Abstract: A photographic device that includes a main body, a lens barrel and a barrel-positioning mechanism, which is operably coupled to the lens barrel and the main body. The barrel positioning mechanism is capable of moving the lens barrel between a retracted position, in which the lens barrel is within the main body, and an extended position, in which the lens barrel projects out of the main body. In some embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism is a purely mechanical component that moves the lens barrel between the retracted position and the extended position in response to the lens barrel being pushed in a direction generally towards the main body. In other embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism includes an electrical motor that helps extend and retract the lens barrel. In some embodiments, the extension/retraction of the lens barrel is triggered by software.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and an engagable scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is rotatable about an axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The rotatable member is laterally movable relative to the housing. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing lateral movement of the rotatable member. In response to sensed lateral movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. The scrolling speed can be affected relative to the amount of displacement of the rotatable member and/or the amount of time that the rotatable member is displaced a predetermined amount. The computer input device having the rotatable member may take the form of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackbal device, or another type of computer input device.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and an engagable scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is rotatable about an axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The rotatable member is laterally movable relative to the housing. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing lateral movement of the rotatable member. In response to sensed lateral movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. The scrolling speed can be affected relative to the amount of displacement of the rotatable member and/or the amount of time that the rotatable member is displaced a predetermined amount. The computer input device having the rotatable member may take the form of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball device, or another type of computer input device.

Abstract: A photographic device that includes a main body, a lens barrel and a barrel-positioning mechanism, which is operably coupled to the lens barrel and the main body. The barrel positioning mechanism is capable of moving the lens barrel between a retracted position, in which the lens barrel is within the main body, and an extended position, in which the lens barrel projects out of the main body. In some embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism is a purely mechanical component that moves the lens barrel between the retracted position and the extended position in response to the lens barrel being pushed in a direction generally towards the main body. In other embodiments, the barrel positioning mechanism includes an electrical motor that helps extend and retract the lens barrel. In some embodiments, the extension/retraction of the lens barrel is triggered by software.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis and the second axis may lie in a common plane or otherwise be close to one another to provide a large range of possible angular motion. A sensor is preferably positioned within the finger-engagable scrolling device for rotational movement of the rotational portion of the finger-engagable scrolling device. A pivot sensor may be provided on the second axis or laterally disposed from the scrolling device. A cover with an aperture may be provided over the scrolling device to help prevent dust and other contaminates from entering the housing through the opening for the scrolling device.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The finger-engagable scrolling device may contain rotation sensor within a scroll wheel assembly. The finger-engagable scrolling device may also contain lateral arms extending laterally from the finger-engagable scrolling device.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The portion of the scrolling device may further be depressed to activate a switch.

Abstract: A scroll wheel assembly includes a rotatable member. Encoded rotation of the rotating member causes scrolling of an image on a display screen along an axis. An actuator is located within the rotational member. Pressure on different parts of the actuator causes scrolling of the image in opposing directions along a second axis. Pressure upon additional parts of the actuator can provide additional screen functions. Functions and commands caused by manipulation of the rotatable member or actuator may also be programmable.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis and the second axis may lie in a common plane or otherwise be close to one another to provide a large range of possible angular motion. A sensor is preferably positioned within the finger-engagable scrolling device for rotational movement of the rotational portion of the finger-engagable scrolling device. A pivot sensor may be provided on the second axis or laterally disposed from the scrolling device. A cover with an aperture may be provided over the scrolling device to help prevent dust and other contaminates from entering the housing through the opening for the scrolling device.

Abstract: A scroll wheel assembly includes a rotatable member. Encoded rotation of the rotating member causes scrolling of an image on a display screen along an axis. An actuator is located within the rotational member. Pressure on different parts of the actuator causes scrolling of the image in opposing directions along a second axis. Pressure upon additional parts of the actuator can provide additional screen functions. Functions and commands caused by manipulation of the rotatable member or actuator may also be programmable.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The finger-engagable scrolling device may contain rotation sensor within a scroll wheel assembly. The finger-engagable scrolling device may also contain lateral arms extending laterally from the finger-engabable scrolling device.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The portion of the scrolling device may further be depressed to activate a switch.

Abstract: A scroll wheel assembly includes a rotatable member. Encoded rotation of the rotating member causes scrolling of an image on a display screen along an axis. An actuator is located within the rotational member. Pressure on different parts of the actuator causes scrolling of the image in opposing directions along a second axis. Pressure upon additional parts of the actuator can provide additional screen functions. Functions and commands caused by manipulation of the rotatable member or actuator may also be programmable.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis and the second axis may lie in a common plane or otherwise be close to one another to provide a large range of possible angular motion. A sensor is preferably positioned within the finger-engagable scrolling device for rotational movement of the rotational portion of the finger-engagable scrolling device. A pivot sensor may be provided on the second axis or laterally disposed from the scrolling device. A cover with an aperture may be provided over the scrolling device to help prevent dust and other contaminates from entering the housing through the opening for the scrolling device.

Abstract: Capacitive proximity sensing is carried out by detecting a relative change in the capacitance of a “scoop” capacitor formed by a conductor and a surrounding ground plane. The conductor may be a plate provided in the form of an adhesive label printed with conductive ink. Charge is transferred between the “scoop” capacitor and a relatively large “bucket” capacitor, and a voltage of the bucket capacitor is applied to an input threshold switch. A state transition (e.g., from low to high, or high to low) of the input threshold switch is detected and a value (TouchVal) indicative of a number of cycles of charge transfer required to reach the state transition is determined. The presence or absence of an object or body portion in close proximity to or contact with a device can be determined by comparing TouchVal with a predetermined threshold value (TouchOff). TouchOff can be adjusted to take into account environmentally induced (non-touch related) changes in the capacitance of the scoop capacitor.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and an engagable scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is rotatable about an axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The rotatable member is laterally movable relative to the housing. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing lateral movement of the rotatable member. In response to sensed lateral movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. The scrolling speed can be affected relative to the amount of displacement of the rotatable member and/or the amount of time that the rotatable member is displaced a predetermined amount. The computer input device having the rotatable member may take the form of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball device, or another type of computer input device.

Abstract: A computer input device having a housing and a finger-engagable scrolling device. A portion of the scrolling device is endlessly rotatable about a first axis to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scrolling device is pivotally movable relative to the housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis and the second axis may lie in a common plane or otherwise be close to one another to provide a large range of possible angular motion. A sensor is preferably positioned within the finger-engagable scrolling device for rotational movement of the rotational portion of the finger-engagable scrolling device. A pivot sensor may be provided on the second axis or laterally disposed from the scrolling device. A cover with an aperture may be provided over the scrolling device to help prevent dust and other contaminates from entering the housing through the opening for the scrolling device.