Abstract: A display apparatus, that can prevent thermal destruction and burning with a simple structure, has been disclosed. In the apparatus it is judged that there is possibility of a pattern, whose area with high brightness is small, being displayed frequently, when a state in which the total light emission pulse number remains large occurs with high frequency, and if such a state is detected, the total light emission pulse number (sustain frequency) is reduced to prevent the thermal destruction and burning.

Abstract: In illuminated displays with lighting elements which are driven by means of a control voltage, the voltage drop on a supply line, which supplies two or more lighting elements, is compensated for. The currents for all of the light elements which are connected to a supply line, and the known resistances are used to calculate the potential profile of the supply line for this purpose. The control voltages for the light elements are changed such that the actual potential on the supply line for each element is taken into account. Fluctuations in the brightness of the illuminated display resulting from potential differences are avoided. One element of an illuminated display has a current control means, a signal retaining means, a light emitting means and means for interrupting the current flow through the light emitting means. The control voltage is adjusted with the current flow interrupted, so that no potential differences exist on the supply line.

Abstract: A display for a multi-function keypad and an electronic device including the display. The display for a multi-function keypad includes: a display panel having a plurality of display regions arranged in a matrix pattern and a non-display region surrounding the plurality of display regions; a circuit board on the display panel and including a plurality of openings corresponding to the display regions, and a plurality of keys near peripheral edges of the openings and corresponding to the non-display region; and a pad on the circuit board and including a plurality of transparent windows corresponding to the openings, and a plurality of pressing units near peripheral edges of the transparent windows and corresponding to the plurality of keys.

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic light emitting display device. The exemplary organic light emitting display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a substrate, a displaying area located on the substrate, the displaying area comprising a plurality of sub pixels, each of which has an emission area; and a dummy area located on an area of the substrate other than the displaying area, the dummy area comprising a plurality of dummy patterns, wherein the dummy pattern contains the same material as that of the emission area.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode display device and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The organic light emitting diode display device according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a display panel including a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate line pairs crossing the data lines, and a plurality of light emitting cells which include an organic light emitting diode device, first and second cell driving circuits for alternately driving the organic light emitting diode device; a data voltage generator supplying a data voltage of a first polarity to the data lines; a compensation voltage generator supplying a compensation voltage of a second polarity to the data lines; and a scan driver for sequentially supplying scan pulses to the gate line pairs, wherein the first and second cell driving circuits are alternately supplied with the data voltage and the compensation voltage in response to the scan pulses to alternately driven the organic light.

Abstract: A luminance control circuit including a detection unit, a control unit and a current adjustor is provided. The detection unit detects a working current of each light emitting module and produces detection signals to be transmitted to the control unit. The control unit produces control signals according to the detection signals to be transmitted to the current adjustor. The current adjustor adjusts each of the working currents of each of the light emitting modules according to the control signals.

Abstract: An improved AM OLED pixel circuit and method of wide dynamic range dimming for AM OLED displays are disclosed that maintain color balance throughout the dimming range, and also maintain the uniformity of the luminance and chromaticity of the display at low gray-levels as the display is dimmed to lower luminance values. As such, AM OLED displays can meet the stringent color/dimming specifications required for existing and future avionics, cockpit, and hand-held military device display applications. Essentially, the OLED pixel circuit and method of dimming that are disclosed use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the OLED pixel current to achieve the desired display luminance. Two example circuits are disclosed that externally PW modulate the common cathode voltage or common power supply voltage to modulate the OLED current in order to achieve the desired display luminance.

Abstract: A flat panel display, particularly a liquid crystal display has a front plate with a plate area defined by a plate perimeter, which is in turn defined by a first and second pair of parallel sides, the pairs of sides in perpendicular relationship to each other. An active display area providing a unitary visual display is located within the plate perimeter. In the invention, this active display area is divided into at least first and second display areas, a visual output of said first and second display areas being separately driven. In some embodiments, one or both of the display areas is subdivided into first and second subdisplay areas, with the visual output of the first and second subdisplay areas being separately driven.

Abstract: A IF inversion driving method writes signal voltage of the same polarity to a signal line over a 1F period, and therefore cannot prevent occurrence of crosstalk caused by coupling. Also, shading is caused. In an active matrix type liquid crystal display device including a pixel array unit 11 formed by two-dimensionally arranging pixels 20 in a form of a matrix, the pixel array unit 11 is divided into a plurality of areas (two areas 11A and 11B in a present example) in a vertical direction, while the plurality of areas being vertically scanned in order (alternately in the present example) in a unit of a row, pixels of the plurality of areas are selected in a unit of a row, and a video signal Vsig reversed in polarity in each H is written to the pixels of the selected row.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying icons directly on a display, such as an LCD, regardless of whether the display is ON. When the display is ON, a primary backlight may be used to illuminate the display. When the display is OFF, a secondary backlight may project light through the primary backlight to display one or more icons on the display. The displayed icons may be of various shapes, colors, and sizes.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a driver chip. The first substrate includes a plurality of gate lines disposed in the display area and extended in a first direction, a plurality of data lines disposed on a gate insulating layer insulating the gate lines and extended in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a gate driving circuit section disposed in the first peripheral area adjacent to first ends of the gate lines. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate. A liquid crystal is interposed between the first and second substrates. The driver chip is disposed in the second peripheral area adjacent to second ends of the gate lines opposite to the first ends so that the width of the upper and lower portions of the display area may be decreased.

Abstract: A driver circuit drives display device and LCD device has a driver circuit that includes driving stages and dummy stage. The driving stage includes output and control terminals. The output terminal of the present stage is connected to the control terminal of the previous state to be cascade-connected each other. The driving stage outputs driving signal for controlling the switching device arranged on the display device through the output terminal. The dummy stage includes dummy output terminal and dummy control terminal. The dummy output terminal is connected to the control terminal of the last driving stage to output dummy output signal for turning on or off the last driving stage. The dummy control terminal is connected to the dummy output terminal to be turned on or off by the dummy output signal. The delay of signals is reduced, thereby enhancing display quality.

Abstract: A picture display apparatus exploiting a liquid crystal display is disclosed. This picture display apparatus (10) includes an interpolator (11), an over-drive unit (12), an angle of visibility improvement unit (13), and a source driver (15) for driving a liquid crystal display panel (16). The interpolator converts the picture rate upwardly. The angle of visibility improvement unit (13) converts an input picture signal into a picture signal representing a grayscale level of the input picture signal by synthesis of liquid crystal transmittances of a plural number of temporally consecutive fields. Specifically, the angle of visibility improvement unit converts the input picture signal to a picture signal made up of a first field set to a signal value related with a high grayscale level and a second field set to a signal value related with a low grayscale level.

Abstract: To suppress degradation of image quality caused by using an AC drive method so as to display a high-quality image. If a drive state of each of subpixels at a time when a gray-scale voltage higher than a counter voltage applied to a counter electrode is applied to a pixel electrode is defined as a positive drive state and if the drive state of each subpixel at a time when a gray-scale voltage lower than a counter voltage applied to the counter electrode is applied to the pixel electrode is defined as a negative drive state, an image line drive circuit changes the drive state of each subpixel from the positive drive state to the negative drive state or from the negative drive state to the positive drive state every two frames, as well as inverts a phase of the drive state of each subpixel every N (N?4) frames.

Abstract: A method for driving a liquid crystal display is provided. The method includes: turning on a display-enable switch to pass through time of liquid crystal response and light display of a first frame until a reset time appeared. At the same time, turn on a second write-enable switch to pre-deliver a pixel signal corresponding to a second frame to a second storage capacitor. During reset time of the first frame time, turn on a reset switch and provide a reset voltage signal to a pixel electrode while the first and the second display-enable switches and the first and the second write-enable switches are turned off, in which the reset voltage signal has a first voltage level during a first period, and a second voltage level in a second period. Therefore, the method can increase brightness of the display, and decrease image sticking effect thereof.

Abstract: A display device includes: an average value calculating section which inputs video signals having linear property and calculates an average value of levels of the video signals in each pixel; an average value memory section which sequentially stores the average values calculated by the average value calculating section; a still image determining section which determines whether a still image is displayed on a present screen based on a difference between the average value stored in the average value memory section and a last average value; a coefficient calculating section which, when the determination is made that a still image is displayed on the present screen as a result of the determination in the still image determining section, calculates coefficients for lowering luminance of an image displayed on the display device; and a coefficient multiplying section which multiplies the video signals by the coefficients calculated by the coefficient calculating section.

Abstract: A method to generate control signals for a display-panel driver, which needs to receive a set of predetermined number of input signals so as to output a set of control signals. The method includes starting with a reset process. The display-panel driver receives a first part of the set of input signals through multiple input terminals. At least two of the input terminals are used as secondary input terminals, and at least two enabling input signals of different definitions are input, respectively. The enabling input signals internally enable a control signal generator to generate a second part of the set of input signals. The second part of the set of input signals and the first part of the set of input signals form a complete set of input signals. When a serial data of the input signals cannot satisfy the predetermined format, the method goes back to the reset process.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method for driving the LCD device are disclosed. The LCD device includes a frame rate adjusting circuit for controlling a frame rate to be maintained at a 1-fold rate in frame periods other than an Nth frame period (“N” is a multiple of 8 or more), while being increased to an “i”-fold-accelerated rate (“i” is a positive integer of 2 or more) in the Nth frame period, to output reference timing signals in the frame periods other than the Nth frame period, and to output accelerated timing signals in the Nth frame period, a timing controller for generating data and gate timing control signals, based on at least one of each reference timing signal and each accelerated timing signal, and a logic circuit for accelerating a frequency of a polarity control signal in the Nth frame period.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) controller includes a plurality of segment/key source control circuits connected with an LCD panel and a key matrix through a plurality of segment/key source terminals, to periodically output a signal for one frame which contains a display output period and a key source output period. The plurality of segment/key source control circuits output to the plurality of segment/key source terminals during the display output period, segment signals having display drive voltages indicating a maximum value, a minimum value, and intermediate values between the maximum value and the minimum value.

Abstract: This invention relates to driving a liquid crystal display with a polarity inversion. The liquid crystal display panel (98) comprises a matrix of pixels (52, 62, 72), which is driven with a sequence of image frames. The method comprises driving the pixels during a first frame (n?1) with a first polarity pattern; driving the pixels with exception of a first set of pixels (54, 66, 74) during a second frame (n) with an inverted polarity pattern; and driving the first set of pixels (54, 66, 74) with the inverted polarity pattern during a third frame (n+1).

Abstract: A liquid crystal driver is provided, in which a frame rate of an input image signal is multiplied by 2N (N is an integer of one or more); each frame is divided into N positive field(s) and N negative field(s) respectively; the image signal is supplied to a liquid crystal panel with a positive polarity in a positive field; and the image signal is supplied to the liquid crystal panel with a negative polarity in a negative field. The liquid crystal driver includes a corrected image signal generator configured to generate a corrected image signal having the same amount of correction added to the positive field and negative field. The corrected image signal is supplied to the liquid crystal panel with the positive polarity in the positive field and the corrected image signal is supplied to the liquid crystal panel with the negative polarity in the negative field.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device in which each one pixel has two switching elements and two pixel electrodes, a heat value of a drive circuit can be suppressed to a low level thus preventing the deterioration of image quality.

Abstract: According to present invention, system on panel without complicating the process of TFT can be realized, and a light-emitting device that can be formed by lower cost than that of the conventional light-emitting device can be provided. A light-emitting device is provided in which a pixel portion is provided with a pixel including a light-emitting element and a TFT for controlling supply of current to the light-emitting element; a TFT included in a drive circuit and a TFT for controlling supply of current to the light-emitting element include a gate electrode, a gate insulating film formed over the gate electrode, a first semiconductor film, which overlaps with the gate electrode via the gate insulating film, a pair of second semiconductor films formed over the first semiconductor film; the pair of second semiconductor films are doped with an impurity to have one conductivity type; and the first semiconductor film is formed by semiamorphous semiconductor.

Abstract: A single-crystal semiconductor layer is separated from a single-crystal semiconductor substrate and is fixed to an insulating substrate to form a TFT over the insulating substrate. Then, a driver circuit is formed using the TFT. The TFT has excellent current characteristics because an active layer is almost in a single-crystal state. Accordingly, a small thin display device with low power consumption can be manufactured. Further, a controller and a shift register which is included in a source driver are operated at the same power supply voltage. Thus, power consumption can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically controlling power of address data in a plasma display panel (PDP), and a PDP device including the apparatus are provided. In this method, first, a difference-sum of pixel value differences between adjacent pixels successively arranged along a column of block is calculated. Then, an address power control level corresponding to the calculated difference-sum for each block is determined. Thereafter, gain information for each block on the basis of the address power control level for each block is determined. Next, a gain for each block corresponding to the gain information for each block is output. Then, the input image signal is multiplied by the gain for each block to correct the input image signal to output the corrected image signal. Accordingly, power consumption, noise, and generation of heat are reduced, and also the brightness is improved.

Abstract: A display driver for driving a display element includes an electro-optical layer to which a drive voltage is applied, the drive voltage being a voltage corresponding to a scanning voltage and a data voltage, the scanning voltage being a voltage applied to a scanning electrode, the data voltage being a voltage applied to a data electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling backlight are provided. The apparatus for controlling backlight is adapted for driving a backlight module of a display panel, and the backlight module includes M luminance-controlling blocks, in which an ith luminance-controlling block corresponds to an ith luminance data. The apparatus for controlling backlight includes a calculation unit and a driving circuit. The calculation unit receives the ith luminance data to output an ith controlling data according to the proportion of the ith luminance data and a maximum luminance data, in which M and i are natural numbers, and i<=M. The driving circuit receives the ith controlling data to determine and drive the backlight luminance of the ith luminance-controlling block.

Abstract: A control circuit of a driving circuit for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) light source having a plurality of areas is provided. The control circuit includes the error amplifiers receiving a feed back current signal and a external reference voltage, and generating an error signal; a buffer register receiving a serial digital signal and generating the parallel digital signals; a work register receiving the parallel digital signals and a trigger signal, and outputting the parallel digital signals when the trigger signal is at a relatively high level; and a switch module having the power switches, each of which receives the error signal and the parallel digital signal for generating a driving signal to control a driving current of a specific area of the light source, in order to control the brightness in each area of the LED light source.

Abstract: An angle of incidence of parallel light from a backlight unit that can change the luminance onto a display element is varied by means of an optical element. By increasing the luminance of parallel light from the backlight unit and increasing the angle of incidence of the light onto a liquid crystal display panel by means of the optical element, a wide-angle field is realized. By lowering the luminance of parallel light from the backlight unit and reducing the angle of incidence of the light onto the liquid crystal display panel by means of the optical element, the power consumption in the backlight unit is reduced, and low power consumption is realized. Both of the wide-angle field and the low power consumption are realized.

Abstract: A method of controlling an illumination source for a display device comprises using an integrated light sensor (14) to detect a light level when the illumination source (12) and light sensor are driven with first drive conditions and using the integrated light sensor to detect a light level when the illumination source (12) and light sensor are driven with second drive conditions, different to the first drive conditions. The first and second detected light levels are processed to derive a first value representing the ambient light level and a second value representing the illumination source output level. This method uses at least two light sensor measurements to derive information concerning both the ambient light levels and the illumination source output level for known drive conditions. This then enables the display device to be controlled taking into account the ambient light level and taking into account the output characteristics of the illumination source.

Abstract: An electro-optical device includes a liquid crystal drive unit that divides on a temporal axis one field into subfields and that, during the subfields, applies either an on-voltage or an off-voltage to picture elements of a liquid crystal display in accordance with gradation of the picture elements during the one field. A light source control unit sequentially switches the three light sources, and switches at least two of the three light sources at a switching period that is shorter than a time duration required to exhibit, in the picture elements during the one field, gradation of each color corresponding to each of the at least two of the three light sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device (100) comprising a homochromatic liquid crystal display (155), a color liquid crystal display (165), and a backlight (175) having a light-pipe (220), the homochromatic liquid crystal display, the color liquid crystal display and the light-pipe being positioned in overlapping relation to each other, the light-pipe arranged to direct light (230d) through both the homochromatic liquid crystal display and the color liquid crystal display, a homochromatic liquid crystal display driver (150) arranged to generate an image on the homochromatic liquid crystal display in response to an image signal, a color liquid crystal display driver (160) arranged to generate an image on the color liquid crystal display in response to an image signal, a processor (103) arranged to receive a light control signal (LS1), and to forward an image signal to one of the homochromatic liquid crystal display driver or the color liquid crystal display driver dependent on the light control si

Abstract: In a display device including a backlight and a display panel, the area of the backlight is divided into a plurality of unit regions; the display panel includes pixels which are larger in number than the unit regions; a frame rate of image data input to the device is converted to perform display while part of the unit regions in which black is displayed is in a non-light emission state; and the driving frequency of the backlight is converted in accordance with the display.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a driving method by which excellent image quality and high video performance can be obtained as well as liquid crystal display devices and electronic devices with excellent image quality and high video performance. A pixel for monitor use is provided in a liquid crystal display device, and luminance of the pixel is detected using a light sensor. Herewith, because changes in luminance of a backlight with changes in the environment and the amount of time it takes for response of the liquid crystal become able to be calculated, control of the backlight in real time using the calculated information can be performed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display apparatus and a liquid crystal television which are provided with a backlight to be lighted up by a separately-excited inverter circuit and realize improvement of contrast in low brightness. A microcomputer 50 obtains a brightness average value of image data from a brightness average value detecting circuit 22, directs an inverter circuit 62 to oscillate at a duty factor corresponding to the obtained brightness average value, and directs an output processing circuit 33 to perform gamma correction processing with gamma correction data corresponding to the obtained brightness average value. When the brightness average value is lowered, the microcomputer 50 lowers the duty factor to be outputted therefrom and lowers the brightness of the backlight 61.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display device is constituted by a first substrate and a second substrate which are disposed with a spacing therebetween, a partition wall disposed in the spacing, electrophoretic particles sealed in a closed space defined by the first and second substrates and the partition wall, a first electrode disposed at a side surface of the closed space, and a second electrode disposed at a bottom surface of the closed space. In the electrophoretic display device, a distribution state of the electrophoretic particles is changed to effect display, and the first electrode has an area substantially equal to or larger than an area of the second electrode.

Abstract: A physical user interface is provided as an adjunct to a graphical user interface to a device having an operating system. The physical interface has a work surface or workspace that is scanned by one or more sensors capable of determining the position of objects. The work surface or workspace is sub-divided into two or more regions. Each region is representative of a user-generated command. In some examples, the one or more sensors adapted to determine the position and orientation of one or more counters. The sensors can distinguish which region a counter is located in and what orientation it is in. The sensors provide an output signal, based on the determination, to the device.

Abstract: Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can be configured to exhibit signature characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths. The predetermined light sources also can emit light polarized in one or more predetermined polarization axes. Remote control systems of the present invention also can include methods for adjusting an allocation of predetermined light sources and/or the technique used to distinguish the predetermined light sources from the stray light sources.

Abstract: A foot operated data entry pad has a plurality of foot-operated buttons. The foot buttons are used to enter data values—e.g., numbers or symbols separately or in combination. Each button is capable of entering different data values, preferably depending on the length of time that it is pressed or on the number of times that it is pressed in succession. A small controller may be included to allow the user to control the computer's pointer, allowing the user to switch between data entry fields, as with a mouse. A heel rest may serve as both a heel rest and a button/switch for sending an electric/electronic signal. An automated voice system, or other audible and/or visual indicator system, may also be included to help the user keep track of the data value as it changes and is entered. Various embodiments are capable of entering a variety of alphanumeric data rather than a simple binary-type data set, such as yes/no or on/off, or instructions, such as a joystick used with a flight simulator program.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensory based media control is provided. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media device having a controller element to receive from a media controller a first instruction to select an object in accordance with a physical handling of the media controller, and a second instruction to control the identified object or perform a search on the object in accordance with touchless finger movements. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An input apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus is provided, which includes an input unit to enter a key, a transmission unit to make itself recognized as a keyboard by an operating system (OS) on the information processing apparatus and transmit to the information processing apparatus a key code signal corresponding to the input from the input unit, a receiving unit to receive from the information processing apparatus a signal representing an electrically driven lighting state of the input apparatus, and a control unit to check the signal received from the information processing apparatus and representing the electrically driven lighting state and control transmission of the key code.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a system and method for providing input mechanisms in a handheld electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a casing having a first surface and a second surface, where the second surface faces away from a user of the device when the first surface faces toward the user. An input control is arranged on the second surface. An input mechanism is configured to detect a user input event via the input control. A display is arranged on the first surface and configured to present a visual indication identifying the input control responsive to the user input event.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows a number of 3D volumetric display or output configurations, such as dome, cubical and cylindrical volumetric displays, to interact with a number of different input configurations, such as a three-dimensional position sensing system having a volume sensing field, a planar position sensing system having a digitizing tablet, and a non-planar position sensing system having a sensing grid formed on a dome. The user interacts via the input configurations, such as by moving a digitizing stylus on the sensing grid formed on the dome enclosure surface. This interaction affects the content of the volumetric display by mapping positions and corresponding vectors of the stylus to a moving cursor within the 3D display space of the volumetric display that is offset from a tip of the stylus along the vector.

Abstract: A digitizer system for controlling movement of a pointer on a display unit is provided. The system includes a digitizer tablet for detecting an input position and generating tablet coordinate data according to the detected input position. A mapping unit maps the tablet coordinate data to display coordinate data based on a plurality of different predetermined scaling relationships and provides the display coordinate data to the display unit. An input device controls the mapping unit to switch between the predetermined scaling relationships.

Abstract: A reconfigurable user input device for use with an electronic video apparatus, such as a video game console, educational console or computer suitable for use by both left and right handed users. The multifunction user device further includes a base housing, a first input device and a second input device separated by a rotatable arm member mounted upon the base housing. A rotation mechanism is affixed between the rotatable arm member and the base housing permitting the arm member to rotate about a center axis to, in turn, permit the first input device and second input device to be respectively located alternatively to the left side or the right side of the housing.

Abstract: A computer mouse is described comprising a bottom surface movable on a flat surface, an upper surface comprising a switch actuator portion, and a distending portion between the bottom surface and the upper surface. In the first embodiment of the present invention, a detachable and transparent hand rest portion is provided that can be affixed to the upper surface of the computer mouse. Graphical material can be placed beneath this detachable and transparent hand rest portion so that it is visible to the user.

Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating a distinct “click” signal from a input device to a computer (541) or other device. The click signal is analogous to a right or left click of a conventional computer mouse. The click signal may be generated from an optical sensor unit by lifting and putting back a finger or other object from a window (112) of the optical sensor unit (500) and by simultaneously pressing a key (537) of the computer keyboard (532).

Abstract: An optical pointing device has a rotatable optics housing and provides cursor control in one of two modes: a finger navigation mode and a desktop navigation mode. In the finger navigation mode, the rotatable optics housing is in a first position and moving a finger across a transparent plate in the optics housing controls the cursor movement. In the desktop navigation mode, the rotatable optics housing is in a second position and moving the entire optical mouse in a conventional manner across a fixed surface controls cursor movement. The optical pointing device may further include a touchpad scroll input device and a laser pointing device.

Abstract: A proximity sensor device and method is provided that facilitates improved device usability by providing a at least one control function prior to the specialized host software loading, and then switch to provide full range of functionality when the specialized host software has been loaded. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor device comprises a proximity sensor adapted to detect object presence and a controller configured to output simulated keyboard information and output object positional information. For example, when operating in a first mode prior to the specialized host software loading the controller outputs the simulated keyboard information that indicates a control function to a keyboard controller. Then, when operating in a second mode after the specialized host software has been loaded, the controller outputs object positional information to the keyboard controller. The object positional information can be used to provide a full range of user interface functions.