Abstract: Optical encoders having one or more of a number of disclosed features are disclosed. The features of the optical encoder in accordance with the present invention include a symmetrical (for example, circular) emitter; baffle between the emitter and a detector; double-dome or single-dome encapsulant; multiple detector; and multiple (at least three) data channels.

Abstract: An exemplary Two-Dimensional Optical encoder (“2-D Encoder”) described herein includes a light emitter and a light detector array. The light detector array includes at least one band of light detectors arranged on at least one diagonal of an X-Y grid having an X-axis and a Y-axis, wherein the X-axis and Y-axis are approximately orthogonal.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention relates to detecting a homogeneous surface. A first surface image is received. A plurality of values are generated by performing a plurality of auto correlations with the first surface image and a copy of the first surface image. The plurality of values includes a first peak value. A determination is made as to whether a normalized second peak value of the plurality of values satisfies a defined condition associated with a value. If so, a homogeneous surface image filter is utilized with a second surface image.

Abstract: An emulated hard key that emulates a key of a user-selected keyboard is generated on a reconfigurable keyboard. In one exemplary embodiment, the reconfigurable keyboard has an array of microchambers. Each microchamber is operable to change from a first height to a second height. A keyboard emulator controller controls the array of microchambers to set a first group of microchambers to the second height. When set to the second height, the first group of microchambers collectively emulates a first key of the user-selected keyboard.

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: A flash module includes a point light source, a lens assembly, an actuator mechanism, and a control system. The lens assembly includes a lens that is positioned in front of the point light source. The actuator mechanism enables adjustment of the distance between the lens assembly and the point light source. The control system is provided to flash the point light source. A camera including a flash module, and a method for illuminating an object during flash photography, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device such as an optical mouse includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The device also includes an optical motion sensor for generating one-dimensional projection data based on the reflected images, filtering the projection data, and generating movement data based on the filtered projection data. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the device.

Abstract: A fly's eye detector includes a planar imaging array and an optical system that directs light with different incident directions to different sensors in the imaging array. One embodiment of the optical system includes a curved reflector above the planar imaging array to deflect and distribute light to the sensors. Another embodiment of the optical system includes a lens array providing variable offsets of micro-lenses relative to the underlying sensors.

Abstract: An optical tracking assembly for an optical mouse includes a light source, an optical sensor chip, and an integral optics assembly. The integral optics assembly includes lenses and alignment features receiving the light source. The alignment features center the light source to the lenses and control a distance the light source is placed away from a navigation surface that reflects light onto the optical sensor chip. The lenses may include (1) collimating lenses for collimating light from the light source along a first optical axis to the navigation surface, and (2) imaging lenses for imaging reflected light from the navigation surface along a second optical axis to the optical sensor chip.

Abstract: An optical position-tracking system comprises a first light beam steering device for sweeping a first light beam through a first angular range to cause a reflection of the first light beam by a target. Additionally, the optical position-tracking system further comprises a second light beam steering device for sweeping a second light beam through a second angular range to cause a reflection of the second light beam by the target. Moreover, the optical position-tracking system enables determination of a position of the target using a triangulation technique utilizing a first angular value of the first light beam and a second angular value of the second light beam. The first angular value and the second angular value depend on the existence of the respective reflection.

Abstract: A light source having first and second phosphor-converted component light sources is disclosed. The first component light source includes a first LED that emits light at a first wavelength and a first luminescent conversion material layer that converts light of the first wavelength to light of a first output wavelength, and the second component light source includes a second LED that emits light at a second wavelength and a second luminescent conversion material layer that converts light of the second wavelength to light of a second output wavelength that is different from the first output wavelength. The first and second LEDs are constructed in the same material system, preferably in the same batch of wafers on the fabrication line. A controller generates a current through each of the first and second LEDs that results in the light source generating light that is perceived to be a predetermined color.

Abstract: An optical encoder system is disclosed with a single pattern medium having a first coded pattern disposed on the first side, a second coded pattern disposed on the second side, a first optical encoder disposed toward the first side, and a second optical encoder disposed toward the second side. An optical encoder device is disclosed with a first coded pattern disposed on the first side, and a second coded pattern disposed on the second side. There is disclosed a method for using an optical encoder device to obtain information related to a motor which includes the steps of illuminating a first coded pattern disposed on a first side of a pattern medium, illuminating a second coded pattern disposed on a second side of the pattern medium, detecting light reflected from the first side, detecting light reflected from the second side, and analyzing the reflected light.

Abstract: A method performed by a slide pad system is provided. The method includes generating a first direction measurement using a first capacitance measurement, generating a calibration measurement using a second capacitance measurement, and computing a first position using the first direction measurement and the calibration measurement. A system including a slide pad including a slide disk, a sense module, and a control module is also provided.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a Light Emitting Diode (LED) based light system involves driving individual light sources that make up the LED-based light system at non-overlapping intervals so that light source-specific feedback signals can be generated in response to the emitted light. The light source-specific feedback signals are then used to individually adjust the light sources to achieve desired luminance and chrominance characteristics of the emitted light.

Abstract: A color sensor is implemented on a single integrated circuit chip. The color sensor includes a plurality of color sensor circuits and a gain selection control. Each color sensor circuit in the plurality of color sensor circuits includes a light detector, an amplifier and a gain selection circuit. The amplifier is connected to the light detector. The amplifier amplifies a signal from the light detector. The gain selection circuit is connected to the amplifier. The gain selection controls gain of the amplifier. The gain selection circuit includes a variable feedback resistance. The gain selection control selects a separate value of the variable feedback resistance for each color sensor circuit.

Abstract: A meter is read. An image on a face of the meter is captured. Optical character recognition of digits of a digital display on the face of the meter is performed. At least one stored template is used to perform the optical character recognition of digits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for focusing an image of a work surface on an optical sensor array in an optical pointing device. Light from a region of the work surface is captured by an imaging system incorporating an optical coupling system and the optical sensor array. The focus of the imaging system is adjusted in accordance with the distance between the optical pointing device and the work surface. The distance may be sensed, or inferred by adjusting the imaging system to maximize the focus of the image.

Abstract: A spatial pressure distribution sensor comprises a sensor array and a processor. The sensor array comprises an array of pressure sensors. Each of the pressure sensors is operable to generate a respective pressure signal in response to pressure applied to it. The pressure signal quantifies the pressure with greater than single-bit resolution. The processor is operable in response to the pressure signals to generate an information signal representing the spatial distribution of pressure applied to the sensor array.

Abstract: A New Phosphor-converted LED Device (“NPCLD”) is disclosed. The NPCLD may include a lens over a phosphor body, in which the lens and the phosphor body each have a substantially convex upper surface. The NPCLD may alternatively include first and second lenses, the first lens having a substantially flat interface with a phosphor body.

Abstract: An optocoupler system includes a buffer, isolation, and a detector. The system includes a current transfer ratio (CTR) with a temperature coefficient. The buffer includes a light source that generates light that passes through the isolation. A detector receives light that passes through the isolation and generates an output signal based on the received light. A current transfer ratio (CTR) temperature coefficient compensation mechanism is provided that generates a base signal with a temperature coefficient that compensates the temperature coefficient of the CTR.