Abstract: This invention provides an automatic brightness control system for display devices, which may have a lighted display, a sensor, and control circuitry. The sensor logarithmically generates a first signal in response to the ambient light near the lighted display. The control circuit selects a display luminance from one or more luminance adjustment sequences having essentially constant ratio steps. The display luminance is a fractional power function of the ambient light near the display. The fractional power function may be adjusted by a constant luminance ratio offset.

Abstract: Componentry is added to a conventional universal remote device to enable it to cooperate with a set to beacon to position a cursor or arrow on a television or other display screen and to allow the remote control to perform the functions of a conventional personal computer “mouse” in connection with the cursor, such as, for example, “clicking” on icons on the screen. A wide angle sensor and a stepped beacon pulse are used to increase range of the device, and the beacon pulse sent to the infrared sensor is automatically disabled upon detection of activity on the universal remote section.

Abstract: An improved touchpad and measurement circuitry for enabling input to a computer or other electronic device. The system includes an X electrode, a Y electrode, a common sensing electrode, and a “water” electrode, wherein these four separate electrodes can be implemented in various physical configurations to obtain the desired effects, wherein moisture and water droplets can be identified and compensated for so as not to interfere with the input of data, wherein noise rejection is achieved by using a time aperture filtering method, wherein an improved scanning technique focuses scanning around an identified input object, wherein an adaptive motion filter responds to the speed and acceleration of an object being tracked, and wherein the measurement circuitry has an increased dynamic range enabling the touchpad to operate with greater tolerances to manufacturing variances.

Abstract: A wireless coordinate input system for a display system includes a stylus that transmits ultrasonic energy to a plurality of ultrasonic receiving stations in a projection plane. The stylus may include one ultrasonic transmitter used for determination of three-dimensional coordinates of the stylus relative to the projection plane. The stylus may also include a second ultrasonic transmitter controlled by a pressure-activated switch. When the stylus is pressed against the projection plane, the second transmitter turns on and is used for determination of two-dimensional coordinates of the stylus in the projection plane. The stylus may also include a higher frequency burst transmitter used to generate a time reference. One or more of the ultrasonic receiving stations may also include an ultrasonic transmitter for calibration.