The pressing unit applies pressure to the stick bar by driving the motor in proportional to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor, so as to prevent the stick bar from rotating in an increasing direction of the pressure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communicating tactile messages to a user, such as a racecar driver, yacht crewmember, or other athlete. The system can include a tactile vest having tactile activators for conveying tactile messages to the user, including real time messages for helping the user assess and improve physical performance. The messages may be generated based on various types of sensor data, including, for example, data collected by vehicle sensors of a racecar or yacht.

Abstract: User interface elements positioned for display is described. In various embodiment(s), sensor input can be received from one or more sensors that are integrated with a portable device. A device hold position that corresponds to where the portable device is grasped by a user can be determined based at least in part on the sensor input. A display of user interface element(s) can then be initiated for display on an integrated display of the portable device based on the device hold position that corresponds to where the portable device is grasped.

Abstract: An input device with touch input function has an input member which is operable to input at least one of shifting operation and pushing operation. The input member has a touch input device which is responsive to touch of a user. The input device has an operation sensor which detects the operation on the input member. The input member and the operation sensor provides an input unit which is supported by a support member in a manner that the input unit is movable among a lock position and an unlock position with respect to a base member on which the input unit is supported. The input device has a lock mechanism which locks the input member in inoperable condition at the lock position and which releases the input member in operable condition at the unlock position.

Abstract: A system and method of digital recording of painted, drawn and written information and navigating a cursor on the display defined by free moving at least one part of a painter body has steps of providing a computing device with a display serving as a digital electronic canvas; providing an input device comprising: an interchangeable end-point; a single MEMS sensor of mechanical parameters integrated on a semiconductor substrate chip, which is included in the interchangeable end-point; providing any working surface suitable for moving the input device relative to the working surface in a process of painting, drawing, writing or cursor navigating; moving the input device with at least one part of a painter body such that the interchangeable end-point is interacting with the working surface while recording the change of a vectors of mechanical parameters applied to the sensor; digitizing this information and processing the data related to the change of the vectors of mechanical parameters; and providing a descri

Abstract: An interaction peripheral device (1) capable of controlling an element for touching and grasping multidimensional virtual objects, including at least two interaction modules (20), each interaction module (20) being intended to be actuated by a finger of an operator and including a control sensor allowing control of displacement, according to a predetermined number of degrees of freedom, of a portion of the element for touching and grasping virtual objects by bending/extending and/or adduction/abduction displacement of the finger of the operator, and a vibrator able to emit a vibration upon touching and/or letting go of a virtual object by a portion of said element for touching and grasping virtual objects, characterized in that each interaction module (20) is attached to said peripheral device through a connection (40) in a damping material.

Abstract: Method and system for generating and processing multiple independent input data streams based on a high priority OS message framework such as an OS provided framework for processing mouse-messages. Multiple input devices generate motion that is sensed by motion sensors located on one or more motion sources, quantify the sensed motion, and provide resulting input data to a computer via one or more communication ports. One or more software subroutines process the provided data, separating them into multiple independent input streams according to their sources, and sending the streams to listening applications. The subroutines are preferably integrated at a low level of the OS architecture, thereby enabling low-latency, fully-functional high priority processing of the input data.

Abstract: A device for inputting command signals to a marine vessel control system includes a lever that is selectively operable in a joystick mode and a lever mode. In the lever mode, the lever is confined to pivoting about a horizontal axis to thereby input throttle and shift commands to the control system. In the joystick mode, the lever is freely pivotable in all directions away from a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis to thereby input throttle, shift, and directional commands to the control system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a direction indicating device for generating a 2D direction indicating signal, which includes a base board, a first rectangular conductive plane formed on the base board, including a first sliding slot, a second rectangular conductive plane formed on the base board, overlapping the first rectangular conductive plane, and including a first sliding slot, a positioning axle perpendicular to the base board, passing through a space corresponding to overlap portions of the first sliding slot and the second sliding slot, for moving the first conductive plane along a first direction, and moving the second conductive plane along a second direction, and a control signal generating module for outputting the 2D direction indicating signal according to electric information of the first conductive plane and the second conductive plane.

Abstract: A remote control system includes a remote control device and an electronic device. The remote control device includes an input element, a wireless transmitter to transmit an absolute coordinate signal and a motion signal and a control unit electrically connected to the input element and the wireless transmitter. The electronic device includes a wireless receiver and a display screen. The wireless receiver receives the absolute coordinate signal and the motion signal, and displays the absolute coordinate signal at the display screen via a cursor. When the electronic device does not receive the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is not operated on an application program of the electronic device. When the electronic device receives the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is operated on the application program.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining a deflection of a moveable conductive plate that is moved over a capacitive sensing device. The method may include moving the moveable conductive plate over sensor elements of the capacitive sensing device, and determining the deflection of the moveable conductive plate. In determining the deflection, a deflection magnitude and a deflection direction may be determined by calculating a vector of x- and y-directions or a vector of a radius and an angle.

Abstract: A scrolling device is provided to scroll display content on a display device. The scrolling device includes a scroll ring with a sensor mechanically coupled to the scroll ring and adapted to generate an input signal for controlling the display device as a function of an angular displacement of the scroll ring. A portion of the scroll ring is circumscribed by a ring gear that is engaged by a pinion gear attached to the sensor. As the scrolling device is rotated, the ring gear rotates, which rotates the pinion gear to drive the sensor, which can be a potentiometer. A controller is adapted to receive the input signal from the sensor and select between predetermined segments in the display content or select between a plurality of pages of display content.

Abstract: A smartphone includes a base, a cover, and a joystick assembly. The base includes a bottom wall. The cover defines a through hole. The joystick assembly includes a fastening member, a receiving member mounted to the bottom wall, and a stick. The fastening member is slidably mounted to the cover. A bottom end of the stick is rotatably received in the receiving member. A top end of the stick extends out of the cover through the through hole and is capable of being moved. The fastening slides to latch with the stick, thereby fastening the stick.

Abstract: A user control input system for a host with a display. A controller establishes a communication link with the host and includes a first motion sensor. At least a second motion sensor is also in communication with the host. First user movement induces the first motion sensor to generate a first signal that is communicated to the host such that the host induces movement of a cursor on the display to move with respect to control objects at a first resolution. Second user movement induces the second motion sensor to generate a signal that is communicated to the host such that the host processing unit induces movement of the cursor at a second coarser resolution. The cursor can include first and second indicia such that the second indicium is moved proportional to the second motion at a finer resolution than movement of the first indicia.

Abstract: Computer input devices are described herein for use in manipulating digital images on a display apparatus.

Abstract: A handheld computer is disclosed. The handheld computer is configured with a housing, a display supported in the housing, and computing electronics supported in the housing and configured to communicate with the display. The handheld computer disclosed also includes an integrated input device configured to provide input to the handheld computer. The input device provides different input signals to the computing electronics dependent upon a directional movement provided by a user. The input device is configured to communicate more than four distinct directional movements from a user to the computing electronics. Further, the handheld computer disclosed may include a joystick coupler which is integrated into a joypad. The joypad coupler is configured to receive at least a portion of the stylus which is configured to act as a joystick.