Abstract: A contaminant-neutralizing cradle comprises a base and a support surface configured to removably receive a coherently-illuminated mouse. A neutralizing element is disposed on the support surface for alignment with at least one exposed surface of an optics module of the mouse and is configured to neutralize the optical effect of a contaminant on the at least one exposed surface. A method of neutralizing contaminants for an optical mouse comprises providing a mouse containing an optics module having at least one surface exposed to an opening of the mouse and interposing a barrier in the mouse between a contaminant and the at least one exposed surface.

Abstract: An method and device suitable for navigation on a wide variety of surfaces is introduced. Specular reflection is used to determine relative motion over typical surfaces. A specific application is a computer mouse.

Abstract: Tracking separation between an object and a surface involves illuminating the surface and reducing the collection angle of light that reflects off of the surface in response to a change in separation between the object and the surface. Reducing the collection angle of light that reflects off of the surface causes the amount of light that is detected to be dependent on the separation distance between the object and the surface. The amount of detected light is then used as an indication of the separation distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for position determination and motion tracking for use in a processor based system. Embodiments may incorporate a redirector that moves in at least one direction about a fixed point, an object operable to reflect a search beam as a location beam, logic operable to determine at least one angle of position for the object from the orientation of the redirector, and logic operable to determine a distance of the object from a fixed point.

Abstract: An method and device suitable for navigation on a wide variety of surfaces is introduced. Specular reflection is used to determine relative motion over typical surfaces. A specific application is a computer mouse.

Abstract: An optical navigation system for determining movement relative to a navigation terrain includes a first source and a second source of optical radiation for illuminating the navigation terrain, the first source differing from the second source in at least one operating parameter. The system further includes means to select the first source and the second source independently based on decision criteria. The system further includes a detector for capturing patterns in the optical radiation subsequent to illuminating of the navigation terrain.

Abstract: Combining the approaches of cavity ring down spectroscopy with surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy allows creation of an ultra-high sensitivity apparatus to detect extremely low concentrations of chemicals and biomolecules.

Abstract: A method for determining relative movement between an optical navigation device and a navigation terrain includes generating two overlapping coherent optical beams, and generating a pattern of interference fringes between the two overlapping optical beams. The method further includes illuminating a surface portion of the navigation terrain with the pattern of interference fringes, imaging a fringe-illuminated surface portion, and generating a pattern of signals in response to the imaged fringe-illuminated surface portion.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter utilizes multiple electroholographic (EH) gratings with different center wavelengths to filter an optical signal over a wide wavelength range. The EH gratings are connected such that an input optical signal passes through at least one of the EH gratings. The EH gratings are activated and tuned by electrode pairs that are controlled through a voltage controller. The tunable optical filter is coarse tuned by activating the EH gratings having a wavelength range that includes the center wavelength that is to be filtered and fine tuned by adjusting the voltage that is applied across the activated EH gratings.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter utilizes multiple electroholographic (EH) gratings with different center wavelengths to filter an optical signal over a wide wavelength range. The EH gratings are connected such that an input optical signal passes through at least one of the EH gratings. The EH gratings are activated and tuned by electrode pairs that are controlled through a voltage controller. The tunable optical filter is coarse tuned by activating the EH gratings having a wavelength range that includes the center wavelength that is to be filtered and fine tuned by adjusting the voltage that is applied across the activated EH gratings.