Abstract: A computer system that includes a data-processing unit, a touch-sensitive, position-resolving input surface in data communication with the data-processing unit, and a freely movable input device, by which the input surface is to be touched for the purpose of inputting into the data-processing unit. The freely movable input device is a computer mouse, which is in data communication with the data-processing unit. With comparatively low sensor complexity, inter alia, both the absolute position of the computer mouse and also subtle position changes of the computer mouse can therefore be very easily detected by the data-processing unit.

Abstract: A computer system, including data-processing equipment and a freely movable input device, wherein the input device contains at least one position change sensor from which information can be sent to the data-processing equipment and wherein the data-processing equipment can also capture information about the absolute position of the input device. Information about the absolute position of the input device can be captured by the data-processing equipment as a result of the fact that the data-processing equipment is in data communication with a light-sensitive, position-sensitive input surface and the input device emits a light beam, the point of incidence of which on the input surface can be detected by the latter.

Abstract: A light curtain for the optical detection of shading objects in an area to be monitored, wherein the area to be monitored is repeatedly swept over by a collimated light beam of variable direction. The power of the light crossing the area is measured, shadow boundaries, position and size of a shading object are deduced by an evaluating control from the temporal profile of the measured power with knowledge of the temporal profile of the direction of the light beam. An optical detector area embodied as a planar optical waveguide is arranged along the edge of the area to be monitored, photoluminescent particles being integrated into said optical detector area and one or more photoelectric sensors being fitted to the optical detector area. Using the light curtain, shading objects can be detected with very good resolution, the light curtain can be robust and can have a low production cost.

Abstract: A combined display surface and a control device for a data processing system, wherein the position of a light beam hitting the display surface is measured and the measured result is used by the data processing system as a basis for determining a cursor position on the display surface. Several strip-shaped optical position detectors are arranged along the edge of the display surface, the measured signals of which are fed into the data processing system. The cross-sectional shape of the indicator beam is formed by several lines which protrude both the display surface and the position detectors arranged thereon. The optical position detectors are formed by a layered structure made of organic material.

Abstract: A real-time measurement of relative position data and/or of geometrical dimensions of a moving body by lighting unit and a detector unit, wherein the moving body is movably guided relative to both of the units. Light beams are transmitted from the lighting unit towards the detector unit; the moving body protrudes between the lighting unit and the detector unit into the volume flooded by the light beams, so that the shadow border of the shadow thrown by the moving body extends over the detector unit. The detector unit includes a two-dimensional optical position detector, which is designed as a two-dimensional optical waveguide containing photo-luminescent particles. Signals from the two-dimensional optical waveguide are read out by a plurality of small-area photoelectric sensors spaced apart from one another, the strength of the signals correlating with the intensity of the light at the sensor location in waveguide mode.

Abstract: A planar detector for use in light curtains, which generates electric signals as a function of absorbed light and is provided with a plurality of tapping points for the generated signals. The magnitude of the signals at the respective tapping points is dependent on their distance to the partial surfaces where the light is absorbed. As a function of the magnitude ratios between the signals at several tapping points, the distance ratios of the respective tapping points to those partial surfaces, where the light is absorbed, can be calculated. The detector is configured as a flexible layered structure made of organic material. The tapping points are disposed at a distance from the edges of the layered structure. Electric connection lines to the tapping points are connected along their longitudinal extension to the layered structure of the detector.

Abstract: A light curtain having a light source which emits a light beam which propagates in an area to be monitored by the light curtain and then strikes an optical detector surface. The area to be monitored is arranged in the vicinity of a translucent disc and is oriented parallel to the latter. The light source and detector surface are arranged on that side of the disc which faces away from the area to be monitored. The path of the light beam from the light source to the detector surface runs twice through the plane of the disc and via two mirrors arranged on the edge of the area to be monitored.

Abstract: An input panel having a display panel and a photosensitive detector panel, for controlling a data processing installation. Also disclosed is a method for operating such an input panel. In one preferred embodiment, the detector panel and the display panel are arranged at a distance from one another and the layer which adjoins the detector panel on the display panel side is an air layer. In a preferred mode of operation, a beam of light which is emitted by a light pointer device onto the input panel for the purpose of controlling the data processing installation has radiation components in two different spectral ranges, one radiation component being in the spectral range of visible light and the second radiation component being in the spectral range of IR light or UV light, with only the radiation component which is present as IR or UV light being absorbed by the detector panel.

Abstract: A light curtain for the optical detection of shading objects in an area to be monitored, wherein the area to be monitored is repeatedly swept over by a collimated light beam of variable direction. The power of the light crossing the area is measured, shadow boundaries, position and size of a shading object are deduced by an evaluating control from the temporal profile of the measured power with knowledge of the temporal profile of the direction of the light beam. An optical detector area embodied as a planar optical waveguide is arranged along the edge of the area to be monitored, photoluminescent particles being integrated into said optical detector area and one or more photoelectric sensors being fitted to the optical detector area. Using the light curtain, shading objects can be detected with very good resolution, the light curtain can be robust and can have a low production cost.

Abstract: A detector surface which is based on optical signals and arranged as a flexible enveloping surface around the body in order to detect whether and where the illuminated indicator strikes the body. The detector surface composed of one or more planar optical fibers, wherein at least one layer of a planar optical fiber has photoluminescent properties, and wherein photodetectors are arranged on the planar optical fiber such that they can decouple light from the optical fiber and detect it. The planar optical fiber is designed as a film made of a transparent polymer having a thickness of 30 to 500 ?m and the photodetector is arranged at a distance from all edges of the optical fiber on the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical-signal based control surface for a data processing system, the surface being designed as a planar optical fiber, on which photoelectric sensors are provided, the measured signals of which are used to deduce the position of a light signal striking the control surface and the position being associated with a processing mark in the data processing system. A layer having photoluminescent properties is in contact with at least one layer of the planar optical fiber. The light of the light beam shining on the control surface is converted into longer-wave light by way of photoluminescence, the light being coupled into the waveguide, diffusing therein, and being measured by the photoelectric sensors.

Abstract: A projection device and to a method for operating the device. The projection device includes a projector, a projection surface, and a data processing system, wherein information about the image on the projection surface is transferred to the data processing system and wherein the data processing system controls the projector. The projection surface is designed as a planar optical waveguide, in which photoluminescent particles are integrated and on which a plurality of photoelectric sensors are attached, which are able to couple light out of the waveguide mode and to thereby generate an electrical signal, the strength of which depends on the intensity of the light coupled out at the photodetector.

Abstract: A combined display surface and a control device for a data processing system, wherein the position of a light beam hitting the display surface is measured and the measured result is used by the data processing system as a basis for determining a cursor position on the display surface. Several strip-shaped optical position detectors are arranged along the edge of the display surface, the measured signals of which are fed into the data processing system. The cross-sectional shape of the indicator beam is formed by several lines which protrude both the display surface and the position detectors arranged thereon. The optical position detectors are formed by a layered structure made of organic material.

Abstract: A planar detector for use in light curtains, which generates electric signals as a function of absorbed light and is provided with a plurality of tapping points for the generated signals. The magnitude of the signals at the respective tapping points is dependent on their distance to the partial surfaces where the light is absorbed. As a function of the magnitude ratios between the signals at several tapping points, the distance ratios of the respective tapping points to those partial surfaces, where the light is absorbed, can be calculated. The detector is configured as a flexible layered structure made of organic material. The tapping points are disposed at a distance from the edges of the layered structure. Electric connection lines to the tapping points are connected along their longitudinal extension to the layered structure of the detector.

Abstract: A detector surface which is based on optical signals and arranged as a flexible enveloping surface around the body in order to detect whether and where the illuminated indicator strikes the body. The detector surface composed of one or more planar optical fibers, wherein at least one layer of a planar optical fiber has photoluminescent properties, and wherein photodetectors are arranged on the planar optical fiber such that they can decouple light from the optical fiber and detect it. The planar optical fiber is designed as a film made of a transparent polymer having a thickness of 30 to 500 ?m and the photodetector is arranged at a distance from all edges of the optical fiber on the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical-signal based control surface for a data processing system, said surface being designed as a planar optical fiber, on which photoelectric sensors are provided, the measured signals of which are used to deduce the position of a light signal striking the control surface and said position being associated with a processing mark in the data processing system. A layer having photoluminescent properties is in contact with at least one layer of the planar optical fiber. The light of the light beam shining on the control surface is converted into longer-wave light by way of photoluminescence, said light being coupled into the waveguide, diffusing therein, and being measured by the photoelectric sensors.