Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting a drive current to a light source during an optical navigation operation uses brightness characteristics of captured frames of image data to determine whether each of the frames of image data belongs to one of at least first and second types of frames of image data. The drive current is adjusted depending on counts of the frames of image data belonging to the first and second types of frames of image data.

Abstract: An optical navigation system with a lift detection module is provided for preventing cursor movement if the optical navigation system has been lifted from the navigation surface. The optical navigation system may include an image sensor, a controller and a lift detection module. The lift detection module may be operatively coupled with the image sensor and the controller to selectively report a motion data upon determining a lift by comparing the average of the photosensitive pixel elements with a pixel element threshold value and the surface quality value with a surface quality threshold value. The lift detection module may be incorporated in a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller may be added to a navigation system to provide an additional lift detection feature.

Abstract: A controller and navigation system to implement beacon-based navigation and scene-based navigation is described. The navigation system may generate position data for the controller to compensate for a misalignment of the controller relative to the coordinate system of the navigation system. The navigation system may also distinguish between a beacon light source and a non-beacon light source.

Abstract: An optical navigation system with a lift detection module is provided for preventing cursor movement if the optical navigation system has been lifted from the navigation surface. The optical navigation system may include an image sensor, a controller and a lift detection module. The lift detection module may be operatively coupled with the image sensor and the controller to selectively report a motion data upon determining a lift by comparing the average of the photosensitive pixel elements with a pixel element threshold value and the surface quality value with a surface quality threshold value. The lift detection module may be incorporated in a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller may be added to a navigation system to provide an additional lift detection feature.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode. The optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a first navigation sensor, and a second navigation sensor. The first navigation sensor is coupled to the microcontroller, and the second navigation sensor is coupled to the first navigation sensor. The microcontroller processes a movement of the optical navigation device. The first navigation sensor generates a first navigation signal in a first navigation mode. The second navigation sensor generates a second navigation signal in a second navigation mode and sends the second navigation signal to the first navigation sensor. By implementing a navigation sensor to process signals from multiple navigation sensors, the cost and size of the optical navigation device can be controlled, and a small packaging design can be used.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting a drive current to a light source during an optical navigation operation uses brightness characteristics of captured frames of image data to determine whether each of the frames of image data belongs to one of at least first and second types of frames of image data. The drive current is adjusted depending on counts of the frames of image data belonging to the first and second types of frames of image data.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively setting an optical navigation resolution utilizes a comparison of a comparison displacement value to a threshold value to set the optical navigation resolution to an effective resolution selected from a plurality of effective resolutions. The comparison displacement value is based on at least one of a first displacement value in a first direction and a second displacement value in a second direction, which were derived for estimating motion.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode. The optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a first navigation sensor, and a second navigation sensor. The first navigation sensor is coupled to the microcontroller, and the second navigation sensor is coupled to the first navigation sensor. The microcontroller processes a movement of the optical navigation device. The first navigation sensor generates a first navigation signal in a first navigation mode. The second navigation sensor generates a second navigation signal in a second navigation mode and sends the second navigation signal to the first navigation sensor. By implementing a navigation sensor to process signals from multiple navigation sensors, the cost and size of the optical navigation device can be controlled, and a small packaging design can be used.

Abstract: A controller and navigation system to implement beacon-based navigation and scene-based navigation is described. The navigation system may generate position data for the controller to compensate for a misalignment of the controller relative to the coordinate system of the navigation system. The navigation system may also distinguish between a beacon light source and a non-beacon light source.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively setting an optical navigation resolution utilizes a comparison of a comparison displacement value to a threshold value to set the optical navigation resolution to an effective resolution selected from a plurality of effective resolutions. The comparison displacement value is based on at least one of a first displacement value in a first direction and a second displacement value in a second direction, which were derived for estimating motion.