Abstract: A computer system that includes a data-processing unit, a touch-sensitive, position-resolving input surface in data communication with the data-processing unit, and a freely movable input device, by which the input surface is to be touched for the purpose of inputting into the data-processing unit. The freely movable input device is a computer mouse, which is in data communication with the data-processing unit. With comparatively low sensor complexity, inter alia, both the absolute position of the computer mouse and also subtle position changes of the computer mouse can therefore be very easily detected by the data-processing unit.

Abstract: A computer system, including data-processing equipment and a freely movable input device, wherein the input device contains at least one position change sensor from which information can be sent to the data-processing equipment and wherein the data-processing equipment can also capture information about the absolute position of the input device. Information about the absolute position of the input device can be captured by the data-processing equipment as a result of the fact that the data-processing equipment is in data communication with a light-sensitive, position-sensitive input surface and the input device emits a light beam, the point of incidence of which on the input surface can be detected by the latter.

Abstract: A device for entering information into a data processing system having a position-sensitive optical sensor surface which is connected to the data processing system runs around a data processing system display surface, the optical sensor surface being suitable for detecting the position of the intersections between the sensor surface and a cross-sectional surface of a light beam emitted from a luminous indicator. A light curtain which is parallel to the display surface extends on the user side of the display surface, wherein the sensor surface is the optical detector of the light curtain.

Abstract: A light curtain for the optical detection of shading objects in an area to be monitored, wherein the area to be monitored is repeatedly swept over by a collimated light beam of variable direction. The power of the light crossing the area is measured, shadow boundaries, position and size of a shading object are deduced by an evaluating control from the temporal profile of the measured power with knowledge of the temporal profile of the direction of the light beam. An optical detector area embodied as a planar optical waveguide is arranged along the edge of the area to be monitored, photoluminescent particles being integrated into said optical detector area and one or more photoelectric sensors being fitted to the optical detector area. Using the light curtain, shading objects can be detected with very good resolution, the light curtain can be robust and can have a low production cost.

Abstract: A computer system that includes a data-processing unit, a touch-sensitive, position-resolving input surface in data communication with the data-processing unit, and a freely movable input device, by which the input surface is to be touched for the purpose of inputting into the data-processing unit. The freely movable input device is a computer mouse, which is in data communication with the data-processing unit. With comparatively low sensor complexity, inter alia, both the absolute position of the computer mouse and also subtle position changes of the computer mouse can therefore be very easily detected by the data-processing unit.

Abstract: A computer system, including data-processing equipment and a freely movable input device, wherein the input device contains at least one position change sensor from which information can be sent to the data-processing equipment and wherein the data-processing equipment can also capture information about the absolute position of the input device. Information about the absolute position of the input device can be captured by the data-processing equipment as a result of the fact that the data-processing equipment is in data communication with a light-sensitive, position-sensitive input surface and the input device emits a light beam, the point of incidence of which on the input surface can be detected by the latter.

Abstract: A real-time measurement of relative position data and/or of geometrical dimensions of a moving body by lighting unit and a detector unit, wherein the moving body is movably guided relative to both of the units. Light beams are transmitted from the lighting unit towards the detector unit; the moving body protrudes between the lighting unit and the detector unit into the volume flooded by the light beams, so that the shadow border of the shadow thrown by the moving body extends over the detector unit. The detector unit includes a two-dimensional optical position detector, which is designed as a two-dimensional optical waveguide containing photo-luminescent particles. Signals from the two-dimensional optical waveguide are read out by a plurality of small-area photoelectric sensors spaced apart from one another, the strength of the signals correlating with the intensity of the light at the sensor location in waveguide mode.

Abstract: A light curtain having a light source which emits a light beam which propagates in an area to be monitored by the light curtain and then strikes an optical detector surface. The area to be monitored is arranged in the vicinity of a translucent disc and is oriented parallel to the latter. The light source and detector surface are arranged on that side of the disc which faces away from the area to be monitored. The path of the light beam from the light source to the detector surface runs twice through the plane of the disc and via two mirrors arranged on the edge of the area to be monitored.

Abstract: An input panel having a display panel and a photosensitive detector panel, for controlling a data processing installation. Also disclosed is a method for operating such an input panel. In one preferred embodiment, the detector panel and the display panel are arranged at a distance from one another and the layer which adjoins the detector panel on the display panel side is an air layer. In a preferred mode of operation, a beam of light which is emitted by a light pointer device onto the input panel for the purpose of controlling the data processing installation has radiation components in two different spectral ranges, one radiation component being in the spectral range of visible light and the second radiation component being in the spectral range of IR light or UV light, with only the radiation component which is present as IR or UV light being absorbed by the detector panel.

Abstract: A light curtain for the optical detection of shading objects in an area to be monitored, wherein the area to be monitored is repeatedly swept over by a collimated light beam of variable direction. The power of the light crossing the area is measured, shadow boundaries, position and size of a shading object are deduced by an evaluating control from the temporal profile of the measured power with knowledge of the temporal profile of the direction of the light beam. An optical detector area embodied as a planar optical waveguide is arranged along the edge of the area to be monitored, photoluminescent particles being integrated into said optical detector area and one or more photoelectric sensors being fitted to the optical detector area. Using the light curtain, shading objects can be detected with very good resolution, the light curtain can be robust and can have a low production cost.

Abstract: A detector surface which is based on optical signals and arranged as a flexible enveloping surface around the body in order to detect whether and where the illuminated indicator strikes the body. The detector surface composed of one or more planar optical fibers, wherein at least one layer of a planar optical fiber has photoluminescent properties, and wherein photodetectors are arranged on the planar optical fiber such that they can decouple light from the optical fiber and detect it. The planar optical fiber is designed as a film made of a transparent polymer having a thickness of 30 to 500 ?m and the photodetector is arranged at a distance from all edges of the optical fiber on the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical-signal based control surface for a data processing system, the surface being designed as a planar optical fiber, on which photoelectric sensors are provided, the measured signals of which are used to deduce the position of a light signal striking the control surface and the position being associated with a processing mark in the data processing system. A layer having photoluminescent properties is in contact with at least one layer of the planar optical fiber. The light of the light beam shining on the control surface is converted into longer-wave light by way of photoluminescence, the light being coupled into the waveguide, diffusing therein, and being measured by the photoelectric sensors.

Abstract: A detector surface which is based on optical signals and arranged as a flexible enveloping surface around the body in order to detect whether and where the illuminated indicator strikes the body. The detector surface composed of one or more planar optical fibers, wherein at least one layer of a planar optical fiber has photoluminescent properties, and wherein photodetectors are arranged on the planar optical fiber such that they can decouple light from the optical fiber and detect it. The planar optical fiber is designed as a film made of a transparent polymer having a thickness of 30 to 500 ?m and the photodetector is arranged at a distance from all edges of the optical fiber on the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical-signal based control surface for a data processing system, said surface being designed as a planar optical fiber, on which photoelectric sensors are provided, the measured signals of which are used to deduce the position of a light signal striking the control surface and said position being associated with a processing mark in the data processing system. A layer having photoluminescent properties is in contact with at least one layer of the planar optical fiber. The light of the light beam shining on the control surface is converted into longer-wave light by way of photoluminescence, said light being coupled into the waveguide, diffusing therein, and being measured by the photoelectric sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display surface and a control device combined therewith for a data processing system, wherein a display surface is equipped with photosensitive elements. A photosensitive element is configured as a planar position detector on the basis of a layer made of an organic photoactive material, which on both sides is connected by a planar electrode, wherein at least one electrode inside the circuit thereof has relatively high resistance, wherein the current through an electrode having poor conductivity is measured at several connecting points disposed at a distance from each other and from this conclusions may be drawn about the position of a local conductive connection through the photosensitive layer caused by light absorption. A luminous indicator produces a light spot on the display surface, the spot is detectable by the position detectors and reported to a data processing unit.

Abstract: An elevator installation includes an elevator car located in a hoistway and having a floor, and a rear wall extending upward from the floor. A counterweight is located in the hoistway adjacent to the rear wall of the elevator car. An underslung sheave assembly is located generally below the floor and preferably forms a V-shaped configuration that operatively engages the elevator car. A drive machine is mounted in the upper portion of the hoistway, and a drive sheave operatively engages the drive machine and is located above the counterweight, with the drive sheave having a front edge. A deflector sheave is also mounted in the upper part of the hoistway generally below the drive sheave and has a rear edge that vertically overlaps with the front edge of the drive sheave.