Abstract: A motion detection apparatus and method for detecting motion in an apparatus being monitored, and for controlling operations of the apparatus being monitored. First logic of the apparatus processes electrical signals output from an optical detector to produce values that represent movement or an absence of movement of the apparatus being monitored. Second logic of the apparatus receives the values from the first logic and processes them to determine whether the values indicate that the apparatus being monitored has moved. When a determination is made that the apparatus being monitored has not moved, the apparatus being monitored is change from a current mode of operations to a different mode of operations.

Abstract: A motion detection apparatus and method for detecting motion in an apparatus being monitored, and for controlling operations of the apparatus being monitored. First logic of the apparatus processes electrical signals output from an optical detector to produce values that represent movement or an absence of movement of the apparatus being monitored. Second logic of the apparatus receives the values from the first logic and processes them to determine whether the values indicate that the apparatus being monitored has moved. When a determination is made that the apparatus being monitored has not moved, the apparatus being monitored is change from a current mode of operations to a different mode of operations.

Abstract: A game controller having a moveable element and an imaging element that forms an image of a portion of the surface of the moveable element is disclosed. The moveable element has an optically readable pattern on a surface thereof and moves relative to a fixed position. The position of the moveable element at any given time is characterized by the relative position of the moveable element relative to a fixed reference position. The imaging element forms an image of a sub-area on the surface. The sub-area is determined by the relative position of the moveable element relative to the fixed position. A memory stores a map that specifies the readable pattern in each sub-area on the surface that can be imaged by the imaging element. A controller compares the image to the map to determine the position of the moveable element.