Abstract: An example of the present invention as disclosed herein provides an improved user interface input device that enables a person to slide his or her digit or other indicator over a surface between a neutral and a discrete touch sensor position. Sliding a digit such as a finger requires much less concentration and precision of movement as compared to lifting and lowering a finger when activating a conventional key, and thus is characterized by ease of operation. Motion and speed selection for the user interface starts only after the finger is moved over the discrete touch sensors, and hence the mental and muscular coordination strain felt by users of a conventional mouse or other user interface input device is minimized or greatly reduced.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor array apparatus and method, relates to at least two photoelectric rail elements each having alternating light emitting diode transmitters and photo detecting receivers. The array produces a plurality of light devices with corresponding sensors, whereby the light beams are blocked in the region where an opaque object is located. Each rail contains both transmitters and receivers so that control circuits for the transmitters and receivers are substantially identical and mounted on opposite sides of the array apparatus, to provide a more compact unit of higher resolution and to reduce the design and manufacturing costs. Such construction and method enable the sensing array apparatus to function in direct sunlight or other such photoelectric saturation conditions, which would otherwise blind conventional light sensitive sensor arrays.

Abstract: A voice input system has a microphone coupled to a computing device, with the computing device typically operating a computer software application. A user speaks voice commands into the microphone, with the computing device operating a voice command module that interprets the voice command and causes the graphical or non-graphical application to be commanded and controlled consistent with the use of a physical mouse. In one form of the invention, voice commands are overlayed on normal command points of the application program. Such voice commands are stored in a separate voice command repository, with an edit mode provided to create new voice command sequences and to edit existing voice command sequences.