Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a distance sensor that outputs one or more (e.g., infrared) light patterns from a transmitting element. Signals from any reflective entity (e.g., a surface or object) within the sensor's range are captured by a receiving element. The captured image is digitized into digital data representing each light pattern, and the digital data is processed (e.g., including using triangulation) to determine distance data of the distance sensor relative to the reflective surface.

Abstract: When an operator operates a pointing device, a direction computing section computes a movement vector from an image photographed by an image sensor, and when the movement vector is larger than a threshold, a direction correcting section determines the movement vector as invalid based on the recognition that the movement vector was caused by an abrupt change in the illumination or other conditions, and outputs only movement vectors that are smaller than the threshold to a coordinate position updating section.

Abstract: An operator input device is configured to provide position information based on relative movement of the surface and the operator input device. The operator input device includes an image detector which is configured to detect an image on the surface and provide an image signal corresponding to the image detected. A controller is coupled to the image detector and is configured to receive the image signal and provide the position information based on a position of the image relative to the image detector.

Abstract: The wireless computer input system uses a pen-type input device and a receiver. The pen-type input device includes an LED, at least one switch, a rechargeable battery, and a control circuit. The control circuit provides signals to the LED upon activation of the switch, and provides for power management functions allowing the pen to conserve power during idle periods. The receiver includes one or more light-detecting elements connected to position computation circuitry. The light-detecting element or elements are either a two-dimensional PSD, two one-dimensional PSDs or a four division photodiode. Optional lenses, optical filters, and apertured plates are positioned before the light-detecting element(s), improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the system. The computation circuitry receives the signals from the light-detecting element(s), digitizes them, and computes the coordinates of the pen which are output to a host computer.

Abstract: A user input system for inputting computer signals, such as a joystick, has an elongated member or handle that is movably received by a housing. The handle is capable of moving in at least three perpendicular directions, i.e., along X, Y and Z axes, and is capable of being rotated about at least one of the three axes. In a first embodiment, a pair of light emitting diodes ("LEDs") are mounted at an end of the handle and oriented toward the interior of the housing. The LEDs are strobed to alternately project light downward into the housing. A light detecting element, such as a two-dimensional position sensing device ("PSD"), two one-dimension PSDs, or a four quadrant photodiode, is positioned opposite the LEDs, and mounted to the housing to receive the light from the LEDs to produce signals. The signals are converted from analog to digital and input to a microprocessor. The microprocessor, employing trigonometric methods, calculates the position and orientation (i.e.

Abstract: In order to provide an optical disk drive and read/write apparatus, the time of erasure, recording and reproduction of data by which is shortened to heighten the apparatus in access speed and data transfer speed, in the apparatus according to the present invention, an optical disk 4 is clamped to a turntable 2 supported with bearings 24 by a housing, and an optical head 5 is movably supported by the housing so as to face the disk. Four such optical heads 5 are disposed at equiangular intervals on a circle, and controlled independently of each other to perform the erasure, recording and reproduction of data from and in the disk 4 so as to make the apparatus much higher in access speed and data transfer speed than in the case that only one optical head is used.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of deflecting a laser convergent light beam comprising optical reflector means including a reflecting face having a predetermined angle acute relative to a reference face and having an arcuate section formed when viewed in a plane parallel to the reference face and optical path deflecting means to receive the laser light on a predetermined optical path and irradiate the laser light beam in a variable radial direction of a face having a predetermined angle relative to a central axis of the reflecting face at a center of one point on the central axis so that the laser light beam radiates at the desired position of the reflecting face with the length of the optical path for the laser light beam radiating from the optical path deflecting means until it reaches the reference face being always uniform in spite of the radial direction.