Abstract: An input device is disclosed that includes a sensor for editing characters and text units. The sensor has an elongate configuration and is laterally-oriented with respect to sides of the input device. The input device also includes a plurality of keys for entering individual characters or multiple characters that form the text units. By contacting the sensor, an incorrectly-entered text unit may be selected and replaced with an intended text unit. In order to select the incorrectly-entered text unit, the sensor may be contacted in a position that corresponds with a position of the text unit with respect to a display screen.

Abstract: A computer input device, such as a mouse, is disclosed that includes one or more sensor systems for detecting translational displacement and angular displacement of the input device relative to a support surface. The input device transmits a signal to a computing device in response to detecting the translational displacement and angular displacement, and the computing device moves an image on a display screen in a linear manner in response to the signal. The sensor system within the input device may be an optical sensor system, for example.

Abstract: A data input device for use with a tracking surface having light-scattering properties with respect to the device. The device comprising a single laser having a modulated light beam. A beam splitter splits the modulated light beam into two light beams projected along separate paths toward the tracking surface. A portion of the light striking the tracking surface reflects back into a cavity of the single laser for self-mixing with the projected light, thereby altering first and second characteristics of the projected modulated light beam according to first and second directions associated with the tracking surface. A detector associated with the laser detects the altered first and second characteristics of the modulated light beam projected by the laser, and a controller responsive to the detector determines the relative movement of the tracking surface and data input device relative to one another as a function of the altered first and second characteristics detected by the detector.

Abstract: A keyboard detects press or release of keys using one or more ranging techniques. Targets are attached to keys of the keyboard. As keys are pressed or released, attached targets move into paths of distance measuring sensors. A range finder determines sensor-target distances and reports those distances to a microprocessor. Based on that distance data, the microprocessor identifies the moved keys. The keys and microprocessor are configured to determine the direction of key motion and to detect simultaneous press or release of keys in a single row or column. A slider control, and/or an integral pointing device tracking motion of a user's finger or other object, may also be included.

Abstract: An input/output device is disclosed that includes an input-sensitive display screen and alphanumeric keys for entering characters. The input-sensitive display screen may be positioned proximate the alphanumeric keys and be capable of displaying graphical information and sensing user selection of the graphical information. The input-sensitive display screen may include a combination display/input region and a non-display input region. The touch sensitive display screen may be detachable from the alphanumeric region and may be operable in a detached configuration. The input/output device may usable with a method of input correction. The method may include displaying, on a secondary display, a first text unit, such as a character or a word, which corresponds with a second text unit shown on a primary display screen of a computing device. The method further involves receiving user selection of the first text unit and replacing the first text unit with a second text unit.

Abstract: Direct and absolute pointing is provided for with respect to a two-dimensional information display surface, much like how one would point a laser pointer or flashlight at a desired point. The displayed control may be moved by manipulating the pointing device in three dimensions. The translational position of the pointing device may be measured in three dimensions. Also, the three-dimensional orientation of the pointing device may be measured. A computing device may receive this information from the pointing device and determine where the pointing device is pointing to. If the pointing device is pointing at a display, then the computing device may cause the control to be displayed at the position to which the pointing device is pointing. In addition, the control may be displayed at an orientation that depends upon the orientation of the pointing device.

Abstract: A system and process for helping users enter information in an Asian language is described. In some aspects, pinyin input for Chinese is described with respect to dedicated keys of a keyboard.

Abstract: An input device is disclosed that includes a sensor for editing characters and text units. The sensor has an elongate configuration and is laterally-oriented with respect to sides of the input device. The input device also includes a plurality of keys for entering individual characters or multiple characters that form the text units. By contacting the sensor, an incorrectly-entered text unit may be selected and replaced with an intended text unit. In order to select the incorrectly-entered text unit, the sensor may be contacted in a position that corresponds with a position of the text unit with respect to a display screen.

Abstract: A pointing system comprises an encoded surface and a pointing device for use with an encoded surface remote from the pointing device. The pointing device comprises a collimated light source for projecting a collimated light beam having a wavelength outside the visible light spectrum onto the encoded surface. The encoded surface scatters the collimated light beam striking the encoded surface. A detector associated with the collimated light source detects at least a portion of the scattered light. A controller is associated with the detector and configured to respond to the detected portion of the scattered light to determine a position where the collimated light beam strikes the encoded surface. The position corresponds to where the device is pointing.

Abstract: A pointing device, and the use thereof, is described that allows a displayed cursor or other navigation control to be controlled in different modes, such as at different resolutions. The pointing device may include a first pointing element and a second pointing element. The first and second pointing elements may independently control the same navigation control using their own respective navigation modes. The pointing device may additionally or alternatively have switching capability to switch between navigation modes. In this way, a single pointing element may be used to control the navigation control in accordance with various navigation modes.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for adding modular tags, that can be associated with particular configurations, that can be attached to and/or read by a computer peripheral device and/or computer is described. A modular tag reader in a computer peripheral device and/or computer recognizes a modular tag and its associated software configuration, thereby directly initiating user intended actions without the user interacting with the software interfaces. A user can attach modular tags that are intuitively recognizable as performing a particular function, such as a color change, font size change, font style change, highlight operation, and application program initiation. Such modular tags are interpreted by a processor within the host computer and/or within the computer peripheral device to change a configuration in accordance with the tag.

Abstract: A data input device for use with a tracking surface having light-scattering properties. The device comprises a single laser configured to project a light beam onto the tracking surface. A portion of the light beam striking the tracking surface reflects back into a cavity of the laser and thereby alters at least one characteristic of the projected light beam. A detector associated with the laser detects the altered characteristic of the light beam projected by the laser. A controller responsive to the detector determines the relative distance between the device and the tracking surface as a function of the altered characteristic of the projected light beam detected by the detector. Another device comprises a laser projecting a light beam oriented substantially perpendicular to the tracking surface when the device is operating in a tracking mode.

Abstract: A data input device for use with a tracking surface having light-scattering properties. The device comprises a single laser configured to project a light beam onto the tracking surface. A portion of the light beam striking the tracking surface reflects back into a cavity of the laser and thereby alters at least one characteristic of the projected light beam. A detector associated with the laser detects the altered characteristic of the light beam projected by the laser. A controller responsive to the detector determines the relative distance between the device and the tracking surface as a function of the altered characteristic of the projected light beam detected by the detector. Another device comprises a laser projecting a light beam oriented substantially perpendicular to the tracking surface when the device is operating in a tracking mode.

Abstract: A data input device comprising an impedance sensor arranged with respect to a tracking surface. The impedance sensor has a measurement zone within which the impedance sensor measures an electrical impedance. A controller of the device receives data from and is responsive to the impedance sensor for determining if the data input device is spatially separated from the tracking surface by at least a lift-off detection distance as a function of a measured impedance. The controller further initiates a non-tracking mode in which the controller suspends tracking of relative movement between the data input device and the tracking surface when the data input device is spatially separated from the tracking surface by at least the lift-off detection distance.

Abstract: An input device is disclosed that includes a sensor for editing characters and text units. The sensor has an elongate configuration and is laterally-oriented with respect to sides of the input device. The input device also includes a plurality of keys for entering individual characters or multiple characters that form the text units. By contacting the sensor, an incorrectly-entered text unit may be selected and replaced with an intended text unit. In order to select the incorrectly-entered text unit, the sensor may be contacted in a position that corresponds with a position of the text unit with respect to a display screen.

Abstract: A computer input device, such as a mouse, is disclosed that includes one or more sensor systems for detecting translational displacement and angular displacement of the input device relative to a support surface. The input device transmits a signal to a computing device in response to detecting the translational displacement and angular displacement, and the computing device moves an image on a display screen in a linear manner in response to the signal. The sensor system within the input device may be an optical sensor system, for example.

Abstract: A reusable print media, and a method of making a making the same, for temporarily displaying an image after exposure to a physical effect generated by an ink applying print mechanism in a printzone thereof. The method includes the steps of supplying a base layer and a changeable layer, with the changeable layer comprising a material having a changeable property that changes the optical appearance of the reusable print media to display the image when exposed to said physical effect by the ink applying printing mechanism; and bonding the changeable layer to the base layer so as to form a flexible sheet for feeding through the printzone of the ink applying print mechanism.

Abstract: A reusable media printing system is provided for temporarily printing an image to a reusable print media having a changeable property that changes the optical appearance of the reusable print media when exposed to a physical effect. A reusable media printhead installed in a printing mechanism, preferably in place of an inkjet printhead, selectively exposes the reusable print media to this physical effect in response to a firing signal generated by a controller to change the optical appearance of the reusable print media to display the image for viewing. A reusable print media, a method of making the reusable media, and a reusable media cartridge are also provided. A method is provided for printing a temporary image to a reusable print media. The reusable printhead may be a stationary, page-wide array or a replaceable cartridge carried by a carriage mechanism across a printzone adjacent the reusable media.

Abstract: High-resolution sputter etching of a relatively thick layer (of, for example, gold) by directly utilizing a relatively thin layer of resist as a sputter-etching mask is often not feasible. In such a case, it is known to use a sputter-etching mask made of an etch-resistant material such as titanium interposed between the resist and the relatively thick layer. In accordance with the invention, patterning of the titanium is achieved by a technique of sputter etching in a halocarbon atmosphere.