Abstract: An input device and method for use with an electronic system include a chassis having an interactive region; an input surface configured to deflect relative to the chassis in response to applied force, the input surface having a first region and a second region; and a processor communicatively coupled to the input surface and configured to disambiguate the first and second regions based on interaction between the input surface and the interactive region.

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 mouse housing structure includes a housing having a main body of a front wall, and a tongue portion defining a position wall, at least a track device disposed at the tongue portion and defining first and second position ends at two opposite ends thereof, and a sliding device including a sliding body and at least a rotatable shaft having first and second engaging portions. The first engaging portion is movably and rotatably disposed in the track device, and the second engaging portion is spaced away from the track device for pivotally engaging with a coupling slot of the sliding body. When the sliding body moves forwards to where the first engaging portion slides against the first position end, the sliding body rotates towards the position wall, and is restrained by the position wall so as to expand the mouse housing structure for use.

Abstract: The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Abstract: A computer mouse with adjustable decorative wing includes a main housing, a bottom board covered on the bottom surface of the main housing, a decorative wing disposed on one side of the main housing and a distance-adjusting mechanism. The decorative wing has a fastening end fixed to the main housing, and a movable end. There is a adjustable distance between the movable end and the main housing. The distance-adjusting mechanism is disposed on the main housing and contacts the movable end of the decorative wings for adjusting the distance of the movable end and the main housing of the decorative wings. A width of the computer mouse therefore is changed. The decorative wings on two sides of the computer mouse of the present invention can be expanded to support fingers for suiting to different users' palms.

Abstract: A exemplary key assembly for a handheld device includes one or more L-shaped key structures each having a first member configured to receive an input keystroke and a second member substantially orthogonal to the first member; and a frame configured to receive the one or more L-shaped key structures, the frame having a wall aligned with the second member of the key structure, with the wall further comprising a switch for each of the one or more L-shaped key structures associated with an inner surface of the wall, wherein each switch is associated with an actuator associated with the second member of the corresponding key structure such that depression of a given key structure causes the actuator of the second member of the key structure to engage the switch of the wall.

Abstract: Accessing and controlling a remote desktop of a remote computing system using a multi-touch display of a local computing system. The remote desktop is displayed on the multi-touch display. Upon detecting a user contact with the multi-touch display when the display is not engaged as a trackpad, the multi-touch display is engaged as a trackpad; and the user contact is assigned as a cursor pointer for controlling the multi-touch display as a trackpad. In accordance with some embodiments described herein, left and right pointer controls (e.g., left mouse button and right mouse button) controls may be emulated also. This remote desktop technique allows multi-touch displays to be used to manipulate remote desktops, even for those that do not support multi-touch semantics, interaction techniques, or metaphors.

Abstract: A method for actuating a tactile interface layer of a device that defines a surface with a deformable region, comprising the steps of deforming a deformable region of the surface into a formation tactilely distinguishable from the surface, detecting a force from the user on a deformed deformable region, interpreting the force as a command for the deformable region, and manipulating the deformable region of the surface based on the command.

Abstract: A device connectable to a computer is disclosed. The device comprises a selector defining a pathway and a plurality of positions along the pathway, the selector having a terminal displaceable along the pathway and positionable at one of the plurality of positions, the pathway being substantially straight, each of the plurality of positions having a process associated therewith. The device further comprises a sensor being operable for generating instruction signals. More specifically, the instruction signals are communicable to the computing device for executing thereon the process associated with one of the plurality of positions along the pathway whereat the terminal is positioned.

Abstract: A method for applying a first or second set of threshold values for touch sensor gesture recognition based on the presence of one of a plurality of predetermined conditions is described herein. The plurality of predetermined conditions can include one or more of a lift detection, a speed threshold detection, and a button press detection. Lift detection can be detected by one or more of an optical sensor, gyroscope, or accelerometer. Speed detection can be detected by one or more of an optical sensor, gyroscope, or accelerometer. Button detection can be detected by a mechanical button, pressure sensitive button, or a touch sensor.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer mouse includes a chassis to provide support for a user's hand, where the chassis includes a knuckle support region, a palm support region, a first side region having a first ledge to support a thumb, a second side region having a second ledge to support one or more of a pinky or ring finger, and a button region having one or more buttons to support one or more of a tip of an index finger or middle finger. Each region can be physically separated from one another on the surface of the chassis by a gap. The knuckle support region can include a coating or covering on a surface of the knuckle support region to provide a directionally dependent friction. The friction on the surface of the knuckle support region is higher for side-to-side movements then for front-to-back movements.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method of establishing a bi-directional user interface back channel (UIBC) to a computing device, receiving encapsulated peripheral data from the computing device using the UIBC, and decapsulating the peripheral data, as well as a method of establishing a bi-directional user interface back channel (UIBC) to a computing device, receiving peripheral data, encapsulating the peripheral data, and transmitting the encapsulated peripheral data to the computing device using the UIBC.

Abstract: A mouse AT lever includes a pair of A/B buttons generating control signals when being pressed and an operation dial turning to implement P, R, N, D, and M shift ranges, and can implement a basic function of outputting operation signals for the positions of the selected shift ranges and implementing operation feeling according to the shifting in various ways using the pressing time of A/B buttons, a function of preventing mis-operation in the shifting by using H-MATIC functions, a shift-lock function that prevents the ranges from being switched under a predetermined condition, a function of starting the engine by using a button, a customer-directional safety control function that is set by the customer, and an interface function for communicating with an DIS (Driver Information System) controlling the devices mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting a remote controlled device to be controlled from among a plurality of remote controllable devices. The system includes an electronic device having a registration interface configured to register device data corresponding to the plurality of remote controllable devices, a position locator configured to determine position data corresponding to a position of the electronic device, and an orientation interface configured to receive orientation data corresponding to an orientation of a user. A controller is configured to select the remote controlled device based on the device data, the position data, and the orientation data. The plurality of remote controllable devices each may include a respective data source configured to provide the device data, and a headset may be configured to generate the orientation data.

Abstract: A wireless mouse includes a base, a battery fastener and a top cover. The base has a top portion that is formed with a battery container unit. The battery fastener includes a fastener body connected removably with the top portion of the base. The battery fastener further includes a blockade unit extending from the fastener body and disposed directly above the battery container unit so as to prohibit the battery unit from exiting the battery container unit. The top cover is connected removably with the base for covering the battery container unit. When the top cover is connected with the base, the battery fastener is located between the top portion of the base and the top cover.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for electronic pointing device acceleration. In general, the devices and methods can facilitate adjustment of a speed of a cursor's movement on a display screen. In one embodiment, an electronic device can include a pointing device configured to control movement of a cursor on the electronic device's display screen. A user's input to the pointing device can indicate a desired distance and directional movement of the cursor on the screen. The electronic device can also include an accelerator element configured to control a speed of the cursor's movement on the screen. A user's input to the accelerator element can indicate a desired increase in the cursor's speed and cause the cursor to move more quickly on the screen. The electronic device can include the pointing device and the accelerator element at locations compatible with typical typing positions of a user's hands.

Abstract: Methods and systems for surface-free pointing and/or command input include a computing device operably linked to an imaging device. The imaging device can be any suitable video recording device including a conventional webcam. At least one pointing/input device is provided including first and second sets of visible point light sources, wherein the first and second sets emit differently colored light. The imaging device captures one or more sequential image frames each including a view of a scene including the first and second sets of visible point light sources. One or more software programs calculate a position and/or a motion and/or an orientation of the pointing/input device in the captured image frames by identifying colored areas corresponding to the first set of aligned visible point light sources. Certain activation patterns of individual point light sources are mapped to particular pointing and/or input commands.

Abstract: An optical scrolling module includes a prism, a light source, an image sensor and a first condenser. The prism is disposed at an opening of an upper shell of a mouse and has a light incident surface, a reflective surface, a contact surface and a light emitting surface. The contact and light incident surfaces are respectively connected between the reflective and light emitting surfaces. The contact surface is exposed by the opening. A light beam from the light source is transmitted to the contact surface via the light incident and reflective surfaces. When an object with a pattern structure puts on the contact surface, the light beam is scattered and a portion of the light beam is transmitted to the image sensor via the first condenser. When the object is removed from the contact surface, the light beam is reflected to the light emitting surface by the contact surface.

Abstract: An input device for use with a computer system includes: a pad and a portable unit operating as a computer mouse. The pad includes: a first antenna providing power to the portable unit, a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency receiver, a data link between the pad and the computer system, and an array of radio frequency antennas used for tracking a location of the portable unit. The portable unit includes at least one mouse antenna reflecting the radio frequency signals from the pad. The reflected radio frequency signals are used to estimate a location of the portable unit with respect to the array of radio frequency antennas in the pad.

Abstract: A method is described for activating an application without specific positioning of a mouse or clicking a mouse button (“zero-click activation”). This is done by evaluating motion of an input device with regard to predetermined criteria; detecting a rapid, multi-directional motion (a shaking motion) of the input device, and initiating a preconfigured application in response thereto. In an embodiment, the input device is a mouse, and the method is performed without actuating a button on the mouse. The preconfigured application may be a search function, and in particular may be a Web search invoked when a shaking action is detected while the user is viewing a Web site.

Abstract: Improved approaches for users to with graphical user interfaces of computing devices are disclosed. A rotational user action supplied by a user via a user input device can provide accelerated scrolling. The accelerated nature of the scrolling enables users to scroll or traverse a lengthy data set (e.g., list of items) faster and with greater ease. The amount of acceleration provided can be performed in successive stages, and/or performed based on the speed of the rotational user action. In one embodiment, the rotational user action is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. The resulting acceleration effect causes the linear action to be enhanced such that a lengthy data set is able to be rapidly traversed.

Abstract: A COB module of an optical mouse has a controller circuit and optical components of the optical mouse integrated thereon, so as to improve the problem with conventional optical mice that light path shifting tends to occur and improve the imaging definition. By disposing a button and wheel mechanism independently outside the COB module, the optical mouse has significantly improved flexibility in design, lower cost related to design alteration, and relaxed requirements on alignment and correction during production.

Abstract: A touch input device includes: a touch surface that has a three-dimensional structure, and identifies a touch coordinate of a point touched by an object; and a controller that defines a first direction in the touch surface as a first direction in an output coordinate, and outputs information about the output coordinate, wherein the three-dimensional structure has a size and a height at least one of which is changed so that the first direction in the touch surface and a second direction in the touch surface intersecting with the first direction in the touch surface can be recognized.

Abstract: A system 100 for real-time processing of a pointer movement provided by a pointing device, the system comprising an output 130 for displaying a pointer 162, 164 at a first position p1 in an image 152, 154, 156, the image comprising a contour; a user input 110 for obtaining pointer movement data 112 from a pointing device 140 operable by a user, the pointer movement data being indicative of a pointer movement v of the pointer from the first position to a second position p2 in the image; and a processor 120 for (i) dampening the pointer movement by reducing the pointer movement along a direction orthogonal 172 to the contour, and (ii) establishing a third position p3 of the pointer based on said dampened pointer movement vd.

Abstract: An input device with parallel multi-tasking capabilities is disclosed. The input device comprises a controller, a data assigning unit and a plurality of first communication end-points. The input device declares the plurality of first communication end-points as virtual peripheral devices with equivalent performance. When the input device is electrically connected to a host for data communication, the virtual peripheral devices with equivalent performance and a plurality of second communication end-points are respectively establish communication link of point-to-point correspondingly, so that the plurality of second communication end-points receive a plurality of operation slave data for reducing data communication time.

Abstract: An exemplary computer mouse which is proofed against the ingress of contaminants includes a housing, a bottom cover, a left button, a right button and a middle button bracket. The middle button bracket includes a dust-proof block and a number of elastic components. The dust-proof block includes a raised portion. A middle button hole is defined between the left button and the right button, the raised portion is received in the middle button hole, and a sidewall of the raised portion is contact with or abuts a sidewall of the middle button hole. The number of the elastic components are arranged between the dust-proof block and the bottom cover. The elastic components keep a top surface of the raised portion substantially flush with outer surfaces of the left and right buttons when no button is pressed and flush with the outer surface of the button which is pressed.

Abstract: Systems for surface-free pointing and/or command input include a computing device operably linked to an imaging device. The imaging device can be any suitable video recording device including a conventional webcam. At least one pointing/input device is provided including first, second, and third sets of actuable light sources, wherein at least the first and second sets emit differently colored light. The imaging device captures one or more sequential image frames each including a view of a scene including the activated light sources. One or more computer program products calculate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional position and/or a motion and/or an orientation of the pointing/input device in the captured image frames by identifying a two-dimensional or three-dimensional position of the activated light sources of the first, second, and/or third sets of light sources. Certain activation patterns of light sources are mapped to particular pointing and/or input commands.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes an input, an output and a controller. The input receives operation information corresponding to an operation of a pointing device. The output outputs an image to be displayed on a display. The controller sets a plurality of divisional areas on a screen of the display in accordance with a resolution of the display, and moves a mouse pointer in units of a divisional area of the plurality of divisional areas in accordance with the operation information.

Abstract: A mouse device includes a main casing, a base plate, and a rear swinging part. The base plate includes a concave part and a bulge. The main casing includes a front swinging part. The rear swinging part is disposed within the main casing. Moreover, the front swinging part is embedded within the concave part of the base plate. A bottom surface of the rear swinging part is contacted with a top surface of the bulge. When one side of the main casing is depressed, the front swinging part and the rear swinging part allow the main casing to be correspondingly swung relative to the base plate in a first direction or a second direction.

Abstract: User interface elements positioned for display is described. In various embodiment(s), sensor input can be received from one or more sensors that are integrated with a portable device. A device hold position that corresponds to where the portable device is grasped by a user can be determined based at least in part on the sensor input. A display of user interface element(s) can then be initiated for display on an integrated display of the portable device based on the device hold position that corresponds to where the portable device is grasped.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a media device including one or more movement-based interfaces for interfacing with or controlling the media device.

Abstract: A mouse includes a base and a cover. The base includes a bottom panel with a sensor. The cover includes a sensing area. A reference point and a number of sensing points are located on the sensing area. A displacement of a mouse arrow on a screen is defined as a displacement of the sensing points from the reference point. The sensor senses light from the sensing area. When one of the sensing points is shielded, the sensor sends an operating signal to a control module of an electronic device for generating a displacement of the mouse arrow on the screen corresponding to the shielded sensing point.

Abstract: A cursor controlling device for transmitting a cursor controlling signal to a computer to control a cursor displayed on the screen of the computer. The cursor controlling device comprises a main body, a displacement detecting unit, a pressing switch and a controlling unit. The displacement detecting unit disposed on the surface of the main body generates the cursor controlling signal. The pressing switch disposed on the surface of the main body generates a pressing signal. The controlling unit disposed in the main body is electrically coupled to the displacement detecting unit and the pressing switch. The controlling unit comprising a firmware receives the cursor controlling signal and the pressing signal and transmits the cursor controlling signal to the computer. When the controlling unit receives the pressing signal, the controlling unit lowers the resolution of the cursor controlling signal and transmits a function signal to the computer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for surface-free pointing and/or command input include a computing device operably linked to an imaging device. The imaging device can be any suitable video recording device including a conventional webcam. At least one pointing/input device is provided including a visible point light source emitting light in a wavelength defining a predetermined color. The at least one pointing/input device may be a conventional optoelectronic computer mouse. The imaging device captures one or more sequential image frames each including a view of a scene including the visible point light source. One or more software programs calculate a position and/or a motion of the at least one point light source in the captured image frames by identifying colored areas corresponding to the point light source and mapping those colored areas to a position and/or motion of a visual marker such as a cursor in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: The invention refers to a computer mouse with an adjustable top part (2). The lock can be tilted around a joint (15) to a chosen rotational position. The computer mouse is equipped with a locking device (12, 13a-b, 16) which locks the top part in the chosen position and the computer mouse is equipped with an unlocking device (13a-b) which enables the locking organ to be released from the locked position. The unlocking device (13a-b) may be a pushbutton (13a) or a handle (13b). In one design of the invention the top part is kept in position by a fastener equipped with teeth (4-5), where the locking device (12, 13a) locks the teeth in a position where they are meshed to each other. In an additional design of the invention the top part is kept in position by a locking device (13b, 16) which grabs the joint so that this cannot be tilted.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices which enhance usability by transforming sensed motion data from a first frame of reference (e.g., the body of the 3D pointing device) into a second frame of reference (e.g., a user's frame of reference). One exemplary embodiment of the present invention removes effects associated with a tilt orientation in which the 3D pointing device is held by a user.

Abstract: A method of reducing the power consumption of an input device includes operating the input device at a first power level, detecting the presence of a touch object on a touch surface of the input device, determining that the presence of the touch object on the touch surface is static for a predetermined period of time, operating the input device at a second power level, maintaining the input device at the second power level, determining that the presence of the touch object on the touch surface is not static, and operating the input device at the first power level. In some cases, the touch object is a finger. The touch object is static if the touch object's position on the touch surface remains within a predetermined region, where the predetermined region is an area centered around the presence of the touch object on the touch surface.

Abstract: A switch triggering device of an electronic device is provided. By the switch triggering device, a switch on a top surface of a circuit board can be controlled from a bottom side of the electronic device. The switch triggering device includes a first linkage element, a second linkage element and a third linkage element, which are arranged between an upper cover and a base of the electronic device. The second linkage element is pivotally coupled to the upper cover. The two ends of the second linkage element are pivotally coupled to the first linkage element and the third linkage element, respectively. When the first linkage element is pressed from the base and moved toward the upper cover, the second linkage element is rotated relative to the upper cover. Consequently, the third linkage element is correspondingly moved toward the switch so as to trigger the switch.

Abstract: A light-pointing device generates a light beam, and converts the light beam into a flicker mode with the function selection keys. Different function selection keys trigger different flicker frequencies. The dotted image of the light beam is formed in a plurality of frames detected by the tracking receiver. The tracking receiver determines the start of a specific function according to the frequency of occurrence or the interval mode of the dotted image in the plurality of successive frames.

Abstract: An interactive presentation system includes: an imaging device; an image analyzer that calculates information regarding a pointed position by using captured-image data; a controller that receives the information and operates based on an input from an input device; a storage device controlled by the controller to store the information; a pattern generator controlled by the controller to generate a pattern image; an image display device that receives an output from the pattern generator; and a projector that enlarges and projects an output from the image display device. Upon initialization based on the input from the input device, the controller defines a pointed position as a boundary position of a command, assigns the command to an area demarcated by the boundary position, and stores the boundary position in the storage device. After initialization, the controller compares a pointed position and the boundary position and executes the command associated to the information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating tracking errors associated with accelerometer-based input devices. The method and apparatus calculates a velocity of the input device; determines if the calculated velocity indicates a motion tracking error; and ignores the calculated velocity if the motion tracking error is indicated.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object and a touchable device are presented, which is capable of detecting an object having a fingerprint feature on an operation interface of the touchable device. An image sensor is used for acquiring acquiring an image on the operation interface, and the acquired image is converted into a signal denoted in a frequency domain by using a frequency conversion function. Signals at a medium-high frequency (MHF) signal region among the signals of the frequency domain are analyzed, so as to generate a first signal and a second signal according to a distribution of the signals of the frequency domain. The first signal indicates existence of the object on the operation interface, and the second signal indicates inexistence of the object on the operation interface.

Abstract: Method and system for generating and processing multiple independent input data streams based on a high priority OS message framework such as an OS provided framework for processing mouse-messages. Multiple input devices generate motion that is sensed by motion sensors located on one or more motion sources, quantify the sensed motion, and provide resulting input data to a computer via one or more communication ports. One or more software subroutines process the provided data, separating them into multiple independent input streams according to their sources, and sending the streams to listening applications. The subroutines are preferably integrated at a low level of the OS architecture, thereby enabling low-latency, fully-functional high priority processing of the input data.

Abstract: An input device is disclosed that includes keys on a first surface and a second surface of the input device. At least some of the keys are operably coupled to a matrix including a switch for each key therein. When one of the keys is pressed, the corresponding switch is activated to provide a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A portable electronic multi-functional computer-communicator device is described which has a flexible rollable display and may be converted to various states and shapes, each designed to replace certain class or classes of existing electronic devices.

Abstract: A computer system includes a host and a mouse device. The host is configured to output a screen size signal. The mouse device adjusts a DPI value thereof according to the screen size signal from the host. The present disclosure further provides an operating method of the computer system.

Abstract: A computer input device is disclosed, including a base element arranged for resting on a surface, detecting device for detecting movement of the base element relative to the surface, communication device for communicating information about the movement to a computer, and a grip element connected to the base element in the direction of a connection axis. The base element is provided with a recess, and the grip element extends into the recess, where it is pivotably arranged relative to the base element and where it is prevented from rotating relative to the base element round its connection axis. There is also disclosed a base element, arranged for resting on a surface and connectable to a grip element to form a computer input device in conjunction therewith. The base element is provided with a recess adapted for receiving the grip element pivotably therein such that the grip element is prevented from rotating relative to the base element round a connection axis thereof.

Abstract: A calibration system for a display device is provided. The calibration system includes an image signal source, a user-motion sensing module, a control module, and a calibration interface. The image source drives the display device to display a reference image and an indication icon included in the reference image. The user-motion sensing module detects a user motion and generating a corresponding sensing result. The control module controls the image signal source to move the indication icon according to the sensing result. After selecting a region to be calibrated in the reference image by the indication icon through the user-motion sensing module, a user can adjust an image characteristic parameter of the display device that corresponds to the region to be calibrated through the calibration interface.

Abstract: A computer system, including data-processing equipment and a freely movable input device, wherein the input device contains at least one position change sensor from which information can be sent to the data-processing equipment and wherein the data-processing equipment can also capture information about the absolute position of the input device. Information about the absolute position of the input device can be captured by the data-processing equipment as a result of the fact that the data-processing equipment is in data communication with a light-sensitive, position-sensitive input surface and the input device emits a light beam, the point of incidence of which on the input surface can be detected by the latter.

Abstract: An optical input card is shaped and sized for removable slidable insertion within a slot of a portable computer. The optical input card comprises an optical navigation sensor, a control panel and a wireless communication module. The optical navigation sensor is disposed on the first side of the card for exposure to a navigation surface and is configured to capture a first user control input. The control panel on a second side of the card is configured to capture at least one second user control input. The wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly communicate the first user control input and the at least one second user control input to the portable computer.