Abstract: A cargo sensor system uses reflective patterns on the back door of a cargo trailer that are easily recognized by a camera mounted in the nose of the trailer. Preferred embodiments rely on the assumption that if cargo has been loaded into a trailer, that cargo will be present on the floor of the trailer, no matter whether the trailer was loaded from front to back, or from back to front. Looking across the floor at a relatively low height toward the door having the reflective pattern at a low height, any cargo on the floor will interrupt the camera's vision of the pattern, by which it can be inferred that there is cargo on the floor of the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method emulates mouse pointer functions utilizing a keyboard having an additional special function key. When the special function key is depressed, designated keys on the keyboard are interpreted as "mouse keys" which may be used to direct a pointer on a computer screen in a manner similar to a conventional mouse pointer. In one embodiment, the keys used as cursor movement keys during normal operation are designated as "mouse keys" which effect the movement of the pointer on the screen when the special function key is depressed. In addition, other keys may be used as left and right mouse buttons and as mouse lock keys. In one embodiment, the pointer speed is gradually increased when the user continuously holds any of the cursor movement keys down for a preselected interval.