Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting a first window being displayed on a display of a host computing device, detecting graphical content on the first window, generating a second window (overlay) on the display, wherein the overlay is configured on a window layer above the first window, and changing graphical qualities of the overlay based on the detected graphical content of the first window. The graphical qualities may include at least one of a shape, size, color, transparency, or opacity of the overlay. The method can further include receiving input data corresponding to a movement of a cursor on the first window, setting a transparency of an area around the cursor to a first transparency, and setting a transparency of a remainder of the overlay to a second transparency, such that the area around the cursor appears to highlight a corresponding area of the graphical content on the first window.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes detecting, by a first software application, a first window being displayed on a display of a host computing device, where the first window displays graphical content and is generated by a second software application. The method can further include capturing an image of the graphical content on the first window and generating a second window on the display of the host computing device, where the second window is configured as a top-most window on the display, such that subsequent application-level and system-level window pop-ups occur on a window layer below the second window. The method can further include displaying the captured image of the graphical content on the second window.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a computer-method includes searching for a receiver having an active first wireless communication protocol. When the receiver is detected, the mobile input device connects to the receiver, and when the receiver is not detected, the method includes searching for a host computer having an active second wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) after the receiver is not detected. The method further includes connecting the mobile input device to the host computer when the receiver is not detected and the active second type of wireless communication protocol is detected. The method then continues to search for the receiver while the mobile input device is connected to the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol, and automatically switches the wireless connection from the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol to the receiver when the first type of receiver is detected.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a computer mouse including a housing having a bottom surface and a trackball disposed in the housing, where the bottom surface of the housing includes a first planar region, a second planar region, and a spine both common to and dividing the first and second planar regions. The first and second planar regions can be on different planes, where, when in operation, the computer mouse is configured to rest on a work surface, when the computer mouse is configured such that the first planar region of the bottom surface is parallel to the work surface, the computer mouse is tilted at a first angle relative to the work surface, and when the computer mouse is configured such that the second planar region of the bottom surface is parallel to the work surface, the computer mouse is tilted at a second angle relative to the work surface.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a computer mouse including a housing having a bottom surface and a trackball disposed in the housing, where the bottom surface of the housing includes a first planar region, a second planar region, and a spine both common to and dividing the first and second planar regions. The first and second planar regions can be on different planes, where, when in operation, the computer mouse is configured to rest on a work surface, when the computer mouse is configured such that the first planar region of the bottom surface is parallel to the work surface, the computer mouse is tilted at a first angle relative to the work surface, and when the computer mouse is configured such that the second planar region of the bottom surface is parallel to the work surface, the computer mouse is tilted at a second angle relative to the work surface.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a computer-method includes searching for a receiver having an active first wireless communication protocol. When the receiver is detected, the mobile input device connects to the receiver, and when the receiver is not detected, the method includes searching for a host computer having an active second wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) after the receiver is not detected. The method further includes connecting the mobile input device to the host computer when the receiver is not detected and the active second type of wireless communication protocol is detected. The method then continues to search for the receiver while the mobile input device is connected to the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol, and automatically switches the wireless connection from the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol to the receiver when the first type of receiver is detected.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a graphical control element on a graphical user interface (GUI), determining a type of the graphical control element, generating configuration control data to cause an input device to configure one or more input elements on the input device to perform functions corresponding to the type of the graphical control element, and sending the configuration control data to the input device. In some cases, the configuration control data causes the input device to configure at least two of the one or more input elements to perform functions corresponding to the type of the graphical control element, and wherein the at least two of the one or more input elements are associated with different functions. The type of graphical control element can be one of a video media player, audio media player, hyperlink, word processor document, spreadsheet document, or alphanumeric text.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a computer-method includes searching for a receiver having an active first wireless communication protocol. When the receiver is detected, the mobile input device connects to the receiver, and when the receiver is not detected, the method includes searching for a host computer having an active second wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) after the receiver is not detected. The method further includes connecting the mobile input device to the host computer when the receiver is not detected and the active second type of wireless communication protocol is detected. The method then continues to search for the receiver while the mobile input device is connected to the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol, and automatically switches the wireless connection from the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol to the receiver when the first type of receiver is detected.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes detecting, by a first software application, a first window being displayed on a display of a host computing device, where the first window displays graphical content and is generated by a second software application. The method can further include capturing an image of the graphical content on the first window and generating a second window on the display of the host computing device, where the second window is configured as a top-most window on the display, such that subsequent application-level and system-level window pop-ups occur on a window layer below the second window. The method can further include displaying the captured image of the graphical content on the second window.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a graphical control element on a graphical user interface (GUI), determining a type of the graphical control element, generating configuration control data to cause an input device to configure one or more input elements on the input device to perform functions corresponding to the type of the graphical control element, and sending the configuration control data to the input device. In some cases, the configuration control data causes the input device to configure at least two of the one or more input elements to perform functions corresponding to the type of the graphical control element, and wherein the at least two of the one or more input elements are associated with different functions. The type of graphical control element can be one of a video media player, audio media player, hyperlink, word processor document, spreadsheet document, or alphanumeric text.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes detecting a first window being displayed on a display of a host computing device, detecting graphical content on the first window, generating a second window (overlay) on the display, wherein the overlay is configured on a window layer above the first window, and changing graphical qualities of the overlay based on the detected graphical content of the first window. The graphical qualities may include at least one of a shape, size, color, transparency, or opacity of the overlay. The method can further include receiving input data corresponding to a movement of a cursor on the first window, setting a transparency of an area around the cursor to a first transparency, and setting a transparency of a remainder of the overlay to a second transparency, such that the area around the cursor appears to highlight a corresponding area of the graphical content on the first window.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a computer-method includes searching for a receiver having an active first wireless communication protocol. When the receiver is detected, the mobile input device connects to the receiver, and when the receiver is not detected, the method includes searching for a host computer having an active second wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®) after the receiver is not detected. The method further includes connecting the mobile input device to the host computer when the receiver is not detected and the active second type of wireless communication protocol is detected. The method then continues to search for the receiver while the mobile input device is connected to the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol, and automatically switches the wireless connection from the host computer having the second wireless communication protocol to the receiver when the first type of receiver is detected.

Abstract: An input device for a computing device includes a first input sensor for receiving a first type of instructions associated with a first operating mode of the input device, the first type of instructions including moving the first input sensor with respect to a reference surface. The input device includes a second input sensor for receiving a second type of instructions associated with a second operating mode of the input device, the second type of instructions including moving an indicator with respect to an active surface of the input device provided with said second input sensor. The input device includes a control sensor adapted to detect the position of at least a portion of the hand of a user with respect to the input device. The control sensor is coupled to a controller adapted to allow the input device to operate in either the first or the second operating mode.

Abstract: A method includes placing an input device in a passive mode of operation and periodically monitoring a displacement sensor of the input device, receiving an indication of displacement from the displacement sensor, and placing the input device in an active mode of operation characterized by a power consumption level. The method also includes determining a passing of a predetermined time period since receiving the indication of displacement, placing the input device in a second active mode of operation characterized by a second power consumption level less than the power consumption level, and periodically monitoring one or more of a plurality of touch sensors. The method further includes receiving an indication of input from the one or more of the plurality of touch sensors and placing the input device in the active mode of operation.

Abstract: An input device includes a housing for supporting a user's hand and a displacement sensor, mounted in the housing, for providing a displacement signal. The input device also includes a first portion of the housing operable to receive a first digit of the user and a first solid-state touch sensor disposed in the first portion and operable to detect movement of the first digit along the first portion. The input device further includes a second portion on the housing operable to receive a second digit of the user and a second solid-state touch sensor disposed in the second portion and operable to detect movement of the second digit along the second portion.

Abstract: A method of operating an input device in conjunction with a host device includes determining that the input device is in a stationary state and receiving a first signal from a first sense zone of the input device. The method also includes determining an input command based on determining that the input device is in the stationary state and the first signal and transmitting a signal associated with the input command from the input device to the host device.

Abstract: A touch sensor system includes a touch controller having a first connector and a second connector and multiple sensor zones. The touch sensor system also includes a plurality of drive lines connected to the first connector of the touch controller and to the multiple sensor zones and a plurality of sets of sense lines connected to the second connector of the touch controller. Each set of the plurality of sets of sense lines is connected to one of the multiple sensor zones.

Abstract: A control devices includes a key having a top surface configured to be pressed by a user, and a resistance device coupled to the key and configured to provide a resistance force to the key that opposes a user force applied to the top surface. A force sensor is coupled to the resistance device and is configured to detect the user force applied to top surface. A control circuit is coupled to the resistance device and is configured to change the resistance force of the resistance device according to a force profile.