Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing directed to an optical device with optical illumination. The optical device has a case for encasing an optical module. The optical module has one or more contact points in contact with the imaged surface. The suspension system uses a flexible connection to suspend the optical module over an opening in the bottom of the case. The flexible connection and the contact points control the distance between a surface and an optical lens within the optical module and allow the optical module to stay in the correct position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having user-manipulable components for multi-media applications and additional computer interface and control purposes that are desirably designed for ease of manufacturing and cost effectiveness. A preformed roller module has a small top cover and base forming an enclosure to hold the entire roller mechanism, including the electronic components. The roller module is then attached to the keyboard. A volume control dial is provided for audio volume control. The dial desirably is also preformed and then attached to the keyboard. Keyboard feet may be provided on the rear edge of the keyboard for tilting the keyboard without taking up space at the bottom of the keyboard, so that the keyboard height profile can be kept low. An opaque keyboard frame may be placed over the key mechanisms of the keys to hide them from sight, and a translucent top case may be placed over the opaque keyboard frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having user-manipulable components for multi-media applications and additional computer interface and control purposes that are desirably designed for ease of manufacturing and cost effectiveness. A preformed roller module has a small top cover and base forming an enclosure to hold the entire roller mechanism, including the electronic components. The roller module is then attached to the keyboard. A volume control dial is provided for audio volume control. The dial desirably is also preformed and then attached to the keyboard. Keyboard feet may be provided on the rear edge of the keyboard for tilting the keyboard without taking up space at the bottom of the keyboard, so that the keyboard height profile can be kept low. An opaque keyboard frame may be placed over the key mechanisms of the keys to hide them from sight, and a translucent top case may be placed over the opaque keyboard frame.

Abstract: A roller on a mouse or other input device imparts a resistance effect to a user with low power. The invention uses an autoblocking mechanism, such as a brake, which derives the force from the force of the user's finger pushing against the autoblocking mechanism. In one embodiment, a braking mechanism using two small rollers biased against the bigger roller or wheel is used. As the user applies a turning force to the wheel, it wedges against one of the two small rollers, depending on the direction, providing the feeling of resistance to the user as the wheel is turned. In another embodiment of the invention, local feedback is provided on a ratchet-type effect. In another embodiment of the invention, feedback is provided through the roller even when the cause of the feedback is something other than the roller.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve for a gaseous fluid includes a combination of an electromagnetic circuit which when activated generates an electromagnetic force for mechanical opening or closing of the valve and a movable disk formed member at least part of which is included in the electromagnetic circuit. The disk formed member is guided in a linear movement perpendicular to the surface of the disk formed member. The valve further includes a valve seat cooperating with the disk formed member providing the mechanical closing and sealing of the valve. A resilient member acts on the disk formed member and a metering device in the form of a restriction arranged immediately downstream of the valve seat creates sonic conditions for the gas flow which makes the gas flow with the valve open independent of fluctuations in the downstream pressure.

Abstract: A pointing device, such as a mouse, track ball or joystick, having a roller. The roller itself has either a plurality of slits or reflective strips for optical detection. A photoemitter and photodetector are positioned to detect rotation of the roller. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for coupling to a separate optical encoder. The roller can be depressed to cause the actuation of a microswitch. In a preferred embodiment, the photoemitter and photodetector are aligned along a vertical axis, such that the position information is not affected by the vertical depressing of the roller.

Abstract: A simplified, inexpensive roller for a mouse, trackball or other input device. The support for the roller is attached to the bottom of a button. In one embodiment, the roller is fixed with respect to the button so that when the roller is depressed, the button depresses to cause a switch activation. This is in contrast to prior art devices where the roller itself would depress into the housing. Here, the housing (button) depresses with the roller. This greatly simplifies the design.

Abstract: A roller wheel structure having a simplified design. A support guide is connected to a lower housing for constraining and allowing movement of a roller wheel and roller support. In a preferred embodiment, the support guide is integrally formed with the lower housing, reducing the part count and enabling a more compact design. On one side of the wheel, the support guides connected to the lower housing support a spring around an axle connected to a support for the roller wheel. When the roller wheel is depressed by a user, the spring allows the roller support to depress until a micro-switch is activated. On a second side of the roller wheel, the roller support consists of a mechanism which slides up and down within the support guides connected to the lower housing when the user depresses the roller wheel. This side includes a spring biased against an open inside of the roller wheel.

Abstract: A pointing device, such as a mouse, track ball or joystick, having a roller. The roller itself has either a plurality of slits or reflective strips for optical detection. A photoemitter and photodetector are positioned to detect rotation of the roller. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for coupling to a separate optical encoder. The roller can be depressed to cause the actuation of a microswitch. In a preferred embodiment, the photoemitter and photodetector are aligned along a vertical axis, such that the position information is not affected by the vertical depressing of the roller.

Abstract: A micro-stick in which the movement of the micro-stick is detected inductively. The micro-stick is connected to an actuator element which varies interaction between an electromagnetic element and a number of conductive coils. In one embodiment, the coils are mounted on a printed circuit board mounted beneath the micro-stick. The micro-stick is mounted on a plate having a number of pins extending through the circuit board. On the other side of the circuit board is a flexible metal sheet which is contacted by the pins, and moved away from the coils in a direction in which the micro-stick is tilted. This increased separation of the metal sheet from the coils can then be detected.

Abstract: A pointing device, such as a mouse, track ball or joystick, having a roller. The roller itself has either a plurality of slits or reflective strips for optical detection. A photoemitter and photodetector are positioned to detect rotation of the roller. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for coupling to a separate optical encoder. The roller can be depressed to cause the actuation of a microswitch. In a preferred embodiment, the photoemitter and photodetector are aligned along a vertical axis, such that the position information is not affected by the vertical depressing of the roller.

Abstract: A joystick having an electromagnetic element coupled to a movable stick, with at least a pair of orthogonal coils on an underlying substrate. Alternately, the coils and electromagnetic elements can be reversed. The movement of the stick is detected by the amount of overlap of the electromagnetic element and the coils in each direction. The quality factor of the coil changes as more or less of the coil is overlapped, which can be measured by an electric circuit to determine the direction of movement and the amount of movement of the joystick. The electromagnetic element could be, for instance, a conductive steel plate, or a piece of another metal or of another conductive material, or ferrite particles. The coil could be wound (preferably on air only or, if needed to reach a higher value of inductance, on a magnetic core, provided this is small enough to not hide the effect of the mobile electromagnetic element).

Abstract: A demolition tool for breaking solid materials, particularly rock or concrete in tunnelling, mining, demolishing and excavating applications. The tool has a single impactor (1) of the projectile type which is driven by high pressure liquid towards the material to be broken. A gas pressure accumulator (2) is included for storing high pressure energy. This energy is transferred at a high rate through short, wide and streamlined channel means (8, 13, 57, 9), having high capacity and low flow losses, to the impactor (1). Valve means (7) is provided in the channel means so that the accumulator (2) can be recharged during the return stroke of the impactor, giving a high repetition rate. A low pressure annular accumulator (5) drives the impactor during the return stroke.