Abstract: A disk drive head position encoder is for use in a disk drive having a storage media, a read/write head and an actuator configured to control a position of the head. The position encoder includes a scale having gratings formed by undulations configured to distort light penetrating therethrough. A light source is configured to penetrate the scale and to direct light onto a photodetector, where the photodetector is configured to generate a photodetector signal in response to the light. A processor is coupled to the photodetector and the actuator and configured to determine a head position of the head on the storage media by processing the photodetector signal. In one embodiment, the is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of said storage media.

Abstract: A compact cursor controller includes a housing having an opening through the top thereof. A controller structure is substantially disposed within the housing and has a puck extending through the opening and a first brush within the housing and a second brush within the housing. A printed circuit board is disposed within the housing and coupled to the first brush and the second brush and configured to generate a first sensor signal in response to movement of the first brush on a first conductive strip and to generate a second sensor signal in response movement of the second brush on a second conductive strip oriented perpendicular to the first conductive strip. A processor is coupled to the first conductive strip and the second conductive strip and configured to receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal to determine a position of the puck. The processor then sends a puck position signal to a computer.

Abstract: A desktop compact cursor controller includes a platform having a protrusion thereon. A housing is coupled to the platform and has a structure configured to accept the protrusion, where the structure includes a first slidable member having a first brush configured to move in response to movement of the housing and a second slidable member having a second brush configured to move in response to movement of the housing. A printed circuit board is disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the first brush and the second brush and configured to generate a first sensor signal in response to movement of the first brush on a first conductive strip and to generate a second sensor signal in response to movement of the second brush on a second conductive strip oriented perpendicular to the first conductive strip.

Abstract: A computer pointing system employs two modes of moving a marker on a computer display in correspondence with movement of a finger-grippable element within a pointer area of movement wherein one of the modes of movement produces a movement of the marker proportional to movement of the finger-grippable element and the second mode produces movement of the marker which is equal to the product of a distance of the marker from an edge of a display area of movement times the quotient of the distance of movement of the finger-grippable element divided by the distance of the finger-grippable element to an edge of the pointer area of movement. The second mode can be called by movement of the finger-grippable element at a rate greater than a predetermined rate or at a position within an outer ring area of the pointer area of movement. Edge regions of the pointer area of movement define macro instruction regions which, when called by an operation of a switch, pass macro instructions to a user program.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a plate holder for holding a plate, and more particularly, an ornamental plate, in a substantially vertical attitude for displaying the plate. The plate holder includes a base having a track with a plurality of serrations on the track. A support is movably mounted on the track. The support includes a plate panel which is adapted for being substantially perpendicular to the base. The plate panel has a tooth formed integral therewith for engaging the serrations on the track for releasably locking the support to the base in a selected position.