Abstract: A pointing and identification device (PID) allows the user to point at objects in the real world, on television or movie screens, or otherwise not on the computer screen. The PID includes a digital camera and one or both of a laser and a reticle for aiming the digital camera. An image taken with the digital camera is transmitted to a computer or the like.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid pointing device including an optical navigation module and a pointing module. The optical navigation module is configured to replace the conventional buttons of a convention pointing device, such as an optical mouse or a trackball mouse. The optical navigation module is configured to sense gestures of at least one object operated by a user to activate commands associated with particular programs running on the host. Since the optical navigation module is only configured to sense gestures of the object but not the movement of the hybrid pointing device relative to a surface, the resolution thereof is aimed to be sufficiently high enough for sensing gestures and no need to be relatively high.

Abstract: A computer input device includes a light source assembly forming an incident light beam that strikes an area on a surface beneath the input device with large incident angle. A light sensing assembly in the input device is positioned to receive scattered light and includes a band-pass filter. A barrier is located directly above the area where the light beam is incident on the top surface to prevent light from traveling directly from the light source assembly to the light sensing assembly.

Abstract: A healthcare mouse is a computer mouse with a keypad that has an operational direction of horizontal back-and-forth movement, which is different from the vertical up-and-down movement of a traditional mouse's keypad. The healthcare mouse includes a shell, a keypad on the shell with an inner rod, a core circuit board inside the shell, and a click switch that is inside the shell and contacts the inner rod of the keypad through its touch top. The click switch and the core circuit board are electrically connected to each other. The keypad is disposed on the stand-up part of the front end of the shell in a way that enables it to move only fore and aft. The technical configuration of the healthcare mouse allows the user's finger to stay in a completely natural and relaxed flexuous or straight state while the healthcare mouse is not being clicked.

Abstract: A contaminant-neutralizing cradle comprises a base and a support surface configured to removably receive a coherently-illuminated mouse. A neutralizing element is disposed on the support surface for alignment with at least one exposed surface of an optics module of the mouse and is configured to neutralize the optical effect of a contaminant on the at least one exposed surface. A method of neutralizing contaminants for an optical mouse comprises providing a mouse containing an optics module having at least one surface exposed to an opening of the mouse and interposing a barrier in the mouse between a contaminant and the at least one exposed surface.

Abstract: A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. As a result, a composite image of an object being scanned may be presented in real time to a user, providing a user feedback or portions of the object that have been scanned and those that have not.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and system for user interface. The apparatus for user interface comprises a body unit including a groove which is corresponding to a structure of an oral cavity and operable to be mounted on upper part of the oral cavity; a user input unit receiving a signal from the user's tongue in a part of the body unit; a communication unit transmitting the signal received from the user input unit; and a charging unit supplying an electrical energy generated from vibration or pressure caused by movement of the user's tongue.

Abstract: A mouse includes a main body, an engaging device, and a detachable cover. The main body has a top surface and an insertion slot. The insertion slot is recessed from the top surface of the main body. The cover is used for detachably covering the top surface of the main body. The cover has an extension arm. After the top surface of the main body is covered by the cover, the extension arm is inserted into the insertion slot and engaged with the engaging device, so that the cover is securely fixed on the main body to cover the main body.

Abstract: A mouse motion trajectory testing system includes a testing fixture and an electronic calculator connected to the testing fixture. The testing fixture includes a testing base, a rotatable member under the testing base, and a controlling unit. The testing base is used for fixing the tested mouse thereon. The controlling unit is used for driving the rotatable member to be rotated for a preset number of revolutions at a preset speed, so that the tested mouse generates a motion signal. The electronic calculator has testing program for receiving the motion signal from the tested mouse, thereby judging whether the tested mouse is qualified or not.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and articles for receiving one or more input factors associated with scrolling behavior of a user are described herein. Based on the received one or more input factors, at least one of (1) a tunable scrolling algorithm and (2) one or more non-linear scrolling algorithms of a plurality of non-linear scrolling algorithms may be selected for use in evaluating the scrolling behavior of the user.

Abstract: A haptic arm comprising: a user connection element; a reference; a first linkage connecting the user connection element to the reference, where the first linkage provides at least six independent degrees of freedom, and contains an intermediate link, three force sensors, three angle sensors; a second linkage connecting the intermediate link to the reference; a third linkage connecting the intermediate link to the reference a fourth linkage connecting the intermediate link to the reference; the second, third, and fourth linkages each containing an independent actuator and position sensor.

Abstract: A mouse with multi-configurable buttons is provided. The mouse with multi-configurable buttons comprises a housing, a cylinder module and a signal processing device. The housing has an opening, and the cylinder module is received in the housing and partially exposed through the opening. The cylinder module at least comprises a first click portion and the second click portion, and the signal processing device at least comprises a first switch and a second switch. When the first click portion is exposed through the opening, the first click portion is used for activating the first switch. In contrast, when the second portion is exposed through the opening, the second click portion is used for activating the first and the second switch. Therefore, the mouse with multi-configurable buttons provides at least two configuration status via rotating the rotating cylinder to satisfy different user demands.

Abstract: A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary and adjacent relative to the object surface, enables power to the sensor at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is moving and adjacent relative to the object surface, and enables power to the sensor at a third time interval when the hand-held device is determined to be in a position that is removed relative to the object surface.

Abstract: A switching device includes a plurality of first interfaces respectively coupled to a plurality of computers, a third interface coupled to a display module, and a switching unit coupled to the first interfaces and the third interface. The switching unit is used for selecting one of the first interfaces to be coupled to the third interface in response to a command. The display module receives a video signal from a selected one of the computers through the selected first interface and the third interface, and displays video information.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for programming a user input device such as a computer mouse or computer keyboard. The user input device features memory for storing programming information associated with various user inputs, such as buttons or keys. The user may define macros, shortcuts, programs and other functions associated with any or all of user profiles so that the user may switch between various programmed data sets with ease.

Abstract: Input devices configured to provide user interface by detecting three dimensional movement of an external object are disclosed. The input device comprises at least two photodetector pairs, a radiation source and a circuit configurable to detect differential and common mode signals generated in the photodetector pairs. By detecting the common mode and differential signals, movement of an external object may be determined and used to control a pointer, or a cursor.

Abstract: A cursor control device has a touch control module for users to perform a swipe gesture. The touch control module generates a control command according to the swipe gesture and transmits the control command to a host computer. The host computer then launches a swipe menu on an edge of a display screen thereof Accordingly, after a host computer with the Win8™ installed therein as the operating system receives the control command, the edge swipe function supported by the Win8™ can be launched.

Abstract: Capacitive multi-touch sensor panels in which both row and column traces may be formed on a single conducting surface are disclosed. These stack-ups may be made thinner and more flexible allowing them to be particularly well-suited for curved or other non-flat touch sensor panels, such as those that might be present on a mouse or other device designed to be grasped by a user's hand. Curved sensor panel arrays that may be formed from flat substrates are also disclosed. These sensor panel configurations may include channels around the periphery of the array. These channels allow the flat array to lie flat when applied to a curved surface, such as the inside of the curved surface. The pattern of the touch sensor elements may be adjusted across the array to avoid the channels.

Abstract: A device receives, from a virtual machine, graphical information and information relating to a remote mouse cursor, and displays the graphical information and the remote mouse cursor. The device constrains boundaries associated with a local mouse cursor generated by the device, and prevents the local mouse cursor from being displayed by the device, and. The device further receives input information associated with the remote mouse cursor, corrects a magnitude associated with the input information, and provides the corrected input information to the virtual machine.

Abstract: An ambidextrous mouse is disclosed. The ambidextrous mouse is configured for both left and right handed use. The mouse may include right handed buttons on the front side of the mouse and left handed buttons on the back side of the mouse. The user may change the handedness of the mouse by rotating the mouse about a vertical axis of the mouse such that the left hand can use the left hand buttons and the right hand can use the right hand buttons. The mouse may include a handedness selection system for configuring the mouse for right handed or left handed use even though the mouse has the capability for both right and left hands.

Abstract: An ambidextrous mouse is disclosed. The ambidextrous mouse is configured for both left and right handed use. The mouse may include right handed buttons on the front side of the mouse and left handed buttons on the back side of the mouse. The user may change the handedness of the mouse by rotating the mouse about a vertical axis of the mouse such that the left hand can use the left hand buttons and the right hand can use the right hand buttons. The mouse may include a handedness selection system for configuring the mouse for right handed or left handed use even though the mouse has the capability for both right and left hands.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer peripheral device. The computer peripheral device includes a housing whereon an opening is formed, and a fixing module installed inside the opening in a reversible manner. The fixing module includes a base installed inside the opening, a locking head passing through the locking plate and fixed on the base at one end. The locking head includes a latching part for inserting into a slot on a casing of a portable computer when the base turns to a first position relative to the housing so that the latching part protrudes outside the housing. When the locking plate is pressed down so as to separate the latching part from the locking plate and the locking head rotates relative to the locking plate, the latching part cannot separate from the slot. The fixing module further includes a resilient component for pushing the locking plate.

Abstract: Light-based systems for communicating information associated with the formation of social connections are disclosed. One or more lighting controllers controlling individually controllable luminaires are used in conjunction with communication networks in order to identify and form remote light-based social connections. Additionally, visualization controllers are used in conjunction with visualization infrastructures, visualization actuators, localization systems and identification systems to visually identify proximally present potential social connections.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for calibrating a pointing device. A virtual movement of a position indicator is generated based on current acceleration parameters of an acceleration curve applied to a physical movement made at a pointing device and terminating at a target action. A plurality of virtual path segments are determined based on the physical movement, and an overall error representative of a deviation of the endpoint of each segment from the target action is generated. One or more hypothetical acceleration parameters are calculated that, when applied to the changing position information, generate an overall hypothetical error value less than the overall error. The current acceleration parameters are set equal to the one or more hypothetical acceleration parameters to calibrate the pointing device.

Abstract: An adaptive mouse is disclosed. In the adaptive mouse, a cover layer made of a moldable material covers a mouse body, and a plurality of sensors is disposed between the mouse body and the cover layer. The sensors are used to sense a hand shape of a user when the user holds the cover layer. The sensors under the left and right finger predicting areas are defined as a left button and a right buttons to allow the user to operate the mouse normally. Then, the displacement signal of the mouse is adjusted. The adaptive mouse may increase comfortableness and relieve fatigue, and it also may be adapted to any holding states without orientation limitation.

Abstract: A handheld computer interface includes an enclosure, a mass coupled to the enclosure, and an actuator coupled to the mass to change a position of the mass relative to the enclosure. When the actuator receives a signal indicating a change in the center of mass of the interface, it changes the position of the mass.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a transparent display device. A transparent display device includes a transparent or translucent screen to render images on the screen, and to render virtual objects that appear to be in a three-dimensional (3D) space behind the screen. The transparent display device also includes a hand tracker to sense movement of a user's hands to interact with one or more of the virtual objects, and to generate 3D-input based on the movement. The transparent or translucent screen enables the user to see the user's hands behind the screen as the user's hands interact with the one or more virtual objects. The transparent display device is controlled to modify the rendering of the images on the screen or the virtual objects behind the screen based on the 3D-input.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which the operation of an auxiliary computing device, comprising a display and/or actuator set, may be automatically modified based on detected state data. For example, user input may be routed from the actuator set to the host computer system when the host computer system is in an online state, or to the auxiliary computing device when the host computer system is offline. State may be determined based on one or more various criteria, such as online or offline, laptop lid position, display orientation, current communication and/or other criteria. The auxiliary display and/or actuator set may be embedded in the host computer system, or each may be separable from it or standalone, such as a remote control or cellular phone.

Abstract: A detachable touch structure for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The detachable touch structure comprises a flexible board, a flexible touch panel, a control module, and a linkage element; the flexible touch panel is superimposedly disposed on the flexible board; the control module is connected with the flexible board and electrically connected with the flexible touch panel, and the control module comprises two sliding slot structures each comprising a first sliding slot and a second sliding slot communicated with each other; the linkage element comprises two positioning levers, the linkage element has one end pivotally connected with the flexible board and the other end movably connected with each one of the sliding slot structures via each one of the positioning levers respectively. When two ends of the flexible board are bended by force, the detachable touch structure can be in a tablet form or a mouse form.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a modular user input device such as a computer mouse. A core module can house the sensor, microcontroller and RF modules (if any). It may or may not also house the microswitches and scroll wheel. The core module includes a case module connector that will allow it to accept mouse button inputs from an interchangeable case module, power from a battery pack (if required for wireless operation) and control lights or any other input/output features on the mouse itself. The core module can also accept the connection to the host computer, either through the case module connector or directly via USB or similar industry standard connector.

Abstract: Input devices and methods are provided in which a sensing system is adapted to detect motion of an object on a surface and a processing system is coupled to the sensing system. The processing system is adapted to effect movement of a display pointer on a display in a first direction in response to motion of the object on the surface and effect continued movement of the display pointer in the first direction in response to the object being removed from the surface.

Abstract: An optical navigation method includes: detecting inertia of an image of a feature point; and determining an effective sensing region of an image sensing array according to the detected inertia for reducing power consumption. Besides, an optical navigation apparatus includes a detecting circuit and a determining unit. The detecting circuit is arranged for detecting a moving inertia of a feature point. The determining circuit is coupled to the detecting circuit, and arranged for determining an effective sensing region of an image sensing array according to the detected moving inertia for reducing power consumption.

Abstract: The response to the movement of a scroll wheel varies depending upon the application currently being used. The variation can be in ratcheting vs. free wheeling, speed and acceleration. Ratcheting can be automatic in word processing, with free wheeling automatic in photo editing, for example. In another aspect of the invention, text can be highlighted and searched by pressing a button on an input device to activate a search. The search can either be an Internet search or a desktop search. Different manners of activating the button (such as a short press vs. a long press) can be used to select between an Internet and desktop search.

Abstract: The transmitting apparatus includes an encoder creating an encoded content signal by encoding the content, a generator generating sign language word identification information corresponding to chronologically-ordered sign language words appearing in a speech in the content, a creating unit creating control information containing the generated chronologically-ordered sign language word identification information, a storage unit storing sign language word images for displaying a sign language video corresponding to the sign language words by grouping the sign language word images into a plurality of modules according to a frequency of appearance of the sign language words in the speech in the content, a multiplexer creating a data stream by combining the encoded content signal with the control information and by repeatedly replicating the plurality of modules at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of appearance, and a transmitter transmitting the created data stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal motion controller in which a 3D movement and a rotational input are possible, and more particularly to a universal motion controller in which the rotation of a controller is recognized using at least one sensor detecting the positional movement of the controller, and which enables the rotation of a selected object in a 3D space corresponding to a recognized angle. By using the controller, which enables the three-dimensional input of a controller wheel corresponding to the value of a z-axis and the rotational angle of the object or of the coordinate axis, a control signal for controlling various machine devices can be generated.

Abstract: Touchpad devices emulating button functionality (“click pad” devices) that simultaneously emulates multiple functionalities are described herein. In addition, embodiments provide for click pad emulation of both TrackPoint and touchpad functionality. According to embodiments, a click pad device emulating multiple functionalities may enable or disable certain functionalities based on user interaction with the click pad device. For example, a click pad device emulating both TrackPoint and touchpad functionality may enable TrackPoint functionality and disable touchpad functionality if user gestures on the click pad device indicate that the user is interacting with the click pad as a TrackPoint device.

Abstract: Cognitive biometrics comprises augmenting the richness of biometric signatures that can be extracted from mouse dynamics by introducing perturbations in the response of the computer mouse and measuring the motor responses of the individual user. User responses to unexpected and subtle perturbations (e.g., small changes in mouse velocity, position and/or acceleration) reveal new unique sources of information in the mouse movement signal that reflect the user's cognitive strategies and are inaccessible via existing mouse biometric technologies. A user's response to these perturbations contains information about intrinsic cognitive qualities that can be used as a robust biometric for personal authentication and to support profiling of the individual (e.g., gender, cultural background, cognitive or emotional state, cognitive quality etc.).

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus according to the present invention including a detection unit for detecting a moving direction and a moving amount of a finger on an operation panel, and a moving control unit for changing the moving amount of an object on a display unit for a finger's unit moving amount depending on the moving direction of the finger which moves the object displayed on the display unit. According to the present invention, the moving amount of the object within a display region changes based on the moving direction of the finger to be operated on the operation panel. In this manner, the object moving amount is corrected depending on the finger moving direction, thereby eliminating the factors for reducing the operability during the object moving operation and improving the operability.

Abstract: An optical navigation apparatus including a package incorporating a light source and a single die of silicon. The single die of silicon includes a photodiode array configured at the detection plane to receive the speckle pattern of the scattered light from the collection optics, circuitry configured to process signals from the photodiode array to determine changes in position of the apparatus relative to the tracking surface, analog circuitry configured to control and drive current through the light source, interface circuitry configured to communicate position data by outputting the position data via a data interface, a microcontroller comprising a processor core and memory for storing computer-readable code and data, and a system bus configured to communicate instructions and data between the microcontroller and said digital, analog, and interface circuitries. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scroll wheel assembly for computer input device having a housing. The scroll wheel assembly includes a housing and an engagable scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is rotatable with a shaft to preferably cause vertical scrolling of an image on a display. The scroll wheel is laterally tiltable relative to the housing and the shaft. A sensor is preferably positioned within the housing for sensing tilting of the rotatable member. In response to sensed tilting movement of the rotatable member, the image is horizontally scrolled, preferably in the direction of the lateral movement. The computer input device having the rotatable member may take the form of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball device, or another type of computer input device.

Abstract: There are provided a cable having an antenna embedded therein, and an input apparatus having the same, and a computer apparatus. The cable includes: a cable body having a predetermined length and an internal space; one or more power lines disposed in the internal space of the cable body and connected between both ends of the cable body; an antenna disposed in the internal space of the cable body, and transmitting and receiving a wireless signal; and a separating part disposed in the internal space of the cable body and electrically connected between the one or more power lines and the antenna to separate a power signal transmitted through the one or more power lines and the wireless signal transmitted and received through the antenna.

Abstract: A tactile access and navigation system and method for a visually impaired user operating within a computerized data environment includes a bi-directional input-output system having one or more tactile displays and user-operable input controls; a data transformer for extracting display data from the computer and transforming that data into a form suitable for display by the one or more tactile displays; apparatus for arranging the display data into a predetermined structure of GUI elements for navigation by the bi-directional input-output system; and apparatus for providing display data to the one or more tactile displays in any of one or more viewing modes for displaying on the one or more tactile displays a tactile representation of graphical and textual data content; and one or more navigational modes for displaying on the one or more tactile displays a tactile representation of the orientation of the GUI elements within the structure.

Abstract: A mouse with multi button functionality is disclosed. The mouse includes a housing that surrounds the internal components of the mouse. The housing includes at least a first member and a second member, each of which forms a substantial portion of the housing. The first member moves relative to the second member so as to implement at least one of the multiple button functions of the mouse.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide user control of a computer system via one or more sensors. Also, systems and methods may provide automated response of a computer system to information acquired via one or more sensors. The sensor(s) may be configured to measure distance, depth proximity and/or presence. In particular, the sensor(s) may be configured to measure a relative location, distance, presence, movements and/or gestures of one or more users of the computer system. Thus, the systems and methods may provide a computer user interface based on measurements of distance, depth, proximity, presence and/or movements by one or more sensors. For example, various contexts and/or operations of the computer system, at the operating system level and/or the application level, may be controlled, automatically and/or at a user's direction, based on information acquired by the sensor(s).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mouse with thermoelectric power including a mouse body, a switch, a button, a thermal conductive sheet and a thermoelectric power generation chip. The thermal conductive sheet passes through the button and contacts with the thermoelectric power generation chip located on an edge of a lower surface of the button, so as to ensure the thermal conductive sheet to be frequently touched by a user's finger and thus provide a temperature difference required for the thermoelectric power generation chip. Moreover, the heat generated by the thermoelectric power generation chip can further be dissipated through a gap formed around the edge of the button, so as to maintain the thermoelectric power generation chip at the maximum thermoelectric power generation efficiency.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device with connector, wherein the front frame includes a front plate and a front plate side frame which defines with a front plate opening and has a first hole; the back plate includes a bottom plate and a bottom plate side frame which defines with a back plate opening, has an area smaller than that of the front plate opening, disposes with a second hole, moreover, a third hole is disposed on the bottom plate at a position corresponding to the second hole; the connector includes a first sheet body and a second sheet body which is provided with a first snap and a second snap, respectively; wherein, during the assemble process of the front frame and the back plate, the first snap engages with the first hole and the second hole, while the second snap engages with the third hole.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus including a shell, a door plate, a support member, and a pointing input device is disclosed. The shell comprises an aperture; the door plate is connected to the shell, and can be moved to cover the aperture; the support member is positioned inside the shell, and includes a first position and a second position, wherein the distance between the first position and the aperture is larger than the distance between the second position and the aperture; when the aperture is covered by the door plate, the pointing input device is mounted in the first position, and can be moved to the second position when the aperture is not covered by the door plate, such that the pointing input device can extend from the shell.

Abstract: Enhanced camera-based input, in which a detection region surrounding a user is defined in an image of the user within a scene, and a position of an object (such as a hand) within the detection region is detected. Additionally, a control (such as a key of a virtual keyboard) in a user interface is interacted with based on the detected position of the object.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting a tap. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect a motion and output a signal corresponding to the motion, a gradient calculating unit connected to the sensor to calculate a gradient of the output signal from the sensor, a similarity determining unit connected to the gradient calculating unit to determine a similarity between a rising gradient and a falling gradient of a curve of the output signal, a tap determining unit connected to the similarity determining unit to determine detection of a tap according to the determination result of the similarity determining unit, and an output unit configured to output the determination result of the tap determining unit.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention describes a pointing device comprising a cabinet divided in two housings screwed together. Below the upper housing, a flexible, hard-use film contains all button symbols printed thereon and aligned with the housing upper side holes and tact switch actuators. A high-relief surface defines the visible surface of depressed buttons surrounded by restraining circular walls which arise from said high-relief surface. All buttons are placed in a bas-relief surface to avoid undesired or unintended pressings. Moreover, the fact that they are in a depressed surface help people with limb movement disorders to avoid the involuntary movement of their fingers beyond the limits of the depressed buttons, which act as restraining areas, thus avoiding to click, press or hold an undesired button.